Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for inhibiting scale formation or precipitate formation in oil field flow lines and processing equipment exposed to fluid containing components that form scale or precipitates on surfaces of oil field flow lines and processing equipment, especially in highly paraffinic crude oils, where the method and system include applying an electric field across the fluid flowing through a flow line, where the fluid includes a scale or precipitate inhibitor and where the fluid strength and the inhibitor concentration is sufficient to reduce or prevent scale or precipitant formation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for inhibiting scale formation or precipitate formation in oil field flow lines and processing equipment exposed to fluid containing components that form scale or precipitates on surfaces of oil field flow lines and processing equipment, especially in highly paraffinic crude oils, where the method and system include applying an electric field across the fluid flowing through a flow line, where the fluid includes a scale or precipitate inhibitor and where the fluid strength and the inhibitor concentration is sufficient to reduce or prevent scale or precipitant formation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing an emulsified aqueous hydrocarbon solution comprising, providing a liquid hydrocarbon stream at a particular temperature and a separate water stream, mixing the water stream with a surfactant at a predetermined ratio, raising the pressure of the hydrocarbon stream to a pressure greater than the vapor pressure of steam at the temperature, spraying the water into the hydrocarbon stream at a pressure greater than that of the hydrocarbon stream in a pre-mix chamber; and passing the pressurized hydrocarbon-water mixture through a static mixing chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feedstock composition for increasing the efficiency of atomization in hydrocarbon processing that includes a water-in-hydrocarbon oil emulsion including a non-ionic surfactant capable of stabilizing the emulsion and having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of greater than about 12. The emulsion includes water droplets of about 5 to about 10 microns in diameter, the droplets being dispersed substantially uniformly in the hydrocarbon oil phase. These surfactants are capable of stabilizing the water-in-hydrocarbon oil emulsion under relevant temperature and pressure conditions for hydrocarbon processing. The inventive feedstock composition provides a metastable water-in-oil emulsion where expanding water vapor explodes under spray conditions where the system pressure is released, demolishing a larger oil droplet and producing smaller oil droplets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feedstock composition for increasing the efficiency of atomization in hydrocarbon processing that includes a water-in-hydrocarbon oil emulsion including a non-ionic surfactant capable of stabilizing the emulsion and having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of greater than about 12. The emulsion includes water droplets of about 5 to about 10 microns in diameter, the droplets being dispersed substantially uniformly in the hydrocarbon oil phase. These surfactants are capable of stabilizing the water-in-hydrocarbon oil emulsion under relevant temperature and pressure conditions for hydrocarbon processing. The inventive feedstock composition provides a metastable water-in-oil emulsion where expanding water vapor explodes under spray conditions where the system pressure is released, demolishing a larger oil droplet and producing smaller oil droplets.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting pyrophoric iron sulfide activity are disclosed. Methods are disclosed for inhibiting the sulfidation of iron oxides to iron sulfides and/or the oxidation of iron sulfide to inhibit pyrophoric activity. The methods comprise contacting iron oxides and/or iron sulfide with a liquid, solution, aerosol, or gaseous inhibitor comprising alkylamines, arylamines, imines; oxygen-containing compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes, esters, acids and ketones; mixed nitrogen-containing and oxygen-containing compounds such as alkanolamines, non-polymeric amides, hydroxylamines, Mannich products, polyisobutylenesuccinimides, oximes; sulfur-containing compounds and phosphorus-containing compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and system for determining the concentration of a surfactant in a transparent hydrocarbon by performing the steps of adding a solid to the hydrocarbon; adding a second masking reagent to the hydrocarbon; mixing to form a dispersion; separating the dispersion from the mixture; and measuring the optical absorption of the dispersion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the concentration of amines in hydrocarbon fluids and process streams by generating therein a nitrosating agent. The nitrosating agent will react with the amines to form innocuous by-products under refinery process conditions.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the settling of finely divided solids in hydrocarbon fluids comprising adding to the hydrocarbon a sufficient settling amount of quaternary fatty ammonium compound. Preferably, the hydrocarbon is a fluid catalytic cracker slurry containing spent catalyst fines.