Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, apparatus, and systems to minimize environmental impact, water use, and overall cost of drilling and hydraulic fracturing for crude oil and natural gas. Some variations of the invention provide a fracturing-fluid additive composition comprising a water-soluble portion of a biomass-pyrolysis liquid. In some embodiments, the fracturing-fluid additive composition is substantially biodegradable and is not toxic. Some variations provide improved proppants for oil or gas well fracturing. Other variations of this invention relate to drilling-fluid additive compositions, and methods of using these compositions. This invention can significantly improve the environmental, economic, and social sustainability associated with drilling and fracturing for production of oil and gas.

Abstract: Methods, processes, apparatus, systems, and compositions are disclosed for improving the sustainability of oil sands processing. In some embodiments, bitumen is combined with biodiluent comprising one or more liquid pyrolysis fractions obtained from pyrolyzing biomass and collecting multiple liquid fractions. The bitumen may be any source of bitumen, such as bitumen obtained from oil sands. In some embodiments, a water-rich pyrolysis liquid displaces water use in an oil sands process. The water-rich pyrolysis liquid may be used for primary separation of bitumen from oil sands or for hydrotransport, for example. Also, biochar produced from biomass pyrolysis may be introduced to an oil sands tailing pond with various benefits. Water may be recycled from a tailing pond. Integration of a pyrolysis and separation process into an oil sands refining process reduces the overall greenhouse-gas emissions on a well-to-refined product basis by 10-70% or more. Various compositions and products are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, apparatus, and systems to minimize environmental impact, water use, and overall cost of drilling and hydraulic fracturing for crude oil and natural gas. Some variations of the invention provide a fracturing-fluid additive composition comprising a water-soluble portion of a biomass-pyrolysis liquid. In some embodiments, the fracturing-fluid additive composition is substantially biodegradable and is not toxic. Some variations provide improved proppants for oil or gas well fracturing. Other variations of this invention relate to drilling-fluid additive compositions, and methods of using these compositions. This invention can significantly improve the environmental, economic, and social sustainability associated with drilling and fracturing for production of oil and gas.

Abstract: Methods, processes, apparatus, systems, and compositions are disclosed for improving the sustainability of oil sands processing. In some embodiments, bitumen is combined with biodiluent comprising one or more liquid pyrolysis fractions obtained from pyrolyzing biomass and collecting multiple liquid fractions. The bitumen may be any source of bitumen, such as bitumen obtained from oil sands. In some embodiments, a water-rich pyrolysis liquid displaces water use in an oil sands process. The water-rich pyrolysis liquid may be used for primary separation of bitumen from oil sands or for hydrotransport, for example. Also, biochar produced from biomass pyrolysis may be introduced to an oil sands tailing pond with various benefits. Water may be recycled from a tailing pond. Integration of a pyrolysis and separation process into an oil sands refining process reduces the overall greenhouse-gas emissions on a well-to-refined product basis by 10-70% or more. Various compositions and products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, process, apparatus, equipment, and systems are disclosed for converting biomass into bio-oil fractions for chemicals, materials, feedstocks and fuels using a low-cost, integrated fast pyrolysis system. The system improves upon prior art by creating stable, bio-oil fractions which have unique properties that make them individually superior to conventional bio-oil. The invention enables water and low-molecular weight compounds to be separated into a final value-added fraction suitable for upgrading or extracting into value-added chemicals, fuels and water. Initial bio-oil fractions from the process are chemically distinct, have low-water content and acidity which reduces processing costs normally associated with conventional bio-oil post-production upgrading since fewer separation steps, milder processing conditions and lower auxiliary inputs are required. Biochar is stabilized so that it can be handled safely.

Abstract: Methods, process, apparatus, equipment, and systems are disclosed for converting biomass into bio-oil fractions for chemicals, materials, feedstocks and fuels using a low-cost, integrated fast pyrolysis system. The system improves upon prior art by creating stable, bio-oil fractions which have unique properties that make them individually superior to conventional bio-oil. The invention enables water and low-molecular weight compounds to be separated into a final value-added fraction suitable for upgrading or extracting into value-added chemicals, fuels and water. Initial bio-oil fractions from the process are chemically distinct, have low-water content and acidity which reduces processing costs normally associated with conventional bio-oil post-production upgrading since fewer separation steps, milder processing conditions and lower auxiliary inputs are required. Biochar is stabilized so that it can be handled safely.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving the flavor of protein products derived from microorganisms which comprises heat treating the microorganism and then drying same in the absence of a centrifugation. Optionally, the microorganism can be cultured in the presence of a flavor enhancing additive.

