Abstract: Low sulfur marine fuel compositions and methods for making the same are provided. The compositions exhibit a sulfur content of at most 0.50 wt. %, a solvent power of at least 0.30, and a P-value of at least 1.15.

Abstract: A method includes analyzing a carbonaceous deposit for an asphaltene content from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid located in a well, a wellhead or a production line proximate the wellhead, and applying one or more preventative measures to the hydrocarbon-containing fluid located in the well, the wellhead or the production line proximate the wellhead based on the asphaltene content.

Abstract: Low sulfur marine fuel compositions and methods for making the same are provided. The compositions exhibit a sulfur content of at most 0.50 wt. %, a solvent power of at least 0.30, and a P-value of at least 1.15.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for analyzing a carbonaceous deposit for an asphaltene content from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid located in a well, a wellhead or a production line proximate the wellhead, and applying one or more preventative measures to the hydrocarbon-containing fluid located in the well, the wellhead or the production line proximate the wellhead based on the asphaltene content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining the effectiveness of one or more asphaltene dispersant additives for inhibiting or preventing asphaltene precipitation in a hydrocarbon-containing material subjected to elevated temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing sample having solvated asphaltenes therein, the method comprising the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing sample having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents and capturing the precipitated asphaltenes in one or more low volume filters comprising a porous filter element comprising an area through which a fluid may flow; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing sample having solvated asphaltenes therein, the method comprising the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing sample having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents and capturing the precipitated asphaltenes in one or more low volume filters comprising a porous filter element comprising an area through which a fluid may flow; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock reactivity for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.

Abstract: A method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing material having solvated asphaltenes therein is disclosed. The method involves the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of the asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing material with an alkane mobile phase solvent in a column; (b) dissolving a first amount and a second amount of the precipitated asphaltenes by gradually and continuously changing the alkane mobile phase solvent to a final mobile phase solvent having a solubility parameter at least 1 MPa0.5 higher than the alkane mobile phase solvent; (c) monitoring the concentration of eluted fractions from the column; (d) creating a solubility profile of the dissolved asphaltenes in the hydrocarbon-containing material; and (e) determining one or more asphaltene stability parameters of the hydrocarbon-containing material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for oxidizing CO, comprising: passing a first feed comprising CO and a second feed comprising oxygen, in an oxidation zone, over a catalyst comprising highly dispersed gold on sulfated zirconia, at oxidation conditions, to produce an effluent comprising a lower level of CO than in the first feed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making hydrogen comprising contacting in a water-gas shift reaction zone a feed comprising carbon monoxide and water under water-gas shift conditions with an effective catalytic amount of a catalyst comprising highly dispersed gold on a sulfated zirconia, and collecting from the water-gas shift reaction zone an effluent comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The invention also provides a catalyst composition and a method of making the catalyst. A method of CO oxidation using the catalyst is also disclosed. In a specific embodiment the invention provides a method for carrying out the water-gas shift reaction in the fuel processor associated with a fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making hydrogen comprising contacting in a water-gas shift reaction zone a feed comprising carbon monoxide and water under water-gas shift conditions with an effective catalytic amount of a catalyst comprising highly dispersed gold on a sulfated zirconia, and collecting from the water-gas shift reaction zone an effluent comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The invention also provides a catalyst composition and a method of making the catalyst. A method of CO oxidation using the catalyst is also disclosed. In a specific embodiment the invention provides a method for carrying out the water-gas shift reaction in the fuel processor associated with a fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for suppressing the formation of metal-containing coke during processing of a hydrocarbonaceous material, such as for example a hydrocarbon conversion processes. Electromagnetic radiation is applied to the hydrocarbonaceous material while heating the hydrocarbonaceous material to a temperature above 700 degrees F. The frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is preferably below 300 MHz. The process is particularly useful in the reforming of a hydrocarbon material for operation in a fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for storing and removing data storage discs from a disc drive assembly. Embodiments of the invention include determining the zero location, storing the discs to the disc drive and unpacking the discs from the disc drive, wherein the step of storing the discs includes locating the discs around a center disc by alternating between placing discs above and below the center disc, and wherein the step of unpacking the discs includes removing the discs around a center disc by alternating between placing discs above and below the center disc.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the bitterness of beer by oxidation of .beta.-acids obtained from a carbon dioxide extract of hops and introducing the resulting hulupone, preferably at least partially purified, into the beer. The extract contains also .alpha.-acids which are isomerized, separated from the .beta.-acids, and introduced into the beer. The result is a high yield of bitterness-producing material for use in the brewing process.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the bitterness of beer by oxidation of .beta.-acids obtained from a carbon dioxide extract of hops and introducing the resulting hulupone, preferably at least partially purified, into the beer. The extract contains also .alpha.-acids which are isomerized, separated from the .beta.-acids, and introduced into the beer. The result is a high yield of bitterness-producing material for use in the brewing process.