Abstract: A wide cut Fischer-Tropsch derived diesel fuel is produced wherein the distillate boils in a wider range than a conventional diesel fuel while providing favorable low temperature properties and environmentally beneficial effects. In particular, the fuel comprises a hydrocarbon distillate derived from the Fischer-Tropsch process having T90 greater than 640° F. (338° C.) but less than 1000° F. (538° C.) and a cold filter plugging point less than or equal to +5° C.

Abstract: Axial entry dovetails on buckets are installed axially into generally complementary-shaped female dovetails about the rim of the turbine wheel. The buckets include bucket covers having an interference fit such that upon installation, the buckets tend to rotate, which causes radial inward displacement of the buckets. To eliminate the bucket rotation and radial displacement, the male dovetails mount an anti-rotation key for reception in a generally complementary-shaped recess at the base of the female dovetail. The anti-rotation key in the slot eliminates rotation and radial displacement of the bucket, maintaining the buckets on radii and enables the bucket covers to be machined to proper diameters.

Abstract: A process for the production of a winter diesel fuel from wax containing hydrocarbons produced by the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process. A 300° F.+ Fischer-Tropsch fraction is upgraded first by hydroisomerization followed by catalytic dewaxing resulting in a diesel fuel suitable for use as a winter diesel fuel having excellent cold flow properties and reduced emissions.

Abstract: Axial entry dovetails on buckets are installed axially into generally complementary-shaped female dovetails about the rim of the turbine wheel. The buckets include bucket covers having an interference fit such that upon installation, the buckets tend to rotate, which causes radial inward displacement of the buckets. To eliminate the bucket rotation and radial displacement, the male dovetails mount an anti-rotation key for reception in a generally complementary-shaped recess at the base of the female dovetail. The anti-rotation key in the slot eliminates rotation and radial displacement of the bucket, maintaining the buckets on radii and enables the bucket covers to be machined to proper diameters.

Abstract: A novel process for forming hydrocarbon waxes from synthesis gas is disclosed. This invention teaches a process whereby a Fischer-Tropsch wax can be formulated such that the wax softness as defined by ASTM Standard Test Method for Needle Penetration of waxes (ASTM D-1321) can be adjusted to within a region most preferred for end use applications while simultaneously removing undesirable impurities, such as oxygenates (e.g., primary alcohols), olefins, and trace levels of aromatics. In a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, Fischer-Tropsch wax is formed from synthesis gas in a catalyzed reaction. The Fischer Tropsch wax is then subjected to a relatively mild hydroprocessing over a hydroisomerization catalyst under conditions such that essentially no boiling point conversion is obtained, but yet chemical conversions (e.g., hydrogenation and mild isomerization) occur yielding a high purity, hydrocarbon wax product of reduced hardness.

Abstract: A bucket spreading tool is disclosed for separating covers of adjacent turbine buckets, the tool includes: an arm for extending a head of the tool between adjacent turbine wheels and for positioning the head between the adjacent buckets of a wheel, wherein the head includes an attachment to an end of the arm and a forward portion having a front side surface shaped to engage a first bucket of said adjacent buckets, and a rear side surface shaped to engage a second bucket of said adjacent buckets.

Abstract: Catalytic dewaxing of paraffin containing feeds, preferably feeds produced from syn gas using a non-shifting Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, is accomplished at relatively low hydrogen partial pressures without substantial effect on the life of the dewaxing catalyst having a certain pore structure.

Abstract: A bucket spreading tool is disclosed for separating covers of adjacent turbine buckets, the tool includes: an arm for extending a head of the tool between adjacent turbine wheels and for positioning the head between the adjacent buckets of a wheel, wherein the head includes an attachment to an end of the arm and a forward portion having a front side surface shaped to engage a first bucket of said adjacent buckets, and a rear side surface shaped to engage a second bucket of said adjacent buckets.

Abstract: Catalytic dewaxing of paraffin containing feeds, preferably feeds produced from a non-shifting Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, is accomplished at relatively low hydrogen partial pressures without substantial affect on the life of a catalyst having a certain pore structure.

Abstract: A wax blending process is disclosed which retains the desirable properties of a Fischer-Tropsch wax, while adjusting the hardness of the wax to within to a desired range. The invention utilizes a synergistic effect between hard virgin Fischer-Tropsch wax and softer mildly isomerized Fischer-Tropsch wax in a blending process which allows the artisan to adjust the hardness of a wax product to within desired ranges. The process involves passing a Fischer-Tropsch wax over a hydroisomerization catalyst under predetermined conditions including relatively mild temperatures such that chemical conversions (e.g., hydrogenation and mild isomerization) take place while less than 10% boiling point conversion (hydrocracking) occurs, thus preserving overall isomerized wax yield.

Abstract: A blended fuel, useful as a diesel fuel, wherein the fuel blend contains an undercut conventional diesel fuel, blended with a Fischer-Tropsch derived diesel fuel, such that the blend demonstrates better than expected emissions and a reduced sulfur content. In particular, the blend is an asymmetric diesel fuel blend comprising a Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon distillate having a T95 of at least 600° F., blended with a petroleum derived hydrocarbon distillate having an initial boiling point and a T95 no greater than 640° F.

