Abstract: The present invention relates to decreasing the amount of diluent needed to convert a heavy oil to a bitumen product that can be transported by pipeline. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for partially upgrading heavy oil into a lower viscosity bitumen product.

Abstract: Process for the fluidized-bed catalytic cracking of a weakly coking feedstock having a Conradson carbon residue equal to or less than 0.1% by weight and a hydrogen content equal to or greater than 12.7% by weight, comprising at least a step of cracking the feedstock, a step of separating/stripping the effluents from the coked catalyst particles and a step of regenerating said particles, the process being characterized in that at least one coking, carbonaceous and/or hydrocarbonaceous effluent having a content of aromatic compounds of greater than 50% by weight, comprising more than 20% by weight of polyaromatic compounds, is recycled to homogeneously distributed and weakly coked catalyst, before regeneration, in order to adjust the delta coke of the process.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion, such as alkylation, using vaporization to remove reaction heat from an ionic liquid reactor and to provide mixing therein, wherein hydrocarbon vapors are withdrawn from the ionic liquid reactor and the withdrawn hydrocarbon vapor is recovered by a hydrocarbon vapor recovery unit in fluid communication with the ionic liquid reactor for recycling condensed hydrocarbons to the ionic liquid reactor. Processes for ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An FCC process may include a distributor disposed in a recess in a wall of the riser for distributing gaseous hydrocarbon feed to a riser. The distributor may be shielded from upwardly flowing catalyst by a shield. An array of nozzles from the distributor may extend through openings in the shield.

Abstract: A center feed system for use within a delayed coking system, or any other similar system is described. The center feed system features an inlet sleeve which slidably engages a retractable nozzle, with inlet and outlet, in fluid connection with a feed source of residual byproduct, allowing residual byproduct to flow from the feed source into the interior of a vessel, thus effectuating or inducing even thermal distribution throughout the vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for upgrading hydrocarbon are described. The system can include a combustor and a nozzle reactor. The combustor can be used to produce a motive fluid suitable for use in the nozzle reactor. The motive fluid produced by the combustor and a hydrocarbon stream can be injected into the nozzle reactor to upgrade the hydrocarbon material. The systems and methods can also be integrated with a steam assisted gravity drainage system.

Abstract: In a system for thermal cracking gaseous feedstocks, the system including a gas cracker for producing an effluent comprising olefins, at least one transfer line exchanger for the recovery of process energy from the effluent and a water quench tower system, a process for extending the range of system feedstocks to include liquid feedstocks that yield tar is provided. The process includes the steps of injecting a first quench fluid downstream of a primary transfer line exchanger to quench the process effluent comprising olefins, separating in a first separation vessel a cracked product and a first byproduct stream comprising tar from the quenched effluent, directing the separated cracked product to a water quench tower system and quenching the separated cracked product with a second quench fluid to produce a cracked gas effluent for recovery and a second byproduct stream comprising tar. An apparatus for carrying out such process is also provided.

Abstract: In a system for thermal cracking gaseous feedstocks, the system including a gas cracker for producing an effluent comprising olefins, at least one transfer line exchanger for the recovery of process energy from the effluent and a water quench tower system, a process for extending the range of system feedstocks to include liquid feedstocks that yield tar is provided. The process includes the steps of injecting a first quench fluid downstream of the at least one transfer line exchanger to quench the process effluent comprising olefins, separating in a separation vessel a cracked product and a first byproduct stream comprising tar from the quenched effluent, directing the separated cracked product to the water quench tower system and quenching the separated cracked product with a second quench fluid to produce a cracked gas effluent for recovery and a second byproduct stream comprising tar. An apparatus for cracking a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock that yield tar is also provided.

