Abstract: A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treatment of fluids to remove mercury contaminants in the fluid. Contact of the fluid with an amine that has absorbed a sulfur compound causes the mercury contaminants to be absorbed by the amine. Phase separation then removes from the fluid the amine loaded with the mercury contaminants such that a treated product remains.

Abstract: System to detect coking in at least one component of refinery equipment is provided. The system includes a fiber optic assembly having at least one optical fiber operably coupled with the component, the fiber optic assembly further including a light source to transmit light having a known parameter through the optical fiber and a receiver to receive the light from the optical fiber, and a processor in communication with the fiber optic assembly to identify a shift in the parameter received by the receiver, the shift corresponding to an operating characteristic of the component. Method also provided for detecting coking using the system to detect coking disclosed herein.

Abstract: A transition metal carboxylate scavenger may be used to scavenge contaminants from systems from mixed production and/or gas, either dry or wet hydrocarbon gas. The contaminants scavenged or otherwise removed may include, but are not necessarily limited to, H2S, mercaptans, sulfides, and combinations thereof. Suitable transition metal carboxylates in the scavenger include, but are not limited to, zinc octoate, zinc dodecanoate, zinc naphthenate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of shale, gas and fluid at a shale-gas well. The shale debris and water from a shale-gas well is tangentially communicated to a vessel where the cyclonic effect within the vessel facilitates the separation of the gas from the shale debris. The separated shale debris and fluid falls to a jet assembly whereby it encounters a jet communicating a fluid therethrough. A venturi provides a motive force to the shale debris and fluid sufficient to propel it into a collection bin. The shale-gas separator incorporates a fluid bypass overflow line to prevent a buildup of fluid within the vessel. The shale-gas separator also incorporates an internal aerated cushion system (IACS) pipe for further motivating the shale debris and into the jet assembly, to ensure the walls of the vessel are clean, and to provide an air cushion restricting gas migration to the jet assembly.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for hydroprocessing. The process can include providing a hydroprocessing zone having at least two beds, and quenching downstream of a first bed of the at least two beds with a first vacuum gas oil that may be lighter than another vacuum gas oil fed to the first bed.

Abstract: A compound useful for reducing fouling in a hydrocarbon refining process is provided. A method for preparing the compound includes hydrohalogenating a polymer having a vinyl chain end to obtain a halogen-containing terminal group, and reacting the terminal group with a polyamine. Methods of using the compound and compositions thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A decontamination system for decontaminating at least one contaminant in a process stream. Decontaminant liquid is dispersed into the process stream using atomization. A controller detects contaminant levels in the process stream and adjusts the flow of decontaminant fluid into the process stream in response.

Abstract: A method is described to excite molecules at their natural resonance frequencies with sufficient energy to break or form chemical bonds using electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency (RF) and microwave frequency range. Liquid, solid, or gaseous materials are prepared and injected into a resonant structure where they are bombarded with electromagnetic energy in the RF or microwave range at resonant frequencies of the molecules of the materials. Alternatively, electromagnetic energy tuned to dielectric particles prepared from the materials may also be supplied to further enhance the reaction.

Abstract: An improved separator for desalting petroleum crude oils which may be operated in a continuous manner under automatic control; the improved desalter is therefore well suited to modern refinery operation with minimal downtime. A portion of the emulsion layer is withdrawn from the desalter through external withdrawal ports according to the thickness and position of the emulsion layer with the selected withdrawal header(s) being controlled by sensors monitoring the position and thickness of the emulsion layer. The withdrawn emulsion layer can be routed as such or with the desalter water effluent to a settling tank or directly to another unit for separation and reprocessing.

