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: The invention relates to a catalyst usable in hydrotreatment processes, which comprises an alumina-based amorphous support, phosphorus, a C1-C4 dialkyl succinate, acetic acid and a hydro-dehydrogenizing function comprising at least one group VIII element and at least one group VIB element, preferably made up of cobalt and molybdenum, a catalyst whose Raman spectrum comprises the most intense bands characteristic of the Keggin heteropolyanions (974 and/or 990 cm?1), C1-C4 dialkyl succinate and acetic acid (896 cm?1). Preferably, the dialkyl succinate concerned is dimethyl succinate and its main band is at 853 cm?1. The invention also relates to the method of preparing said catalyst, wherein a catalytic precursor comprising the group VIB and group VIII elements, in particular the molybdenum-cobalt pair, and phosphorus, introduced by impregnation, then dried at a temperature below 180° C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of polyimide membrane with high permeances and high selectivities for gas separations and particularly for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations. The polyimide membranes have CO2 permeability of 50 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 15 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation. The polyimide membranes have UV cross-linkable functional groups and can be used for the preparation of UV cross-linked polyimide membranes having CO2 permeability of 20 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 35 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compounds derived from the reaction of diamines or polyamines with alkylene oxides. The invention also relates to novel compounds derived from the reaction of amine terminated polyethers with epoxide functional compounds. The novel compounds of the invention are particularly useful as wetting and foam control agents. The disclosed compounds exhibit exceptional antifoaming and defoaming activity while simultaneously reducing the dynamic surface tension when incorporated at low levels in water-based systems.

Abstract: Provided is a bubble generating process used to treat dewaxed lube base stocks to improve their filterability, hazy appearance or both. In one form, the process for improving at least one of haze appearance and filterability of a dewaxed lubricating oil basestock contained in a storage vessel includes contacting the lubricating oil basestock with gas bubbles passed through a gas distribution grid for a time sufficient to form a mixture of froth and gas treated basestock, allowing the mixture of froth and gas treated basestock to settle for a time sufficient to form a froth layer and a gas treated basestock layer, and separating the froth layer from the gas treated basestock layer, wherein a basestock having improved haze, improved filterability or both may be isolated from the gas treated basestock layer.

Abstract: A method for processing an acidic hydrocarbon feed comprising a hydrocarbon material and an acidic constituent soluble in the feed is provided. The method may comprise contacting the feed under a first condition with an active agent having an initial solubility in the feed and the acidic constituent and providing a second condition wherein the active agent has a secondary solubility in the feed lesser than the initial solubility to form a separable enriched active agent phase. The acidic constituent solubility in the active agent may be greater than its solubility in the hydrocarbon material under both the first and second conditions such that the acidic constituent dissolves in the active agent. The acidic constituent solubility in the active agent under the second condition may be greater than its solubility in the active agent under the first condition.

Abstract: A method of restoring catalytic activity to a spent hydroprocessing catalyst that has a first carbon concentration. The concentration of carbon on the spent hydroprocessing catalyst is reduced to provide a carbon-reduced catalyst having a second carbon concentration that is less than the first carbon concentration. The carbon-reduced catalyst is exposed to a solution, comprising a chelating agent and a solvent, for an aging time period sufficient to provide for a restored catalytic activity thereby resulting in an aged catalyst having incorporated therein the chelating agent and the solvent. The aged catalyst is exposed to conditions, including a drying temperature, so as to remove from the aged catalyst a portion of the solvent without removing a significant portion of the chelating agent from the aged catalyst thereby resulting in a dried aged catalyst. The dried aged catalyst is then sulfur treated to thereby provide a restored catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides for processing a dehydrated and salty hydrocarbon feed having a solid salt dispersed in a hydrocarbon material by contacting the feed with an active agent under a first operating condition under which the active agent has an initial active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon material, and modulating operating conditions to provide a second operating condition under which the active agent has a secondary active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon material that is less than the initial active agent solubility so as to form a separable active agent phase, wherein the salt solubility in the active agent is substantially greater than the salt solubility in the hydrocarbon material under both the first and second operating conditions such that the salt dissolves in the active agent, allowing the separable active agent phase to separate from the hydrocarbon material depleted in the salt.

