Abstract: A method for detecting the formation of at least one phase in a mixture, particularly a hydrocarbon mixture. The method may include using a probe to expose a portion of the mixture to electromagnetic radiation to determine the value of a parameter of interest indicative of the formation of a phase. The method may also include using the value of the parameter of interest with a correlation between a known property of the mixture and the value of a parameter of interest to detect the formation of a phase.

Abstract: Solid organic acids may be introduced into hydrocarbon solvents to form dispersions; the dispersions in turn may be introduced into crude oil. A wash water may be added to the crude oil to create an emulsion. The organic acids may transfer metals and/or amines from a hydrocarbon phase into an aqueous phase in an electrostatic desalter which resolves the emulsion into the two phases. Suitable solid organic acids include, but are not necessarily limited to, C2-C4 alpha hydroxyacids, such as, but not necessarily limited to, glycolic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and even sulfamic acid, chloroacetic acid, thiomalic acid, including esters of, polymers of, amine salts of, alkali metal salts of, and/or ammonium salts of all of these acids.

Abstract: The hydrolytic stability of magnesium overbased products is significantly improved by the addition or inclusion of a mixture or reaction product of an alkylphenol resin with a mixture of an alkenyl succinic anhydride and the acid thereof, and an alkyl amine. These magnesium overbased products are useful additives to fuel oils to improve their corrosion-causing tendencies. In one non-limiting embodiment, the alkylphenol resin is nonylphenol resin and the succinic anhydride is a partially hydrolyzed succinic anhydride having from 14 to 26 carbon atoms, along with the acid thereof. The mixtures and reaction products also serve as asphaltene inhibitors in the fuel oils.

Abstract: The hydrolytic stability of magnesium overbased products is significantly improved by the addition or inclusion of a mixture or reaction product of an alkylphenol resin with a mixture of an alkenyl succinic anhydride and the acid thereof, and an alkyl amine. These magnesium overbased products are useful additives to fuel oils to improve their corrosion-causing tendencies. In one non-limiting embodiment, the alkylphenol resin is nonylphenol resin and the succinic anhydride is a partially hydrolyzed succinic anhydride having from 14 to 26 carbon atoms, along with the acid thereof. The mixtures and reaction products also serve as asphaltene inhibitors in the fuel oils.