Abstract: A variety of methods and systems are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method for emulsion breaking including: applying a trigger to an oilfield emulsion to facilitate breaking of the oilfield emulsion, wherein the oilfield emulsion includes an oleaginous phase, a non-oleaginous phase, and a breakable emulsifier, wherein the trigger breaks the breakable emulsifier into non-emulsifying byproducts; and separating at least a portion of the oleaginous phase from the non-oleaginous phase.

Abstract: A method may include: heating a hydrocarbon contaminated waste in a first heating unit, vaporizing at least a portion of water and hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon contaminated waste and generating: a first vaporized stream and a first bottoms stream, heating the first bottoms stream in a second heating unit; vaporizing at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the first bottoms stream and generating: a second vaporized stream and a second bottoms stream, condensing the first vaporized stream to form a first condensed stream; and condensing the second vaporized stream to form a second condensed stream.

Abstract: A waste vegetable-oil based emulsifier for use as drilling mud primary emulsifier is described. A first emulsifier is prepared from an alkyl ester of waste vegetable oil. The waste vegetable oil is vegetable oil which has been used for a process prior to preparing the first emulsifier. A quantity of the first emulsifier is added to an oil-based drilling fluid. A quantity of an activating agent is added to the oil-based drilling fluid. The activating agent is configured to activate the emulsifier to stabilize an emulsion. A quantity of viscosifier is added to the oil-based drilling fluid. A quantity of a second emulsifier is added to the oil-based drilling fluid. A quantity of weigh-up material is added to the oil-based drilling fluid. The resulting oil-based drilling fluid is used in a wellbore drilling operation to drill a wellbore in a subterranean zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting and analyzing formation fluids from solids circulated out of a subterranean formation are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a sample of formation solids that have been separated from a fluid circulated in at least a portion of a well bore penetrating a portion of a subterranean formation at a well site; performing a solvent extraction on the sample of formation solids using one or more solvents at an elevated pressure at the well site, wherein at least a portion of one or more formation fluids residing in the formation solids is extracted into the one or more solvents to produce an extracted fluid; and analyzing the extracted fluid at the well site to determine the composition of the extracted fluid.

Abstract: A method and system isolate paraffinic hydrocarbons. In an embodiment, a method includes providing cutter stock to a tank containing a sludge. The method also includes circulating the cutter stock and the sludge. The method further includes heating the cutter stock and the sludge. Moreover, the method includes providing water and a paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition to the tank. The method also includes determining if the sludge has separated into a three phase separation comprising a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer, a water layer, and a layer of settled solids.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the production of coke having a high volatile combustible material content are disclosed. The process may include, for example: heating a coker feedstock to a coking temperature to produce a heated coker feedstock; contacting the heated coker feedstock with a quench medium to reduce a temperature of the heated coker feedstock and produce a quenched feedstock; feeding the quenched feedstock to a coking drum; subjecting the quenched feedstock to thermal cracking in the coking drum to (a) crack a portion of the quenched feedstock to produce a cracked vapor product, and (b) produce a coke product having a volatile combustible material (VCM) concentration in the range from about 13% to about 50% by weight, as measured by ASTM D3175.

Abstract: A process to facilitate gravimetric separation of alkali metal salts, such as alkali metal sulfides and polysulfides, from alkali metal reacted hydrocarbons. The disclosed process is part of a method of upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock by removing heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals from the hydrocarbon feedstock composition. This method reacts the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and an upgradant hydrocarbon. The alkali metal reacts with a portion of the heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals to form an inorganic phase containing alkali metal salts and reduced heavy metals, and an upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock. The inorganic phase may be gravimetrically separated from the upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock after mixing at a temperature between about 350° C. to 400° C. for a time period between about 15 minutes and 2 hours.

Abstract: Integrated process for the production of bio-oil from sludge coming from a wastewater purification plant comprising the following steps: (a) sending wastewater to said purification plant obtaining sludge; (b) subjecting the sludge obtained in said step (a) to liquefaction, obtaining a mixture Including an oily phase consisting of bio-oil, a solid phase and an aqueous phase; (c) sending the aqueous phase obtained in said step (b) to said purification plant. The bio-oil (or “bio-crude”) thus obtained can be advantageously used in the production of bio-fuels which can be used as such, or in a mixture with other automotive fuels. Otherwise, said bio-oil (or “bio-crude”) can be used as such (bio-fuel), or in a mixture with fossil fuels (combustible oil, coal, etc.), for the generation of electric energy or heat.

