Abstract: A process is described for flowing an oxygenate feed over a catalyst in an adiabatic fixed bed reactor to product a reactor effluent and heat. The reaction inside the adiabatic fixed bed reactor occurs at a reaction temperature from about 200° C. to about 375° C. The reactor effluent is then condensed to separate the liquid products and the gaseous products. A separation step then separates the gaseous products into hydrogen and off-gas.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate steam in hydrocarbon recovery operations and may further enable emulsion separation and product upgrading. The methods rely on indirect boiling of water by contact with a thermal transfer liquid heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water. Examples of the liquid include oils, recovered hydrocarbons, liquid metals and brine. Heating of the liquid may utilize circulation of the liquid across or through a furnace, heat exchangers, or a gas-liquid contactor supplied with hot gas. Further, a solvent for bitumen introduced into the water may also vaporize upon contact with the thermal transfer liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate steam in hydrocarbon recovery operations and may further enable emulsion separation and product upgrading. The methods rely on indirect boiling of water by contact with a thermal transfer liquid heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water. Examples of the liquid include oils, recovered hydrocarbons, liquid metals and brine. Heating of the liquid may utilize circulation of the liquid across or through a furnace, heat exchangers, or a gas-liquid contactor supplied with hot gas. Further, a solvent for bitumen introduced into the water may also vaporize upon contact with the thermal transfer liquid.

Abstract: A process is described for flowing an oxygenate feed over a catalyst in an adiabatic fixed bed reactor to product a reactor effluent and heat. The reaction inside the adiabatic fixed bed reactor occurs at a reaction temperature from about 200° C. to about 375° C. The reactor effluent is then condensed to separate the liquid products and the gaseous products. A separation step then separates the gaseous products into hydrogen and off-gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants with the pyrolysis vapors. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods and systems to prevent entrainment of particles of char and heat carrier with pyrolysis vapors leaving a reactor, while allowing rapid upgrading of the vapors by catalyst(s) that are held in a an upgrading reactor and protected from contact with the char.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to separating and removing aromatic compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. Splitting of the hydrocarbon stream into constituents as desired relies on a membrane and distillation columns that supply feed into the membrane and receive retentate and permeate streams output from the membrane. Configurations employing the membrane and the distillation columns enable benzene recovery and facilitate efficient separation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to separating and removing aromatic compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. Splitting of the hydrocarbon stream into constituents as desired relies on a membrane and distillation columns that supply feed into the membrane and receive retentate and permeate streams output from the membrane. Configurations employing the membrane and the distillation columns enable benzene recovery and facilitate efficient separation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to removal of mercury from crude oil. Such removal relies on transferring mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon stream to a natural gas stream upon contacting the liquid hydrocarbon stream with the natural gas stream. Processing of the natural gas stream after used to strip the mercury from the liquid hydrocarbon stream removes the mercury from the natural gas stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale preferably in-situ where the temperature of the oil shale deposit is controlled to maximize recovery of hydrocarbons and minimize decomposition of carbonate minerals into carbon dioxide that might be released into the atmosphere. The process includes generating heat from hydrocarbon gases recovered from the oil shale and then later performing a controlled burn of the char that is left in the spent shale after the kerogens have been thermally cracked and the most of the recoverable hydrocarbons have been recovered. The burning of the char is also controlled based on the temperature of the oil shale in-situ, the temperature of the gases returning to the surface from the oil shale and the carbon dioxide in the gases returning to the surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale preferably in-situ where the temperature of the oil shale deposit is controlled to maximize recovery of hydrocarbons and minimize decomposition of carbonate minerals into carbon dioxide that might be released into the atmosphere. The process includes generating heat from hydrocarbon gases recovered from the oil shale and then later performing a controlled burn of the char that is left in the spent shale after the kerogens have been thermally cracked and the most of the recoverable hydrocarbons have been recovered. The burning of the char is also controlled based on the temperature of the oil shale in-situ, the temperature of the gases retuning to the surface from the oil shale and the carbon dioxide in the gases returning to the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to removal of mercury from crude oil. Such removal relies on transferring mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon stream to a natural gas stream upon contacting the liquid hydrocarbon stream with the natural gas stream. Processing of the natural gas stream after used to strip the mercury from the liquid hydrocarbon stream removes the mercury from the natural gas stream.