Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated gasification and hydroprocessing process. A hydrocarbonaceous fuel is first gasified to produce syngas, and then a portion of the hydrogen is removed from the syngas. The hydrogen is compressed and used as an excess reactant in a hydroprocessing unit. Hydrogen gas is recovered from the hydroprocessing unit product, purified, compressed and recycled to the hydroprocessing unit. The hydrogen-poor syngas is expanded in an expander that drives the compressor that compresses the recycled hydrogen gas. The expanded syngas is then combined with light hydrocarbons removed from the recycle hydrogen gas stream, combusted in a gas turbine and used for power generation.

Abstract: The invention is a process to recover a high pressure hydrogen rich gas stream from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is separated into a hydrogen-enriched permeate and a hydrogen-depleted non-permeate by use of a membrane. The permeate experiences a substantial pressure drop of between about 500 psi (23.9 KPa) to 700 psi (33.5 kPa) as it passes through the membrane. The pressure of the non-permeate gas is unchanged by the membrane. The non-permeate gas pressure is reduced to between about 200 and about 500 psi for use in a combustion turbine. The hydrogen-rich permeate is compressed to between about 800 and 3000 psi (143.6 kPa) for use in subsequent operations, i.e., for use in hydrotreating of crude oil. The non-permeate gas is expanded in a manner to provide energy which is used to compress the permeate gas.

Abstract: The primary object of the present invention is to provide a process and an apparatus to recover heat from a combustion engine turbine exhaust that involves exchanging heat between the combustion engine turbine exhaust and both a heat transfer medium and water. The exhaust is cooled in a series of heat exchange steps that ultimately produces a heated heat transfer medium fluid and superheated steam.

Abstract: Syngas for use, as fuel in the combustion turbine of an IGCC process is heated to a maximum temperature of about 350° F. (177° C.) prior to entering the combustor. Non-combustible diluent gas and additional fuel with a high heating value is also added to the syngas to increase the total heating value of the feed to the combustor of the gas turbine. The cooler temperature allows for more mass flow to the combustion turbine, allowing for greater sensible heat in the syngas to offset the latent heat loss due to the cooler temperature. Because the syngas/diluent feed steam is not heated to the high temperatures disclosed in the prior art, the steam that would otherwise heat the feed stream is available for power generation in the steam turbine, increasing its individual power output and the overall power output of the IGCC process.

Abstract: A hydrotreated liquid contains volatile hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide. An inert gas, preferably nitrogen, is used to strip volatiles from the hydrotreated liquid. This stripper gas is then added to fuel gas fed to a combustion turbine, where combustibles in the fuel gas and stripper gas are combusted. The stripping is at a pressure sufficient to allow the stripper gas, now containing hydrocarbons and hydrogen, to be added to the combustion turbine fuel without additional compression. This process allows for efficient use of the stripped combustibles, and the nitrogen added to the fuel, gas provides increased power generation from the combustion turbine and reduces NOx emissions.

Abstract: This invention involves heat integration of a solvent deasphalting process with a gasification process and an improved process for separating a resin phase from a solvent solution comprising a solvent, deasphalted oil (DAO) and resin. This improved process comprises heating the solvent solution so as to precipitate the resin from the solvent solution, and then separating the resin and some solvent from the solvent solution. This will produce a resin product and a mixture comprising the DAO and the remaining solvent. The DAO/solvent mixture is then boiled so as to vaporize a fraction of the solvent, with waste heat from a gasification unit providing the heat source for the boiling. The vaporized solvent is removed from the DAO/solvent mixture leaving a resin-free DAO product that contains any unvaporized solvent. The vaporized solvent is used for heating the aforementioned solvent solution and preheating the resin-free DAO/solvent mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated gasification and hydroprocessing process. A hydrocarbonaceous fuel is first gasified to produce syngas, and then a portion of the hydrogen is removed from the syngas. The hydrogen is compressed and used as an excess reactant in a hydroprocessing unit. Hydrogen gas is recovered from the hydroprocessing unit product, purified, compressed and recycled to the hydroprocessing unit. The hydrogen-poor syngas is expanded in an expander that drives the compressor that compresses the recycled hydrogen gas. The expanded syngas is then combined with light hydrocarbons removed from the recycle hydrogen gas stream, combusted in a gas turbine and used for power generation.

