Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride comprising a surface, with a metal oxide integrally synthesized and providing a coating on the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur and nitrogen reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride containing catalyst comprising a surface, and a Group VI/Group VIII metal sulfide coated onto the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.

Abstract: Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals.

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: This invention is directed to hydrodemetallization catalysts and hydrodemetallization processes employing a magnesium aluminosilicate clay. The magnesium aluminosilicate clay has a characteristic 29Si NMR spectrum. The magnesium aluminosilicate clay is the product of a series of specific reaction steps. Briefly, the magnesium aluminosilicate clay employed in the catalyst and process of the invention is made by combining a silicon component, an aluminum component, and a magnesium component, under aqueous conditions and at an acidic pH, to form a first reaction mixture and subsequently the pH of the first reaction mixture is adjusted to greater than about 7.5 to form a second reaction mixture. The second reaction mixture is allowed to react under conditions sufficient to form the magnesium aluminosilicate clay. The resulting magnesium aluminosilicate clay combines high surface area and activity for use in hydrodemetallization catalysts and processes.

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: Chalcogenide compounds, including ternary and quaternary tin and antimony chalcogenides, for use as absorbents in the remediation of hazardous materials are provided. Also provided are methods for using the chalcogenides in the remediation of ionic and elemental metals from aqueous and non-aqueous fluids.

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 pertains to a process for the hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feeds, preferably in an ebullating bed process, by contacting the feed with a mixture of two hydroprocessing catalysts meeting specified pore size distribution requirements. The process combines high contaminant removal with high conversion, low sediment formation, and high process flexibility.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fixed bed process for capturing arsenic and for desulphurizing a hydrocarbon fraction comprising olefins, sulphur and arsenic, said process comprising a step a) for bringing a capture mass into contact with said hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of hydrogen, the ratio between the flow rate of hydrogen and the flow rate of the hydrocarbon fraction being in the range 50 to 800 Nm3/m3, the operating temperature being in the range 200° C. to 400° C., the operating pressure being in the range 0.2 to 5 MPa. The capture mass comprises molybdenum in a sulphurized form, nickel in a sulphurized form and at least one porous support selected from the group constituted by aluminas, silica, silica-aluminas, titanium oxide and magnesium oxide. The nickel content is in the range 10% to 28% by weight and the molybdenum content is in the range 0.3% to 2.1% by weight.

Abstract: A method for treating crude or residual fuel oil includes extracting vanadium from the fuel oil by contacting the fuel oil with an adsorbent and a solvent. The adsorbent may be modified with a compound having both acidic functionality and basic functionality. The method provides effective removal of vanadium from crude or residual fuel oil at moderate temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for removing polar molecule contaminants from a refinery stream in connection with the processing of hydrocarbon fluids, chemicals, whole crude oils, blends and fractions in refineries and chemical plants that include adding high surface energy and/or high surface area nanoparticle compounds to a refinery stream to remove the polar molecule contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal passivator/trap comprising a rare earth oxide dispersed on a matrix containing a calcined hydrous kaolin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride comprised of at least one chemical element selected from Groups 3-11 (including the lanthanides, atomic numbers 58 to 71), and at least one chemical element selected from Groups 13-15 from the IUPAC Periodic Table of Elements. These interstitial metal hydrides, their catalysts and processes using these interstitial metal hydrides and catalysts of the present invention improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel interstitial metal hydrides and catalyst containing interstitial metal hydrides that are resistant to oxidation and resultant loss of catalytic activity. The processes of the present invention include use of these improved, oxidation resistant interstitial metal hydride compositions for improved overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.

Abstract: A method for removing metals from fuel containing vanadium or nickel including intimately mixing an adsorbent with the fuel and isolating the treated fuel. The treated fuel has reduced levels of vanadium, nickel and other metals. Systems for fuel treatment are also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic filter device and method for using same, for removing ferromagnetic particles from a liquid, which device comprises a vessel having an inlet for liquid to flow into the vessel and an outlet for the liquid to flow out of the vessel, and the vessel having one or more magnets suspended therein for removing ferromagnetic particles from liquid flowing between the inlet and outlet, characterised in that: the vessel is a horizontal pipe with the inlet at one end and the outlet at the other end, the magnets are suspended transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pipe in one or more sets, and the vessel has one or more helical flow generators which in use, generate helical flow of the liquid as it flows between the inlet and outlet, and/or one or more turbulent flow generators which in use, generate turbulent flow of the liquid as it flows between the inlet and outlet.