Abstract: A locating plate for locating a first piece of rotary machinery relative to a second piece of rotary machinery is provided. The plate has a first periphery surface for mating with a first receiving surface of the first piece of rotary machinery and a second periphery surface for mating with a second receiving surface of the second piece of rotary machinery. The plate also has at least one attaching device for use in attaching the plate to the first piece of rotary machinery and at least one removal device for use in removing the plate from the first piece of rotary machinery. The plate is removably attachable to the second piece of rotary machinery, and the second periphery surface is sizable independently from the first periphery surface.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon wax product from a hydrocarbon synthesis slurry comprising liquid synthesis product and catalyst particles is purified by introducing a portion of hydrocarbon synthesis slurry from a hydrocarbon synthesis zone to a treatment zone in which a treatment gas contacts the hydrocarbon synthesis slurry. Hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas is useful as the treatment gas. The gas treatment removes impurities from the hydrocarbon wax portion of the hydrocarbon synthesis slurry. Purified wax product is separated and removed in situ via wax withdrawal means. This avoids or minimizes the need for further treating the wax product.

Abstract: A locating plate for locating a first piece of rotary machinery relative to a second piece of rotary machinery is provided. The plate has a first periphery surface for mating with a first receiving surface of the first piece of rotary machinery and a second periphery surface for mating with a second receiving surface of the second piece of rotary machinery. The plate also has at least one attaching device for use in attaching the plate to the first piece of rotary machinery and at least one removal device for use in removing the plate from the first piece of rotary machinery. The plate is removably attachable to the second piece of rotary machinery, and the second periphery surface is sizable independently from the first periphery surface.

Abstract: Discloses novel biodegradable high performance hydrocarbon base oils useful as lubricants in engine oil and industrial compositions, and process for their manufacture. A waxy, or paraffinic feed, particularly a Fischer-Tropsch wax, is reacted over a dual function catalyst to produce hydroisomerization and hydrocracking reactions, at 700° F.+ conversion levels ranging from about 20 to 50 wt. %, preferably about 25-40 wt. %, sufficient to produce a crude fraction, e.g., a C5-1050° F.+ crude fraction, containing 700° F.+ isoparaffins having from about 6.0 to about 7.5 methyl branches per 100 carbon atoms in the molecule. The methyl paraffins containing crude fraction is topped via atmospheric distillation to produce a bottoms fraction having an initial boiling point between about 650° F. and 750° F. which is then solvent dewaxed, and the dewaxed oil is then fractionated under high vacuum to produce biodegradable high performance hydrocarbon base oils.

Abstract: The melt flow of a polymer or mixture of polymers is increased by mixing the polymer with a Fischer-Tropsch wax yet the flexural strength and hardness of the polymer is not significantly decreased.

Abstract: Discloses environmentally friendly, low temperature base oils and drilling fluids. The drilling fluid is constituted of one or more of weighting agents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, viscosifiers, fluid loss control agents, proppants, and other particulates such as used in a gravel pack, emulsified with a paraffinic solvent composition which forms a continuous oil phase, or water-in-oil invert phase. The solvent composition is constituted of a mixture of C10-C24 n-paraffins and isoparaffins having an isoparaffin:n-paraffin molar ratio ranging from about 0.5:1 to about 9:1, the isoparaffins of the mixture contain greater than 30 percent, preferably from about 30 percent to about 50 percent, of mono-methyl species, and greater than 30 percent, preferably from about 30 percent to about 50 percent of multi-methyl branched species and isoparaffins which contain one or more branches of carbon number higher than methyl, based on the total weight of the isoparaffins in the mixture.

Abstract: A system and method for securing an integral closure bucket to a rotor wheel assembly. The integral closure bucket is inserted in a direction coincident with a radius of the rotor wheel assembly, where the remaining buckets have been previously inserted in a direction parallel to the axis of the turbine rotor wheel. The closure bucket has an integral shroud and is connected to a turbine rotor wheel assembly in which the remaining buckets have been previously inserted in an axial direction. The buckets adjacent the closure bucket are spread apart both tangentially and axially to provide sufficient clearance for the radial insertion of the integral closure bucket. To prevent axial movement of the closure bucket and adjacent buckets, twist locks are utilized in channels provided in the bottom of the female dovetails in the rotor wheel.

Abstract: A system and method for securing an integral closure bucket to a rotor wheel assembly. The integral closure bucket is inserted in a direction coincident with a radius of the rotor wheel assembly, where the remaining buckets have been previously inserted in a direction parallel to the axis of the turbine rotor wheel. The closure bucket has an integral shroud and is connected to a turbine rotor wheel assembly in which the remaining buckets have been previously inserted in an axial direction. The buckets adjacent the closure bucket are spread apart both tangentially and axially to provide sufficient clearance for the radial insertion of the integral closure bucket. To prevent axial movement of the closure bucket and adjacent buckets, twist locks are utilized in channels provided in the bottom of the female dovetails in the rotor wheel.

Abstract: A wide cut Fischer-Tropsch derived diesel fuel is produced wherein the distillate boils in a wider range than a conventional diesel fuel while providing favorable low temperature properties and environmentally beneficial effects. In particular, the fuel comprises a hydrocarbon distillate derived from the Fischer-Tropsch process having T90 greater than 640° F. (338° C.) but less than 1000° F. (538° C.) and a cold filter plugging point less than or equal to +5° C.