Abstract: In a method for the hydroprocessing of renewable feeds in a hydroprocessing unit (unit A), comprising the use of sour waste water from the same or another unit (unit B), which is processing feeds containing sulfur and nitrogen, as wash water in unit A, thereby changing the pH of the waste water from unit A to lower the risk of carbonic acid corrosion of corrodible steel parts in unit A, the renewable material in unit A is directed to contact a material that is catalytically active in hydrogenating the renewable material in the presence of hydrogen, and the effluent is combined with the wash water stream which contains hydrogen sulfide and/or ammonia.

Abstract: A fiber fluidic system may be used to produce particles (e.g., NPs and/or microparticles). The fiber fluidic system may include a cylinder with a plurality of elongated fibers oriented along a length of the cylinder. The cylinder may have a first opening at or near a first end of the cylinder and a second opening downstream of the first opening. A constrained phase fluid may be provided through the first opening and a free phase fluid may be provided through the second opening to produce particles (e.g., NPs and/or microparticles) through a second end of the cylinder. The fiber fluidic system may be used to continuously produce the particles at high throughput.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of at least one ARN acid or salt thereof comprising: (I) allowing at least one ARN acid salt to form during the production of crude oil in the presence of water; (II) removing at least 5 wt % of the formed at least one ARN acid salt, e.g. from the oil water interface; and optionally (III) converting said salt into an acid.

Abstract: A method for separating ethanol from fermented biomass is provided. Fermented biomass that is rich in ethanol is used directly as packing material in a distillation column, and a small amount of water at the bottom of the column is used to efficiently transfer heat to the biomass at the bottom of the column. The fermented biomass packing has a high ratio of surface area to volume, making an efficient packing material. As vapor condenses on the biomass, diffusion of ethanol/water vapor from the body of the biomass enriches the ethanol concentration at the surface of the biomass. Droplets containing lower concentrations of ethanol drip downwards from the biomass, and vapors containing higher concentrations of ethanol rise upwards from the biomass, resulting in a higher concentration of ethanol at the top of the column than was initially in the biomass.

Abstract: A process removes metal impurities from an untreated chemical liquid, which includes a silylating agent. The process includes providing a strongly acidic cation-exchange resin in which a cation-exchange group is immobilized to a resin membrane or an integral structure of a particle-removing membrane and an ion exchange resin membrane in which a strongly acidic cation-exchange resin has been chemically introduced onto surfaces of pores in a porous resin. The wettability of the ion exchange resin membrane is thereafter improved by contacting the ion-exchange resin membrane with an organic solvent. The metal impurities are then removed from the untreated chemical liquid by passing the untreated chemical liquid through the ion-exchange resin membrane.

Abstract: A process for reducing the bromine index (BI) of a hydrocarbon feedstock, for example an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock. Removal of contaminants, more specifically bromine-reactive contaminants such as unsaturated hydrocarbons (e.g., olefins) cause the reduction in the bromine index (BI) of the hydrocarbon feedstock. The process involves providing an adsorbent, such as a zeolite.

Abstract: An integrated process simultaneously removes the diluent and reduces the TAN, resulting in cost savings from the diluent recovery and increasing the value of the produced heavy crude stream by removing the acids and other contaminants, while reducing the overall energy requirements when compared to performing the two processes separately.

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: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of organic acids, particularly naphthenic acids, from crude oils and crude oil distillates by use of a supported basic ionic liquid in a mass ratio of crude oil and/or crude oil distillate and ionic liquid of from greater than 40:1, the basic ionic liquid comprises a basic anion selected from serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the naphthenic acidity of a petroleum feedstock having a neutralization index of 0.5 to 10 mg of KOH/g and a water content lower than 0.2 wt %, wherein said method comprises contacting the petroleum feedstock with a compound selected from the oxides, hydroxides and alkoxides of an HA group alkaline earth metal, the contact being carried out at a temperature lower than or equal to 150° C. The implementation of the method according to the invention, and in particular in the absence of water, makes it possible to reduce the naphthenic acidity and to prevent the formation of naphthenate salts that may subsequently reform naphthenic acids.