Abstract: The high pressure syngas product of a gasifier is routed first to a high pressure absorber unit that removes most of the H2S and some of the CO2 from the syngas. The syngas is then released through an expander to reduce the pressure of the syngas and simultaneously generate electricity. Steam is then injected into the syngas as a reactant in the subsequent COS hydrolysis step, converting the COS to H2S. After hydrolysis, the syngas is routed to a reabsorber where the remainder of the H2S and CO2 are removed. Sweet syngas can then be sent to a combustion turbine for use as a fuel source.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to recover a high purity, high pressure hydrogen gas stream from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is contacted with a membrane that separates the synthesis gas into a hydrogen-enriched permeate and a hydrogen-depleted non-permeate. The permeate is conveyed to a carbon dioxide absorber. The carbon dioxide absorber removes carbon dioxide using a solvent. The carbon dioxide-rich solvent from the absorber is heated and sent to a gas-liquid contactor, where the solvent is regenerated by nitrogen stripping. A small recycle stream of a regenerating gas, i.e., hydrogen, is subsequently contacted with the solvent, stripping entrained and dissolved nitrogen from the solvent. This stripping gas, the regenerating gas, or preferably both, are then mixed with the non-permeate for combustion in a combustion turbine.

Abstract: During the hydrotreating process, hydrogen sulfide and short chain hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane, propane, butane and pentane are formed. The separation of gas from hydrotreated liquid hydrocarbons is achieved using a stripper and a flash drum. High pressure steam or nitrogen is contacted with the hydrotreated liquid hydrocarbon material. This high pressure steam strips the volatiles, i.e., hydrogen, the volatile hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, and the like, from the oil. The gaseous stream is then separated and cooled to remove condensables, including primarily water, short chain hydrocarbons, and hydrogen sulfide in the water. The condensables are advantageously sent to the gasifier, where the hydrocarbons are gasified, the water moderates the gasifier temperature and increases the yield of hydrogen, and where hydrogen sulfide is routed with the produced synthesis gas to the acid gas removal process.

Abstract: A hydrotreated liquid contains volatile hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide. An inert gas, preferably nitrogen, is used to strip volatiles from the hydrotreated liquid. This stripper gas is then added to fuel gas fed to a combustion turbine, where combustibles in the fuel gas and stripper gas are combusted. The stripping is at a pressure sufficient to allow the stripper gas, now containing hydrocarbons and hydrogen, to be added to the combustion turbine fuel without additional compression. This process allows for efficient use of the stripped combustibles, and the nitrogen added to the fuel gas provides increased power generation from the combustion turbine and reduces NOx emissions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for providing body, fullness and texture to otherwise fine or very fine keratinous fibers, particularly human hair. The compositions of the present invention have a high pH, e.g., about 8 to about 10 when the compositions contain cationic polymer, and a pH of about 8 to about 14, preferably about 8.5 to about 13, and more preferably, about 8.5 to about 10 when the compositions contain no cationic polymer. The compositions include one or more nonionic and/or cationic polymers, which, in combination with the high pH of the composition, lift the hair cuticle and allow the deposition of polymer, thus resulting in increased fullness and texture to the hair. The compositions of the present invention may be in the form of known hair care products such as, for example, shampoos, rinses and conditioners. In addition, the compositions can be formulated, for example, as lotions or creams, and the like, for consumer use.

Abstract: In this invention, a hydrogen recycle stream from a hydrotreater is heated before returning to the hydrotreater using the energy from a first shift reaction, thereby eliminating the need for a fired heater to heat the hydrogen recycle stream. This heat integration significantly reduces the overall capital and operating costs as well as emissions for the refinery because no fired heater is needed for the hydrotreater and no boiler is needed to cool the effluent from the first stage of shift.