Abstract: Novel packaging in a process for producing same is disclosed whereby oxygen from the interior of an enclosed container is scavenged by introducing into the container the enzyme, alcohol oxidase and its substrate, alcohol.

Abstract: Novel packaging in a process for producing same is disclosed whereby oxygen from the interior of an enclosed container is scavenged by introducing into the container the enzyme, alcohol oxidase and its substrate, alcohol.

Abstract: A process for the disproportionation of olefins comprising contacting said olefins under suitable reaction conditions with a neutral-carbene complex catalyst and then using anhydrous ammonia to effect separation of the catalyst and the organic products.

Abstract: Process for the production of the insect sex attractant, gossyplure, is provided. The process comprises first disproportionating 1,5-cyclooctadiene and 1-hexene to give 1,5,9-tetradecatriene, then metallating the triene to form a 1-metallo-5,9-tetradecadiene, and finally treating the organometal compound with a C.sub.2 -synthon to give directly 7,11-hexadecadienyl acetate or a substituted 7,11-hexadecadienyl moiety which can readily be converted to the desired acetate.

Abstract: Process for the production of the insect sex attractant, gossyplure, is provided. The process comprises first disproportionating 1,5-cyclooctadiene and 1-hexene to give 1,5,9-tetradecatriene, then metallating the triene to form a 1-metallo-5,9-tetradecadiene, and finally treating the organometal compound with a C.sub.2 -synthon to give directly 7,11-hexadecadienyl acetate or a substituted 7,11-hexadecadienyl moiety which can readily be converted to the desired acetate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of olefinic aldehydes and intermediates is disclosed. The condensation of an .alpha.,.omega.-dihalide with a metal acetylide gives an acetylenic halide which can be reduced to give an olefinic halide, then oxidized to give the desired olefinic aldehyde or the acetylenic halide can be oxidized first to give an acetylenic aldehyde and then reduced to give the desired olefinic aldehyde.

Abstract: A process for producing functional monoolefins having specific types of cis to trans ratios involving disproportionating a functional monoolefin with a hydrocarbyl monoolefin consisting essentially of either (1) an internal olefin or (2) a terminal olefin. Also disclosed are functional olefin compositions useful in controlling insects.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of olefinic aldehydes and intermediates is disclosed. The condensation of an .alpha.,.omega.-dihalide with a metal acetylide gives an acetylenic halide which can be reduced to give an olefinic halide, then oxidized to give the desired olefinic aldehyde or the acetylenic halide can be oxidized first to give an acetylenic aldehyde and then reduced to give the desired olefinic aldehyde.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting formation of water trees in objects formed from compositions of polymers of ethylene used in dielectric applications having a density in a range above 0.92 g/cc as determined by ASTM D1505 by addition of an inhibiting amount of an aliphatic, primary, monohydric, branched chain alkanol of about 9 to about 30 carbon atoms. A composition inhibited in the formation of water trees in objects formed from compositions of polymers of ethylene used in dielectric applications having a density in a range above 0.92 g/cc and an inhibiting amount of an aliphatic, primary, monohydric, branched chain alkanol of about 9 to about 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for forming non-polymeric disproportionation products of non-conjugated olefins using catalysts comprising (1) at least one of certain neutral carbene complexes, and (2) at least one of certain compounds of Groups IVa, IVb, Vb, VIb, VIIb, VIII, and Ib of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: A disproportionation of olefins is disclosed which employs a novel catalyst system consisting essentially of (I) at least one neutral carbene complex and (II) at least one chlorinated or chlorobrominated saturated organic compound containing only carbon and chlorine or carbon, chlorine, and bromine.

Abstract: A process for forming non-polymeric disproportionation products of non-conjugated olefins using catalysts comprising (1) at least one of certain neutral carbene complexes, and (2) at least one of certain compounds of Groups IVa, IVb, Vb, VIb, VIIb, VIII, and Ib of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: A process and a catalyst for the disproportionation of olefins is disclosed wherein the catalyst consists essentially of (1) at least one neutral tungsten carbene complex, (2) at least one halogenated promoter, and (3) at least one tin promoter.