Abstract: A method, and use of, a surfactant is provided for reducing the total acid number (TAN) of produced hydrocarbons. The method may include introducing a surfactant to produced hydrocarbons, separating the surfactant from the produced hydrocarbons, and removing the surfactant and associated acid from the hydrocarbons. The cloud point of the surfactant may be used in the separating step of the method, and removal of the precipitate from the hydrocarbons may reduce the TAN of the hydrocarbons. The separation step may include forming an aqueous or intermediate phase that comprises the surfactant and associated acid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to purification of an aromatic hydrocarbon stream including selective removal of phenol from a process stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures, especially aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures that contain higher-than-equilibrium paraxylene, by contact with suitable adsorbents, to provide a product stream having lower concentration of phenol than said process stream.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for contacting an alkaline solution with kerosene or diesel. The process can include providing a stream of kerosene or diesel and at least one of a naphthenic acid and a salt thereof, with an additional alkaline solution to a prewash vessel, forming an emulsion interface between a kerosene or diesel phase and an alkaline phase in the prewash vessel, controlling an amount of the emulsion interface by withdrawing at least a portion of the emulsion interface between the two phases, and adding an acid to a withdrawn emulsion.

Abstract: A process for treating a heavy oil by heating a feedstock comprising a heavy oil in order to separate from the heavy oil a first fraction. The first fraction contains no more than 25% of the total number of acid groups of the heavy oil. A second fraction contains at least 75% of the total number of acid groups of the heavy oil. The second fraction then is treated under conditions that provide a heavy oil that has a total acid number, or TAN, that does not exceed 1.0 mg KOH/g, or is at least 50% lower than the total acid number prior to treatment, an olefin content that does not exceed 1.0 wt. %, and a p-value of at least 50% of the p-value of the heavy oil prior to treatment, or a p-value that is at least 1.5.

Abstract: Introducing an additive into a crude oil may result in the crude oil having comparatively lower acid levels as compared to an otherwise identical crude oil absent the additive. The additive may include nanoparticles of metal oxides, oil soluble hydrogen donors, and/or heavy amines. The oil soluble hydrogen donors may be or include 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene; 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrdroquinoline; 9,10-dihydroanthracene; 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene; and combinations thereof. The heavy amines may be or include alkyl amines, alkanolamines, polyethylene amines, polypropylene amines, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Process for reducing the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in a hydrocarbonaceous mixture which process comprises (i) taking a sample from the hydrocarbonaceous mixture and extracting the water-soluble carboxylic acids from the sample, (ii) subjecting the extracted water-soluble carboxylic acids to chromatography, (iii) calculating the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in the hydrocarbon mixture based on the chromatography results, and (iv) reducing the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in the hydrocarbonaceous mixture.

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 invention relates to a method for producing low-odor n-butane by catalytic hydrogenation of a feed mixture. The aim of the invention is to provide such a method, wherein the feed material, in addition to n-butane, n-butene and up to 1 mass % formic acid and/or up to 1 mass % pentanals and/or up to 0.5 mass % pentanols, also comprises carbon monoxide. The aim is achieved by treating the feed mixture in the temperature range of 15 to 120° C. with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in the concentration range of 0.5 to 30 mass % and subsequently subjecting the feed mixture to the catalytic hydrogenation.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments relating to a process for reducing the total acid number of a hydrocarbon feed by contacting the feed with a metal titanate catalyst having an MTiO3 structure wherein M is a metal having a valence of 2+, resulting in a hydrocarbon product having a final total acid number lower than the initial total acid number of the feed. The process is useful for pretreating high acid crudes prior to further processing thus avoiding corrosion of equipment used in refining operations. The process can be integrated into conventional refining operations in order to treat various refinery streams. In one embodiment, a process is provided for refining a low acid crude oil and a high acid crude oil by separately introducing a relatively low acid crude oil feed and a relatively high acid crude oil feed to an atmospheric distillation column, wherein the relatively high acid crude oil feed is contacted with a metal titanate catalyst prior to introduction to the atmospheric distillation column.