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: Methods and systems for contacting of a crude feed with one or more catalysts to produce a total product that includes a crude product are described. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The crude product has an MCR content of at most 90% of the MCR content 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: A process for capturing organometallic impurities comprising at least one of a heavy metal, silicon, phosphorus, and arsenic, contained in a hydrocarbon feed comprising contacting the feed with a capture mass comprising at least one of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) deposited on a porous support at least one of aluminas, silica, silica-aluminas, and titanium, or magnesium oxides used alone or as a mixture with alumina or silica-alumina, the metallic element being in the sulphide form with a degree of sulphurization of at least 60%, and in which the feed to be treated is a catalytically cracked gasoline containing 5% to 60% by weight of olefins, 50 ppm to 6000 ppm by weight of sulphur and traces of arsenic in amounts in the range 10 ppb to 1000 ppb by weight.

Abstract: Compositions and methods suitable for removing poisonous metals from hydrocarbons are provided. The compositions comprise hydrotalcite having one or more trapping metals dispersed on the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: Method of removing mercury from a mercury-comprising hydrocarbon stream, in which the hydrocarbon stream is brought into contact with an absorbent comprising copper on a support material, wherein the hydrocarbon stream is brought into contact with the absorbent in the presence of hydrogen.

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: Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude feed has a total content of alkali metal, and alkaline-earth metal in metal salts of organic acids of at least 0.00001 grams per gram of crude feed. At least one of the catalysts has a pore size distribution of at least 230 ?. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The crude product has a total content of alkali metal, and alkaline-earth metal in metal salts of organic acids of at most 90% of the total content of alkali metal, and alkaline-earth metal in metal salts of organic acids 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: Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude feed may include at least 0.1 grams of vacuum gas oil per gram of crude feed. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The crude product may have a vacuum gas oil content of about 30% to about 70% of the vacuum gas oil content 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 reforming of heavy oil with supercritical water or subcritical water is accomplished by mixing together supercritical water, heavy oil, and oxidizing agent, thereby oxidizing vanadium in heavy oil with the oxidizing agent at the time of treatment with supercritical water and separate vanadium oxide. The separated vanadium oxide is removed by the scavenger after treatment with supercritical water. In this way it is possible to solve the long-standing problem with corrosion of turbine blades by vanadium which arises when heavy oil is used as gas turbine fuel.

Abstract: A catalyst having dual functionality for the removal of arsenic and the selective hydrogenation of diolefins from monoolefin-containing hydrocarbon streams that have an arsenic concentration and a diolefin concentration, and processes for making and using such catalyst. The catalyst is a heat treated shaped mixture of a refractory oxide and a Group VIII metal that is overlaid with additional Group VIII metal.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst, which process comprises the steps of: i) mixing an alumina precursor with combustible carbon-containing fibers with a diameter in the range of from 0.5 to 5 ?m and a length of no greater than 100 ?m in an amount in the range of from 20 to 40 wt % based on the total dry mixture; ii) adding nitric acid and water to form an extrudable mass; iii) extruding the mixture to form shaped particles; iv) drying the shaped particles; v) heating the particles in an atmosphere comprising no more than 5 vol % oxygen at a temperature in the range of from 350 to 600° C.; and vi) then heating the particles in a gas mixture comprising at least 12 vol % oxygen at a temperature in the range of from 450 to 600° C.

Abstract: Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. Contacting conditions are controlled such that the crude feed, during contact, uptakes hydrogen at a selected rate to inhibit phase separation of the crude feed during contact. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.

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: Mercury and/or arsenic or compounds thereof are removed from streams of matter by contacting them with an absorption composition containing silver and aluminium oxide, which absorption composition is characterized in that the aluminium oxide is at least 50% by weight theta-aluminium oxide.

Abstract: A process to reduce the acidity of acidic crude oils for preventing corrosion during processing of the crude oils, including transferring through pipe lines, tanker ships and tank vehicles. Crude oil having substantial amount of organic acid, in particular, naphthenic acid compounds is contacted with supercritical water and a catalyst for deacidification. A treated crude oil product has lower amounts of organic acid compounds than the original crude oil.

