Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor. The method comprises atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and injecting the atomized liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The method may also comprise mixing hydrogen with the high-density hydrocarbon liquid prior to atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The apparatus comprises an injection valve for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor comprises an atomizer coupled to receive the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The atomizer comprises a nozzle configured to atomize the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and inject the high-density hydrocarbon liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The injection valve may also comprise a mixer coupled to receive hydrogen and the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The mixer may be configured to mix the hydrogen and high-density hydrocarbon liquid and deliver the mixture to the atomizer.

Abstract: A reactor for washing sand contaminated with hydrocarbons comprises a vessel having an aperture in a bottom portion thereof. A steam cleaning device is located near a top of the vessel for receiving contaminated sand and cleaning the contaminated sand as it is introduced into the vessel. A rinsing device is positioned below the steam cleaning device for rinsing the sand with water. A sand conveying device comprising an air injection device is positioned in the bottom portion of the vessel for urging sand out of the aperture using compressed air, such that the sand is partially dewatered as the sand is urged out of the aperture.

Abstract: A system for washing contaminated sand comprises a plurality of reactors arranged in a sequence from a first to a last reactor. The first reactor is configured to receive contaminated sand. Each reactor comprises a funnel portion in a lower section thereof for accumulating a sand layer and a sand conveying device for removing sand through an aperture defined near a bottom of the funnel portion. Each reactor except the first reactor receives sand removed from a previous reactor. The system also comprises a steam supply system for providing each reactor with steam for washing the sand, a water supply system for providing the last reactor with clean water for rinsing the sand, and a fluid outlet associated with each reactor for removing fluid and providing the fluid to a separator for separating the fluid into first and second portions respectively containing relatively low and high proportions of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor. The method comprises atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and injecting the atomized liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The method may also comprise mixing hydrogen with the high-density hydrocarbon liquid prior to atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The apparatus comprises an injection valve for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor comprises an atomizer coupled to receive the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The atomizer comprises a nozzle configured to atomize the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and inject the high-density hydrocarbon liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The injection valve may also comprise a mixer coupled to receive hydrogen and the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The mixer may be configured to mix the hydrogen and high-density hydrocarbon liquid and deliver the mixture to the atomizer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor. The method comprises atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and injecting the atomized liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The method may also comprise mixing hydrogen with the high-density hydrocarbon liquid prior to atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The apparatus comprises an injection valve for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor comprises an atomizer coupled to receive the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The atomizer comprises a nozzle configured to atomize the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and inject the high-density hydrocarbon liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The injection valve may also comprise a mixer coupled to receive hydrogen and the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The mixer may be configured to mix the hydrogen and high-density hydrocarbon liquid and deliver the mixture to the atomizer.

Abstract: A reactor for washing sand contaminated with hydrocarbons comprises a vessel having an aperture in a bottom portion thereof. A steam cleaning device is located near a top of the vessel for receiving contaminated sand and cleaning the contaminated sand as it is introduced into the vessel. A rinsing device is positioned below the steam cleaning device for rinsing the sand with water. A sand conveying device comprising an air injection device is positioned in the bottom portion of the vessel for urging sand out of the aperture using compressed air, such that the sand is partially dewatered as the sand is urged out of the aperture.

Abstract: A system for washing contaminated sand comprises a plurality of reactors arranged in a sequence from a first to a last reactor. The first reactor is configured to receive contaminated sand. Each reactor comprises a funnel portion in a lower section thereof for accumulating a sand layer and a sand conveying device for removing sand through an aperture defined near a bottom of the funnel portion. Each reactor except the first reactor receives sand removed from a previous reactor. The system also comprises a steam supply system for providing each reactor with steam for washing the sand, a water supply system for providing the last reactor with clean water for rinsing the sand, and a fluid outlet associated with each reactor for removing fluid and providing the fluid to a separator for separating the fluid into first and second portions respectively containing relatively low and high proportions of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor. The method comprises atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and injecting the atomized liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The method may also comprise mixing hydrogen with the high-density hydrocarbon liquid prior to atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The apparatus comprises an injection valve for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor comprises an atomizer coupled to receive the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The atomizer comprises a nozzle configured to atomize the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and inject the high-density hydrocarbon liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The injection valve may also comprise a mixer coupled to receive hydrogen and the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The mixer may be configured to mix the hydrogen and high-density hydrocarbon liquid and deliver the mixture to the atomizer.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mixture of a less dense fluid, a more dense fluid, and fines. The less and more dense fluids are immiscible with each other. The apparatus comprises a housing having an inlet at an upstream end thereof and an outlet at a downstream end thereof. A separation chamber is located within the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The separation chamber comprises a generally horizontal enclosure and a screw defining a helical passage through the enclosure. The separation chamber has at least one upper aperture located in an upper portion of the helical passage and at least one lower aperture located in a lower portion of the helical passage. A baffle is attached between the housing and the separation chamber for directing at least a portion of the mixture into the separation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mixture of a less dense fluid, a more dense fluid, and fines. The less and more dense fluids are immiscible with each other. The apparatus comprises a housing having an inlet at an upstream end thereof and an outlet at a downstream end thereof. A separation chamber is located within the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The separation chamber comprises a generally horizontal enclosure and a screw defining a helical passage through the enclosure. The separation chamber has at least one upper aperture located in an upper portion of the helical passage and at least one lower aperture located in a lower portion of the helical passage. A baffle is attached between the housing and the separation chamber for directing at least a portion of the mixture into the separation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing fines from the bottom of a tank includes an extraction device having an internal chamber along with a vacuum arrangement which, when activated, lowers the pressure within the chamber. An inlet structure adjacent the bottom of the extraction device is adapted to be juxtaposed against fines accumulated on the bottom of the tank, the inlet device acting, when the vacuum is activated, to move fines toward the internal chamber by superimposing on the moving fines an inwardly convergent motion. A cable is provided for lowering the extraction device toward the bottom of the tank. The apparatus includes a distributor above the extraction device. The distributor defines a quiet zone above the device for separation of fines from the fluid.

Abstract: A compact multi-stage oil-water separator which has application in removing oily contaminants from bilge water in ships is disclosed. The oil-water separator has two toroidal mechanical separation stages on the suction side of a feed pump, and a cyclone separation stage and a filtration stage on the output side of the pump. The cyclone separation and filtration stages are located inside the mechanical separation stages for compactness. The oil-water separator has built-in fail-safe operation to prevent the accidental discharge of water in the case of contaminated sensors.