Abstract: Methods and systems for contacting a crude feed that has a total acid number (TAN) of at least 0.3 with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product are described. The one or more catalysts may include a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa and the crude product has a TAN of at most 90% of the TAN of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a catalyst comprising catalytic nanoparticles and a catalyst support, wherein the catalytic nanoparticles are embedded in the catalyst support, comprising forming the catalytic nanoparticles on carbon particle, dispersing the carbon particle in a solution comprising precursors of the catalyst support to form a suspension, heating the suspension to form a gel, subjecting the gel to incineration to form a powder, and sintering the powder to form the catalyst.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to mesostructured zeolites. The invention also relates to a method of preparing mesostructured zeolites, as well as using them as cracking catalysts for organic compounds and degradation catalysts for polymers.

Abstract: A process is presented for the removal of oxygen from a hydrocarbon stream. The oxygen can react and cause polymerization of the hydrocarbons when the hydrocarbon stream is heated. Controlling the removal of the oxygen from the hydrocarbon stream produces a hydrocarbon stream that is substantially free of oxygen and has a reduced activity for generating undesired compounds.

Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via membrane filtration. In one embodiment, filtration sedimentation is used for the separation of the heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.

Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via a filtration assembly. The filtration assembly has a least a filtration unit employing at least a membrane for separating heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.

Abstract: Separation of bitumen from mined ore employs cooling of the mined ore at a temperature where all the species contained in the ore become solid and brittle. Ore is maintained solid by appropriate continuous injection of cold air and/or carbon dioxide in the processing plant through the process. Difference in thermal expansion coefficient between bitumen and other ore species creates thermal stresses at interfaces of bitumen and other materials. The stresses favor separation of bitumen from other materials along species interfaces during comminution. The breaking of existing ore particles tends to occur at interfaces between different species, creating a mix of particles where bitumen particles are not aggregated with any other ore constituents such as ice or sand particles. The particles are maintained cold, loose and unattached. Ore particles are sorted and separated while still frozen in solid phase, creating a stream of frozen bitumen particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock having at least 50 wt. % of C8 aromatics, comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes a molecular sieve having a zeolite structure type of MWW.

Abstract: A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feed containing bromine-reactive contaminants that has improved cycle length and utilizes a crystalline molecular sieve catalyst. The process is carried out by contacting the hydrocarbon feed under conversion conditions with a catalyst shaped in the form of an elongated aggregate comprising a crystalline molecular sieve having a MWW or *BEA framework type. The shortest cross-sectional dimension of the elongated aggregate is less about 1/10 inch (2.54 millimeters).

Abstract: A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock, the process comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes at least one molecular sieve and at least one clay, and wherein said catalyst is sufficient to reduce more than 50% of the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: A process is presented for treating crude oil that contains a clathrate hydrate inhibitor. In the process, a crude oil contaminated with the inhibitor is maintained in a vessel at inhibitor removal conditions to produce a treated crude oil having a reduced methanol concentration.

Abstract: Process for removing asphaltenic particles from a hydrocarbon feed containing asphaltenic particles by treating the feed in a filter unit comprising a perforated tube surrounded by hollow longitudinal projections comprising a filter having openings of at most 50 micrometer diameter in which the internal space of each of the hollow projections is in fluid communication with the inside of the perforated tube and which filter is regularly subjected to cleaning by treating each of the projections with cleaning fluid wherein the flow of cleaning fluid is opposite to the direction of normal flow.