Abstract: The oil-water separator is installed in a substantially horizontal crude oil pipeline for separating water from the oil and water mix. The separator includes a depending vortex and settling chamber depending from the pipeline, the segment of the pipeline and the separator defining a generally T-shaped configuration. Oil and water flowing through the pipeline drop into the chamber as it flows through the pipeline and over the chamber. The denser water tends to settle into the bottom of the chamber, while the lighter oil is entrained back into the flow through the pipeline. A sensor detects water collected in the bottom of the chamber and provides a signal to open a drain valve when sufficient water has been collected. While only a single separator serves to collect a substantial fraction of water, a series of separators may be installed along the pipe to remove more water from the oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a crude oil treating apparatus including a treating section and a flashing section connected together by a pipe and a flashing valve. The method includes the steps of: passing wet crude oil into the treating section; separating water from the wet crude oil in the treating section; obtaining partially dry crude oil; passing partially dry crude oil via the pipe and the flashing valve to the flashing section of the apparatus; heating the partially dry crude oil upstream of the flashing section and downstream of the flashing valve by heat exchanged with the water separated from the crude oil in the treating section; and obtaining dry crude oil from the flashing section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of crude and apparatus for its implementation. This process comprises a separation into gas and degassed emulsion and separation of the degassed emulsion into water and oil. The invention also relates to a process of separating a hydrocarbon emulsion and apparatus for implementing this. This process comprises washing of the emulsion at an oil/water interface.

Abstract: A simplified process is provided for creating hybrid crude oils and hybrid crude fractions with characteristics superior to the original. The process uniquely combines gases with crude oil or crude fractions in an effervescent turbulent manner at low temperatures and pressures and without the further aid of catalysts. The process breaks large chain hydrocarbons into smaller chain hydrocarbons, molecularly combines carbon, hydrogen, and/or hydrocarbon molecules from the gases with and into hydrocarbon molecules of the crude or crude fraction, and separates contaminants and impurities.

Abstract: A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container, and a radio frequency (RF) circuit coupled to the spirally wound electrical conductor and configured to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resource while tracking a load resonance of the RF circuit. The RF circuit may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container parallel with an axis thereof.

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 reactor has two chambers, namely an oil feedstock chamber and a source chamber. An ion separator separates the oil feedstock chamber from the source chamber, wherein the ion separator allows alkali metal ions to pass from the source chamber, through the ion separator, and into the oil feedstock chamber. A cathode is at least partially housed within the oil feedstock chamber and an anode is at least partially housed within the source chamber. A quantity of an oil feedstock is within the oil feedstock chamber, the oil feedstock comprising at least one carbon atom and a heteroatom and/or one or more heavy metals, the oil feedstock further comprising naphthenic acid. When the alkali metal ion enters the oil feedstock chamber, the alkali metal reacts with the heteroatom, the heavy metals and/or the naphthenic acid, wherein the reaction with the alkali metal forms inorganic products.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an interface emulsion layer and mud layer within a desalter vessel includes injecting a water flow through a plurality of nozzles arranged about a piping circuit located in the brine water layer. Each nozzle is oriented toward an interior space of the desalter vessel and is arranged oblique to the piping circuit. The water flow through the plurality of nozzles causes a horizontal and vertical rotation of a volume of water that is effective for suspending solids in the water and promoting a collapse of the interface emulsion layer. The water flow through each nozzle, which may be a recycled water flow, is preferably in a range of 1 to 3 fpm and each nozzle is preferably oriented at an angle of about 15° and 60° in a horizontal plane and a downward angle of about 15° and 60° in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A system for producing an auxiliary fuel stream containing a low concentration of sulfur compounds from a primary fuel stream includes a first separation stage to separate a portion of a primary fuel stream into a first vapor permeate stream and a first retentate stream, a first separation stage partial condenser connected to the first vapor permeate stream condensing a portion of the first vapor permeate stream into a first liquid stage stream and a first vapor stage stream, and a second separation stage partial condenser condensing a portion of the first vapor stage stream into a second liquid stage. The stream may then be processed through a sorbent bed to effectively remove the sulfur compounds.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a fractionated hydroprocessed effluent. The process can include stripping a hydroprocessed effluent from a hydroprocessing zone, fractionating the stripped hydroprocessed effluent to obtain a naphtha cut, and sending the naphtha cut to a hydrogen sulfide removal zone. The hydrogen sulfide removal zone can include an amine wash settler, an amine contacting column, or a steam stripper.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for treating a hydroprocessing fraction. The process can include obtaining a bottom stream from a fractionation zone, and passing at least a portion of the bottom stream to a film generating evaporator zone for separating a first stream containing less heavy polynuclear aromatic compounds than a second stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making naphtha substantially free of H2S are described. The method includes stripping an incoming stream containing naphtha and H2S in a fractionator into at least an overhead stream containing the naphtha and H2S and a bottoms stream, and introducing the overhead stream from the fractionator into a separator to form a naphtha stream substantially free of H2S and an overhead stream containing H2S.

Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of shale, gas and fluid at a shale-gas well. The shale debris and water from a shale-gas well is tangentially communicated to a vessel where the cyclonic effect within the vessel facilitates the separation of the gas from the shale debris. The separated shale debris and fluid falls to a jet assembly whereby it encounters a jet communicating a fluid therethrough. A venturi provides a motive force to the shale debris and fluid sufficient to propel it into a collection bin. The shale-gas separator incorporates a fluid bypass overflow line to prevent a buildup of fluid within the vessel. The shale-gas separator also incorporates an internal aerated cushion system (IACS) pipe for further motivating the shale debris and into the jet assembly, to ensure the walls of the vessel are clean, and to provide an air cushion restricting gas migration to the jet assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil from oil-containing sorbents, such as drill cuttings obtained from drilling with an oil-based mud. The method includes peptizing the substrate with an acid reagent and direct thermal desorption with combustion effluent gases at high temperature under turbulent mixing conditions. Another method disclosed includes upgrading the oil in the substrate to improve one or more of the properties of the recovered oil relative to the oil in the substrate, such as, lower aromatics content, lower sulfur content, lower functional group content, higher saturates, higher viscosity, higher viscosity index, and any combination thereof. The apparatus provides for efficient recovery of oil from the substrate with a short residence time, high throughput, low residual oil content in the treated solids and/or high percentage of oil recovery. The apparatus may be transported to a remote location for on-site treatment of drill cuttings or other oil-containing solids.

Abstract: A carbon adsorbent having the characteristics of: a nitrogen micropore volume at 77° K, measured as liquid capacity, that is greater than 0.30 mL/g; a neopentane capacity measured at 273° K and 1 bar, measured as liquid capacity, that is less than 7% of the nitrogen micropore volume, measured as liquid capacity; and an access pore size in a range of from 0.50 to 0.62 nm. Such adsorbent is usefully employed for contacting with hydrocarbon mixtures to adsorb low-octane, linear and mono- or di-substituted alkanes therefrom, and thereby increase octane rating, e.g., of an isomerization naphtha raffinate. Adsorption processes and apparatus are also described, in which the carbon adsorbent can be utilized for production of higher octane rating hydrocarbon mixtures.

Abstract: A rectifier mounted at a bottom of a reactor includes a central layer (1), at least one interlayer (2) and an external layer (3), which are made of bird nest honeycomb ceramic, wherein porosities of the central layer, the interlayer and the external layer increase in turn. The central layer, the interlayer and the external layer are respectively provided in a central-layer cone shaped body, an interlayer cone shaped body and an external-layer cone shaped body which are installed concentrically, so as to form meshed honeycomb pores with different porosities at the bottom of the rectifier. The rectifier is made of bird nest ceramic with high density honeycomb pores, and a minimum density thereof is over 200 meshes.

Abstract: A feedwell for a gravity separation vessel for introducing a feed stream such as oil sand slurry to the gravity separation vessel is provided comprising a walled member having an upper perimeter edge, a lower perimeter edge and a substantially continuous wall extending from the upper perimeter edge to the lower perimeter edge; an inlet for introducing the feed stream into the walled member positioned adjacent the substantially continuous wall; and a bottom floor having an opening and extending generally beneath the lower perimeter edge; whereby a perimeter of the opening is less than a perimeter of the walled member.

Abstract: Methods and systems of separating a hydrocarbon phase from a mixture comprising an emulsion of water and hydrocarbons in the presence of a surfactant, comprising adjusting the salinity of the mixture to release hydrocarbons and water from the emulsion into a hydrocarbon phase and a salt-containing aqueous phase respectively; and separating at least a part of the hydrocarbon phase from the salt-containing aqueous phase wherein at least a part of the salt-containing aqueous phase is recovered for further use.

