Abstract: Provided is a method of dispersing asphaltenes to inhibit asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon. The method includes adding to the hydrocarbon an asphaltene dispersing agent which is an ester of a mono-carboxylic fatty acid and a sugar. The sugar has at least 4 hydroxyl groups. In addition, more than one of the hydroxyl groups on the sugar are reacted with the mono-carboxylic fatty acid to form the ester.

Abstract: A process for making a surfactant composition is disclosed. In the process, a mixture comprising a sugar alcohol and fatty is formed. The mixture contains less than 5% by weight of water based on the total weight of the mixture. The mixture is reacted with an alkylene oxide to make a surfactant composition containing an alkoxylated sugar alcohol fatty acid ester and a polyalkylene glycol fatty acid ester. A surfactant composition and use of the surfactant composition to separate an oil phase and/or an aqueous phase from an emulsion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of dispersing asphaltenes to inhibit asphaltenes precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon is disclosed. An asphaltene dispersing agent is added to the hydrocarbon. The asphaltene dispersing agent is an ester of a mono-carboxylic fatty acid and a sugar. The sugar has at least 4 hydroxyl groups and more than one of the hydroxyl groups on the sugar are reacted with the mono-carboxylic fatty acid to form the ester. A composition comprising the asphaltene dispersing agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon, preferably crude oil, by adding to the hydrocarbon a polyester asphaltene dispersing agent which is the reaction product of an alk(en)yl substituted succinic anhydride wherein the average number of succinic groups per alk(en)yl group is less than 2.0, and at least one polyol.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a composition containing an oil and water emulsion, by adding a separation additive which is a mixture of a fatty ester of an alkoxylated polyol and a fatty ester of alkoxylated glycerol, and performing at least one oil separation step. The method is particularly suitable for separating corn oil from stillage produced in a corn ethanol mill.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a composition containing an oil and water emulsion, by adding a separation additive which is a mixture of a fatty ester of an alkoxylated polyol and a fatty ester of alkoxylated glycerol, and performing at least one oil separation step. The method is particularly suitable for separating corn oil from stillage produced in a corn ethanol mill.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a composition containing an oil and water emulsion, by adding a separation additive which is a fatty ester of alkoxylated glycerol, and performing at least one oil separation step. The method is particularly suitable for separating corn oil from stillage produced in a corn ethanol mill.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon, preferably crude oil, by adding to the hydrocarbon a polyester asphaltene dispersing agent which is the reaction product of an alk(en)yl substituted succinic anhydride wherein the average number of succinic groups per alk(en)yl group is less than 2.0, and at least one polyol.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a liquid stillage is disclosed. The stillage includes an aqueous phase and an oil phase. The method comprises adding a separation additive to the stillage and performing at least one separation operation on the stillage to separate an amount of the oil phase from the stillage. The separation additive comprises an ester of an alkoxylated non-cyclic polyol and a fatty acid.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a composition containing an oil and water emulsion, by adding a separation additive which is a fatty ester of alkoxylated glycerol, and performing at least one oil separation step. The method is particularly suitable for separating corn oil from stillage produced in a corn ethanol mill.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a composition containing an oil and water emulsion, by adding a separation additive which is a fatty ester of alkoxylated glycerol, and performing at least one oil separation step. The method is particularly suitable for separating corn oil from stillage produced in a corn ethanol mill.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a liquid stillage is disclosed. The stillage includes an aqueous phase and an oil phase. The method comprises adding a separation additive to the stillage and performing at least one separation operation on the stillage to separate an amount of the oil phase from the stillage. The separation additive comprises an ester of an alkoxylated non-cyclic polyol and a fatty acid.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a composition containing an oil and water emulsion, by adding a separation additive which is a fatty ester of alkoxylated glycerol, and performing at least one oil separation step. The method is particularly suitable for separating corn oil from stillage produced in a corn ethanol mill.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a liquid stillage is disclosed. The stillage includes an aqueous phase and an oil phase. The method comprises adding a separation additive to the stillage and performing at least one separation operation on the stillage to separate an amount of the oil phase from the stillage. The separation additive comprises an ester of an alkoxylated non-cyclic polyol and a fatty acid.

Abstract: A method of separating oil from a liquid stillage is disclosed. The stillage includes an aqueous phase and an oil phase. The method comprises adding a separation additive to the stillage and performing at least one separation operation on the stillage to separate an amount of the oil phase from the stillage. The separation additive comprises an ester of an alkoxylated non-cyclic polyol and a fatty acid.

Abstract: A form release composition including a plant oil, an emulsifying agent and water, wherein the plant oil, the emulsifying agent and the water are blended to form an emulsion.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus capable of determining the amount of time remaining before an item such as food reaches a desired temperature such as a cooking temperature or approximately room temperature. In at least one embodiment, determining the amount of time remaining is based at least on the elapsed time and the percentage of temperature range between a first temperature and the desired temperature completed or remaining to be covered.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus capable of providing a predicted completion time for heating and/or cooling of an item based on a manually entered length of time and/or a determination of the amount of time remaining before an item such as food reaches a desired temperature such as a cooking temperature or approximately room temperature. In at least one embodiment, determining the amount of time remaining is based at least on the elapsed time and the percentage of temperature range between a first temperature and the desired temperature completed or remaining to be covered.

Abstract: An exemplary method for recording measurements derived from a probe includes receiving a probe identification from a probe, receiving a start instruction, receiving at least one signal from the probe after receiving the start instruction, and converting the at least one signal into a reading based on at least the probe identification. An exemplary system for measuring an attribute includes a controller unit having a processor, a memory connected to the processor, a display connected to the processor, a control interface connected to the processor, and a connection module connected to the processor; and at least one probe, each probe having a sensor, elements to provide identification of the type of probe, and a connector for connecting to a connection module of the controller unit. A further exemplary controller unit includes software for performing the exemplary method.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus capable of determining the amount of time remaining before a food being cooked reaches a desired temperature.