Abstract: There is provided a portable oil isolation and decontamination system comprising a plurality of high heat energy generators that supply high heat energy to an oil isolation and decontamination unit. Each heat energy generator comprises a chamber for gasifying used rubber tires, waste oil, coal or other combustible materials for the production of volatile gases and high energy heat. The oil extractor unit comprises a pair of parallel, elongate rotating cylinders that each rotate within a common closed housing. Oil-rich material such as oilsands, oilshale, contaminated soil or used oil is introduced into one end of each rotating cylinder and is caused to migrate to the opposite end in cascading fashion as the cylinder rotates. High energy heat from the generators is directed at the rotating cylinders to indirectly heat the oil-rich material therein to vaporize the hydrocarbons as the rotating drum migrates the oil-rich material towards its collection end.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to mesostructured zeolites. The invention also relates to a method of preparing mesostructured zeolites, as well as using them as cracking catalysts for organic compounds and degradation catalysts for polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing oil refining waste, the method comprising feeding the waste into a vessel and heating the waste such that it liberates volatile hydrocarbons, wherein the waste is heated using far infrared radiation, and wherein the liberated volatile hydrocarbons are collected for subsequent use.

Abstract: A gas generated from a first crude oil and containing volatile organic compounds and a second crude oil are supplied to an absorber 16, thereby absorbing the volatile organic compounds in the gas into the second crude oil.

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of a fluid catalytically cracked naphtha wherein the valuable olefins are retained and recombinant mercaptans are prevented from forming, resulting in a low sulfur naphtha. Embodiments disclosed herein may allow for more flexibility in varying the end point of the naphtha used in gasoline blending.

Abstract: A method of mixing a catalyst with a heavy oil to create a heavy oil/catalyst mixture. This is followed by combining the heavy oil/catalyst mixture with supercritical water to form light hydrocarbon products and heavy hydrocarbon products. By doing so the light hydrocarbon products can be separated into a gaseous top product, an upgraded liquid hydrocarbon product and a water phase.

Abstract: Process for treating a product stream typically from an autothermal cracking process, the product stream comprising one or more olefins, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and one or more oxygenates, by contacting the product stream with at least one compound selected from (1) H2N—OR1, and (2) H2N—NR2R3, where R1, R2 and R3 may each be independently selected from H and carbon-containing substituents.

Abstract: In an oil sample analysis calculator (100) for analyzing results of oil samples from an engine, the oil sample analysis calculator (100) includes an input module (110) which receives an input data set (140), a processing module (130) which receives the input data set (140) from the input module (110) and corrects the input data set (140) based on at least one of an amount of oil added to the engine and an amount of oil removed from the engine, and an output module (120) which receives the input data set (140) corrected by the processing module (130) and outputs an output data set (150).

Abstract: A method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing material having solvated asphaltenes therein is disclosed. The method involves the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of the asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing material with an alkane mobile phase solvent in a column; (b) dissolving a first amount and a second amount of the precipitated asphaltenes by gradually and continuously changing the alkane mobile phase solvent to a final mobile phase solvent having a solubility parameter at least 1 MPa0.5 higher than the alkane mobile phase solvent; (c) monitoring the concentration of eluted fractions from the column; (d) creating a solubility profile of the dissolved asphaltenes in the hydrocarbon-containing material; and (e) determining one or more asphaltene stability parameters of the hydrocarbon-containing material.

Abstract: A contactor/separator is formed from a vessel; an inlet for receiving a vapor/liquid mixture; an inlet for receiving a superheated vapor; a hub located within the vessel, the hub including a plurality of vanes for imparting a centrifugal motion to the vapor/liquid mixture or the superheated vapor; an outlet in a bottom of the vessel for removing liquid; and an outlet for removing vapor from the vessel. A method is also provided for heating and separating liquid and vapor from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock into a contactor/separator: introducing a superheated vapor into the contactor/separator such that it contacts and vaporizes a portion of the feedstock within the contactor/separator; separating unvaporized feedstock from vaporized feedstock in the contactor/separator; removing the vaporized feedstock and the superheated vapor through a first outlet; and removing the unvaporized feedstock through a second outlet.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with an oxidant to oxidize the heteroatoms, contacting the oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed. The oxidant may be used in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for partially upgraded heavy oil diluent production. A crude heavy oil and/or bitumen feed is supplied to an FCC unit having a low activity catalyst and low conversion number. A distillate fraction is supplied for use as diluent to end users. The distillate fraction and FCC unit gas oil products can be supplied to a hydrotreater for upgrading and collected as a synthetic crude product stream. An asphaltene fraction can be supplied to a gasifier for the recovery of power, steam and hydrogen, which can be supplied to the hydrotreater or otherwise within the process or exported.