Abstract: A method for the production of stabilized crude oil, the method comprising the steps of: providing a stream of crude oil; injecting steam into said stream and so stripping C3? from said stream; providing a gas stream; extracting C4+ from the gas stream, and so; producing a stream from the extracted C4+; co-mingling the stripped stream with the C4+ stream, and so; producing a stream of stabilized crude oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for enclosed recycling of oil-water-sludge in an oil shale dry distillation system. According to the method, the technology is advanced, equipment investment costs are low, the occupied area is small, the failure rate is low, a highly pure shale oil product and a highly concentrated oil sludge product can be obtained efficiently, and the waste water generated in the purification and concentration processes can be recycled, thereby achieving full enclosure of the device system, greatly reducing the energy consumption, and improving the oil shale dry distillation process in the prior art.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for upgrading a hydrocarbon material may include a black wax upgrade subsystem and a molten salt gasification (MSG) subsystem. The black wax upgrade subsystem and the MSG subsystem may be located within a common pressure boundary, such as within a pressure vessel. Gaseous materials produced by the MSG subsystem may be used in the process carried out within the black wax upgrade subsystem. For example, hydrogen may pass through a gaseous transfer interface to interact with black wax feed material to hydrogenate such material during a cracking process. In one embodiment, the gaseous transfer interface may include one or more openings in a tube or conduit which is carrying the black wax material. A pressure differential may control the flow of hydrogen within the tube or conduit. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: One or more computer implemented systems for continuously processing used oils are provided. The system can include a feedstock tank containing feedstock. The feedstock tank can have a sparger and a level sensor. The feedstock tank can be in fluid communication with a first pump, a first filter, a heater, a second filter, first flow meter, a primary nozzle, a secondary nozzle, a motionless inline static mixer, and a first reactor.

Abstract: A system for recovering an LPG fraction according to the present invention includes: a compressor increasing the pressure of excess gas such as associated gas; a deethanizer column dissolving, in a sponge oil, propane and butane contained in the excess gas and separating a gas having a carbon number of two or less from the excess gas; a sponge oil transfer pipe discharging the sponge oil from the deethanizer column; a debutanizer column separating propane and butane from the sponge oil; an LPG fraction discharge pipe discharging the fraction containing propane and butane from the debutanizer column; and a sponge oil return pipe returning the sponge oil from the debutanizer column to the deethanizer column.

Abstract: A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container, and a radio frequency (RF) circuit coupled to the spirally wound electrical conductor and configured to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resource while tracking a load resonance of the RF circuit. The RF circuit may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container parallel with an axis thereof.

Abstract: A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for the extraction of hydrocarbons from contaminated solids. The method for separating hydrocarbons from solids comprising exposing the solid to a heat source of sufficient temperature to release substantially all of the hydrocarbon and water from the solids as volatile vapors, condensing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon vapor, and condensing the water vapor. The apparatus for extracting hydrocarbons from solids comprises a heat source capable of reaching temperatures sufficient to vaporize substantially all of the hydrocarbons in the contaminated solids and at least one separation tank in fluid communication with an outlet of said heat source for condensing at least part of the hydrocarbons. The present invention also relates the system for applying said method to said apparatus to extract and recover hydrocarbons from contaminated solids.

Abstract: Corrosion of ferrous material such as steel or stainless steel is a problem in oil pipelines, oil storage tanks, and the piping and process equipment at oil refineries, and this corrosion may be reduced by reducing the TAN value of the oil feedstock that is used/transported within the ferrous material. This TAN value may be reduced by reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal, thereby forming a de-acidified alkali metal. The de-acidified alkali metal has a TAN value of less than or equal to 1 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil from oil-containing sorbents, such as drill cuttings obtained from drilling with an oil-based mud. The method includes peptizing the substrate with an acid reagent and direct thermal desorption with combustion effluent gases at high temperature under turbulent mixing conditions. Another method disclosed includes upgrading the oil in the substrate to improve one or more of the properties of the recovered oil relative to the oil in the substrate, such as, lower aromatics content, lower sulfur content, lower functional group content, higher saturates, higher viscosity, higher viscosity index, and any combination thereof. The apparatus provides for efficient recovery of oil from the substrate with a short residence time, high throughput, low residual oil content in the treated solids and/or high percentage of oil recovery. The apparatus may be transported to a remote location for on-site treatment of drill cuttings or other oil-containing solids.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a process for treating bituminous feedstocks wherein the energy required to separate the organic and mineral fractions of said bituminous feedstocks in a treatment unit powered by hot water is provided by chemical looping combustion (CLC).

