Abstract: The morphology of petroleum cokes produced by the delayed coking of feeds produced from extra-heavy crude sources such as those from the Venezuela Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt can be controlled to produce a less dense coke which is less likely to inflame in the coke pit or in subsequent handling. An aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate salt when added to a feed of this type which would normally produce a dense coke product is effective to produce a quenchable coke product of lower density and higher porosity, usually in compact, granular form permitting it to be readily discharged from the drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing bitumen and other heavy oils such as low API gravity, high viscosity crudes, tar sands bitumen, or shale oils with alkali metal compounds under conditions to promote in-situ regeneration of the alkali metal compounds. The present invention employs the use of superheated water and hydrogen under conditions to improve the desulfurization and alkali metal hydroxide regeneration kinetics at sub-critical temperatures.

Abstract: Saline waters are made suitable for use in large quantities in petroleum refining operations by evaporative desalination of a water source having a dissolved salt content of at least 30,000 ppmw with the heat liberated during the steam condensation used as low quality heat for petroleum refining operations. Sea water is most suitable for evaporative purification processes.

Abstract: Heat from nuclear reactor as a source of thermal energy is applied to the conversion of carbonaceous materials such as heavy petroleum crude oils, coals and biomass to liquid hydrocarbons. The heat is applied to provide at least a portion of the process heat used in the high temperature, short contact time hydropyrolysis of the carbonaceous material which is supplied with hydrogen generated by a high temperature process such as high temperature steam electrolysis, the sulfur-iodine cycle, the hybrid sulfur cycle, the zinc-zinc oxide cycle, a solid oxide fuel cell or by methane steam cracking. The heat from the nuclear reactor may be used to generate electricity to operate high temperature steam electrolysis used in generation of the hydrogen. By the use of nuclear thermal energy, hydrocarbon resource utilization for process heat is eliminated along with carbon dioxide evolution associated with burning of the hydrocarbon resource to generate process heat.

Abstract: Heat from solar or nuclear heat sources is applied to provide at least a portion of the heat used in a cyclic petroleum refining process in which a hydrocarbon feedstream is contacted with a solid particulate contact material in a first step to treat the feedstream after which the solid contact material is separated or disengaged from the treated feedstream and regenerated in a separate regeneration zone before being returned to the first step for contact with additional feedstream. The entire cycle may be characterized as including an endothermic step, generally a reduction, and an exothermic step, generally an oxidation, with heat from the exothermic step being transferred from the exothermic step to the endothermic step by means of the circulating contact material. The application of the nuclear or solar heat may be applied to whichever step of the process requires heat from external sources.

Abstract: Heat from a concentrated solar power source is applied to the conversion of carbonaceous materials such as heavy petroleum crude oils, coals and biomass to liquid hydrocarbons. The solar heat is applied to provide at least a portion of the process heat used in the high temperature, short contact time hydropyrolysis of the carbonaceous material which is supplied with hydrogen generated by a high temperature process such as high temperature steam electrolysis, the sulfur-iodine cycle, the hybrid sulfur cycle, the zinc-zinc oxide cycle or by methane steam cracking. The heat from the solar source may be used to generate electricity to operate high temperature steam electrolysis used in generation of the hydrogen. By the use of solar thermal energy sources, hydrocarbon resource utilization for process heat is eliminated along with carbon dioxide evolution associated with burning of the hydrocarbon resource to generate process heat.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon dehydrogenation process in which a hydrocarbon feed, normally a straight run naphtha, comprising acyclic and cyclic paraffins is dehydrogenated at elevated temperature of at least 540° C. with process heat provided at least in part by a solar or nuclear thermal energy source.

Abstract: A method for upgrading the viscoelastic properties of a heavy oil by altering its elastic modulus. An effective amount of one or more elastic modulus lowering agents are used, wherein preferred elastic modulus lowering agents include mineral and organic acids and bases, preferably strong bases, such as hydroxides of metals selected from the alkali and alkaline-earth metals.