Abstract: A method for processing asphaltenes is disclosed. The method can include separating asphaltenes from an asphaltene-containing composition and oxidizing the separated asphaltenes to form oxidation products. Alternatively, the method can include oxidizing asphaltenes within an asphaltene-containing composition without first separating the asphaltenes. Once formed, the oxidation products can be combined with other hydrocarbons. The amount of oxidation can be limited to an amount sufficient to produce a mixture suitable for the desired application. This method can be used to upgrade asphaltenes from a variety of sources, including oil sands. The oxidation step can be performed, for example, by introducing an oxidizing agent and, in some cases, a catalyst into the asphaltenes. A solvent or miscibility agent also can be introduced to improve mixing between the oxidizing agent and the asphaltenes.

Abstract: A reformed fuel oil capable of enhancing combustion efficiency. The reforming is performed by circulating a fuel oil required times through a primary reform treatment in which the fuel oil is caused to undergo not only flow by centrifugal force but also meandering flow made while repeating flow split and confluence in a direction crossing the direction of the centrifugal force flow and a secondary reform treatment in which the fuel oil having undergone the primary reform treatment is caused to undergo not only flow by pressure feed force but also meandering flow made while repeating flow split and confluence in a direction crossing the direction of the pressure feed force flow.

Abstract: A method for the integrated production and utilization of synthesis gas for production of mixed alcohols, for hydrocarbon recovery, and for gasoline/diesel refinery, has the following steps: forming a hydrocarbon fuel including coal and/or gas oil; gasifying the hydrocarbon fuel to form synthesis gas that includes hydrogen and carbon monoxide; directing the carbon monoxide and a stoichiometric amount of the hydrogen to an alcohol synthesis unit for the synthesis of mixed alcohols; combusting the remaining hydrogen with oxygen via a downhole gas combustion unit; and adding the water to the combustion to produce high-pressure steam for the recovery of crude oil from the hydrocarbon bearing formation.

Abstract: Provided is a bubble generating process used to treat dewaxed lube base stocks to improve their filterability, hazy appearance or both. In one form, the process for improving at least one of haze appearance and filterability of a dewaxed lubricating oil basestock contained in a storage vessel includes contacting the lubricating oil basestock with gas bubbles passed through a gas distribution grid for a time sufficient to form a mixture of froth and gas treated basestock, allowing the mixture of froth and gas treated basestock to settle for a time sufficient to form a froth layer and a gas treated basestock layer, and separating the froth layer from the gas treated basestock layer, wherein a basestock having improved haze, improved filterability or both may be isolated from the gas treated basestock layer.

Abstract: Reactive phosphorus species can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble hydroxyacids. Suitable water-soluble hydroxyacids include, but are not necessarily limited to glycolic acid, gluconic acid, C2-C4 alpha-hydroxy acids, poly-hydroxy carboxylic acids, thioglycolic acid, chloroacetic acid, polymeric forms of the above hydroxyacids, poly-glycolic esters, glycolate ethers, and ammonium salt and alkali metal salts of these hydroxyacids, and mixtures thereof. The composition may optionally include a mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. A solvent may be optionally included in the composition. The invention permits transfer of reactive phosphorus species into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing calcium and other metals therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a method of producing synthetic fuels and organic chemicals from atmospheric carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide gas is extracted from the atmosphere, hydrogen gas is obtained by splitting water, a mixture of the carbon dioxide gas and the hydrogen gas (synthesis gas) is generated, and the synthesis gas is converted into synthetic fuels and/or organic products. The present invention is also directed to utilizing a nuclear power reactor to provide power for the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of sequestering carbon dioxide emissions during recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating, the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Additionally, during heating, any carbon dioxide that is produced can be sequestered. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. The infrastructure can also include a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within the encapsulated volume. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The infrastructure can further include at least one convection driving conduit oriented in a lower portion of the permeable body to generate bulk convective flow patterns throughout the permeable body. An associated method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process.

