Abstract: A process for converting the naphtha fractions distilled from crude oil into greater volumes than heretofore of a gasoline product having higher octane number and a distillate stream of improved cetane number and smoke point by sending the lower boiling naphtha fraction directly to the gasoline pool and subjecting the higher boiling naphtha fraction to a mild reforming treatment, extracting the reformate to separate two streams, aromatics which are directed to the pool and paraffins which are sent to a splitter to separate the paraffin stream into fractions greater than C.sub.8 and a C.sub.8 or less fraction. The C.sub.8 or less fraction is cracked, thermally or catalytically and alkylated and/or polymerized before being directed to the gasoline pool. The fraction from the splitter containing hydrocarbons greater than C.sub.8 can be used in the distillate pool.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for measuring and controlling the concentration of hydrogen in hydrogen recycle processes used in oil refineries and petrochemical plants. The system is intended to reduce the amount of hydrogen and hydrocarbon vapor circulating in such systems, thus reducing the quantity of utilities needed to operate such systems. Specifically, there is a savings of compressor power and fuel required for heating. The system is dependent on the recognition that a decrease in cooling medium temperature results in an increase in hydrogen flow, which can be decreased to the minimum permissible without endangering catalyst activity and stability and product yield if hydrogen concentration is monitored, and that partial pressure is the key parameter.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for measuring and controlling the concentration of hydrogen in hydrogen recycle processes used in oil refineries and petrochemical plants. The system is intended to permit reduction in hydrogen use in hydrogen-consuming hydrogen recycle processes. The system is dependent on the recognition that a decrease in cooling medium temperature results in an increase in vent gas flow, which can be decreased to the minimum permissible without endangering catalyst activity and stability and product yield if hydrogen concentration is monitored, and that partial pressure is the key parameter.

Abstract: Heat exchanger tubes are cleaned, while the heat exchanger is operated to cool a liquid passing through the tubes, by applying an electric current to a portion of the tubes for brief time periods to heat such tubes to a temperature sufficient to melt or soften deposits therein, while simultaneously continuing to pass liquid therethrough.

Abstract: A process for the production of a hydrogen-rich gas stream from the effluent of a catalytic hydrocarbon conversion reaction zone is disclosed. A hydrogen-containing vapor phase is recovered from the effluent and subjected to cooling in order to produce a hydrogen-rich gas stream. The resulting hydrogen-rich gas stream is expanded to provide the medium used in cooling the hydrogen-containing vapor phase.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for measuring and controlling the concentration of hydrogen in hydrogen-consuming hydrogen recycle processes used in oil refineries and petrochemical plants. The system is intended to reduce utilities and hydrogen usage by means of adjusting vent gas flow and the quantity of hydrogen and hydrocarbon vapor circulating to obtain the operating parameters which yield minimum cost. Specifically there can be a savings of compressor power, fuel required for heating, and hydrogen. The system is dependent on the recognition that a decrease in cooling medium temperature results in an increase in hydrogen flow, which can be decreased to the minimum permissible without endangering catalyst activity and stability and product yield if hydrogen concentration is monitored, that partial pressure is the key parameter, and that it is advantageous to optimize.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for modifying the flow of hydrogen in a hydrocarbonaceous apparatus wherein a charge stock and a vaporous hydrocarbon-hydrogen recycle are charged to a reaction zone to convert the hydrocarbons and produce a reaction zone effluent conduit which is cooled to provide, via a gas-liquid separation zone, a liquid hydrocarbon product stream and the vaporous hydrocarbon-hydrogen recycle stream, the latter being returned to charge stock admixture by a compressor. The control system senses the partial pressure of hydrogen, compares that value to a previously determined value and develops a signal correlative thereto, which is transmitted to a regulater that controls the quantity of vaporous hydrocarbon-hydrogen stream recycled to admixture with the charge stock. In a hydrogen consuming process, the hydrogen partial pressure is sensed downstream of the reactor while in the hydrogen producing process, the hydrogen partial pressure is sensed in the inlet to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for modifying the flow of hydrogen recycle gas to a reaction apparatus which includes the admixture of a hydrocarbon charge stock with a recycle hydrogen-hydrocarbon stream and passage of the same to a hydrocarbon reaction zone to convert the hydrocarbons to a product effluent stream that is cooled to form a separated, via a separation zone, liquid product stream (withdrawn from the process) and a vaporous hydrogen-hydrocarbon stream, which is divided into the hydrogen-hydrocarbon recycle stream and a hydrogen-hydrocarbon vent stream. The recycle stream is returned to admixture with the hydrocarbon charge stock by a compressor while the vent stream conduit, in connection with the recycle conduit, has a controllable flow restriction device.

Abstract: A gas treating process for simultaneous solid particle filtering and sulfur oxide removal is described. The feed gas stream is passed horizontally through a first moving bed of treating particles, which trap fine particles entrained in the gas stream. The treating particles of the bed also are effective in removing sulfur oxides by reaction with the sulfur oxides. The effluent of the first moving bed is passed through an upper second moving bed of fresh treating particles. Preferably the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the effluent of the first bed is monitored to control either, and possibly both, the rate at which gas bypasses the second bed or the rate at which the treating particles are transferred from the second to the first beds.