Abstract: An improved system for removing bitumen from tar sands comprises a pretreatment system utilizing a vibratory load hopper for classifying and sizing said tar sand particles communicating with a dryer for heating and drying said tar sand particles to a predetermined temperature thereby controlling the moisture content of said tar sands. An extraction system is also included for accepting said tar sands from the dryer comprising a plurality of extraction vessels arranged in series for transporting said tar sands from a first extraction vessel to a final extraction vessel. Furthermore, a solvent system for supplying a predetermined volume of solvent flow through said extraction vessels is employed, whereby solvent is supplied to the last extraction vessel and a solvent and bitumen mixture is withdrawn from the first extraction vessel.

Abstract: A process for removing non-volatile, particulate mercury from crudes and condensates is disclosed. Particulate mercury in crudes can be removed by a process of first adding a halogen, such as I2. The halogen converts at least 10% of the particulate mercury into an oil-soluble mercury compound that cannot be removed by filtration or centrifugation. This oil-soluble mercury compound can then be removed by adsorption onto a solid adsorbent. The process can operate at near ambient conditions. The adsorption step can be carried out by mixing a particulate adsorbent in the halogen-treated crude and then removing it by centrifugation, desalting, filtration, hydrocyclone or by settling.

Abstract: A method of treating a first batch of oil sludge containing entrapped oil residue comprises the steps comprises the steps of bringing into contact the first batch of oil sludge to a liquid composition of an emulsion with or without a carrier, wherein the emulsion comprises an alkylpolyglucoside surfactant in 2 to 40% by weight of total composition; a co-surfactant in 1 to 30% by weight of total composition selected from the group consisting of C3 to C18 alcohols, C3 to C18 alkyl lactates, lecithins, C3 to C18 fatty acids and any mixtures thereof; an oil phase in 15 to 90% by weight of total composition; and an aqueous phase in 0.5 to 20% by weight of total composition; homogenizing the liquid composition with the first batch of oil sludge; and fluidizing the oil sludge that the oil residues are substantially dissociated from the solid object forming a liquid phase including the liquid composition and the separated oil.

Abstract: A system has a heater that heats a contaminated input hydrocarbon to a process temperature. An ionizer applies an electron inducing voltage to the heated hydrocarbon and a flocculent supply provides a charged flocculent into the ionized hydrocarbon. A separator removes the flocculent and contaminants from the hydrocarbon to produce solid waste and oil.

Abstract: A demulsifier and dispersant for treating petroleum crude oils and biofuels prior to desalter and heater treater processing can also be used to treat slop oils and clean drill cuttings.

Abstract: A method for treating crude oil and petrochemical product tank bottoms treats the tank bottoms sludge with a paraffin modifier that converts the tank bottom sludge, in the presence of a hydrocarbon diluent (cutter stock) and heat, into three separate phases. The resulting three phase separation is stable enough that there is no need for the use of any mechanical equipment such as centrifuges or decanters to enhance the separation.

Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of liquid and insoluble solids in a filter press may comprise: pumping the mixture into a chamber between two filter plates in the filter press to form a filter cake, wherein the chamber is lined by filter cloths, and wherein, during the pumping, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber; heating the filter cake in the chamber, wherein, during the heating, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber, and wherein the heating is by radio frequency irradiation of the filter cake in the chamber; and releasing dried filter cake from the chamber.