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

Abstract: A method for thermally cracking an organic acid containing hydrocarbonaceous feed wherein the feed is first processed in a vaporization step, followed by thermal cracking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of naphthenic acids from crude oils and crude oil distillates by use of supported basic ionic liquids.

Abstract: A method for isolation and quantification of naphthenate forming acids (ARN-acids) in crude oils is disclosed. The method involves selective absorbtion/adsorption of ARN acids by a solid medium. Isolation of the solid medium and transferring the ARN acids to an organic solvent which can by analysed for its ARN acid content.

Abstract: A process for de-acidifying a hydrocarbon feed includes contacting the hydrocarbon feed containing an organic acid with a feed-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid to produce a hydrocarbon and feed-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid mixture and separating the mixture to produce a hydrocarbon effluent having a reduced organic acid content relative to the hydrocarbon feed. Optionally, a de-emulsifier is added to at least one of the contacting and separating steps.

Abstract: A device for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture which includes a production reactor for producing a crude oil product mixture, the production reactor includes a lipid reservoir and an alcohol reservoir and a first organic acid removal reactor in fluid communication with the production reactor. The first organic acid removal reactor includes a first housing defining an interior volume the housing configured to receive the crude oil products and disposed within the interior volume of the removal reactor housing is metal oxide media selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hafnia and titania for removing organic acidic contaminants from the crude oil product to product a purified biodiesel fuel.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for removing one or more polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds from a vacuum gas oil comprising contacting the vacuum gas oil with a vacuum gas oil-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid to produce a mixture comprising the vacuum gas oil and the vacuum gas oil-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid, and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil effluent and a vacuum gas oil-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid effluent, the vacuum gas oil-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid effluent comprising the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hydrocarbon oil, comprising: a first step wherein a feedstock oil containing an oxygen-containing organic compound and a water-insoluble chlorine-containing compound is brought into contact with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a support containing a porous inorganic oxide and one or more metals selected from Group VIA and Group VIII of the periodic table supported on the support in the presence of hydrogen to generate a hydrocarbon oil and water in a vapor state by the hydrodeoxygenation of an oxygen-containing organic compound and convert the water-insoluble chlorine-containing compound into a water-soluble chlorine-containing compound; a second step wherein the water in the reaction product of the first step is maintained in a vapor state and the reaction product of the first step is brought into contact with a nitrogen-containing Brønsted base compound which has a boiling point at normal pressure of 100° 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. The one or more catalysts may include a catalyst that has a median pore diameter of at least 90 ?. 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: Corrosion of ferrous material such as steel or stainless steel is a problem in oil pipelines, oil storage tanks, and the piping and process equipment at oil refineries, and this corrosion may be reduced by reducing the TAN value of the oil feedstock that is used/transported within the ferrous material. This TAN value may be reduced by reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal, thereby forming a de-acidified alkali metal. The de-acidified alkali metal has a TAN value of less than or equal to 1 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: A method of making a diesel fuel from a renewable feedstock is described. Ammonia or an amine compound is used to neutralize the organic acids in the renewable feedstock. The ammonia or amine compound is removed from the product mixture before the isomerization zone so that it does not affect the isomerization catalyst.