Abstract: Compositions and methods suitable for removing poisonous metals from hydrocarbons are provided. The compositions comprise hydrotalcite having one or more trapping metals dispersed on the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A method for removing metals from fuel containing vanadium or nickel including intimately mixing an adsorbent with the fuel and isolating the treated fuel. The treated fuel has reduced levels of vanadium, nickel and other metals. Systems for fuel treatment are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for reducing calcium deposition along surfaces in contact with the water phase of a resolved water/oil emulsion are disclosed. High calcium crude oil and the like are contacted with a sequestrant to form a sequestered calcium containing complex that partitions to the water phase in the resolved emulsion. A specifically formulated polymeric deposit control agent is added to the water phase to inhibit calcium deposit formation therein and along surfaces in contact with the water phase.

Abstract: A heavy oil reforming method which reforms a heavy oil to give a fuel suitable for a gas turbine, eliminates sulfur and vanadium, i.e., harmful components, from a heavy oil, and enables almost all the hydrocarbons in the heavy oil to be used in gas turbine combustion; an apparatus therefor; and a gas turbine power generation system using the reformed heavy oil as fuel is disclosed. The method includes reacting a heavy oil with supercritical water and then with a scavenger for sulfur and vanadium to eliminate sulfur and vanadium from the heavy oil.

Abstract: The invention is a process for removing mercury compounds from a glycol- or alcohol-containing liquid absorbent stream which contains mercury compounds, especially a glycol stream which has been used in a glycol drying plant for removing water from natural gas streams. The process comprises contacting the mercury-laden liquid absorbent stream with a bed of solid absorbent particles, comprising a sulphided metal, optionally supported on support material, or sulphur supported on carbon.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for the regeneration of used petroleum oils which comprises the following steps: (a) demetallization of the used mineral oil by means of chemical treatment of said oil with an aqueous solution of a chemical reagent containing anions which form low solubility salts with the metals of the oil, followed by the separation of the demetallized oil; (b) distillation of the demetallized oil obtained in step (a) at atmospheric pressure and in the presence of alkaline hydroxides; and (c) distillation of the bottom liquid obtained in the atmospheric distillation in step (b) under vacuum and in the presence of alkaline hydroxides to obtain lubricant bases.

Abstract: A process for removing aluminum contaminants from the product of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction wherein said contaminants comprise at least 1 ppm of aluminum expressed as elemental metal in aluminum-containing contaminants having an effective diameter of less than 1 micron, said process comprising the steps of (a) collecting the contaminated Fischer-Tropsch product from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor; (b) forming a mixture comprising the contaminated Fischer-Tropsch product, at least an equal molar amount of a dicarboxylic acid containing from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms based upon the amount of aluminum present, and sufficient water for the dicarboxylic acid to form hydrogen ions; (c) maintaining the mixture under pre-selected conditions for a time sufficient for the aluminum contaminant and the dicarboxylic acid to form an aluminum containing precipitate having an effective diameter of greater than about 1 micron; (d) passing the mixture of step (c) through a particulate removal zone capable of removing su

Abstract: The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or an alkali metal alloy. The compositions of the inventions are described as Stage 0, I, II, and III materials. These materials differ in their preparation and chemical reactivity. Each successive stage may be prepared directly using the methods described below or from an earlier stage material. Stage 0 materials may, for example, be prepared using liquid alloys of Na and K which are rapidly absorbed by silica gel (porous SiO2) under isothermal conditions, preferably at or just above room temperature, to form loose black powders that retain much of the reducing ability of the parent metals. When the low melting Group 1 metals are absorbed into the silica gel, a mild exothermic reaction produces Stage I material, loose black powders that are indefinitely stable in dry air. Subsequent heating to 400° C. produces Stage II materials, which are also loose black powders. Further heating above 400° C.