Abstract: Recovering crude oil by separating and removing valuable hydrocarbon, water and solid components from sludge or an emulsion. A sludge or an emulsion with added reagents of predefined ratio is received to form a mixture for treatment. The mixture is processed to break a micelle structure of the sludge or the emulsion. The mixture is agitated to allow homogenization thereof. The processed mixture is centrifuged to separate hydrocarbons, water and solids from the sludge or the emulsion. The separated hydrocarbons are tested to ensure separated solids are disposed as environmentally safe materials. Basis solids and water contents of separated hydrocarbons are tested. The separated hydrocarbons are separated, and the filtered hydrocarbons (i.e., the recovered crude oil) are stored. The crude oil is thereby recovered from sludge or emulsion through a chemical exothermic reaction and centrifugation to resolve the emulsion into free water, solids and hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to removal of mercury from crude oil. Such removal relies on transferring mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon stream to a natural gas stream upon contacting the liquid hydrocarbon stream with the natural gas stream. Processing of the natural gas stream after used to strip the mercury from the liquid hydrocarbon stream removes the mercury from the natural gas stream.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon stream by contacting the mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon stream with ferrous halide at moderate temperatures and without preheating the liquid hydrocarbon stream, or subjecting the liquid hydrocarbon stream to a heat treating step, immediately prior to contact with the ferrous halide particles.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a new residuum full hydroconversion slurry reactor system that allows the catalyst, unconverted oil, hydrogen, and converted oil to circulate in a continuous mixture throughout an entire reactor with no confinement of the mixture. The mixture is separated internally, within one of more of the reactors, to separate only the converted oil and hydrogen into a vapor product while permitting the unconverted oil and the slurry catalyst to continue on into the next sequential reactor as a liquid product. A portion of the unconverted oil is then converted to lower boiling point hydrocarbons in the next reactor, once again creating a mixture of unconverted oil, hydrogen, converted oil, and slurry catalyst. Further hydroprocessing may occur in additional reactors, fully converting the oil. The oil may alternately be partially converted, leaving a concentrated catalyst in unconverted oil which can be recycled directly to the first reactor.

Abstract: A method for upgrading the viscoelastic properties of a heavy oil by altering its elastic modulus. An effective amount of one or more elastic modulus lowering agents are used, wherein preferred elastic modulus lowering agents include mineral and organic acids and bases, preferably strong bases, such as hydroxides of metals selected from the alkali and alkaline-earth metals.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbon or synthetic base oils from used oil-based drilling mud utilizes acid to deactivate emulsifiers in the drilling mud for altering the emulsion stability and permitting removal of the solids contained in the drilling mud using conventional separation such as centrifugation. A surfactant is typically added to prevent water-wetting as a result of the addition of the acid. The recovered base oil contains substantially all of the deactivated emulsifiers, which can be reactivated through the addition of lime, allowing new drilling fluids to be prepared without the need to add significant amounts of emulsifier to the recycled base oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrocarbon extraction method and apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A system 100 is described for the treatment of multiphase residues having unlimited content of water, oil and solids to obtain hydrocarbons and other products, said system comprising multiphase residue feed system 10, inert gas system 20 and reduced pressure system 30, tubular reactor 40 provided with three heating zones Z-1, Z-2 and Z-3 with a temperature gradient and transportation helicoid 42 to displace the residue mass throughout the reaction zones, the hydrocarbon products and water being collected in a system 60 of condensers 61, 62 and 63 linked to a system 70 of bubbling vessels 71, 72 and 73, reactor 40 being operated in the sealed mode and being provided with a multiphase residue inlet 43 and exit 44 of solid product. The solid product is collected in a system 50 comprising upper valve 51 and lower valve 52, and intermediate silo 53 and then directed to post-treatment system 90 for activation aiming at industrial utilization. The process using the system 100 of the invention is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to oil refining, more particularly to a composition of a light fuel oil for use in medium-speed diesel engines of marine power units. The inventive light fuel oil comprises, in % by wt.: black oil—(4-10), tar—(2-10), light catalytic cracking gas oil—(10-30), heavy catalytic cracking gas oil—(5-10), a straight-run diesel fuel—(8-10), a viscosity breaking residuum of a heavy oil fraction—the rest. The selected component ratio will enable to improve the fuel stability in transportation and storage, expand the range of available fuels and increase the production volumes of quality fuels, while rationally using poor-quality products readily available at refineries.

Abstract: A method of processing the waste stream includes introducing the waste stream into the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit such that waste stream is processed within the regenerator unit or in CO boiler unit such that the waste stream and the regenerator flue gas are burned within the regenerator unit or the CO boiler unit. The waste stream contains NH3 and the NH3 is converted to the NOx and N2. The fluid catalytic cracking unit may further include an assembly for converting NOx to N2. Flue gas from the CO boiler unit containing NOx and N2 is fed to the assembly to NOx to N2 within the assembly. The assembly for converting NOx to N2 preferably includes a selective catalytic reduction unit containing a catalyst, and wherein converting NOx to N2 includes reacting the NOx with the catalyst to produce N2 and H2O.

