Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing fouling, including particulate-induced fouling, in a hydrocarbon refining process including the steps of providing a crude hydrocarbon for a refining process and adding an antifouling agent containing a polymer base unit and a polyamine group to the crude hydrocarbon are provided. The antifouling agent can be obtained by converting a vinyl terminated polymer, such as polypropylene or poly(ethylene-co-propylene), to a terminal acyl containing functional group, followed by reacting the terminal acyl containing functional group with a polyamine compound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a membrane for ethanol and aromatics separation that is stable in an alcohol containing environment. The membrane is a polyether epoxy resin having an aliphatic substituted epoxide. The invention also teaches a method to control the flux and selectivity of the membrane.

Abstract: Provided is a block copolymer having an “A” block of a functionalized hydrocarbon moiety including one or more functional end groups selected from the group consisting of: epoxides, amines, acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, halogens, vinyl or vinylidene double bond, aromatic rings and thiols, and a “B” block of a functionalized polyether moiety including one or more functional end groups selected from the group consisting: epoxides, amines, acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, halogens, vinyl or vinylidene double bond, aromatic rings and thiols. The end group of the polyether moiety is different than the end group of the hydrocarbon moiety, and the hydrocarbon moiety and the polyether moiety are copolymerizable therewith. Preferably, the hydrocarbon moiety is a poly-?-olefin and the polyether moiety is a polyalkylene glycol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing fouling, including particulate-induced fouling, in a hydrocarbon refining process including the steps of providing a crude hydrocarbon for a refining process and adding an antifouling agent containing a polymer base unit and a polyamine group to the crude hydrocarbon. The antifouling agent can be obtained by reacting an epoxidation reagent with a vinyl-terminated polymer, such as polypropylene or poly(ethylene-co-propylene), to form a terminal epoxy group, followed by reacting a polyamine with the epoxy group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing fouling, including particulate-induced fouling, in a hydrocarbon refining process including the steps of providing a crude hydrocarbon for a refining process; adding at least one polyalkyl succinic anhydride derivative additive disclosed herein. The additive can be complexed with a boronating agent, such as boric acid, to yield a boron-containing polyalkyl succinic anhydride derivative.