Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying and quantifying compliance issues are described. In one embodiment, a system is configured to implement a method which comprises assessing at least one compliance program to identify potential risks and prioritizing the potential risks. The issues relating to the potential risks, for example, failure modes and root causes are identified and are mitigated and controlled.

Abstract: An improved fluidized bed coking process wherein a residuum feedstock is introduced into a first stage comprised of a short vapor contact time reactor containing a horizontal moving bed of fluidized hot particles. Carbonaceous material is deposited onto the hot particles on contact with the hot particles, and a vapor product is produced. The hot particles, containing the carbonaceous deposits, are fed to a second stage fluidized bed coking process.

Abstract: A process for recovering oil from tar sands by subjecting the tar sands to aqueous extraction to produce a bitumen-rich layer containing bitumen, water and solids and a bitumen-lean layer containing relatively less bitumen and relatively more water and solids. The solids present in the bitumen-lean layer contain a substantial portion of finely divided clay having adhered organic matter. The clay solids are retained with the bitumen from the bitumen-lean layer and the bitumen-clay mixture is pyrolyzed. Pyrolysis of the bitumen-lean layer containing clay having adhered organic matter reduces the volume of aqueous tailings which would otherwise be produced and also results in increased hydrocarbon yields.

Abstract: An improved fluid coking process which includes: (a) a fluid coker comprised of a coking zone, a scrubbing zone, and a stripping zone; (b) a heater, and optionally a gasifier. The improvement comprises feeding a portion of the heated solids from the heater and/or the gasifier, to the stripping zone. Consequently, the coking zone can be operated at a temperature lower than the stripping zone.

Abstract: An electrical control circuit particularly adapted for providing high current pulses in a wide frequency pulse range. The circuit is comprised of a timing and control circuit, a high power switching circuit, and an interfacing isolating circuit. The timing and control circuit includes a plurality of variable frequency pulse generators whose outputs are distinguished and combined to form a single wave signal. The power switching circuit includes a plurality of high speed switches for applying high current pulses to a load in associated response to the wave signal. The isolating circuit includes a plurality of isolating switches for insulating the timing and control circuit from interference from the power switching circuit while permitting the timing and control circuit output to control the application of higher energy and frequency pulses by the power switching circuit to a load than was heretofore available.

Abstract: A process for retorting an organic oil-bearing solid, notably an oil shale, wherein the heat requirements of the retorting are supplied by the partial indirect heating of internally generated, or in situ combustion gases, and the combustion air, to form a by-product gas which can be burned with air in furnaces without necessity of using supplemental fuel.

Abstract: In a coal liquefaction process wherein feed coal is contacted with molecular hydrogen and a hydrogen-donor solvent in a liquefaction zone to form coal liquids and vapors and coal liquids in the solvent boiling range are thereafter hydrogenated to produce recycle solvent and liquid products, the improvement which comprises separating the effluent from the liquefaction zone into a hot vapor stream and a liquid stream; cooling the entire hot vapor stream sufficiently to condense vaporized liquid hydrocarbons; separating condensed liquid hydrocarbons from the cooled vapor; fractionating the liquid stream to produce coal liquids in the solvent boiling range; passing the cooled vapor, the coal liquids in the solvent boiling range, and makeup hydrogen to the solvent hydrogenation zone as feed to the hydrogenation zone; and thereafter catalytically hydrogenating the hydrogenation zone feed stream while quenching the hydrogenation reaction with fluids recovered from the hydrogenation zone effluent.

Abstract: In a coal liquefaction process wherein feed coal is contacted with molecular hydrogen and hydrogen-donor solvent in a liquefaction zone to form coal liquids and vapors and coal liquids in the solvent boiling range are thereafter hydrogenated to produce recycle solvent and liquid products, the improvement which comprises separating the effluent from the liquefaction zone into a hot vapor stream and a liquid stream, combining a portion of the hot vapor stream with makeup hydrogen and with coal liquids in the solvent boiling range, passing the combined vapor, hydrogen and coal liquids to the solvent hydrogenation zone as feed to the hydrogenation zone, discharging the remainder of the vapor stream as purge after cooling to recover vaporized hydrocarbons and removing contaminants, and thereafter catalytically hydrogenating the hydrogenation zone feed stream while quenching the hydrogenation reaction with fluids recovered from the hydrogenation zone effluent.