Abstract: A delayed coking process for making substantially free-flowing coke, preferably shot coke. A coker feedstock, such as a vacuum residuum, is heated in a heating zone to coking temperatures then conducted to a coking zone wherein volatiles are collected overhead and coke is formed. At least one polymeric additive is added to the feedstock prior to it being heated in the heating zone, prior to its being conducted to the coking zone, or both.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for recovering and/or cleaning residual or waste petroleum products such as sludge accumulated within a storage tank or upon process equipment surfaces, or from inorganic materials such as sand or clay, and the like. The system and process include a negatively charged aqueous-based dispersion fluid, which is contacted with the petroleum product under controlled relatively high pressure and high shear conditions for fluidizing hydrocarbon molecules and for preventing such molecules from adherence to process equipment surfaces, or contaminants such as sand or clay. Additional mechanical separation as by subjecting the mixed petroleum product and dispersion fluid slurry to sonic vibration may also be employed. The thus-fluidized slurry of petroleum products, dispersion fluid, and inorganic materials can be separated by conventional techniques, as by settling and/or flotation, for further individual processing and/or re-use.

Abstract: Recovering crude oil by separating and removing valuable hydrocarbon, water and solid components from sludge or an emulsion. A sludge or an emulsion with added reagents of predefined ratio is received to form a mixture for treatment. The mixture is processed to break a micelle structure of the sludge or the emulsion. The mixture is agitated to allow homogenization thereof. The processed mixture is centrifuged to separate hydrocarbons, water and solids from the sludge or the emulsion. The separated hydrocarbons are tested to ensure separated solids are disposed as environmentally safe materials. Basis solids and water contents of separated hydrocarbons are tested. The separated hydrocarbons are separated, and the filtered hydrocarbons (i.e., the recovered crude oil) are stored. The crude oil is thereby recovered from sludge or emulsion through a chemical exothermic reaction and centrifugation to resolve the emulsion into free water, solids and hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An initial chemical composition comprising selected surfactants, dispersants, and degreasers that liquefy, disperse, demulsify, degrease, inhibit corrosion and scale formation, and lower the pour point of a petroleum, coal, Fischer-Tropsch synthesized, or naturally occurring paraffin-based wax and asphaltene. Such a product is capable of converting crystalline wax (paraffin) in, for example, slop oil into an amorphous form of wax at room temperature, allowing the wax to be dissolved in, for example, crude oil without the need for heating, and maintaining it in solution at room temperature, substantially reducing, indeed in some applications, preventing, for example, wax build-up in pipelines, processing and transportation equipment, etc., and the recovery of the hydrocarbons in the slop oil. In a second aspect of the invention, the pre-blend addition of a hydrotrope-demulsifier, a chelating agent and a wax plasticizer can result in a BS&W of zero for the recovered hydrocarbon blend.

Abstract: A method for separating hydrocarbons from Slurry Oil Cat' Fine Bottoms (SOCFBs) comprising the steps of removing SOCFBs from a slurry oil storage tank and combining the SOCFBs with diluent and water in a Feed Preparation Vessel (FPV) and transferring the SOCFB and water emulsion to a Feed Processing Unit (FPU) in which the SCDM settles into a hydrocarbon layer, an emulsion layer and a water layer containing catalyst particles.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of heavy charges such as heavy crude oils, tars from oil sands and distillation residues, by the combined use of the following three process units: hydroconversion with catalysts in slurry phase (HT), distillation or flash (D), deasphalting (SDA), characterized in that the three units operate on mixed streams consisting of fresh charge and recycled streams, by the use of the following steps: sending at least one fraction of the heavy charge to a deasphalting section (SDA) in the presence of hydrocarbon solvents obtaining two streams, one consisting of deasphalted oil (DAO), the other of asphalts; mixing the asphalt with a suitable hydrogenation catalyst and optionally with the remaining fraction of heavy charge not sent to the deasphalting section and sending the mixture obtained to a hydro-treatment reactor (HT) into which hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and H2S is charged; sending the stream containing the hydro-treatment reaction product and the catalyst in dispersed phase t

Abstract: A method of processing oily sludge to remove a substantial proportion of the water and hydrocarbon content therefrom to form a solid cake of waste material that is suitable for disposal in land fill sites. The method involving, firstly promoting flocculation in a batch of waste material by mixing in a flocculating agent. The flocculated waste material is then pressing at a first pressure to extract substantially all the free water within the mixture. After the first pressing the waste material is subjected to a second pressing at a second pressure to extract a substantial proportion of hydrocarbon material and further water from the mixture, thus leaving a solid cake of waste material. The invention also considers additional processing steps to maximize the level of hydrocarbon material reclaimed from the waste material.

