Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: Embodiments include drilling a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, and the wellbore includes a radio frequency antenna destination portion that is configured to receive a radio frequency antenna; forming a low dielectric zone in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation proximate to the radio frequency antenna destination portion with a cavity based process or a squeezing based process; positioning the radio frequency antenna into the radio frequency antenna destination portion such that the radio frequency antenna is proximate to the low dielectric zone; dielectric heating the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with the radio frequency antenna such that the low dielectric zone increases dissipation of energy from the radio frequency antenna into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and extracting hydrocarbons from the heated hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The material has a dielectric constant of less than or equal to 20, a loss tangent of less than or equal to 0.4, and a porosity of less than or equal to 5%.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: Embodiments include drilling a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, and the wellbore includes a radio frequency antenna destination portion that is configured to receive a radio frequency antenna; forming a low dielectric zone in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation proximate to the radio frequency antenna destination portion with a cavity based process or a squeezing based process; positioning the radio frequency antenna into the radio frequency antenna destination portion such that the radio frequency antenna is proximate to the low dielectric zone; dielectric heating the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with the radio frequency antenna such that the low dielectric zone increases dissipation of energy from the radio frequency antenna into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and extracting hydrocarbons from the heated hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The material has a dielectric constant of less than or equal to 20, a loss tangent of less than or equal to 0.4, and a porosity of less than or equal to 5%.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: Contaminant-containing soil can be remediated by subjecting the soil to microwave irradiation to heat the soil to a combustion temperature of from 150° C. to 1200° C. to initiate combustion. A target amount of the contaminant in the soil is destroyed. An oxidizer gas can be flowed through the soil using a gas blower and at least one gas injection line and controlled at a rate such that a self-sustaining smoldering combustion front is formed that moves through the soil. A microwave absorber additive can be added to the soil to accelerate the heating of the soil. At least one waveguide connected to a source of microwave energy directs microwaves into the soil.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transportable product for the transportation of paraffinic wax and methods of transporting using this transportable product. The transportable product comprises 90 to 20 weight % of a liquid comprising >50 weight % alcohol and having a true vapor pressure of ?14.7 psia when measured at 20° C., and 10 to 80 weight % of wax particles, wherein the wax particles comprise ?75 weight % of wax particles larger than 0.1 mm. The transportable product and methods of transporting according to the present invention are able to accommodate a relatively high weight % of paraffinic wax particles in the transportable product while avoiding interparticle adhesion and clumping by ensuring that the wax particles are not too small and the amount of small wax particles is not excessive.

Abstract: An alkylation process comprising contacting a first hydrocarbon feed comprising at least one olefin having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising at least one isoparaffin having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms with a halide-based acidic ionic liquid catalyst under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylate containing an organic halide and contacting at least a portion of the alkylate with a hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under hydrotreating conditions to reduce the concentration of the organic halide in the alkylate is disclosed.

Abstract: A granular solid wax particle, comprising a) a highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. and comprising at least 40 weight percent n-paraffins, and b) an inorganic powder coating on the wax particle. Also, a process for making a fuel or a base oil, comprising transporting the granular solid wax particles in a transport vessel to a distant location where the granular solid wax particles are processed into the fuel or the base oil.

Abstract: Processes for transporting wax including the steps of producing granular solid wax particles, having a powder coating, that are resistant to breakage or clumping; loading the particles into a transport vessel; transporting the particles; and unloading the particles.

Abstract: Method for making base oil, comprising transporting a height of greater than 7.5 meters of granular solid wax particles comprising a highly paraffinic wax with defined boiling points and a powder coating to a distant location, and hydroprocessing the transported wax. Also, a method comprising: a) selecting a Fischer-Tropsch wax having a broad boiling range, b) powder coating the wax, and c) transporting and d) hydroprocessing the wax. Also, a method comprising forming inorganic powder coated granular solid wax particles that withstand heavy loads without clumping or sticking together from highly paraffinic wax, wherein the amount of powder is between 0.1 and 5 wt %, transporting, and hydroprocessing the solid wax particles.

Abstract: An alkylation process comprising contacting a first hydrocarbon feed comprising at least one olefin having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising at least one isoparaffin having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms with a halide-based acidic ionic liquid catalyst under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylate containing an organic halide and contacting at least a portion of the alkylate with a hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under hydrotreating conditions to reduce the concentration of the organic halide in the alkylate is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transportable product for the transportation of paraffinic wax and methods of transporting using this transportable product. The transportable product comprises 90 to 20 weight % of a liquid comprising >50 weight % alcohol and having a true vapor pressure of ?14.7 psia when measured at 20° C., and 10 to 80 weight % of wax particles, wherein the wax particles comprise ?75 weight % of wax particles larger than 0.1 mm. The transportable product and methods of transporting according to the present invention are able to accommodate a relatively high weight % of paraffinic wax particles in the transportable product while avoiding interparticle adhesion and clumping by ensuring that the wax particles are not too small and the amount of small wax particles is not excessive.

Abstract: A granular solid wax particle, comprising a) a highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. and comprising at least 40 weight percent n-paraffins, and b) an inorganic powder coating on the wax particle. Also, a process for making a fuel or a base oil, comprising transporting the granular solid wax particles in a transport vessel to a distant location where the granular solid wax particles are processed into the fuel or the base oil.

Abstract: A granular solid wax particle comprising a highly paraffinic wax having a low T10 boiling point less than 427° C. and an inorganic powder coating; optionally with a layer of higher boiling wax over the highly paraffinic wax having a low T10 boiling point, and an inorganic powder coating over the layer of higher boiling wax. In separate embodiments, a highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. or a highly paraffinic wax having a needle penetration greater than 3 mm/10 at 25° C. is coated with a powder that adsorbs the wax without being encapsulated by the wax in a hot drop wax test. Also, a process for transporting highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. as granular solid wax particles. And, a method of making base oil from granular solid wax particles transported from a distant location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transportable product for the transportation of paraffinic wax and methods of transporting using this transportable product. The transportable product comprises 90 to 20 weight % of a liquid comprising ?50 weight % water and having a pH of >5 and a true vapor pressure of ?14.7 psia when measured at 20° C., and 10 to 80 weight % of wax particles, wherein the wax particles comprise ?75 weight % of wax particles larger than 0.1 mm. The transportable product and methods of transporting according to the present invention are able to accommodate a relatively high weight % of paraffinic wax particles in the transportable product while avoiding interparticle adhesion and clumping by ensuring that the wax particles are not too small and the amount of small wax particles is not excessive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transportable product for the transportation of paraffinic wax and methods of transporting using this transportable product. The transportable product comprises 90 to 20 weight % of a liquid comprising >50 weight % alcohol and having a true vapor pressure of ?14.7 psia when measured at 20° C., and 10 to 80 weight % of wax particles, wherein the wax particles comprise ?75 weight % of wax particles larger than 0.1 mm. The transportable product and methods of transporting according to the present invention are able to accommodate a relatively high weight % of paraffinic wax particles in the transportable product while avoiding interparticle adhesion and clumping by ensuring that the wax particles are not too small and the amount of small wax particles is not excessive.