Abstract: Methods and systems relate to the in-situ removal of heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, etc., from produced fluids such as gases and crudes from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A sufficient amount of a fixing agent is injected into formation with a dilution fluid. The fixing agent reacts with the heavy metals forming precipitate, or is extracted heavy metals into the dilution fluid as soluble complexes. In one embodiment, the heavy metal precipitates remain in the formation. After the recovery of the produced fluid, the dilution fluid containing the heavy metal complexes is separated from the produced fluid, generating a treated produced fluid having a reduced concentration of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the dilution fluid is water, and the wastewater containing the heavy metal complexes after recovery can be recycled by injection into a reservoir.

Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are removed in a gas processing plant in an amine unit and/or a dehydrator. The mercury removal occurs concurrently with the removal of acid gases in an amine unit, e.g., an absorber or scrubber, with an amine solution containing a complexing agent. The mercury removal can also be carried out concurrently with the removal of water in a glycol dehydrator with the addition of a complexing agent to the glycol solution. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed by the complexing agent, forming non-volatile mercury species in the rich amine/glycol solution.

Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are removed in a gas processing plant in an amine unit and/or a dehydrator. The mercury removal occurs concurrently with the removal of acid gases in an amine unit, e.g., an absorber or scrubber, with an amine solution containing a complexing agent. The mercury removal can also be carried out concurrently with the removal of water in a glycol dehydrator with the addition of a complexing agent to the glycol solution. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed by the complexing agent, forming non-volatile mercury species in the rich amine/glycol solution.

Abstract: A method for concurrently transporting and removing trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury from produced fluids such as natural gas, with the injection of a complexing agent and a hydrate inhibitor into the pipeline for use in transporting the produced fluid. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed while the produced fluid is being transported in the pipeline, with the hydrate inhibitor suppressing or decreasing the formation of the hydrate that would cause plugging in the pipeline. The complexing agent reacts with the volatile mercury in the natural gas, forming precipitate or soluble mercury complexes in the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase containing the hydrate inhibitor, unreacted complexing agent, and mercury complexes is subsequently recovered and can be re-used in the pipeline.

Abstract: We provide a hydrodechlorination and hydrogen chloride recovery process, comprising: a) contacting at least one hydrocarbon product with a hydrodechlorination catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under hydrodechlorination conditions to provide: i) an off-gas comprising an HCl, and ii) a dechlorinated product; b) separating the dechlorinated product from the off-gas; c) contacting the off-gas with an adsorbent under HCl adsorbing conditions such that the HCl is adsorbed by the adsorbent; and d) after step c), recovering the HCl from the adsorbent.

Abstract: Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are reduced by scrubbing the natural gas in an absorber with an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble sulfur compound. The water-soluble sulfur compound reacts with a least a portion of the mercury in the natural gas to produce a treated natural gas with a reduced concentration of mercury, and a mercury containing sulfur-depleted solution which can be disposed by injection into a (depleted) underground formation. The produced water extracted with the natural gas from the underground formation can be recycled for use as the scrubbing solution. In one embodiment, a fresh source of water-soluble sulfur compound as feed to the absorber can be generated on-site by reacting an elemental sulfur source with a sulfur reagent in produced water.

Abstract: Trace amount levels of non-volatile mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with a water stream containing at least a monatomic water-soluble sulfur species such as sulfides and hydrosulfides. The non-volatile mercury is extracted into the water phase forming a mercury rich wastewater, yielding a treated crude oil having at less than 50% of the original non-volatile mercury level. The wastewater can disposed or recycled by injection into a reservoir. In one embodiment, the water stream consists essentially of produced water.

Abstract: Trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with a sufficient amount of a reducing agent to convert at least a portion of the non-volatile mercury into a volatile form of mercury, which can be subsequently removed by any of stripping, scrubbing, adsorption, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, at least 50% of the mercury is removed. In another embodiment, the removal rate is at least 99%. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is selected from sulfur compounds containing at least one sulfur atom having an oxidation state less than +6; ferrous compounds; stannous compounds; oxalates; cuprous compounds; organic acids which decompose to form CO2 and/or H2 upon heating; hydroxylamine compounds; hydrazine compounds; sodium borohydride; diisobutylaluminium hydride; thiourea; transition metal halides; and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously transporting and removing trace amount levels of heavy metals from produced fluids such as crude oil, with the injection of a fixing agent into the pipeline for use in transporting the produced fluid. A sufficient amount of the fixing agent is injected into the pipeline containing the produced fluid and a dilution fluid. The fixing agent reacts with the heavy metals forming precipitate or soluble complexes in the dilution. The dilution fluid containing the heavy metal complexes is separated from the produced fluid, generating a treated produced fluid having a reduced concentration of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the dilution fluid is water, and the wastewater containing the heavy metal complexes after recovery can be recycled by injection into a reservoir.

Abstract: A method, of prosecuting acquisition of formal responses to a formal proposition put forth by a requestor, includes: electronically sending the proposition to a group of recipients; automatically tracking responses to the proposition; automatically determining statistics indicative of the tracked responses including a completion ratio; and electronically presenting to the requestor at least some of the statistics including the completion ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for improving the total energy demand required to separate carbon dioxide (CO2) from an aqueous ionic absorbent solution in a post-combustion carbon capture process. The method involves (a) contacting a flue gas stream containing CO2 with an aqueous ionic absorbent solution under absorption conditions to absorb at least a portion of the CO2 from the flue gas stream and form a CO2-aqueous ionic absorbent solution stream, wherein the aqueous ionic absorbent solution comprises one or more diluents and an ionic absorbent containing a cation and an anion comprising an amine moiety; and (b) subjecting at least a portion of the CO2-aqueous ionic absorbent solution stream to desorption conditions to form a CO2-rich stream and an aqueous ionic absorbent solution stream having a reduced CO2 content.

Abstract: An aqueous ionic absorbent solution is disclosed containing (a) about 15 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of one or more diluents, based on the total weight of the aqueous ionic absorbent solution; and (b) an ionic absorbent containing a cation and an anion comprising an amine moiety.

Abstract: A process and system for separating CO2 from a flue gas stream is disclosed. The process involves (a) contacting a flue gas stream containing water vapor and CO2 with an ionic absorbent under absorption conditions to absorb at least a portion of the CO2 from the flue gas stream and form a CO2-absorbent complex; wherein the ionic absorbent comprises a cation and an anion comprising an amine moiety; and (b) recovering a gaseous product having a reduced CO2 content.

Abstract: A heat transfer composite including a plurality of pyrolytic graphite parts and a non-carbonaceous matrix holding the pyrolytic graphite parts in a consolidated mass. In one embodiment, the heat transfer composite includes a quantity of pyrolytic graphite parts randomly distributed in the non-carbonaceous matrix. In another embodiment, the heat transfer composite includes distinct layers of pyrolytic graphite parts disposed in between the layers of sheets comprising non-carbonaceous materials. In still another embodiment, the heat transfer composite comprises a substrate containing at least one non-carbonaceous matrix containing at least one pyrolytic graphite part in a consolidated mass. The matrix is affixed to the substrate for conveying heat away from a heat source.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly for an electronic device or a heat generating device(s) is constructed from an ultra-thin graphite layer. The ultra-thin graphite layer exhibits thermal conductivity which is anisotropic in nature and is greater than 500 W/m° C. in at least one plane and comprises at least a graphene layer. The ultra-thin graphite layer is structurally supported by a layer comprising at least one of a metal, a polymeric resin, a ceramic, and a mixture thereof, which is disposed on at least one surface of the graphite layer.