Abstract: A method of preventing egress of a vapor from an encapsulated volume can include forming a substantially impermeable vapor barrier along an inner surface of the encapsulated volume. The encapsulated volume includes a permeable body of comminuted hydro carbonaceous material. Further, the vapor barrier can include an insulating layer capable of maintaining a temperature gradient of at least 400° F. across the insulating layer. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to liberate hydrocarbons therefrom and the hydrocarbons can be collected from the permeable body. The vapor barrier layer can be a single or multiple layer construction, depending on the specific materials chosen.

Abstract: A method of absorbing gases into a liquid comprising providing a stream of at least one desirable gas and at least one undesirable gas, exposing the gas stream to a liquid, so that the liquid absorbs more of the desirable gas than the undesirable gas, and releasing the liquid and gas mixture into an underground formation.

Abstract: A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock, the process comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes at least one molecular sieve and at least one clay, and wherein said catalyst is sufficient to reduce more than 50% of the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Performance of equipment, such as a desalter, in a refinery is monitored in real-time and on-line to minimize fouling of downstream equipment. Using an instrument to measure particles and droplets in-process allows monitoring of the various operations to optimize performance. Such measurement can also be used during crude oil blending to detect asphaltene precipitates that can cause fouling and can be used for monitoring other fouling streams.

Abstract: Liquefied petroleum coke (LPC) comprises diesel engine fuel grade petroleum coke that is produced by subjecting crude oil refinery feedstock to de-salting, coking, micronization, de-ashing, and slurrification processes to reduce impurities such as metallic components and make the LPC suitable for use in internal combustion engines, such as diesel engine systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for decomposing and extracting compositions for the recovery of petroleum-based materials from composites comprising those petroleum-based materials, comprising subjecting the compositions and/or composites to microwave radiation, wherein the microwave radiation is in the range of from about 4 GHz to about 18 GHz. The present invention also provides for products produced by the methods of the present invention and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Method of producing a total product are described. A method includes providing a feed and a supported inorganic salt catalyst to a contacting zone. Contact of the supported inorganic salt catalyst with the feed in the presence of a hydrogen source and steam in the contacting zone at a temperature of at most 1000° C. and a total operating pressure of at most 4 MPa produces the total product.

Abstract: Two-stage low pressure catalytic hydrotreatment of heavy petroleum hydrocarbons having a high content of contaminants (metals and asphaltenes), is conducted under operating conditions with low-pressure, in a fixed bed or ebullated bed reactor to limit the formation of sediments and sludge in the product and obtain a hydrotreated hydrocarbon of improved properties, with levels of contaminants, API gravity and distillates within the ranges commonly reported in the feedstocks typical to refining schemes. A hydrotreatment catalyst, whose principal effect is the hydrodemetallization and the hydrocracking of asphaltenes of the heavy hydrocarbons of petroleum is used in the first stage, and the second reaction stage employs a hydrotreatment catalyst for a deeper effect of hydrodesulfurization of the heavy petroleum hydrocarbon whose content of total sulfur is reduced to a level required for its treatment in the conventional refining process or for its sale as a hydrocarbon of petroleum with improved properties.

Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of a contaminated hydrocarbons, wherein the contamination includes metals, finely divided solids and non-distillable components. The process further includes hydroprocessing the oil to remove deleterious compounds, to produce high quality reusable lubricants, solvents and fuels and to improve the quality of water byproduct.