Abstract: A furnace and method for the cracking of hydrocarbons. The furnace includes a radiant firebox, the radiant firebox comprising a furnace floor having a centerline, a plurality of decoke effluent injection nozzles mounted along or adjacent to the centerline for injecting decoke effluent upward into the radiant firebox, a plurality of burners arranged to form a first line of burners and a second line of burners, each line of burners positioned on opposing sides of the plurality of decoke effluent injection nozzles, a first plane of radiant coils spaced at a distance greater than the distance that the first line of burners is spaced from the centerline of the furnace floor and on the same side of the centerline as the first row of burners, and a second plane of radiant coils spaced at a distance greater than the distance that the second line of burners is spaced from the centerline of the furnace floor and on the same side of the centerline as the second row of burners.

Abstract: An improved de-entrainment device for use in distillation towers, especially vacuum distillation towers used for fractionating petroleum atmospheric resids is in the form of a baffle which is to be located in the portion of the tower below the feed zone and at the top of the flash zone. The baffle is in the form of an apertured plate above the stripping zone and in its preferred form comprises number of radial fins or blades, resembling a static fan with openings between the fins to permit vapors from the lower portions of the tower to pass upwards through the baffle with a minimal pressure drop. The fins of the baffle are preferably oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° away from the incoming feed so that the incoming feed stream skims over the top edges of the fins.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of hydrocarbons that are solid or have a high boiling temperature and may be laden with metals, sulfur or sediments, into liquids (gasolines, gas oil, fuels) with the help of a jet of gas properly superheated between 600 and 800° C. The process comprises preheating a feed 5 in a heater 8 to a temperature below the selected temperature of a reactor 10. This feed is injected by injectors 4 into the empty reactor 10 (i.e., without catalyst.) The feed is treated with a jet of gas or superheated steam from superheater 2 to activate the feed. The activated products in the feed are allowed to stabilize at the selected temperature and at a selected pressure in the reactor and are then run through a series of extractors 13 to separate heavy and light hydrocarbons and to demetallize the feed. Useful products appearing in the form of water/hydrocarbon emulsions are generally demulsified in emulsion breaker 16 to form water laden with different impurities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating for disposal oil contaminated substrates, such as drill cuttings from drilling with an oil-based mud, by steam distillation. If necessary, the contaminated substrate 10 can be pretreated with an emulsion breaker 14. The contaminated substrate 10 can be treated with steam 16 in a first mixing still 12. The substrate can be optionally treated with a second steam source 20 in a second mixing still 18. The steam provides heat to vaporize the oil, moisture to treat the substrate and water to the reaction mixture. Recoverable constituents in the vapor can be condensed in a vapor collection system 24. The treated substrate 22 is essentially free of oil and can have a controlled water content. The process exhibits low energy consumption, rapid treatment, compact equipment and a high degree of process control.

