Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.

Abstract: A biomass processing system is disclosed whereby a counter flow path is provided for recovering yielded product from at least two fermentation stages. In certain configurations, the counter flow path is associated with respective extraction stages that correspond to each respective fermentation stages. To enhance product recovery, certain configurations also disclose mechanical grinding of biomass between fermentation stage to enhance a surface area for further subsequent processing of the biomass. To yet further enhance the system, certain configurations discloses a cell recovery sub-system that agitates processed biomass to separate cells from undigested residues. The recovered cells may be recycled to fermentation stages in the system.

Abstract: Asphaltene produced during the production of hydrocarbons in an underground reservoir may be reduced and decomposed by introducing into the underground reservoir a fluid having a catalyst of from about 3 to about 7% Ni with a magnesium oxide support or a catalyst of from about 15 to about 25% tungsten oxide with a zirconium oxide support or a mixture thereof. The viscosity of heavy oil within the underground reservoir is reduced in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.

Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.

Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.

Abstract: Asphaltene produced during the production of hydrocarbons in an underground reservoir may be reduced and decomposed by introducing into the underground reservoir a fluid having a catalyst of from about 3 to about 7% Ni with a magnesium oxide support or a catalyst of from about 15 to about 25% tungsten oxide with a zirconium oxide support or a mixture thereof. The viscosity of heavy oil within the underground reservoir is reduced in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: A lure hanging ring for use in a conventional bucket to hang conventional fishing lures or a fishing apparatus having a hook comprises a circular ring member having four attachment members integral therewith. The ring member defines a rigid circular bar that is sized to receive the hook of a conventional fishing lure or other fishing apparatus having a hook such that the fishing apparatus can hang therefrom. The attachment members each define an identical “L” shaped body permanently attached to the ring member at one end and having a mounting portion at the other end. The lure hanging ring is sized to fit inside a conventional bucket such that its attachment members can contact the side wall of the bucket upon its placement therein and be fastened therein through the passing of an elongated fastener through the attachment member and the side wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to coupling at least two window coverings and, provides apparatus for coupling a first and second window covering in substantially coaxial alignment comprising the combination of a bracket and a bearing insert, where: the bracket comprises at least one first portion adapted for fixing the bracket to a structure and a second portion comprising a combination of one or more generally C-shaped apertures; the bearing insert comprises a generally annular assembly with first and second side portions secured together by a hub portion, the hub portion having an outer surface configured as a truncated circle, wherein the truncated circle configuration of the hub portion is adapted to allow passage of the bearing insert into the C-shaped aperture and prevent passage out of the C-shaped aperture upon rotation of the bearing insert in the C-shaped aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to coupling at least two window coverings and, provides apparatus for coupling a first and second window covering in substantially coaxial alignment comprising the combination of a bracket and a bearing insert, where: the bracket comprises at least one first portion adapted for fixing the bracket to a structure and a second portion comprising a combination of one or more generally C-shaped apertures; the bearing insert comprises a generally annular assembly with first and second side portions secured together by a hub portion, the hub portion having an outer surface configured as a truncated circle, wherein the truncated circle configuration of the hub portion is adapted to allow passage of the bearing insert into the C-shaped aperture and pre vent passage out of the C-shaped aperture upon rotation of the bearing insert in the C-shaped aperture

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a crude product are described herein. Systems include an upstream contacting zone and a downstream contacting zone coupled to the upstream contacting zone. The upstream contacting zone and the downstream contacting zone include one or more catalysts. Contact of a hydrocarbon feed with the one or more of the catalysts produces a hydrocarbon feed/total product mixture having a molybdenum content of at most 90% of the molybdenum of the hydrocarbon feed. Contact of the hydrocarbon feed/total product mixture in downstream with one or more downstream catalysts produces a crude product having a molybdenum content of at most 90% of the molybdenum content of the hydrocarbon feed and at most 90% of the residue content of the hydrocarbon feed. Methods of producing a crude product using said systems are described herein. Compositions of said crude product produced from said systems and methods are described herein.

