Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing crude oil at the outlet of a well, including at least one separation step wherein the crude oil is pressure distilled in at least one distillation column into at least two cuts, i.e., a C.sub.1-5 hydrocarbon gas cut recovered at the top of the column and a stabilized crude oil cut recovered below the point where the original crude oil was injected into the column. The method advantageously includes at least one decompression step before the separation step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving heat and mass transfers to and/or through a wall, and if need be, to such a method applied to a permeable wall. The invention also concerns a wall and conductive material pair having improved heat and mass transfer characteristics. The method of the invention is useful for all techniques requiring both heat transfer and flow of gaseous phase to or through a wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to distillation in pressurized columns and provides a process for reboiling such columns. The column 1 working at a pressure of 11 bar is fed with a mixture of hydrocarbons preheated in exchangers 2a and 2b to about 130.degree. C. A part of the bottom is withdrawn, then expanded by means of an expansion valve 5 to 2.5 bar in an expansion balloon flask 6 where the phases are separated. The vapor phase is compressed in a compressor 7 to the pressure of the column and reinjected at the bottom of the column, whereas the liquid phase is removed.With the process, energy can be saved in pressurized distillation columns, for example in petrol stabilization columns.

Abstract: In a first step, a chromatographic column is calibrated by passing separately through the column each constituent substance of the mixture to be analyzed and by recording at the exit the pulse response of said substance. In a second step, the mixture is passed through the columm and the total pulse response corresponding to the mixture is recorded. In a third step, the concentration of each substance is determined from the total pulse response corresponding to the mixture and the specific pulse responses of each substance.