Abstract: A method for separating polar hydrocarbon compounds from a hydrocarbon oil containing polar hydrocarbon compounds comprising the steps of: a) forming a gel in the hydrocarbon oil, and thereafter b) separating the gel from the hydrocarbon oil to produce a separated gel and a separated hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solubilizing compounds, a device and a method for solubilizing and removing carboxylic acids and especially fatty acids from oils, fats, aqueous emulsion, aqueous media and organic solutions. Devices utilizing the inventive method shall be used for separating carboxylic acids from oils, fats, aqueous emulsion, lipophilic media or organic solutions, respectively by preparing an aqueous micro- or nanoemulsion of the carboxylic acids especially the fatty acids and the solubilizing compound which contains at least one amidino and/or gianidino group. Solubilization effects of solubilizing compounds combined with the inventive use of separation methods for carboxylic acids can be used to treat persons in need of removal of fatty acids or analyze carboxylic acids from blood or process other solutions in food, pharmacy, chemistry, bio fuel industry or other industrial processings.

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the total acid number of a refinery feedstock. In one embodiment, refinery feedstock containing naphthenic acids is contacted with an effective amount of solid catalyst in the presence of an aqueous caustic base, wherein the caustic base is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, for a period of time sufficient to neutralize at least a portion of the naphthenic acids in the feedstock. Thereafter, the aqueous phase is separated from the neutralized refinery feedstock. In another embodiment catalyst is pretreated with a caustic base solution and contacted with refinery feedstock to reducing the total acid number.

Abstract: A magnetic nanoparticle complex includes a magnetic nanoparticle; and a ligand associated with the magnetic nanoparticle, the ligand including a functional group capable of combining with an acid component or a conjugate base of the acid component, in an oil. A method for preparing a magnetic nanoparticle complex, includes preparing a pre-ligand having at least one amino group and at least one carbamate group or dithiocarbamate group; associating the pre-ligand with a magnetic nanoparticle to form a magnetic nanoparticle-ligand complex; and modifying the ligand to form a modified ligand having a functional group capable of combining with an acid component in an oil or a conjugate base of the acid component.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process comprising feeding high TAN feedstreams to a steam cracker, whereby naphthenic acids in the feedstreams are substantially converted to CO, CO2, and low amounts of smaller acids (e.g., formic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids). The feedstream is preferably a high TAN feedstream comprising crude or high TAN feedstream which has previously been subjected to a refinery process to remove resid.

Abstract: According to the invention, trace olefins and dienes are removed from aromatic plant feedstocks by contacting the catalyst using conditions outside the ordinary range used for this application today.

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 magnetic nanoparticle complex includes a magnetic nanoparticle; and a ligand associated with the magnetic nanoparticle, the ligand including a functional group capable of combining with an acid component or a conjugate base of the acid component, in an oil. A method for preparing a magnetic nanoparticle complex, includes preparing a pre-ligand having at least one amino group and at least one carbamate group or dithiocarbamate group; associating the pre-ligand with a magnetic nanoparticle to form a magnetic nanoparticle-ligand complex; and modifying the ligand to form a modified ligand having a functional group capable of combining with an acid component in an oil or a conjugate base of the acid component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the naphthenic acidity of a petroleum feedstock having a neutralization index of 0.5 to 10 mg of KOH/g and a water content lower than 0.2 wt %, wherein said method comprises contacting the petroleum feedstock with a compound selected from the oxides, hydroxides and alkoxides of an HA group alkaline earth metal, the contact being carried out at a temperature lower than or equal to 150° C. The implementation of the method according to the invention, and in particular in the absence of water, makes it possible to reduce the naphthenic acidity and to prevent the formation of naphthenate salts that may subsequently reform naphthenic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of organic acids, particularly naphthenic acids, from crude oils and crude oil distillates by use of a supported basic ionic liquid in a mass ratio of crude oil and/or crude oil distillate and ionic liquid of from greater than 40:1, the basic ionic liquid comprises a basic anion selected from serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate.

Abstract: To provide a method for hydrotreating a synthetic hydrocarbon oil, which removes olefins and oxygen-containing compounds by hydrotreatment with the gasification rate restrained and can efficiently convert the synthetic hydrocarbon oil generated by the FT process to a liquid fuel suitable as a fuel for diesel-powered vehicles. A hydrotreating method is disclosed in which a synthetic hydrocarbon oil generated by FT synthesis is hydrotreated using a catalyst in which a definite catalytic metal is allowed to be carried on a support, under definite reaction conditions, with the gasification rate restrained to a definite value or less, thereby removing the olefins and the oxygen-containing compounds.

