Abstract: A winterized paraffin inhibitor, which is capable of being used for preventing the deposition of paraffins in hydrocarbon streams and capable of withstanding freezing or crystallization at freezing or sub-freezing temperatures, may be formed by adding an oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons to a high molecular weight aliphatic polymer paraffin inhibitor, the oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons being produced by the oxyalkylation of the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a ring-opening reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: It has been discovered that contaminants such as metals and/or amines can be transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble C5-C12 polyhydroxy carboxylic acids, ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal salts thereof, and mixtures of all of these. The composition may also optionally include a mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. The method permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase. Resolving the emulsion into the hydrocarbon phase and the aqueous phase occurs in a refinery desalting process using electrostatic coalescence. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing calcium and other metals therefrom. The polyhydroxy carboxylic acid additionally inhibits metal corrosion of metal pipe or other equipment used in a crude unit.

Abstract: A method for selective extraction of lithium from geothermal brines using host-guest complexes of host molecules such as calixarene, dendrimeric polymers, hyper-branched polymers, and/or acid-catalyzed resins complexed with synergists such as organic acids, condensation polymers, olefin/maleic anhydride copolymers, and/or chelants.

Abstract: A winterized paraffin inhibitor, which is capable of being used for preventing the deposition of paraffins in hydrocarbon streams and capable of withstanding freezing or crystallization at freezing or sub-freezing temperatures, may be formed by adding an oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons to a high molecular weight aliphatic polymer paraffin inhibitor, the oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons being produced by the oxyalkylation of the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a ring-opening reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A winterized paraffin inhibitor, which is capable of being used for preventing the deposition of paraffins in hydrocarbon streams and capable of withstanding freezing or crystallization at freezing or sub-freezing temperatures, may be formed by adding an oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons to a high molecular weight aliphatic polymer paraffin inhibitor, the oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons being produced by the oxyalkylation of the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a ring-opening reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A cleaning agent comprising a polyacrylate terpolymer and a maleic olefin compound may be added to an aqueous system having a metal surface, such as a metal surface of a heat exchanger, in a concentration sufficient to remove fouling deposits from the metal surface in neutral or alkaline conditions. The removal of fouling deposits with the application of the cleaning agent may occur while the system is shut down or in service.

Abstract: A demulsifying additive comprising a branched aliphatic compound may be introduced to a stream containing mixtures of or emulsions of oil and water in an effective amount to separate water from the oil in the stream, such as separating oil from emulsified oil-in-water and/or separating water from emulsified water-in-oil in a production fluid. The branched aliphatic compound may be grafted with a polyether via a crosslinking reaction. Alternatively, branched aliphatic compounds may be crosslinked together.

Abstract: A winterized paraffin inhibitor, which is capable of being used for preventing the deposition of paraffins in hydrocarbon streams and capable of withstanding freezing or crystallization at freezing or sub-freezing temperatures, may be formed by adding an oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons to a high molecular weight aliphatic polymer paraffin inhibitor, the oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons being produced by the oxyalkylation of the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a ring-opening reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A demulsifying additive comprising a branched aliphatic compound may be introduced to a stream containing mixtures of or emulsions of oil and water in an effective amount to separate water from the oil in the stream, such as separating oil from emulsified oil-in-water and/or separating water from emulsified water-in-oil in a production fluid. The branched aliphatic compound may be grafted with a polyether via a crosslinking reaction. Alternatively, branched aliphatic compounds may be crosslinked together.

Abstract: A polyhydroxypolycarboxylic acid and a water soluble phosphino polycarboxylate may be added to an aqueous system, such as a cooling water system, in order to inhibit corrosion as well as the deposition of corrosion within the system. The water soluble phosphino polycarboxylate may be derived from a phosphinyl unsaturated monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer. The aqueous system may be a cooling water system such as a cooling tower, a closed cooling water system, an air-conditioning water systems, a wastewater treatment system as well as a deionized water production system.

Abstract: A method for scavenging hydrogen sulfides from hydrocarbon or aqueous streams and/or reducing or inhibiting solids or scale formation comprising introducing an additive made up of architectured materials such as star polymers, hyperbranched polymers, and dendrimers that may be used alone or in conjunction with aldehyde-based, triazine-based and/or metal-based hydrogen sulfide scavengers to an aqueous or hydrocarbon stream. A treated fluid comprising a fluid containing hydrogen sulfide and an additive for scavenging hydrogen sulfide or reducing or inhibiting solids and scale formation made up of architectured materials such as star polymers, hyperbranched polymers, and dendrimers. The fluid may further include aldehyde-based, triazine-based and/or metal-based hydrogen sulfide scavengers.