Abstract: An absorption process is disclosed for the recovery of normally liquid hydrocarbons from a gas stream. The process is useful in recovering hydrocarbons from the gas stream discharged by the main fractionation column of a fluidized catalytic cracking unit. The feed gas is compressed and passed through an absorption zone to produce a high pressure lean gas which is depressurized in a power recovery turbine. The turbine compresses air used within the catalyst regeneration zone of the fluidized catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for generating steam or electrical power from surplus heat transferred to the total bottoms liquid of a fractionation column. Preferably the reboiler of the column is supplied with more fuel than required in the operation of the column. A portion of the total bottoms liquid stream in excess of the net bottoms stream is diverted from the bottoms liquid destined for the reboiler. This diverted stream is used to vaporize a working fluid and this vapor is removed as a product or passed into the turbine of an electrical generator. The excess bottoms liquid is then split off and passed into the reboiler. The remainder of the bottoms liquid is the net bottoms stream and is used to preheat the working fluid. The process has the advantage of an exceptionally high thermal efficiency in terms of converting the surplus heat released in the reboiler into electricity.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering useful energy from the overhead stream of a fractionation column. A high efficiency for the overall process is achieved by first removing heat from the overhead stream by vaporizing an expansion turbine working fluid stream and by then removing an additional amount of heat in a working fluid preheater. The amount of working fluid flowing through the preheater is more than is vaporized by exchange against the overhead stream. The remaining liquid-phase portion of the working fluid is separately passed into a second vaporizer having a different heat source.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for driving a turbine, which preferably is connected to an electrical generator, using energy supplied by the reboiler system of a fractionation column. The portion of the bottoms liquid of the column which is to be recycled through the reboiler is pressurized by a pump, and the high pressure liquid is heated and vaporized or brought to a supercritical state in the reboiler. The resultant high temperature stream is then depressurized through the turbine down to the desired pressure and temperature of the vapor stream used to reboil the column. The process is an extremely efficient method of generating electrical energy in a petroleum refinery or petrochemical installation.

Abstract: An energy recovery method is disclosed for use on acid catalyzed alkylation processes which produce motor fuel blending components. The method is used on alkylation processes in which a light hydrocarbon, such as isobutane, is withdrawn from an elevated pressure fractionation column as a vapor-phase stream which is preferably a sidecut stream, condensed and then recycled to the reaction zone of the alkylation process. In the subject method, the vapor-phase stream is first depressurized to recover useful energy and is then condensed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohols from C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 olefins by the indirect hydration method is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of (a) treating a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 olefin in an absorption zone in admixture with a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkyl hydrogen sulfate at conditions to form a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 dialkyl sulfate; (b) treating said dialkyl sulfate in a hydrolyzing zone in admixture with a measured amount of water at conditions effecting the partial hydrolysis of said dialkyl sulfate and the formation of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkyl hydrogen sulfate and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohol; (c) separating the alcohol; and (d) recycling the alkyl hydrogen sulfate to said absorption zone, and treating said C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 olefin in admixture therewith in accordance with step (a). The practice of this invention substantially obviates the formation of sulfuric acid and the required reconcentration thereof.

Abstract: The present process is particularly adapted to those situations where a refiner lacks sufficient isobutane to completely alkylate an olefin feedstock. A field butane stream is admixed with an olefin stream, and the mixture is fractionated to provide an isobutane-olefin concentrate and a normal butane concentrate. The former is increased in pressure and reacted in contact with a hydrofluoric acid alkylation catalyst. The latter is introduced into the reaction zone wherein it is vaporized via indirect contact with the warm reaction mixture contained therein. Vaporous normal butane is recycled into the fractionation facility whereby the exothermic heat of the alkylation reaction is utilized to fractionate the first mentioned field butanes-olefin mixture. Alkylation reactions can thus be conducted at subambient temperatures resulting in improved alkylate product quality.

Abstract: A process for the acid-catalyzed alkylation of an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon with an olefinic hydrocarbon is disclosed. The alkylation is effected at alkylation reaction conditions resulting in an alkylation reaction mixture containing a vapor phase generated by the exothermic heat of reaction. The vapor phase so generated has a cooling effect permitting the alkylation reaction to be effected at lower temperatures more conducive to higher quality alkylation product.

Abstract: A control system and a method for regulating the division of a single feed stream between two or more pieces of processing equipment operated in parallel. The feed stream enters a three-way valve and is then equally divided into two smaller streams which flow through separate pieces of process equipment and then through separate check valves. The pressure of each of the smaller streams is monitored to detect leakage in either piece of the equipment. The flow normally passing through the leaking piece of equipment is diverted to the intact piece of equipment when the leakage causes a predetermined pressure difference.

Abstract: A distributor device for effecting uniform distribution of a fluid stream to a fixed-bed of catalyst particles. Distribution of a vaporous phase, liquid phase, or a mixed-phase is effected in a plurality of spaced-apart parallel conduits, each of which consists of two concentric and coaxial perforated pipes. Fluid for distribution is introduced into the inner conduit, while fluid from that portion of catalyst above the device flows into the outer conduit and is distributed therefrom into the catalyst particles below.

Abstract: Field butanes, otherwise introduced into an isostripping column, also utilized to recover alkylate product from unreacted isobutane, are separately fractionated to provide an isobutane concentrate and a normal butane concentrate. The former is increased in pressure and reacted with the olefinic feed stream in admixture with HF-acid catalyst. The latter is introduced into the reaction zone wherein it is vaporized via indirect contact with the reaction mixture. Vaporous normal butane is introduced into the fractionation facility wherein the exothermic heat of reaction serves to separate the field butane stream. Alkylation reactions can thus be conducted at sub-ambient temperatures which results in an alkylate product of improved quality. This technique also obviates the necessity for a cooling water system, thus eliminating the possibility of HF-acid contamination of water bodies.