Abstract: The invention is a process to recover a high pressure hydrogen-rich gas stream from a purge gas stream taken from a hydrotreater. This purge gas stream is admixed with synthesis gas that was the original source of the hydrogen to form a gaseous mixture. This mixed gas comprising purge gas and synthesis gas is advantageously treated to remove acid gases and possibly other impurities. The mixed gas is then treated to extract a hydrogen-rich gas and a hydrogen-depleted gas using, for example, a membrane. At least a portion of the hydrogen-rich gas is then heated and compressed as necessary and is recycled to the hydrotreater.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved ammonium synthesis process. A synthesis gas is separated with a membrane into a hydrogen-rich gas and a hydrogen-depleted gas. The hydrogen rich gas is shifted with steam to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Carbon dioxide is removed from the shifted gas, and remaining carbon oxides are methanized. This gas is admixed with nitrogen and with recycled ammonia synthesis feedstock gas. This ammonia synthesis feedstock gas is then cycled in an ammonia synthesis reactor. A purge gas stream is withdrawn from the ammonia synthesis feedstock gas and is admixed with the hydrogen-depleted gas. The hydrogen-depleted gas and the purge gas are combusted, usually in a combustion turbine, to generate heat or power. Lower purity hydrogen can therefore be used in the synthesis of the ammonia.

Abstract: The invention is a process of removing solids, particularly catalyst fines, from an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon liquid. The process comprises contacting an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon liquid with a solvent to create a mixture. The solvent is typically an alkane such as, propane to pentanes. Then, solids are removed from the mixture by any known process. Finally, additional solvent may be added, and the mixture heated until asphaltenes precipitate into a separate phase. The asphaltenes are removed from the mixture. The mixture is then further heated to recover the solvent from the deasphalted hydrocarbon liquid. The asphaltenes are advantageously gasified.

Abstract: An integrated control system (ICS) for a gasification plant controls the operation of a gasifier and other critical components of the gasification plant. The ICS improves the performance of a gasification plant by controlling the operation of a gasifier and other critical components by an integrated controller, rather than by several independent controllers. The ICS is a sub-system of a larger distributed control system that controls the operation of the gasification plant. The ICS controls the following: (i) oxygen to carbon (O/C) ratio in a gasifier; (ii) syngas demand or the desired output of a gasifier; (iii) load constraints; (iv) moderator flow into a gasifier; (v) air separation unit (ASU); (vi) oxygen header vent valves; and (vii) syngas header pressure.

Abstract: The invention is the integration of a process of gasifying asphaltenes in a gasification zone by partial oxidation and the process of asphaltene extraction with a solvent. The integration allows low level heat from the gasification reaction to be utilized in the recovery of solvent that was used to extract asphaltenes from an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon material. Asphaltenes are extracted from an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon material by mixing a solvent in quantities sufficient to precipitate at least a fraction of the asphaltenes. The precipitated asphaltenes are then gasified in a gasification zone to synthesis gas. The gasification process is very exothermic. The low level heat in the synthesis gas, either directly, or via an intermediate step of low pressure steam, is used to remove and recover the solvent from the deasphalted hydrocarbon material and from the asphaltenes prior to gasification.

Abstract: The invention is a process for separating acid gases from synthesis gas and treating the resulting solids. A mixture comprising synthesis gas and acid gas is contacted with a fluid that reacts with said acid gas to form a particulate solid dispersed in a fluid. The slurry comprising fluid and particulate solid is filtered to separate the particulate solid from the fluid by means of a regenerable filter. The particulate solids are removed from the regenerable filter by back-washing with a back-washing fluid to form a pumpable slurry comprising a mixture of particulate solids and back-washing fluid. The slurry is gasified to form synthesis gas and vitrified solids.