Abstract: It has been discovered that contaminants such as metals and/or amines can be transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble C5-C12 polyhydroxy carboxylic acids, ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal salts thereof, and mixtures of all of these. The composition may also optionally include a mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. The method permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase under-carry into the aqueous phase. Resolving the emulsion into the hydrocarbon phase and the aqueous phase occurs in a refinery desalting process using electrostatic coalescence. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing calcium and other metals therefrom. The polyhydroxy carboxylic acid additionally inhibits metal corrosion of metal pipe or other equipment used in a crude unit.

Abstract: It has been discovered that contaminants such as metals and/or amines can be transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble C5-C12 polyhydroxy carboxylic acids, ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal salts thereof, and mixtures of all of these. The composition may also optionally include a mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. The method permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase under-carry into the aqueous phase. Resolving the emulsion into the hydrocarbon phase and the aqueous phase occurs in a refinery desalting process using electrostatic coalescence. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing calcium and other metals therefrom. The polyhydroxy carboxylic acid additionally inhibits metal corrosion of metal pipe or other equipment used in a crude unit.

Abstract: An additive comprising one or more C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or one or more C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid salts may be added to an aqueous system having galvanized metallurgy or a carbon steel surface in an effective amount to passivate a galvanized coating on the metallurgy or to decrease white rust formation or other types of corrosion upon the galvanized metallurgy or carbon steel surface in an aqueous system. In a non-limiting embodiment, the C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid or the C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid salt additive may utilize the zinc in the galvanized coating to achieve passivation. The passivation may occur while the system is shut down or in service. The aqueous system may be or include a cooling tower, a cooling water system, and combinations thereof. The additive may be used with or in the absence of a phosphorous-containing compound.

Abstract: A cleaning agent comprising a polyacrylate terpolymer and a maleic olefin compound may be added to an aqueous system having a metal surface, such as a metal surface of a heat exchanger, in a concentration sufficient to remove fouling deposits from the metal surface in neutral or alkaline conditions. The removal of fouling deposits with the application of the cleaning agent may occur while the system is shut down or in service.

Abstract: An additive comprising glucaric acid and/or glucaric acid salt may be added to an aqueous system in an effective amount to remove rust from a corroded metallurgy and inhibit further rust formation and/or corrosion of the metallurgy within the aqueous system, and also to passivate any metallurgy within an aqueous system, wherein the additive may not contain a phosphorous compound or an iron activating agent. The aqueous system may be an aqueous stream, a hydrocarbon stream containing water, a cooling tower, a boiler, a cooling water system, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Dispersions of coal ash in water can be inhibited or prevented from scaling and simultaneously be inhibited or prevented from fouling by introducing thereto an additive blend that includes an anionic water-soluble polymer and a second polymer different from the anionic water-soluble polymer, where the second polymer is selected from the group consisting of copolymers and terpolymers having a plurality of hydrophobic groups.

Abstract: It has been discovered that contaminants such as metals and/or amines can be transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble C5-C12 polyhydroxy carboxylic acids, ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal salts thereof, and mixtures of all of these. The composition may also optionally include a mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. The method permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase under-carry into the aqueous phase. Resolving the emulsion into the hydrocarbon phase and the aqueous phase occurs in a refinery desalting process using electrostatic coalescence. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing calcium and other metals therefrom. The polyhydroxy carboxylic acid additionally inhibits metal corrosion of metal pipe or other equipment used in a crude unit.

Abstract: A method for scavenging hydrogen sulfides from hydrocarbon or aqueous streams and/or reducing or inhibiting solids or scale formation comprising introducing an additive made up of architectured materials such as star polymers, hyperbranched polymers, and dendrimers that may be used alone or in conjunction with aldehyde-based, triazine-based and/or metal-based hydrogen sulfide scavengers to an aqueous or hydrocarbon stream. A treated fluid comprising a fluid containing hydrogen sulfide and an additive for scavenging hydrogen sulfide or reducing or inhibiting solids and scale formation made up of architectured materials such as star polymers, hyperbranched polymers, and dendrimers. The fluid may further include aldehyde-based, triazine-based and/or metal-based hydrogen sulfide scavengers.

Abstract: An additive comprising one or more C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or one or more C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid salts may be added to an aqueous system having galvanized metallurgy or a carbon steel surface in an effective amount to passivate a galvanized coating on the metallurgy or to decrease white rust formation or other types of corrosion upon the galvanized metallurgy or carbon steel surface in an aqueous system. In a non-limiting embodiment, the C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid or the C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid salt additive may utilize the zinc in the galvanized coating to achieve passivation. The passivation may occur while the system is shut down or in service. The aqueous system may be or include a cooling tower, a cooling water system, and combinations thereof. The additive may be used with or in the absence of a phosphorous-containing compound.