Abstract: The present invention comprises a thermocatalytic cracking process for the production of diesel oil from a charge of vegetable origin made from seeds of oleaginous plants in refineries possessing at least two FCC reactors. At least one of such reactors processes heavy gas oil or residue under conventional conditions while at least one of such reactors processes the charge of vegetable origin made from seeds of oleaginous plants under conditions suitable, for production of diesel oil. Said process employs the same catalyst utilized in the fluid catalytic cracking process which, simultaneously, processes a conventional charge. The diesel, or biodiesel, oil produced by means of said process is of superior quality having a cetane number exceeding 40 given that the cracking reactions occur at low temperatures and the products obtained are less oxidized and consequently purer than products obtained by means of existing technology.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for purification of biodiesel obtained from castor seed oil for the purpose of promoting the efficient separation of the glycerine fraction formed during the transesterification reaction of a mixture of long-chain triglycerides derived from the oil in the presence of ethanol and an alkaline catalyst. The invention concerns the application of the method of electrostatic separation to biodiesel from castor oil in order to separate the glycerine from the stable emulsion then formed, in relatively short spaces of time.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a thermocatalytic cracking process for the production of diesel oil from a charge of vegetable origin made from seeds of oleaginous plants in refineries possessing at least two FCC reactors. At least -one of such reactors processes heavy gas oil or residue under conventional conditions whilst at least one of such reactors processes the charge of vegetable origin made from seeds of oleaginous plants under conditions suitable, for production of diesel oil. Said process employs the same catalyst utilised in the fluid catalytic cracking process which, simultaneously, processes a conventional charge. The diesel, or biodiesel, oil produced by means of said process is of superior quality having a cetane number exceeding 40 given that the cracking reactions occur at low temperatures and the products obtained are less oxidised and consequently purer than products obtained by means of existing technology.

Abstract: An integrated process is described for producing biodiesel from oleaginous seeds, preferably castor bean seeds. The inventive process includes a transesterification reaction where the seeds themselves react with anhydrous ethyl alcohol in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. The resulting ethyl esters are then separated by decantation and neutralized and used as fuel for diesel engines, co-solvents for diesel and gasoline mixtures with anhydrous or hydrated ethyl alcohol. The solid fractions may be used as fertilizers, for feeding cattle and as a raw material for producing ethyl alcohol.

Abstract: A process for the enhanced recovery of oil with the injection of treated water is described, the process comprising the previous and controlled precipitation of the precursor chemical species present in the injection water or sea water and formation or produced water, followed by the withdrawal of such species by filtration. The resulting treated water shows low amounts of precursor ions and is perfectly suited for use as injection water in secondary oil recovery processes. In view of the fact that the process uses huge amounts of produced water, it is of deep environmental interest since it avoids discarding into the marine environment the produced water which is high in brine content. The equipment used are simple and of low cost.

Abstract: A process for the thermo-hydraulic control of gas hydrates in subsea production and injection wells as well as pipelines which transport liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons is described, the process making use of a Nitrogen Generating System foamed or in solution. The control may signify the prevention of the formation of the gas hydrates or the dissolution of the gas hydrate plug already formed. Under conditions of use designed for the prevention of the formation of gas hydrates the SGN fluid prevents the thermal conditions leading to the gas hydrate plugs. Under conditions of use designed to dissolve the already formed gas hydrate plugs, the SGN fluid alters the thermo-hydraulic conditions which favor the gas hydrate plugs, so that they are dissolved and return to the water+gas phase.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for the thermo-chemical dewaxing a large dimension line or conduit using a Nitrogen Generation System/Emulsion. The method involves introducing an emulsion into the conduit to be waxed. The emulsion comprises an internal aqueous phase and an external organic phase. The aqueous phase comprises an oxidizing nitrogen salt, a reducing nitrogen salt and water. The organic phase comprises a non-polar organic liquid, such as kerosene, and a delayed action activator for inducing the reaction of said oxidizing nitrogen salt and said reducing nitrogen salt. The improvement comprises a delayed action activator which may be a copolyanhydride such as poly(adipic-co-sebacic)anhydride solubilized in a polar organic solvent such as chloroform. The solubilized delayed action activator is easily and accurately pumped into the conduit to be dewaxed.

Abstract: An on-line, thermo-chemical process for the dewaxing of oil export pipelines with the aid of a Nitrogen Generating System is described, wherein the treating fluid to be employed as dewaxing fluid comprises: a) a solution of nitrogen salts activated by emulsified acetic acid and designed to yield nitrogen and heat, and b) a solvent, which is the petroleum oil being produced. The dewaxing treatment is effected at the same time as the petroleum oil is produced, this leading to great savings in costs and energy.

Abstract: A process for fixing of a scale inhibitor in a subterranean formation, which comprises:a) injecting into the formation a solution comprising a polymeric scale inhibitor, a metal cation, a precursor and a weak organic acid, wherein the polymeric scale inhibitor and metal cation are slightly soluble in water in the formation and wherein the precursor reacts in the formation to produce an alkaline compound which causes the polymeric scale inhibitor to precipitate in the formation; andb) allowing the polymeric scale inhibitor to precipitate in the formation in an amount which is effective in inhibiting scale formation for a given period of time.

Abstract: A method is provided for thermo-chemical dewaxing a large dimension line or conduit using a Nitrogen Generation System/Emulsion. The method involves introducing an emulsion into the conduit to be dewaxed. The emulsion comprises an internal aqueous phase and an external organic phase. The aqueous phase comprises an oxidizing nitrogen salt, a reducing nitrogen salt and water. The organic phase comprises a non-polar organic liquid, such as kerosine, and a delayed action activator for inducing the reaction of said oxidizing nitrogen salt and said reducing nitrogen salt. The delayed action activator may be a linear, aliphatic polyanhydride, such as poly(adipic anhydride). The emulsion is maintained in the conduit until the delayed action activator induces the reaction of the nitrogen salts to generate nitrogen and heat, thereby fluidizing wax in the conduit. The fluidized wax is then removed from the conduit. The emulsion may be prepared on a production platform or on nearby equipment.

Abstract: A process for the thermo-chemical dewaxing of hydrocarbon transmission is described, which comprises, after assessment of the conduit internal effective volume, treating the wax-containing conduit with a water-in-oil emulsion, co-currently to the production flow. The emulsion contains inorganic reactants which generate nitrogen and heat, which fluidize the paraffin deposit which is later driven off by cleaning beds. The percentual of removed paraffin is known by assessing the final internal effective volume.