Abstract: A process for removing metal contaminants, particularly calcium, from hydrocarbon feedstocks is disclosed. The process comprises mixing the feedstocks with an effective metal removing amount of an aqueous solution of one or more water-soluble poly(acrylic acid) derivatives to form an aqueous phase containing the metal ions and a hydrocarbon phase and separating the hydrocarbon phase from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A process for capturing organometallic impurities comprising at least one of a heavy metal, silicon, phosphorus, and arsenic, contained in a hydrocarbon feed comprising contacting the feed with a capture mass comprising at least one of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) deposited on a porous support at least one of aluminas, silica, silica-aluminas, and titanium, or magnesium oxides used alone or as a mixture with alumina or silica-alumina, the metallic element being in the sulphide form with a degree of sulphurization of at least 60%, and in which the feed to be treated is a catalytically cracked gasoline containing 5% to 60% by weight of olefins, 50 ppm to 6000 ppm by weight of sulphur and traces of arsenic in amounts in the range 10 ppb to 1000 ppb by weight.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from the products of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, said contaminants comprising (i) particulates having an effective diameter of greater than 1 micron and (ii) at least 5 ppm of aluminum in aluminum-containing contaminants having an effective diameter of less than 1 micron, said process comprising the steps of (a) passing the products of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction through a first particulate removal zone capable of removing particulates having an effective diameter of greater than 1 micron; (b) collecting from the first particulate removal zone a substantially particulate free Fischer-Tropsch feed stream containing 5 ppm or more of aluminum in aluminum containing-contaminants having an effective diameter of less than about 1 micron; (c) contacting the substantially particulate free Fischer-Tropsch feed stream in up-flow mode with an aluminum active catalyst in a guard-bed under aluminum activating conditions, whereby a feed stream mixture is formed which

Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy oils and bitumen to a crude oil with properties acceptable as a refinery feedstock includes the steps of solvent de-asphalting by separating the polynuclear aromatics including asphaltenes from the heavy oil or bitumen and contacting the de-asphalted oil with biological and chemical reagents to reduce the concentrations of contaminants so as to render the resulting oil an acceptable feedstock for petroleum refineries.

Abstract: The reforming of heavy oil with supercritical water or subcritical water is accomplished by mixing together supercriticai water, heavy oil, and oxidizing agent, thereby oxidizing vanadium in heavy oil with the oxidizing agent at the time of treatment with supercritical water and separate vanadium oxide. The separated vanadium oxide is removed by the scavenger after treatment with supercritical water. In this way it is possible to solve the long-standing problem with corrosion of turbine blades by vanadium which arises when heavy oil is used as gas turbine fuel.

Abstract: Compositions including modified carbide-containing nanorods and/or modified oxycarbide-containing nanorods and/or modified carbon nanotubes bearing carbides and oxycarbides and methods of making the same are provided. Rigid porous structures including modified oxycarbide-containing nanorods and/or modified carbide containing nanorods and/or modified carbon nanotubes bearing modified carbides and oxycarbides and methods of making the same are also provided. The compositions and rigid porous structures of the invention can be used either as catalyst and/or catalyst supports in fluid phase catalytic chemical reactions. Processes for making supported catalyst for selected fluid phase catalytic reactions are also provided.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating a Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream with an active filtering catalyst are disclosed. Such methods are capable of removing soluble (and ultra-fine particulate) contamination, fouling agents, and/or plugging precursors from the Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream such that plugging of the catalyst beds of a subsequent hydroprocessing process is substantially avoided.

Abstract: A catalyst for removing arsenic from petroleum feedstocks comprising a porous refractory support impregnated with at least 8 wt. % of a Group VIB metal and an amount of Group VIII metal such that the atomic ratio of Group VIII metal to Group VIB metal is between about 1.5 and 2.5. A method of making such catalyst and a process for removing arsenic metals from a petroleum fraction using said catalyst.

Abstract: A calcium-containing hydrocarbonaceous material is treated with an aqueous mixture, comprising acetate ion and an alkaline material and having a pH in the range of 3.0 to 5.0, in order to extract at least a portion of the calcium from the hydrocarbonaceous material into the aqueous phase. Acetic acid is a suitable source of acetate ion. Ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are example alkaline materials.

Abstract: A process for eliminating mercury and possibly arsenic from a hydrocarbon feed comprises: 1) distilling the hydrocarbon feed to obtain at least one light cut and at least one heavy cut; 2) treating at least one said heavy cut, said treatment comprising two steps a first step bringing said heavy cut into contact with hydrogen and a catalyst; a second step consisting of passing the effluent from the first step over a mass for capturing mercury and possibly arsenic.