Abstract: A process vessel containing both an evaporation zone for evaporating a liquid feed and a treatment zone for treating the resulting vapor comprises an injector having an orifice, the orifice being in the evaporation zone, at least one evaporation surface for evaporating feed and generating vapor, the evaporation surface being located in the evaporation zone, wherein the injector orifice and the evaporation surface are positioned to prevent the formation of a drop at the orifice, a treatment zone for treating the vapor and at least one heater associated with at least a portion of the process vessel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed that relate generally to a process for reducing harmful or unwanted emissions during the production of asphalt, such as blue smoke. The process includes the introduction of a pump around of the wax oil fraction for re-introduction into the vacuum tower. Additional desirable features include stripping trays below the wax oil collection tray and the feed zone. The result is to produce an asphalt product that creates less blue smoke in the hot mix plant. Another desirable feature is that a product can be created that meets Performance Grade specifications with the addition of polymers or other additives.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed that relate generally to a process for reducing harmful or unwanted emissions during the production of asphalt, such as blue smoke. The process includes the introduction of a pump around of the wax oil fraction for re-introduction into the vacuum tower. Additional desirable features include stripping trays below the wax oil collection tray and the feed zone. The result is to produce an asphalt product that creates less blue smoke in the hot mix plant. Another desirable feature is that a product can be created that meets Performance Grade specifications with the addition of polymers or other additives.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating a liquid mixture by fractional distillation. The apparatus includes at least two chambers with a conduit from the lower portion of a chamber which contains liquid to the upper portion of an adjacent chamber, a source of pressurized vapor, and a conduit from the source of pressurized vapor to the lower portion of the chamber which contains liquid. Flow of the liquid from the chamber which contains liquid is effected by introducing pressurized vapor into the liquid, thereby reducing the density of the liquid, pumping the liquid into the upper portion of the adjacent chamber. The two or more chambers can be housed in a single circular vessel, where the chambers are separated by partitions radiating from the center of the cylindrical vessel to the wall of the vessel. The apparatus can have a reduced height compared to conventional distillation columns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoking and suppressing coke formation during pyrolysis has been discovered that does not require complete shut down of the pyrolysis furnace. For the decoking step, the hydrocarbon feed is cut off to one or more coils for usually less than about three hours during which a decoking additive is added to the steam flow in that coil. This additive is comprised of an aqueous solution of a group IA metal salt and a group IIA metal salt and catalyzes the coke removal. The hydrocarbon feed continues in the other coils during this procedure. After decoking, a suppression additive also comprising group IA and IIA metals is added to the steam and hydrocarbon feed. This suppression additive will melt onto the inner surfaces of the pyrolysis furnace coils, coating the coils with a glass layer which inhibits coke formation.

Abstract: A system for dehydrating lubricating and hydraulic fluids includes a heating circuit and circuitry for creating a vacuum. The heating circuitry introduces a stream of heated fluid into a vacuum chamber in which a partial vacuum is drawn by the vacuum circuit. Aqueous components of the fluid stream are flashed in the vacuum chamber by virtue of the elevated temperature and reduced pressure. Dehydrated fluid is then collected and evacuated from the vacuum chamber. Vapor from the vacuum chamber, including the aqueous components of the fluid stream are collected, condensed and separately evacuated. The heating circuit limits surface temperature of a heating element in a closed-loop manner to avoid degradation of the fluid. The fluid stream is introduced into the vacuum chamber or is recirculated through the heating circuit to maintain a desired level of fluid temperature in a closed-loop manner.

Abstract: A fractionator has a fractionation vessel, a reactor effluent vapors inlet, a vapor feed contacting zone, a baffled contacting section above the vapor feed contacting zone, a tops section above the baffled contacting section, a heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section below the vapor feed contacting zone, a bottoms outlet, a bottoms recycle system with a heat exchanger. Recycled, cooled bottoms is fed back to the fractionation vessel at the heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section and above the vapor feed contacting zone. The improvements involve providing a separation tray and downpipe for separating cooler bottoms liquid from hotter product vapors within the fractionation vessel: to avoid condensation and absorption of product vapors by the liquid pool; to have more rapid and uniform quenching of hot liquid entering the pool; and substantially reduce costly onstream maintenance to clean fouled bottoms recycle exchangers.

Abstract: Apparatus for injecting antifoulant solution into a hot gaseous process stream in a thermal cracking furnace tube to inhibit coke deposition includes an inner antifoulant supply tube having one end connected to a pressurized supply of antifoulant solution and an access port along the furnace tube and the other end connected to an inlet of a centrifugal, atomizing nozzle having an outlet for discharging the antifoulant solution as a spray of small drops. An outer tube extends in concentric, insulating relation along the antifoulant supply tube between the access port and the nozzle, A flow deflector has an apertured peripheral wall with a portion defining a tubular mixing and vaporizing chamber extends coaxially along the furnace tube and an axial inlet end mounted in registration with the nozzle outlet to receive all spray therefrom. An axial outlet end is radially enlarged so as to deflect the gaseous process stream through wall apertures into the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for re-refining used oil, in which the used oil is processed in at least one cyclonic vacuum evaporator comprising a void evaporation chamber (4) into which feedstock is tangentially injected, and in which a fraction of the feedstock is condensed in a spray condenser (7) communicating with the evaporation chamber (4).

