Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a separation component from a gas stream. One exemplary method includes: flowing the gas stream across a process surface of a compliant composite heat transfer wall, wherein: the gas stream has an initial concentration of the separation component, and the gas stream has a gas temperature; flowing a cooling fluid across a cooling surface of the wall, wherein: the cooling fluid has a fluid temperature, and the fluid temperature is less than the gas temperature; and producing an output gas stream, wherein: the output gas stream has an output concentration of the separation component, and the output concentration is less than the initial concentration. Another exemplary method includes separating at least a portion of the separation component from the gas stream by: accumulating the portion proximate the process surface; and delaminating the portion from the process surface with a flow of the gas stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a separation component from a gas stream. One exemplary method includes: flowing the gas stream across a process surface of a compliant composite heat transfer wall, wherein: the gas stream has an initial concentration of the separation component, and the gas stream has a gas temperature; flowing a cooling fluid across a cooling surface of the wall, wherein: the cooling fluid has a fluid temperature, and the fluid temperature is less than the gas temperature; and producing an output gas stream, wherein: the output gas stream has an output concentration of the separation component, and the output concentration is less than the initial concentration. Another exemplary method includes separating at least a portion of the separation component from the gas stream by: accumulating the portion proximate the process surface; and delaminating the portion from the process surface with a flow of the gas stream.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process is improved by introducing the an alkaline compound such as sodium carbonate into the water phase, preferably in the vicinity of the water/oil interface which forms between the oil and water layers. This makes the rapid and effective separation of the oil and water phases from the emulsion layer possible.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which the role played by the oil/bulk-resolved-water interface in the dehydration of the stabilized emulsion which forms in the desalter is recognized. The desalting process is improved by introducing the demulsifier and chemical high voltage electrodes. Water droplets in the mixture coalesce and settle towards the bottom of the vessel. A stabilized emulsion layer formed from the oil and the water with additives into the water phase and/or injecting chemical additives directly in the vicinity of the water/oil interface. This improved methodology that makes the rapid and effective delivery of chemical demulsifiers to the rag layer and/or oil/bulk-resolved-water interface possible. In operation, the desalting is carried out by mixing a crude oil to be desalted with water and passing the mixture of oil and water to the desalter vessel.

Abstract: Improved separation of oil and water as well as suspended solids from the emulsion layer formed in a petroleum desalter is achieved by injection of demulsifier into the desalter vessel to achieve a higher localized concentration of demulsifier in the emulsion layer so as to promote improved oil/water separation from the emulsion layer. The demulsifier may be injected into the water layer or the oil layer in the region of the emulsion layer or directly into the stabilized emulsion layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the level of media in a vessel with a sensing cable including an optical fiber sensor array aligned with a heating element disposed in the vessel. An excitation source is configured to propagate at least one heat pulse through the heating element along at least a portion of the sensing cable to affect an exchange of thermal energy between the heating element and the one or more media exposed to the sensing cable. An optical signal interrogator is adapted to receive a signal from each of a plurality of sensor locations and measure a temperature profile corresponding to the heat pulse at the sensor locations. A control unit is configured to identify a level of each of media by determining properties of the media exposed to the sensing cable at each of the sensor locations based on the temperature profile corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A method for treating an emulsion of a hydrocarbon is disclosed. The method includes providing an emulsion of a crude hydrocarbon, and adding an additive to the emulsion to obtain a treated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A multipurpose chemical additives (MPC) is disclosed to mitigate fouling in hydrocarbon refinery processes, such as in a heat exchanger. A method for reducing fouling of a hydrocarbon is also disclosed that includes (i) providing a crude hydrocarbon for a refining process; and (ii) adding an additive to the crude hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Improved separation of oil and water as well as suspended solids from the emulsion layer formed in a petroleum desalter is achieved by injection of demulsifier into the desalter vessel to achieve a higher localized concentration of demulsifier in the emulsion layer so as to promote improved oil/water separation from the emulsion layer. The demulsifier may be injected into the water layer or the oil layer in the region of the emulsion layer or directly into the stabilized emulsion layer.

Abstract: A multipurpose chemical additives (MPC) is disclosed to mitigate fouling in hydrocarbon refinery processes, such as in a heat exchanger. A method for reducing fouling of a hydrocarbon is also disclosed that includes (i) providing a crude hydrocarbon for a refining process; and (ii) adding an additive to the crude hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A multipurpose chemical additives (MPC) is disclosed to mitigate fouling in hydrocarbon refinery processes, such as in a heat exchanger. A method for reducing fouling of a hydrocarbon is also disclosed that includes (i) providing a crude hydrocarbon for a refining process; and (ii) adding an additive to the crude hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method for treating an emulsion of a hydrocarbon is disclosed. The method includes providing an emulsion of a crude hydrocarbon, and adding an additive to the emulsion to obtain a treated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process is improved by introducing the an alkaline compound such as sodium carbonate into the water phase, preferably in the vicinity of the water/oil interface which forms between the oil and water layers. This makes the rapid and effective separation of the oil and water phases from the emulsion layer possible.

Abstract: A method for treating an emulsion of a hydrocarbon is disclosed. The method includes providing an emulsion of a crude hydrocarbon, and adding an additive to the emulsion to obtain a treated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which the role played by the oil/bulk-resolved-water interface in the dehydration of the stabilized emulsion which forms in the desalter is recognized. The desalting process is improved by introducing the demulsifier and chemical high voltage electrodes. Water droplets in the mixture coalesce and settle towards the bottom of the vessel. A stabilized emulsion layer formed from the oil and the water with additives into the water phase and/or injecting chemical additives directly in the vicinity of the water/oil interface. This improved methodology that makes the rapid and effective delivery of chemical demulsifiers to the rag layer and/or oil/bulk-resolved-water interface possible. In operation, the desalting is carried out by mixing a crude oil to be desalted with water and passing the mixture of oil and water to the desalter vessel.

Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which fluid from interfacial boundary layer between the settled water layer and the settled oil layer or emulsion-water layer in the vessel is withdrawn from the desalter and recycled to the crude oil inlet of the desalter to improve separation of the oil and water phases.

Abstract: A method for creating work by adsorption end desorption of a working fluid on an fiber sorption system which has a plurality of tubular hollow fibers within a vessel which is connected to a work device. Each fiber is in the form of a tubular, elongated body composed of a sorbent material capable of adsorbing a working fluid such as carbon dioxide. The fibers have an inner surface adjacent the hollow interior and an outer surface, one of which has a coating layer which is impermeable to both a working fluid and thermal fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for removing polar molecule contaminants from a refinery stream in connection with the processing of hydrocarbon fluids, chemicals, whole crude oils, blends and fractions in refineries and chemical plants that include adding high surface energy and/or high surface area nanoparticle compounds to a refinery stream to remove the polar molecule contaminants.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the level of media in a vessel with a sensing cable including an optical fiber sensor array aligned with a heating element disposed in the vessel. An excitation source is configured to propagate at least one heat pulse through the heating element along at least a portion of the sensing cable to affect an exchange of thermal energy between the heating element and the one or more media exposed to the sensing cable. An optical signal interrogator is adapted to receive a signal from each of a plurality of sensor locations and measure a temperature profile corresponding to the heat pulse at the sensor locations. A control unit is configured to identify a level of each of media by determining properties of the media exposed to the sensing cable at each of the sensor locations based on the temperature profile corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A method for treating an emulsion of a hydrocarbon is disclosed. The method includes providing an emulsion of a crude hydrocarbon, and adding an additive to the emulsion to obtain a treated hydrocarbon.