Abstract: A reconstituted non-asphaltenic oil Pa comprising at least 28% by weight of naphtha N, having a ratio R of 1.5 or more and a gasoline potential, POTg, in the range 47 to 70, in which: R=(0.9 N+0.5 VGO+)/(MD+0.1 VGO+), POTg=0.9N+0.5 VGO+, with in % by weight: N=naphtha: [30° C./170° C.]; MD=middle distillates: ]170° C./360° C.] and VGO+=fraction boiling above 360° C. R indicates the relative gasoline potential of a non residual oil over middle distillates during its subsequent refining.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a new residuum full hydroconversion slurry reactor system that allows the catalyst, unconverted oil and converted oil to circulate in a continuous mixture throughout an entire reactor with no confinement of the mixture. The mixture is partially separated in between the reactors to remove only the products and hydrogen gas, while permitting the unconverted oil and the slurry catalyst to continue on into the next sequential reactor. A portion of the unconverted oil is then converted to lower boiling point hydrocarbons, once again creating a mixture of unconverted oil, products, hydrogen, and slurry catalyst. Further hydroprocessing may occur in additional reactors, fully converting the oil. Additional oil may be added at the interstage feed inlet, possibly in combination with slurry. The oil may alternately be partially converted, leaving a highly concentrated catalyst in unconverted oil which can be recycled directly to the first reactor.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbon or synthetic base oils from used oil-based drilling mud utilizes acid to deactivate emulsifiers in the drilling mud for altering the emulsion stability and permitting removal of the solids contained in the drilling mud using conventional separation such as centrifugation. A surfactant is typically added to prevent water-wetting as a result of the addition of the acid. The recovered base oil contains substantially all of the deactivated emulsifiers, which can be reactivated through the addition of lime, allowing new drilling fluids to be prepared without the need to add significant amounts of emulsifier to the recycled base oil.

Abstract: A process for continuously extracting oil from a solid or liquid oil-bearing material comprises (a) removing air from the extraction system, (b) introducing an inert gas into the extraction system at a pressure sufficient to maintain a normally gaseous solvent in liquid state, (c) introducing an oil-bearing material into a silo, (d) passing the oil-bearing material from the to a jet pump mixing device, (e) introducing a liquified normally gaseous solvent into the jet pump mixing device, (f) mixing the oil-bearing material and the solvent in the jet pump mixing device for a time sufficient to permit complete wetting of oil-bearing material by the solvent to form a mixture, (g) heating the mixture to near supercritical conditions; (h) passing the mixture through an extractor having a screw conveyor adapted to rotate at a first rpm range and a centrifugal drum adapted to rotate at a second rpm range, (i) treating the mixture within the extractor in such a manner that supercritical temperature and pressure are at

Abstract: Drilling waste resulting from drilling processes of oil and gas wells using hydrocarbons based drilling fluids contains not only hydrocarbons but also the separated cuttings, and other organic and inorganic additives. This kind of waste contains a considerable amount of hydrocarbons and is classified as a hazardous waste. The present invention claims a method for remediation of said drilling waste, where the drilling waste is converted to a solid fuel that is environmentally friendly for storage, transportation and incineration. The said solid fuel no longer presents danger to the surrounding area and groundwater and has an economical energy value. Using several treatment stages, the residual emulsifiers in the drilling waste are chemically in an acidic milieu destabilized and the soil is turned accessible to the hydrocarbons. By using a polyelectrolyte in aqueous slurry, the hydrocarbon molecules are coagulated and, under normal conditions, irreversibly homogenously adsorbed on the soil particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing sludge in a crude oil storage tank by use of thermal oil discharged from a distillation tower of an oil refinery, such as atmospheric residue, vacuum residue, or vacuum gas oil, and recovering oil having various applications by separating inorganics therefrom. The method is advantageous in terms of minimizing air pollution because of utilizing a closed system, drastically reduced washing time of crude oil storage tank, and continuous removal of the sludge. Additionally, the recovered oil can be provided as fuel oil, marine oil or a feed for secondary treatment processes, such as up-grading processes of heavy oil.