Abstract: The invention is a method of introducing an aggressive liquid additive into a vapor-containing process stream including (a) heating the liquid additive by a heating means thereby producing a heated additive; (b) passing the heated additive to an injection quill in fluid communication with the vapor-containing process stream; and (c) passing the heated additive from the injection quill into the vapor-containing process stream.

Abstract: An oil reclamation device includes an evaporator head and base both of heat conductive material and defining an evaporator chamber between them. An upwardly vertically extending heating element is disposed within the evaporator base for heating oil containing contaminants within the evaporator chamber by conduction and convection to evaporate light contaminants/liquids (e.g. water, fuel or antifreeze) in the oil. A vent extends from the evaporator chamber through the head, and an oil discharge conduit provides gravity discharge from the evaporator chamber and is formed in the base. An oil inlet conduit feeds oil from the head toward the evaporator chamber, preferably through a plurality of substantially evenly spaced passages formed in the head and flaring outwardly from the oil inlet conduit to the evaporator chamber to provide flow of oil in small, distinct, spaced streams to impact a portion of a generally annular frustoconical wall element extending upwardly form the base toward the head.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of in-service cleaning an operating column by inserting into the column a lance through which a compatible liquid is dispensed at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig. Also disclosed is apparatus which comprises a column through which a fluid can pass, nozzles mounted on the outside of the column, where each nozzle comprises a flange welded to the column and a valve bolted to the flange, a lance which can be inserted through the nozzles into the column and means for dispensing a liquid through the lance at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig.

Abstract: Sludge is removed from a reboiler while the reboiler is supplying heat to a fractionator, by using sludge removal apparatus added to the reboiler. The reboiler to which the sludge removal apparatus is added comprises an evaporative type shell and tube heat exchanger in which sludge can accumulate as a residue from evaporated liquid, and further in which unevaporated liquid is withdrawn from the reboiler as a product. Sludge removal is accomplished by drawing a relatively small liquid flush stream from the reboiler liquid product stream, pressuring the flush stream through a pump, and then recycling the flush stream to a sparger appropriately disposed in the heat exchanger shell. Sludge dislodged by the sparger is removed along with the reboiler liquid product in a flow path along the bottom surface of the shell through cut-outs provided in the lower edge of the weir and baffle plates in the reboiler which without the cut-outs would block the flow path for the sludge.

Abstract: A distillation tower (1) has a plurality of liquid sidestream lines (5, 6, 7) and a multi-stage sidestream stripper (13) which includes a respective stripping section (14, 15, 16) for each sidestream line housed in a common, upright, cylindrical shell (28) which allows vapor to pass freely from each stage to the one above. Partial vaporization of each sidestream is achieved by applying a vacuum to the top of the stripper shell (point 21) and/or introducing strip gas at the bottom (point 20). Because the vapor passes serially through the stripping sections from the bottom of the stripper (13) to the top, the need to supply strip gas separately to the stripping sections and/or apply vacuum individually is avoided. The separation between the sidestream products is improved by including, in each stage, a rectification zone (22, 23, 24) positioned above the stripping section.

Abstract: Apparatus for oil purification comprises a packed column for contacting sour oil with steam from a boiler, a gravity separator for separating the oil and water, a coalescer for coalescing the recovered oil, and a condenser for separating the lighter fraction from the column.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for catalytic conversion of oils. A furnace heats a feedstock which is provided to a separator for separation of the feedstock into a gas vapor phase and a liquid phase. The liquid phase is provided under pressure to a venturi nozzle which atomizes the liquid oil. The atomized oil and the gas are each provided to a reactor such as the lower end of a riser reactor in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon converter furnace has an upper convection heating zone and a lower radiant heating zone, and tubing extends in those zones to convey a fluid hydrocarbon feed and steam in sequence through the convection and radiant heating zones. The tubing includes a feed section and branches therefrom in the radiant section of the furnace, the feed section and branches arranged so that the hydrocarbon and steam flow from the feed section to said branches; also provided is valving for controlling the relative rates of flow in the branches to reduce differential coking in the branches.