Abstract: A method for altering coke morphology in a delayed coking process of heavy oil is provided. An effective amount of oil dispersible or oil soluble metal salts of aromatic sulfonic acids and/or polysulfonic acids is added or contacted with the resid or heavy oil at a point before or after the step of heating the heavy oil to coking temperatures. The addition of additives facilitates the formation of shot coke and inhibits the formation of sponge coke.

Abstract: A method for producing and removing coke which has bulk morphology such that at least about 30 volume percent is free-flowing under the force of gravity or hydrostatic forces from a delayed coker drum. At the completion of the fill cycle, the coker drum, filled with hot coke, is cooled by steaming and then flooding it with water, thereby producing a coke/water mixture. The coke/water mixture is released from the coke drum through one or more drum closure/discharge throttling systems near the bottom of the coker drum.

Abstract: The use of water-soluble aromatic polysulfonic acid salts for inhibiting fouling in process equipment used in the thermal treatment of heavy oils.

Abstract: The feeding of coal slurries into a gasifier for the production of synthesis gas is improved by modifying the rheological properties of the coal particles so that conventional liquid transfer equipment can be used in the feed transfer process to the gasifier. The coal particle surface modification is accomplished by adsorbing asphaltenes derived from petroleum onto the surfaces of coal particles prior to and/or during contact with the slurry liquid. The coal particles with their surfaces thus modified exhibit lower particle-particle interaction in the liquid slurries to form a shear independent Newtonian fluid or a weakly shear thickening pseudoplastic fluid. The rheological properties of the slurries permit them to be transported reliably into a pressurized, entrained feed gasifier vessel using convention slurry pumps with a low potential expenditure of energy.

Abstract: A process for the co-gasification of carbonaceous solids (coal, coke) and biomass in which the biomass material is pyrolyzed to provide a biomass pyrolysis oil and biomass char or coke which are then mixed with the carbonaceous solid to form a slurry. This slurry is then heated if necessary to achieve a viscosity which can be processed conveniently in the gasifier. The heat required for pyrolyzing the biomass can conveniently be obtained from the heat exchanger used to cool the hot synthesis gas product emerging from the gasifier.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing fouling of equipment used in fluidized bed thermal conversion processes such as fluid coking and FLEXICOKING™. Acoustic energy is used to acoustically agglomerate fine mists created during the coking process. The agglomerated mists are then carried along with the circulating coke instead of depositing on coking equipment.

Abstract: An acid gas absorbent comprising an alkylamino alkyloxy (alcohol) monoalkyl ether and a process for the selective removal Of H2S from gaseous mixtures containing H2S and CO2 using an absorbent solution comprising an alkylamino alkyloxy alcohol monoalkyl ether.

Abstract: A delayed coking process for making substantially free-flowing coke, preferably shot coke. A coker feedstock, such as a vacuum residuum, is heated in a heating zone to coking temperatures then conducted to a coking zone wherein volatiles are collected overhead and coke is formed. At least one polymeric additive is added to the feedstock prior to it being heated in the heating zone, prior to its being conducted to the coking zone, or both.

Abstract: A delayed coking process for making substantially free-flowing coke, preferably shot coke. A coker feedstock, such as a vacuum residuum, is heated in a heating zone to coking temperatures then conducted to a coking zone wherein volatiles are collected overhead and coke is formed. A low molecular weight additive is added to the feedstock prior to it being heated in the heating zone, prior to its being conducted to the coking zone, or both.

Abstract: An acid gas absorbent comprising a metal sulfonate, phosphonate or carboxylate of a hindered amine and a process for the selective removal Of H2S as well as other acidic components such as carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide and oxygen and sulfur derivatives of C1 to C4 hydrocarbons from mixtures containing such acidic components and CO2 using said absorbent.

Abstract: Hindered cyclic polyamines and their salts are absorbents useful in acid gas treatment processes.

Abstract: Tetraorganoammonium and tetraorganophosphonium salts are useful as absorbents for the selective removal of acidic components from mixtures of said acidic components and CO2.