Abstract: A process for regulating a centrifuge used for solid/liquid separation of sewage sludge commences by measuring the input variables of the operating point ot the centrifuge, the variables including 1) suspended matter content of the centrate; 2) the flow rate of sludge; 3) the flow rate of reagent; and 4) the value of torque of the motor of a conventional centrifuge. Operating zones are established, each of which is two dimensional relative to the input variables. Fuzzy logic rules are established, qualifying the operation of the centrifuge, the rules respectively corresponding to the zones. The rules are implemented in response to the input variable measurements, where actions on the sludge flow rate and reagent flow rate make it possible to bring the operating point into a particular zone of optimal and stable centrifuge operation.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy efficient method for separating petroleum-based waste including sludge, bottoms or used lubricants. By using solid particles and water, and converting them into useable end products, for example gas and gas/oil fractions. The process produces no wasteful by-products like polluted sewage, heavy asphaltenics and tar by-products. Instead, the process eliminates water through selective adsorption by dewatering additives and the process is followed by drying at high temperatures. The dewatering additives are recycled from other processes and are reusable themselves. After skimming the dewatered matter, the remainder is processed by thermocatalytic cracking. Some of the active materials in the cracking reaction are again waste products of other reactions. The gas and gas oil fractions obtained from this process conform to standard specifications. The process uses equipment that is cost-effective and that are routinely produced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing sludge in a crude oil storage tank by use of thermal oil discharged from a distillation tower of an oil refinery, such as atmospheric residue, vacuum residue, or vacuum gas oil, and recovering oil having various applications by separating inorganics therefrom. The method is advantageous in terms of minimizing air pollution because of utilizing a closed system, drastically reduced washing time of crude oil storage tank, and continuous removal of the sludge. Additionally, the recovered oil can be provided as fuel oil, marine oil or a feed for secondary treatment processes, such as up-grading processes of heavy oil.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy efficient method for processing petroleum-based and other organic waste including sludge or bottoms, by utilizing of heat energy of oil shale ash or of other suitable ashes obtained from burning the solid fuel. The process produces no wasteful by-products like polluted sewage, heavy asphaltenics and tar by-products. Instead, the process eliminates water through selective adsorption by the ashes used as dewatering additives and the process is followed by drying at high temperatures. After skimming the dewatered matter, the remainder is processed by thermo-catalytic cracking by using hot oil shale ash or other ashes as a catalytic active material and as a heat carrier. The process uses equipment that is cost-effective and that is routinely produced. The process and apparatus of the present invention provide a solution for processing refinery and petroleum-based wastes and producing useful and standard liquid fuels.

Abstract: A process for continuously extracting oil from a solid or liquid oil-bearing material comprises (a) removing air from the extraction system, (b) introducing an inert gas into the extraction system at a pressure sufficient to maintain a normally gaseous solvent in liquid state, (c) introducing an oil-bearing material into a silo, (d) passing the oil-bearing material from the to a jet pump mixing device, (e) introducing a liquified normally gaseous solvent into the jet pump mixing device, (f) mixing the oil-bearing material and the solvent in the jet pump mixing device for a time sufficient to permit complete wetting of oil-bearing material by the solvent to form a mixture, (g) heating the mixture to near supercritical conditions; (h) passing the mixture through an extractor having a screw conveyor adapted to rotate at a first rpm range and a centrifugal drum adapted to rotate at a second rpm range, (i) treating the mixture within the extractor in such a manner that supercritical temperature and pressure are at

