Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing bitumen and other heavy oils such as low API gravity, high viscosity crudes, tar sands bitumen, or shale oils with alkali metal compounds under conditions to promote in-situ regeneration of the alkali metal compounds. The present invention employs the use of superheated water and hydrogen under conditions to improve the desulfurization and alkali metal hydroxide regeneration kinetics at sub-critical temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing bitumen and other heavy oils such as low API gravity, high viscosity crudes, tar sands bitumen, or shale oils with alkali metal compounds under conditions to promote in-situ regeneration of the alkali metal compounds. The present invention employs the use of superheated water and hydrogen under conditions to improve the desulfurization and alkali metal hydroxide regeneration kinetics at sub-critical temperatures.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for dewatering and/or desalting a water-in-oil emulsion comprising introducing a plurality of streams of the emulsion into the electrostatic field under opposed flow whereby the water coalescence is enhanced. The invention also includes an improved electrostatic apparatus for dewatering and/or desalting a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a plurality of horizontally directed nozzles positioned to introduce a plurality of streams of the emulsion into the electrostatic field under opposed flow conditions.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for dewatering and/or desalting a water-in-oil emulsion comprising introducing a plurality of streams of the emulsion into the electrostatic field under opposed flow whereby the water coalescence is enhanced. The invention also includes an improved electrostatic apparatus for dewatering and/or desalting a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a plurality of horizontally directed nozzles positioned to introduce a plurality of streams of the emulsion into the electrostatic field under opposed flow conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the acidity of a petroleum oil containing organic acids comprising treating said petroleum oil containing organic acids with an effective amount of an alcohol at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding ester of said alcohol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is related to a process for desalting crude oil that requires less wash water than conventional desalting methods. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a chemical demulsifier formulation comprising an emulsion-breaking chemical and a solvent carrier is added to the crude oil. Wash water is then added to the crude oil until the volume of water in the oil ranges from about 0.1 to about 3 vol. %. Subsequently, the mixture of crude oil, wash water, and chemical demulsifier formulation is subjected to opposed-flow mixing. Chemical emulsion-breakers useful in the invention have a hydrophobic tail group and a hydrophilic head group. Preferably, the emulsion breaker has the formula: x ranges from 1 to 5, y ranges from 0 to 2, and R is an alkyl group having 4-9 carbon atoms, and n ranges from 3 to 9.

Abstract: The chemical demulsifier formulation has the formula: wherein R1 is H or an alkoxide of from 5 to about 20 carbon atoms; x is an integer of from about 8 to about 22 when R1 is hydrogen and from about 2 to about 5 when R1 is alkoxide; R2 is independently selected from H, (CH2CH2O)mH; R3 is independently selected from H, (CH2CH2O)nH, and (CH2CH(CH3)O)nH; m and n are integers from 1 to 50; and y and z are integers ranging from 2 to 10.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed a process for extracting organic acids from a starting crude oil comprising the steps of: (a) treating the starting crude oil containing naphthenic acids with an amount of an alkoxylated amine and water under conditions and for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a water-in-oil emulsion of amine salt wherein said alkoxylated amine is selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated amines having the following formulae (A) and (B): ##STR1## where m+n=5 to 50 and R=linear or branched alkyl group of C.sub.8 to C.sub.20.(B) H-(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.y -(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.p -{NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH}.sub.x -(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.z -(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to remove a +2 ionic charged metal from a petroleum feed. The process includes contacting feed with carbon dioxide at a temperature between 40.degree. C. and 200.degree. C. and autogenous pressure. In a preferred embodiment the metal is a Group II metal. In particular, the metal is calcium.

Abstract: In an atmospheric pipestill stripping process where steam is utilized as the stripping gas to strip bottoms and side stream products, the improvement comprising utilizing methanol or a methanol and steam mixture as said stripping gas. In a refinery atmospheric pipestill stripping process utilizing a stripping gas, said process comprising utilizing a gas selected from the group consisting of methanol and a mixture of methanol and steam as said stripping gas.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to remove a +2 ionic charged metal from a petroleum feed. The process includes contacting the feed with a resin that includes carboxyl, sulfonic and/or phosphonic groups. In a preferred embodiment the metal is a Group II metal. In particular, the metal is calcium.

Abstract: In an atmospheric pipestill stripping process where steam is utilized as the stripping gas to strip bottoms and side stream products, the improvement comprising utilizing ammonia or a ammonia and steam mixture as said stripping gas wherein when an ammonia and steam mixture is utilized the ratio of ammonia to steam is about 0.1:1 to about 100:1. In a refinery atmospheric pipestill stripping process utilizing a stripping gas, said process comprising utilizing a gas selected from the group consisting of ammonia and a mixture of ammonia and steam as said stripping gas wherein when an ammonia and steam mixture is utilized the ratio of ammonia to steam is about 0.1:1 to about 100:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the acidity of a petroleum oil containing organic acids comprising treating said petroleum oil containing organic acids with an effective amount of an alcohol at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding ester of said alcohol and wherein said treatment is conducted in the presence of a metal carboxylate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating naphthenic acid--containing whole crudes or fractions thereof to reduce or eliminate their acidity by contacting the acidic whole crude or fraction at a temperature of from about 50.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. with a neutralizing amount of tetraalkylammonium hydroxide, preferably tetramethyl-ammonium hydroxide. The process has the additional benefits of reducing materials handling problems associated with treating oils using liquid solvents and in reducing emulsion formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating naphthenic acid-containing whole crudes or fractions thereof to reduce or eliminate their acidity by contacting the acidic whole crude at a temperature of from about 60.degree. C. to 170.degree. C. with a neutralizing amount of alkali metal trialkylsilanolates. The process has the additional benefits of reducing materials handling problems associated with treating crudes using liquid solvents and in reducing emulsion formation.

Abstract: A process for providing distillate products which are substantially sulfur free, which process comprises subjecting a distillate stream to conventional hydrodesulfurization conditions including a catalyst comprised of a Group VI metal and at least one Group VIII metal on a refractory support. The hydrodesulfurized stream is then treated with a solid adsorbent material capable of adsorbing beta and di-beta-substituted dibenzothiophene sulfur compounds.

Abstract: Basically, the present invention is predicated on the discovery that zeolites that have a high silica to alumina ratio, e.g., a ratio of 20 and above, pore diameters of greater than about 5.0.ANG., and which have substantially no active acid sites, i.e., zeolites which are non-reactive toward olefin isomerization and oligomerization, are especially useful in substantially separating linear olefins and paraffins from hydrocarbon mixtures containing at least linear and branched aliphatic hydrocarbons and optionally containing aromatic and other hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for selectively separating benzene from gasoline boiling range streams by first fractionating the stream to produce a C.sub.6 heartcut fraction which is then passed to an adsorption zone comprised of a bed of solid adsorbent material capable of selectively removing benzene from the stream. The absorbent is regenerated with a suitable desorbent, preferably toluene.

Abstract: A method for selectively separating benzene from gasoline boiling range streams by first passing the stream to an adsorption zone comprised of an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing benzene from the stream. A substantially benzene-free stream results and the adsorbent is regenerated by treating it with a desorbent solvent capable of desorbing benzene from the solid adsorbent.