Abstract: A stripping column is comprised of one or more mixing channels situated in parallel arrangement, each channel in the form of a zigzag strip through which liquid cascades in a series of falls alternating with a corresponding series of pools. Simultaneously, vapor travels upwardly in a counter-current manner, intimately mixing with the liquid when forced through each successive pool. The column is especially useful in separating alcohol from fermented mash. The column is preferably employed with three other identical columns in a parallelogram structure to make a distillation unit of greater efficiency and capacity.

Abstract: The present invention is a distillation vapor and feed mixing and subsequent separation process and apparatus involving the introduction of a vaporizing liquid feed into a flash zone via a tangential nozzle into a mixing and separation chamber which directs the feed into a circumferential path to enhance mixing, and the redirection of rising vapors from the distillation below the flash zone by baffling these vapors into the chamber inlet. The rising vapors are inspirated by the high velocity feed at the inlet side of the chamber and intimate contact and mixing of the rising vapors with the vaporizing feed are enhanced by creating a spinning action. Preferably, the chamber runs peripherally and slightly downward along the inside wall of the distillation column along an arc no greater than 360.degree.. Alternatively, the mixing section of the mixing and separation chamber may be located outside of the distillation tower and the feed, passing through a jet ejector would inspirate the rising vapors.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating carbonaceous material, e.g. waste oil by effecting the gasification thereof to produce a relatively high BTU content gas to supplement or substitute for natural gas. This is attained by a furnace in which the products of combustion are utilized to separately generate steam and to preheat a supply of carbonaceous material which may be mixed with water. The generated steam is mixed with the preheated carbonaceous material and passed through a premixing and/or a primary dynamic mixer wherein the preheated carbonaceous material and steam mixture is further heated to a temperature ranging between 1600.degree.-1800.degree. F. to effect a partial gasification of the carbonaceous material. The partially gasified material is thereafter directed through one or more secondary dynamic mixing chambers to be further heated in the presence of additional steam to complete the gasification thereof.

Abstract: A waste solvent recovery apparatus to recover tetrahydratfuran (THF) from waste sludge. THF sludge enters the apparatus container through a sludge jet generally pointing in a downward direction. Steam is directed downwardly and at the THF waste sludge jet tending to vaporize the THF while solid contaminants fall to the bottom of the container. The flow rate of steam with respect to waste sludge is adjusted so that the temperature at the bottom of the container exceeds the boiling point of THF and the temperature at the top of the container is less than the boiling point of water.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for controlling the quantity and period of charging of pitch coke furnaces whose pitch supply conduits are connected to a heatable ring conduit and are in connection with at least one pitch reservoir via this ring conduit. In the pitch supply conduits, pitch dosing containers are arranged, which containers rest on bearing-pressure measuring means. Via these bearing-pressure measuring means, the respective filling level of the pitch dosing containers is determinable.

Abstract: A closed reactor for the thermal cracking of heavy oils, having an internally mounted, rotatable injection pipe. The injection pipe is adapted to spurt preheated raw material under pressure against the inner wall surfaces of the reactor while rotating to remove coke which has deposited on the reactor walls during the previous cracking operation.

Abstract: A decoking apparatus suitable for use on a reaction vessel for the thermal cracking of heavy petroleum oils the apparatus essentially including a rotatable main injection pipe to be disposed in the reaction vessel and having a multitude of jet nozzles along its length, and a second or auxiliary injection pipe positioned in the proximity of the main injection pipe to inject a scrubbing liquid over the outer peripheral walls of the main injection pipe to prevent deposition of coke. The main and auxiliary injection pipes are both supplied with heavy petroleum oil to remove the coke deposition from the reactor wall by the heavy petroleum oil jets from the main injection pipe while wetting the exterior of the main pipe with the heavy petroleum oil injected by the auxiliary injection pipe.