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desorbtion is disclosed that utilizes enhancements to lessen the amount of entrained particles formed during desorbtion and for lowering the operating and capital costs associated with desorbtion equipment. Multiple stage desorbtion is contemplated using multiple drums, with smaller drums being employed for volatizing the waste components that require high temperatures. The method and apparatus may include an eductor scrubber attached directly or adjacent to the gas extraction port of a drum to prevent fouling of system apparatus. A plunger for cleaning the scrubber suction chamber is provided. The method and process may include injecting hot gas, which may be exhaust gas from a burner apparatus, into one or more desorption drums to lower heating costs.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an aqueous tar suspoemulsion by mixing a mixture including (a) a viscous tar composition formed from a tar, from inorganic solids and, optionally, from water, (b) water (W), (c) a surface-active agent (SA) exhibiting an HLB of at least 10 and, optionally, (d) a thickening water-soluble polymer (TWP) with a molecular mass of greater than 10,000, the relative amounts of constituents (W), (SA) and, optionally, (TWP) being such that the viscosity of the (W)+(SA)+optional (TWP) mixture is preferably equal to or greater than the viscosity of the said tar, and then optional dilution of the mixture obtained with water or with an aqueous acidic solution. The process is particularly advantageous when applied to to the residues, containing sulphuric acid, resulting from the synthesis of white oils from petroleum fractions. The present invention further relates to a method for fluidizing acidic tars/sludges including contacting the tar/sludge with sulfuric acid and a surfactant.

Abstract: A process for removing even tightly emulsified oil, water and solid emulsions by the application of a shear force sufficient to break the emulsion. In one particular application, a tank bottom sludge produced in the petroleum industry is treated with the shear force of a ball or roller mill until the emulsion is broken. Simultaneous reduction in the particle size of the solid occurs. This process produces commercial grade oil, water and an aqueous slurry of solids devoid of oily compounds. The oil-free solid phase produced thereby is suited for use in a coker quench stream. The demulsification process described may be used to demulsify used oil to recover and recycle the oil constituent of the used oil. The demulsification process of the present invention may be used to demulsify waste products for the later production of a liquid fuel from the oil of the waste product.

Abstract: A method for recycling a waste stream containing water and solids comprises (a) removing water from the waste stream to produce a second stream containing less than 60% by weight water, (b) drying the second stream to produce a waste feed charge containing less than 15% by weight water, and (c) injecting the waste feed charge into a coker during the coking cycle. The water removal can be carried out in one or more steps, and can be carried out in a vertical disk centrifuge if it is also desired to reduce the particle size of the solids fraction. The waste feed charge can be injected into a delayed coker, flexicoker, or fluid coker, and allows the recycle of solid waste into the coke.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for recovering and recycling a hydrocarbon residue from a petroleum material such as crude oil, where the hydrocarbon residue is a waxy solid material. The method comprises providing the hydrocarbon residue in a first vessel; heating a sufficient amount of an organic solvent in a second vessel at an effective temperature for an effective period of time; removing the hydrocarbon residue from the first vessel and adding the hydrocarbon residue to the heated solvent in the second vessel; simultaneously mixing and heating the hydrocarbon residue and the solvent in the second vessel at an effective temperature for an effective period of time to cause a reaction between the hydrocarbon residue and the solvent to produce a liquefied hydrocarbon residue product; pumping the liquefied hydrocarbon residue product out of the second vessel and into a third vessel; and, recycling the liquefied hydrocarbon residue into a usable oil refinery product.

Abstract: The invention involves the demulsification and liquefaction of hydrocarbon based sludges. A demulsifier and a liquefaction agent and methods of using the same are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the demulsifier contains a salt of DDBSA, polypropylene glycol, and citrene. In a preferred embodiment, the liquefaction agent contains a glycol ether and sodium silicate. In another preferred embodiment, the liquefaction agent contains a glycol ether and citrene. In preferred practice, the sludge is treated with the liquefaction agent, circulated, treated with the demulsifier, and circulated further. An object of the invention is to provide a hydrocarbon based sludge that is sufficiently liquefied to be pumped and which is sufficiently demulsified to allow the waters, oils, and solids in the sludge to separate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing water slurry of SDA asphaltene by dispersing residue resulting from solvent deasphalting of petroleum vacuum residue produced in refineries, which has low viscosity even at a high solid concentration and is stable for a long period of time, in industrial scale under stable operation. The method comprises a grinding step of grinding the SDA asphaltene with water in a grinding apparatus in the presence of a dispersing agent, followed by a stabilizing step of stirring the resulting slurry to stabilize it. In the grinding step a suitable amount of a thickener such as carboxymethyl cellulose is added. Grinding is preferably carried out at a temperature not higher than 80.degree. C. Jacketed ball mills are conveniently used. In the stabilizing step a stabilizer such as Attapulgus clay is added after stirring the slurry to decrease viscosity thereof and stirring is continued.