Abstract: Methods for conversion of a hydrocarbon feed to a total product are described. Contact of the hydrocarbon feed with one or more catalysts produces the total product. The total product includes a crude product that is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa having a Ni/Fe/V content between 80% and 120% of the Ni/Fe/V content of the hydrocarbon feed, a molybdenum content of at most 90% of the molybdenum content of the hydrocarbon feed, a residue content of at most 90% of the residue content of the hydrocarbon feed, a C5/C7 content of at most 90% of the a C5/C7 content of the hydrocarbon feed. Hydrocarbon compositions of said crude products are described herein.

Abstract: Methods for conversion of a hydrocarbon feed to a total product are described. Contact of the hydrocarbon feed with one or more catalysts at controlled contacting conditions produces the total product. The total product includes a crude product that is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa and has a basic nitrogen content of at most 90% of the basic nitrogen content of the hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: Systems for treating a hydrocarbon feed to produce a total product are described herein. The system includes an upstream contacting system and a downstream contacting system. The upstream contacting system includes one or more catalysts. The hydrocarbon feed has a viscosity of at least 100 cSt at 37.8° C. Contact of the hydrocarbon feed with one or more of the catalysts produces the total product. The total product includes a crude product having a viscosity at 37.8° C. of at most 50% of the viscosity of the first feed at 37.8° C. The downstream contacting system is coupled to the upstream contacting system and configured to receive the first feed. The downstream contacting system includes a cracking unit and/or a deasphalting unit.

Abstract: Methods for conversion of a hydrocarbon feed to a total product are described. A hydrocarbon feed is contacted with one or more catalysts to produce the total product. The total product includes a crude product that is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa having a residue content of at most 90% of the residue content of the hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: A system to produce a total product and recover inorganic salts from a combustion gas is described. The system includes a contacting zone, a regeneration zone and a recovery zone. The contacting zone is configured to fluidize a supported inorganic salt catalyst in the presence of a feed, steam, and a hydrogen source to produce the total product. The regeneration zone is configured to receive at least a portion of the supported inorganic salt catalyst from the contacting zone and remove at least a portion of contaminants from the supported inorganic salt catalyst. The recovery zone is configured to receive combustion gas from the regeneration zone, wherein the recovery zone is configured to separate at least a portion of inorganic salts from the combustion gas.

Abstract: Methods of producing a total product are described. A method includes contacting a feed with a hydrogen source in the presence of one or more inorganic salt catalysts and steam to produce a total product; and controlling contacting conditions such that the conversion of feed to hydrocarbon gas and hydrocarbon liquid in the total product is between 5% and 50%, based on the molar amount of carbon in the feed.

Abstract: Methods of producing a crude product are described. A method includes providing a feed and a supported inorganic salt catalyst to a contacting zone. The feed has at total content, per gram of feed, of at least 0.9 grams of hydrocarbons having a boiling range distribution between 343° C. and 538° C. Contact of the supported inorganic salt catalyst with the feed in the presence of a hydrogen source and steam is performed such that the supported inorganic salt catalyst becomes fluidized, and a total product that includes a crude product is produced. The crude product has a total content of at least 0.2 grams per gram of crude product of hydrocarbon have a boiling range distribution between 204° C. and 343° C.

Abstract: Continuously contacting a crude feed with one or more catalysts for at least 500 hours at a liquid hourly space velocity of at least 1 h?1 produces a total product that includes a crude product. At least one of the catalysts has a pore size distribution with a median pore diameter of at least 180 ? and includes one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table and/or one or more compounds of one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: Methods of producing a total product are described. A method includes contacting a feed with light hydrocarbons in the presence of one or more inorganic salt catalysts and steam to produce a total product; controlling contacting conditions such that at least 50% of the light hydrocarbons are recovered; and producing a total product, wherein the ratio of atomic hydrogen to carbon (H/C) in the total product is between 80% and 120% of the atomic H/C of the feed.