Abstract: Rectangularly-shaped fluid distributors for large diameter, vertical vessels include reinforcers for high heat operation, vertical sides with gas distributing orifices and overhanging, sloped roofs. Devices are provided for cleaning the orifices from a buildup of solid deposits resulting from the reactions in the vessel.

Abstract: A decoking device suitable for use on a reaction vessel for the thermal cracking of heavy petroleum oils, including an assembly mounted on top of the reaction vessel and having a cylinder and a piston slidably and rotatably received in the cylinder, the cylinder and piston defining a scrubbing liquid chamber which is sealed from the outside. A scrubbing liquid is fed through the scrubbing liquid chamber to a main injection pipe to inject the liquid through a multitude of jet nozzles in the main injection pipe against the inner wall surfaces of the reaction vessel, the main injection pipe being connected to the piston for movement therewith.

Abstract: A simplified, essentially maintenance-free yet highly efficient distillation tower and method for waste oil rerefining is provided which allows direct vacuum distillation of additive-supplemented waste oils without chemical pretreatment thereof and yields a highly refined intermediate oil suitable for immediate use or final polishing, along with a valuable bottoms fraction usable in greases or asphalts, for example. The tower includes an upright, cylindrical chamber with a tangential waste oil inlet and cooperating internal baffle for creating a whirling oil flow pattern therewithin, along with means for maintaining the proper temperature conditions within the tower for maximizing vaporization and recovery of hydrocarbons from the waste oil while also preventing undesirable decomposition or cracking of the oil.

Abstract: A vessel is provided for stripping oil from char particles of different density recovered from a pyrolysis of organic solid waste. The lower end of the vessel is of reduced diameter with a plurality of gas jets which direct gas inwardly and upwardly to direct stripping gas through the particles. A standpipe extends upwardly from the bottom of the vessel and terminates above the gas inlet jets. A gas outlet is provided at the top of the vessel. The particles are introduced at an intermediate level in the vessel. The top of the standpipe is covered with a screen mesh for limiting the size of particles which can enter the standpipe. The gas fluidizes the particles of different density which tend to concentrate at different levels in the fluidized bed because of their density differences. The standpipe terminates at a selected level within the fluidized particle bed which results in a desired mixture of the particles of different density being withdrawn from the fluidized bed through the standpipe.

Abstract: Filter for separating solid particles from an oil in which a vessel is divided into three compartments by a pair of tube sheets, with a plurality of hollow mesh screen filter cartridges, having open tops and bottoms being supported between the tube sheets. Oil to be filtered is introduced into the top compartment and flows into the interior of the cartridge and is filtered by radial flow through the cartridge into the intermediate compartment. The oil flow washes solids from the screen through the open bottom and into the bottom compartment.

Abstract: The undesirable and damaging reaction heat occurring during the blowing of asphalt is avoided by injecting water into the air inlet pipes of the reactor vessel heated by the hot asphalt surrounding them. During this, the superheated steam produced without expenditure is passed through the liquid asphalt, causing the removal of low molecular hydrocarbons formed during the blowing or stripping.

Abstract: In a deodorizing apparatus, at least the lower part of a column is surrounded at least partly by compartments which are not connected together, each compartment having means for supplying treatment fluid and means for discharging the treated material with separate control but opening into a common duct. The duct for discharging the treated material from the central column is divided into separate ducts the outlets of which open into the compartments and which are provided with separately-controlled means for carrying the material to the respective compartments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for re-refining used oil, in which the used oil is processed in at least one cyclonic vacuum evaporator comprising a void evaporation chamber (4) into which feedstock is tangentially injected, and in which a fraction of the feedstock is condensed in a spray condenser (7) communicating with the evaporation chamber (4).