Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch C3-C4 olefin stream is treated to lower the oxygenate content to below 4000 ppm. Another Fischer-Tropsch fraction is hydrotreated and hydrocracked to provide an isobutane-containing stream. The treated C3-C4 olefin stream is reacted with the isobutane stream in an alkylation reactor to provide a highly branched, high octane isoparaffinic alkylate. The alkylate is useful as a blending component in motor gasoline.

Abstract: A system and method for separating a hydrocarbon fluid stream and a disposal fluid stream and for dispersing the disposal fluid stream into a body of water. The system includes a production string located in a body of water, and a membrane positioned in the production string for separating the hydrocarbon fluid and the disposal fluid by passing the disposal fluid through the membrane. The membrane separation system provides an efficient solution to disperse disposal fluids removed from a hydrocarbon production stream into a body of water in a controllable and ecologically friendly manner.

Abstract: One configuration of a separation system for separating hydrocarbons from contaminants downhole includes a tubular membrane having a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end. Between the fluid inlet end and the fluid outlet end of the membrane tube the membrane material selectively permeates contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, through the membrane while preventing the hydrocarbon from passing through the membrane achieving the downhole separation. A driving force of the membrane is increased by passing a sweep gas past the output side of the membrane during membrane separation to remove or dilute the contaminant at the output side of the membrane. The sweep gas improves the driving force of the membrane by increasing a partial pressure difference across the membrane.

Abstract: Composite membranes capable of separating p-xylene from mixtures including p-xylene and m-xylene, and processes for purifying p-xylene using the membranes, are disclosed. The membranes are polymer membranes with a thickness of between about 10 and 1000 microns that include non-interconnected zeolite particles less than 5 microns. In one embodiment, a relatively thin polymer layer (0.5-3 microns) that includes zeolite particles is adjacent to a relatively thick polymer layer which may or may not include zeolite particles, where the thickness of the two layers is between about 10 and 1000 microns. The preferred ratio of zeolite/polymer is about 0.2 by weight. A preferred method for preparing the composite is by dispersing the zeolite in a polymer solution, casting a film of the polymer solution, and evaporating the solvent to form a polymeric film. The polymer permits passage of p-xylene and m-xylene in the vapor state, such that p-xylene diffuses at the same or a faster rate through the polymer.

Abstract: A two step sulfur removal for treatment of hydrocarbonaceous fuel intended for use in a fuel cell comprising a mild hydrotreating step followed by an extraction step reduces the sulfur content in fuel to 5 ppm total sulfur or less and a fuel processor suitable for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A two step sulfur removal for treatment of hydrocarbonaceous fuel intended for use in a fuel cell comprising a mild hydrotreating step followed by an extraction step reduces the sulfur content in fuel to 5 ppm total sulfur or less and a fuel processor suitable for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A downhole preferential hydrocarbon gas recovery system and method employ preferentially selective materials to separate the hydrocarbon gas from contaminants. According to one aspect of the invention, the preferentially selective materials are arranged in tubes with the hydrocarbon gas flowing through the tubes and the contaminants permeating out through the preferentially selective material.

Abstract: Methods for separating olefins from non-olefins, such as paraffins, including cycloparaffins, oxygenates and aromatics, are provided. The methods use metal salts to complex olefins, allowing the non-olefins to be separated by a variety of methods, including decantation and distillation. The metal salts are dissolved in ionic liquids, which tend to have virtually no vapor pressure, and which poorly solubilize the non-olefins. Accordingly, the non-olefins phase separate well, and can be distilled without carrying over any of the ionic liquid into the distillate. Preferred salts are Group IB salts, more preferably silver salts. A preferred silver salt is silver tetrafluoroborate. Preferred ionic liquids are those which form stable solutions or dispersions of the metal salts, and which do not dissolve the non-olefins. Further, if the olefins are subject to isomerization, the ionic liquid is preferably relatively non-acidic.

Abstract: Methods for separating olefins from non-olefins, such as parafins, including cycloparaffins, oxygenates and aromatics, are provided. The methods use metal salts to complex olefins, allowing the non-olefins to be separated by a variety of methods, including decantation and distillation. The metal salts are dissolved in ionic liquids, which tend to have virtually no vapor pressure, and which poorly solubilize the non-olefins. Accordingly, the non-olefins phase separate well, and can be distilled without carrying over any of the ionic liquid into the distillate. Preferred salts are Group IB salts, more preferably silver salts. A preferred silver salt is silver tetrafluoroborate. Preferred ionic liquids are those which form stable solutions or dispersions of the metal salts, and which do not dissolve the non-olefins. Further, if the olefins are subject to isomerization, the ionic liquid is preferably relatively non-acidic.

Abstract: A two step sulfur removal for treatment of hydrocarbonaceous fuel intended for use in a fuel cell comprising a mild hydrotreating step followed by an extraction step reduces the sulfur content in fuel to 5 ppm total sulfur or less and a fuel processor suitable for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A two step sulfur removal comprising a mild hydrotreating step followed by an extraction step reduces the sulfur content in gasoline to a very low level without significantly reducing the octane of the gasoline.

Abstract: The invention provides specific adsorbents and methods for separating an unsaturated hydrocarbon from a mixture containing such hydrocarbon. The adsorbents and methods are useful for separating dienes from mono-olefins.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to produce 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene (2,6-DMN), used for the production of polyethylene naphthalate, at high purity and high yield from a mixture of dimethylnaphthalene isomers without limitation to the specific isomers present in the feed by a series of fractionation, crystallization and adsorption steps.