Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of generating a basic water-in-oil emulsion for use in recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. The emulsion may be used to displace hydrocarbons from the formation. The emulsions used are ‘basic’ in the sense that they do not have added surfactants and are not solid-stabilized. The emulsions are made using a hydrocarbon having at least one of the following properties: (i) greater than five weight percent (wt %) asphaltene content, (ii) greater than two wt % sulfur content, and (iii) less than 22 dyne/cm interfacial tension between the hydrocarbon liquid and the aqueous liquid.

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: 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 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: 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: 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 separating polar hydrocarbon compounds from a hydrocarbon oil containing polar hydrocarbon compounds comprising the steps of: a) forming a gel in the hydrocarbon oil, and thereafter b) separating the gel from the hydrocarbon oil to produce a separated gel and a separated hydrocarbon oil.

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 the preparation of a stream rich in aromatic polysulfonic acid compounds from light catalytic cycle oil. The preparation involves the polysulfonation of the light catalytic cycle oil using more than a stoichiometric amount of sulfuric acid. The aromatic polysulfonic acid compositions are preferably aromatic polynuclear compositions.

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: Fine, solid particles in a gas stream, especially fly ash particles in the hot gas stream from a coal/coke-utilizing synthesis gas unit, are agglomerated by passage through a gas flow matrix element having a body with confined gas flow channels which bring the particles into close proximity to one another in an environment of low turbulence; a rough surface on the gas flow passages provides surface induction to promote agglomeration of the particles. The larger, agglomerated particles may then be removed from the gas stream by inertial separators such as cyclones.

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: 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 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: An oil-in-water-in-oil emulsion (O/W/O) comprising a first oil-in-water emulsion dispersed in a second oil, and a method of preparing the same. The O/W/O emulsion can be used as a drive fluid in an enhanced oil recovery process. The O/W/O emulsion of this invention may also be used as a lubricant, and has the beneficial property of being resistant to shear forces.

Abstract: An oil-in-water-in-oil emulsion (O/W/O) comprising a first oil-in-water emulsion dispersed in a second oil, and a method of preparing the same. The O/W/O emulsion can be used as a drive fluid in an enhanced oil recovery process. The O/W/O emulsion of this invention may also be used as a lubricant, and has the beneficial property of being resistant to shear forces.

Abstract: The lubricating oil used to lubricate diesel engines is stabilized against the detrimental degradation effects of biodiesel fuel by the addition to the lubricating oil of an additive concentrate comprising a premix of a first antioxidant, a second antioxidant of a type different from the first and an organometallic compound.

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: Provided are oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsion compositions including from 0.01 to 5 wt % of a halogenated elastomer emulsifier, and optionally from to 0.5 wt % of a polyalkylene amine co-emulsifier. The emulsion compositions disclosed herein provide for increased interfacial elasticity and decreased interfacial tension at the oil-water interface to increase resistance to coalescence of dispersed water droplets of a water-in-oil emulsion or oil droplets of an oil-in-water emulsion. The emulsion compositions disclosed herein are suitable for lubricant applications due to their resistance to shear thinning.