Abstract: A magnetic nanoparticle complex includes a magnetic nanoparticle; and a ligand associated with the magnetic nanoparticle, the ligand including a functional group capable of combining with an acid component or a conjugate base of the acid component, in an oil. A method for preparing a magnetic nanopartide complex, includes preparing a pre-ligand having at least one amino group and at least one carbamate group or dithiocarbamate group; associating the pre-ligand with a magnetic nanoparticle to form a magnetic nanoparticle-ligand complex; and modifying the ligand to form a modified ligand having a functional group capable of combining with an acid component in an oil or a conjugate base of the acid component.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments relating to a process for reducing the total acid number of a hydrocarbon feed by contacting the feed with a metal titanate catalyst having an MTiO3 structure wherein M is a metal having a valence of 2+, resulting in a hydrocarbon product having a final total acid number lower than the initial total acid number of the feed. The process is useful for pretreating high acid crudes prior to further processing thus avoiding corrosion of equipment used in refining operations. The process can be integrated into conventional refining operations in order to treat various refinery streams. In one embodiment, a process is provided for refining a low acid crude oil and a high acid crude oil by separately introducing a relatively low acid crude oil feed and a relatively high acid crude oil feed to an atmospheric distillation column, wherein the relatively high acid crude oil feed is contacted with a metal titanate catalyst prior to introduction to the atmospheric distillation column.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to handling of organic contaminants in aqueous streams. The methods and apparatus enable removing the contaminants, such as naphthenic acids, from the aqueous streams and then converting the contaminants into hydrocarbons. The removing and converting of the organic contaminates results in treated discharge and generation of the hydrocarbons, which add to amount of hydrocarbon recovery.

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: Naphthenic acid corrosivity of hydrocarbon feedstocks is correlated with the chemical composition of naphthenic acids, and especially with a ratio between an alpha fraction and a beta fraction of naphthenic acids. Contemplated plants, configurations, and methods are directed to reducing naphthenic acid corrosivity of hydrocarbon feedstocks by increasing the beta fraction over the alpha fraction.

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. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed. The one or more catalysts may include at least one catalyst having a median pore diameter of at least 230 ?. Methods for producing the catalyst having the median pore size diameter are described.

Abstract: Process for removing oxygen-containing organic compounds from mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds, in which a liquid phase (1) containing hydrocarbons and oxygenates is charged to a first column (3), a light fraction is separated as top product (5) by distillation, and that a heavier C4+ fraction is removed from the bottom, the light fraction (5) and a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenates (2) is charged to a second column (7), and separated into a light and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction distillation, and an additional solvent (6) is supplied to the upper part of the second column (7), which dissolves the oxygenates and, the solvent and oxygenates being discharged as bottom product (9) and a hydrocarbon product (8), which is free from oxygenates leaves the top of the column (7). The solvent optionally is wholly or partly regenerated and recirculated to the extractive distillation column.

Abstract: Process for reducing the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in a hydrocarbonaceous mixture which process comprises (i) taking a sample from the hydrocarbonaceous mixture and extracting the water-soluble carboxylic acids from the sample, (ii) subjecting the extracted water-soluble carboxylic acids to chromatography, (iii) calculating the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in the hydrocarbon mixture based on the chromatography results, and (iv) reducing the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in the hydrocarbonaceous mixture.

Abstract: Contact of a crude feed that has a viscosity of at least 10 cSt at 37.8° C. (100° F.) and an API gravity of at least 10 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. The crude product has a viscosity of at most 90% of the viscosity of the crude feed and an API gravity of about 70% to about 130% of the API gravity of the crude feed. In some instances, 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.