Abstract: An apparatus and a process to recover high purity helium from a low helium content feed stream are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first dual reflux pressure swing adsorption (DRPSA) unit and a second DRPSA unit, each unit comprising a high pressure adsorption column and a low pressure adsorption column configured in fluid communication with the high pressure adsorption column. The first DRPSA unit is arranged to receive and separate the feed stream into a first reflux product and a first heavy product and circulate the first reflux product and the first heavy product between the high and low pressure adsorption columns to produce an intermediate helium-enriched stream.

Abstract: A hydrate inhibitor comprising a boronic acid moiety and associated methods and compositions.

Abstract: An apparatus to directly detect solids formation in a fluid under known pressure and temperature conditions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel having an electromagnetic resonant cavity defined by an upper portion, a lower portion and a gap defined therebetween, the gap having resonant properties sensitive to the presence of a solid phase therein. The upper portion or the lower portion may be provided with a passage extending therethrough in fluid communication with an inlet to allow ingress of a stream of fluid to the gap and thereby purge solids from the cavity subsequent to solids formation. The apparatus also includes one or more probes, one or more sensors and a signal processor operatively connected to said sensors and said one or more probes to directly detect solids formation in the fluid within the cavity in response to detected changes in the resonant properties of the cavity.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for inhibiting the formation of scale on equipment in contact with a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. Such methods can comprise adding an activated alginate to the produced fluid in an amount effective to react with the divalent cation in the produced fluid to form an activated alginate complex; and separating the activated alginate complex from the produced fluid. Methods can further comprise recycling the activated alginate from the activated alginate complex by dissolving the activated alginate complex. The activated alginate can be prepared by thermally modifying an alginate precursor at a temperature of from 80° C. to 180° C. for a period of at least 24 hours. The activated alginate can be in the form of a solution including 0.1% to 10% by weight activated alginate, based on the total weight of the solution.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of facilities for the handling of oil and gas produced fluid is disclosed. An effective scale inhibiting amount of alginate is added to a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. The alginate effectively cross-links with a scale-forming divalent cation, e.g., calcium, forming an alginate gel for subsequent separation and removal from the produced fluid.

Abstract: A hydrate inhibitor comprising a boronic acid moiety and associated methods and compositions.

Abstract: A method for separating at least one hydrocarbon from a feed containing a mixture of at least one hydrocarbon and nitrogen, comprising contacting the feed with an adsorbent comprising a porous support wherein the porous support comprises exchangeable cations and at least a portion of the exchangeable cations are organic cations.

Abstract: A method for analysis of hydrocarbons in water, the method comprising the steps of: extracting the hydrocarbons from a water sample; introducing the extracted hydrocarbons to a solvent system; determining the relative concentrations of the hydrocarbons in the solvent system and at least one solvent in the solvent system by 1H NMR analysis, wherein the solvent system comprises at least one solvent with a 1H NMR signal distinguishable from a 1H NMR signal of the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of facilities for the handling of oil and gas produced fluid is disclosed. An effective scale inhibiting amount of alginate is added to a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. The alginate effectively cross-links with a scale-forming divalent cation, e.g., calcium, forming an alginate gel for subsequent separation and removal from the produced fluid.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of facilities for the handling of oil and gas produced fluid is disclosed. An effective scale inhibiting amount of alginate is added to a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. The alginate effectively cross-links with a scale-forming divalent cation, e.g., calcium, forming an alginate gel for subsequent separation and removal from the produced fluid.

Abstract: A method for controlling gas separation of a gas mixture comprising a first component and a second component, the method comprising contacting a feed containing the gas mixture with an adsorbent in a bed in a column in a dual reflux swing adsorption process such that a first component of a gas mixture attains or exceeds a desired purity and a second component of the gas mixture attains or exceeds a desired purity, wherein the mathematical product of the cycle feed time and the sum of the molar feed flow rate and the molar reflux flow rate directed to the column does not exceed the maximum number of moles that can be treated per bed per cycle and wherein the ratio of the first product flow rate to the feed flow rate is less than or equal to the first component's fraction of the feed, and the ratio of the second product flow rate to the feed flow rate is less than or equal to the second component's fraction of the feed.

Abstract: A method for analysis of hydrocarbons in water, the method comprising the steps of: extracting the hydrocarbons from a water sample; introducing the extracted hydrocarbons to a solvent system; determining the relative concentrations of the hydrocarbons in the solvent system and at least one solvent in the solvent system by 1H NMR analysis, wherein the solvent system comprises at least one solvent with a 1H NMR signal distinguishable from a 1H NMR signal of the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for controlling gas separation of a gas mixture comprising a first component and a second component, the method comprising contacting a feed containing the gas mixture with an adsorbent in a bed in a column in a dual reflux swing adsorption process such that a first component of a gas mixture attains or exceeds a desired purity and a second component of the gas mixture attains or exceeds a desired purity, wherein the mathematical product of the cycle feed time and the sum of the molar feed flow rate and the molar reflux flow rate directed to the column does not exceed the maximum number of moles that can be treated per bed per cycle and wherein the ratio of the first product flow rate to the feed flow rate is less than or equal to the first component's fraction of the feed, and the ratio of the second product flow rate to the feed flow rate is less than or equal to the second component's fraction of the feed.

Abstract: A method for separating at least one hydrocarbon from a feed containing a mixture of at least one hydrocarbon and nitrogen, comprising contacting the feed with an adsorbent comprising a porous support wherein the porous support comprises exchangeable cations and at least a portion of the exchangeable cations are organic cations.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of facilities for the handling of oil and gas produced fluid is disclosed. An effective scale inhibiting amount of alginate is added to a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. The alginate effectively cross-links with a scale-forming divalent cation, e.g., calcium, forming an alginate gel for subsequent separation and removal from the produced fluid.