Abstract: A method for separating at least one lower polarity fluid from a mixture of fluids having varying polarity, comprising contacting at least one low polarity or non-polar polymeric membrane with the mixture of fluids under conditions such that the at least one lower polarity fluid selectively permeates through the membrane, wherein the membrane is one which has a ratio of heteroatoms chemically bonded to the carbon atoms in the membrane to the number of carbon atoms of less than about 0.2, preferably less than about 0.05.

Abstract: A method for separating at least one lower polarity fluid from a mixture of fluids having varying polarity, comprising contacting at least one low polarity or non-polar polymeric membrane with the mixture of fluids under conditions such that the at least one lower polarity fluid selectively permeates through the membrane, wherein the membrane is one which has a ratio of heteroatoms chemically bonded to the carbon atoms in the membrane to the number of carbon atoms of less than about 0.2, preferably less than about 0.05.

Abstract: A method for separating at least one lower polarity fluid from a mixture of fluids having varying polarity, comprising contacting at least one low polarity or non-polar polymeric membrane with the mixture of fluids under conditions such that the at least one lower polarity fluid selectively permeates through the membrane, wherein the membrane is one which has a ratio of heteroatoms chemically bonded to the carbon atoms in the membrane to the number of carbon atoms of less than about 0.2, preferably less than about 0.05.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an HF alkylation system comprising a reactor, a settler, an HF acid regenerator and a source of fresh HF acid wherein a stream of olefins and a stream of isobutanes are contacted in the reactor in the presence an HF acid catalyst. At least the reactor feed is sampled, and the sample is passed to an analyzer using an attenuated total reflectance cell. Signals are generated which are representative of infrared spectra of the samples in a range providing information on the amount of at least one of HF, water, ASO and sulfolane. These signals are simultaneously determined and generated because all absorb in the same spectral region. This aspect provides for viewing these distortions of the main HF absorption band to quantify these three components. The infrared spectra signals are compared with stored signals to generate control signals; and at least one of HF, water and sulfolane fed to the reactor feed is adjusted in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an HF alkylation system comprising a reactor, a settler, an HF acid regenerator and a source of fresh HF acid wherein a stream of olefins and a stream of isobutanes are contacted in the reactor in the presence an HF acid catalyst. At least the reactor feed is sampled, and the sample is passed to an analyzer using an attenuated total reflectance cell. Signals are generated which are representative of infrared spectra of the samples in a range providing information on the amount of at least one of HF, water, ASO and sulfolane. These signals are simultaneously determined and generated because all absorb in the same spectral region. This aspect provides for viewing these distortions of the main HF absorption band to quantify these three components. The infrared spectra signals are compared with stored signals to generate control signals; and at least one of HF, water and sulfolane fed to the reactor feed is adjusted in response to the control signal.

Abstract: Vanadium in marine diesel lubricating oils resulting from raw fuel dilution is detected and quantified by way of an analytical technique employing electron spin resonance (ESR). Dilution of the lubricating oil with residual fuel oils results in the presence of vanadium in the lubricating oil in a form which is capable of being observed by ESR; by contrast, vanadium resulting from the presence of fuel oil combustion products (pentavalent vanadium) in the lubricating oil is not observed by ESR. The method therefore enables fuel vanadium, typically present as vanadyl porphyrins, to be differentiated from vanadium resulting from blow-by in the engine so that the operating condition of the engine may be monitored.

Abstract: Aromatic alkanols are provided by reacting an aromatic compound with a 1,2-alkylene oxide in the presence of a synthetic porous crystalline material possessing a Constraint Index of not greater than about 3. Thus, for example, isobutylbenzene is reacted with propylene oxide in the presence of zeolite Beta, ZSM-12 or MCM-22 to provide 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanol which can thereafter be oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid, the widely utilized anti-inflammatory agent ibuprofen (i.e., 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)-propionic acid).

Abstract: A method for assaying incompatible sediment in a blended heavy fuel oil is provided. The method is based on measuring total light absorption at 1600 nanometers wavelength, for example, of two or more samples blended to different viscosities, at least one such sample being at specification viscosity. The method may be used to control visbreaker severity so as to reduce the large ERT safety margin commonly used by refiners.

Abstract: A method for assaying incompatible sediment in a blended heavy fuel oil is provided. The method is based on measuring total light absorption at 1600 nanometers wavelength, for example, of two or more samples blended to different viscosities, at least one such sample being at specification viscosity. The method may be used to control visbreaker severity so as to reduce the large ERT safety margin commonly used by refiners.

Abstract: The pour point of a catalytically dewaxed hydrocarbon oil is determined manually by the ASTM D-97-66 method and also by automatic apparatus such as the Herzog Electronic Pour Point Automatic MC 850 apparatus. A substantial divergence of the two indicates contamination by a waxy hydrocarbon oil such as the feedstock to the dewaxing process.