Abstract: A nozzle reactor system for increasing the conversion rate of material feed injected into the nozzle reactor system. The system includes two or more nozzle reactors aligned in parallel. A main stream of material to be upgraded is divided such that one stream is produced for each nozzle reactor in the system. Each nozzle reactor includes an interior reactor chamber and an injection passage and material feed passage that are each in material injecting communication with the interior reactor chamber. Furthermore, the injection passage is aligned transversely to the injection passage. The injection passage is configured to accelerate cracking material passed therethrough to a supersonic speed. The product produced from each of the nozzle reactors is combined into one product stream.

Abstract: A separation process and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a mixture. In some embodiments, a process for separating a bitumen froth stream containing bitumen froth, water and fine solids into a bitumen enriched froth stream and a water and fine solids stream, comprises: (a) receiving the bitumen froth stream in a concentrator vessel, (b) distributing the bitumen froth stream in the concentrator vessel as a substantially uniform and generally horizontal flow of the bitumen froth stream at a first flow velocity, (c) slowing the bitumen froth stream to a second flow velocity, slower than the first flow velocity, in a separation region of the concentrator vessel to promote separation of the bitumen froth from the water and fine solids, and then (d) collecting a bitumen enriched froth stream and (e) collecting a separate water and fine solids stream. Related embodiments of systems and apparatus may also be provided.

Abstract: Aromatic extraction and hydrocracking processes are integrated to optimize the hydrocracking units design and/or performance. By processing aromatics-rich and aromatic-lean fractions separately, the hydrocracking operating severity and or catalyst reactor volume requirement decreases.

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: A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripper and a cold stripper. The cold stripper and the hot stripper utilize a common overhead recovery apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripper and a cold stripper. A net overhead stream from the hot stripper is forwarded to the cold stripper for further stripping. The invention is particularly suitable for hydrotreating residue feed streams. The hot stripped stream may be subjected to fluid catalytic cracking The apparatus and process eliminates the need for a fired heater in the product recovery unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripper and a cold stripper. Only the hot hydroprocessing effluent is heated in a fired heater prior to product fractionation, resulting in substantial operating and capital savings.

Abstract: A method of refining hydrocarbon material includes transporting a mobile refinery to a harvesting site, at least partially refining raw hydrocarbon material at the harvesting site, and transporting the at least partially refined hydrocarbon material to a remote location. A hydrocarbon material refining system includes a mobile refinery adapted to be transported to a harvesting site and to at least partially refine raw hydrocarbon material at the harvesting site, and a mobile storage module adapted to store the at least partially refined hydrocarbon material for transport to a remote location.

Abstract: This invention relates to open-pit mining wherein crushed bitumen is fed into an enclosed pyrolyzer and heated under pressure in a reduced atmosphere where the cracking of asphalt results in a tar-free bitumen in the form of volatile matter containing a hydrogen rich, non-condensable syngas with vaporized light liquids and incandescent char. The syngas and vaporized light liquids are desulfurized and upgraded in a first hot gas cleanup, while part of the hot char is gasified with air into a fuel gas and into oil-free, tar-free, dry, solid tailings; the other part used as fuel for heating the pyrolyzer. The fuel gas passes through a second hot gas cleanup, producing clean, desulfurized lean gas ideal to generate clean, efficient electric power. Emitted CO2 is collected and converted to slow-release fertilizer. The tailings (clean sand and clay) reclaim the mine, while fertilizer enriched soil, topping the tailings, accelerates forest growth.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing fouling, including particulate-induced fouling, in a hydrocarbon refining process including the steps of providing a crude hydrocarbon for a refining process and adding an antifouling agent containing a polymer base unit and a polyamine group to the crude hydrocarbon are provided. The antifouling agent can be obtained by converting a vinyl terminated polymer, such as polypropylene or poly(ethylene-co-propylene), to a terminal acyl containing functional group, followed by reacting the terminal acyl containing functional group with a polyamine compound.