Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for removing organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, wherein free organic acids in the crude product mixture bind to the metal oxide substrate, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture; separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate; and removing the organic acids bound to the metal oxide substrate by contacting the metal oxide substrate with an alkyl ester composition at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein.

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: 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: Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that include a crude product. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. 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 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: Catalysts comprising cobalt on a titania support are produced by mixing together particles of a solid titania support and an aqueous solution of cobalt amine carbonate, and heating to an elevated temperature sufficient to effect decomposition of the cobalt amine carbonate and precipitation of a cobalt species onto said support. The catalysts are useful in hydrogenation and Fischer-Tropsch reactions.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants and breaking emulsions in a feedstream comprising a crude source composition comprising unconventional or opportunity crude oil, the process comprising: providing the feedstream comprising the crude source composition comprising unconventional or opportunity crude oil, the feedstream comprising an emulsion comprising one or more contaminants, a salt content, and a water content; and, contacting the feedstream directly with one or more mesopore structured materials and one or more demulsifiers under conditions effective to separate a majority of the water content, the salt content, and the one or more contaminants from the feedstream, thereby breaking the emulsion and producing a purified hydrocarbon phase.

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: Disclosed is a process for the upgrading of heavy oils and bitumens, where the total feed to the process can include heavy oil or bitumen, water, and diluent. The process can include the steps of solvent deasphalting 110 the total feed 105 to recover an asphaltene fraction 116, a deasphalted oil fraction 118 essentially free of asphaltenes, a water fraction 112, and a solvent fraction 114. The process allows removal of salts from the heavy oils and bitumens either into the aqueous products or with the asphaltene product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock having less than 5 wppm oxygenates-oxygen, comprising the step of contacting the feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions to form a first effluent, wherein the catalyst includes a molecular sieve having a zeolite structure type of MWW.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a liquid hydrocarbon (e.g. heavy oil, bitumen, etc.) containing naphthenic acids or other corrosive acids in order to partially or fully convert such acids into non-corrosive compounds. The method comprises adding an alkylating agent to the hydrocarbon, bringing the hydrocarbon into contact with an aqueous liquid containing an alkaline compound and a phase transfer catalyst to form an immiscible two-phase system, maintaining the contact to allow conversion of the naphthenic acids to non-corrosive oil-soluble esters, and separating the aqueous phase from the liquid hydrocarbon. Naphthenic acids are highly corrosive to plant and equipment and the method enables them to be converted to non-corrosive compounds in an economic manner.

Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon liquid composition to improve its storage and/or transportation stability, comprises contacting the hydrocarbon liquid composition with a polar trap, wherein the conductivity of the hydrocarbon liquid composition is not reduced by said contacting with a polar trap. The polar trap may be a clay treater containing attapulgus clay. The process may include sequentially passing the hydrocarbon liquid composition through a dehydrator and a clay treater at a flow rate of between about 100 and about 1000 m3 per hour. Advantageously, the hydrocarbon liquid composition is refined and in particular, may be a Merox™-treated jet fuel.

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: 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. The one or more catalysts may include a first and a second catalyst. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa and 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: 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: Systems and method for contacting a crude feed that has a total acid number of at least 0.1 with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product are described. At least one of the catalysts includes vanadium. 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: System for producing a crude product, comprising: an upstream contacting zone; one or more catalysts in the upstream contacting zone, the one or more catalysts comprising a first catalyst, the first catalyst having, per gram of first catalyst, 0.0001 grams to 0.06 grams of: one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table, one or more compounds of one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table, calculated as weight of metal, or mixtures thereof; a downstream contacting zone positioned downstream of the upstream contacting zone; and one or more catalysts in the downstream contacting zone, the one or more catalysts comprising a second catalyst, the second catalyst having, per gram of second catalyst, at least 0.

Abstract: Total acid number and/or corrosiveness of a crude or refined hydrocarbon, where the total acid number and/or corrosiveness is due to the presence of acid compounds such as carboxylic acid (naphthenic acid), may be reduced by treating the hydrocarbon with a metallic overbase. The effect of this treatment may be substantially enhanced by the presence of a hydrogen transfer agent. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.

Abstract: Methods and systems for petrochemical feedstream purification are described herein. The methods generally include providing a petrochemical feedstock, wherein the petrochemical feedstock includes a concentration of polar impurities, contacting the petrochemical feedstock with a washing agent to remove at least a portion of the polar impurities therefrom, separating the washing agent from the petrochemical feedstock to form a purified feedstock and passing the purified feedstock to a petrochemical process. In one embodiment, the petrochemical feedstock includes benzene and the washing agent includes water.

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: A process to reduce acidity of hydrocarbon mixtures (1) is described, that includes sending a hydrocarbon stream to a Microwave Treatment Unit (MTU), with a fixed stream or mud bed of microwave absorbent materials, pure or in mixtures, such as coke fines, spent catalysts that have already been used in FCC units or hydrotreatment (HDT) in a refinery, or even new catalysts which may be sulfided or not, under processing conditions.

Abstract: A process for reducing the naphthenic acidity of petroleum oils or their fractions is described, said process comprising providing a hydrocarbon feed 103/203/303 having between 0.1 and 99 wt % of emulsified/dispersed water in oil, said feed containing salts and a content of naphthenic acids measured as TAN between 0.1 and 10 mg KOH/g oil; directing the said petroleum oil feed and emulsified/dispersed water towards an energy emitter device in the microwave range and submitting said feed 103/203/303 in liquid phase, under pressure between 0.7 and 4.5 MPa at temperatures between 50° C. and 350° C.

Abstract: A process for reducing the naphthenic acidity of petroleum oils, or their liquid fractions, is described, the process comprising a thermal treatment of the petroleum oils, or their liquid fractions, in the presence of an adsorbent the surface of which is covered by high molecular weight carbon compounds. Preferred adsorbents are the spent or coked FCC catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of oxygenates from a gaseous stream also comprising carbon dioxide, said process comprising: a) providing a first gaseous stream comprising one or more mono-olefin(s), at least 100 ppm (by weight) of one or more oxygenates and at least 0.1 wt % carbon dioxide, and b) treating the first gaseous stream to produce a second gaseous stream comprising one or more mono-olefin(s) and at least 01 wt % carbon dioxide with reduced oxygenate content, wherein said treating comprises contacting the first gaseous stream with a first aqueous stream and with a first liquid hydrocarbon stream, and c) subsequently treating the second gaseous stream to remove the carbon dioxide therein.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for decreasing the viscosity of crude oils and residuum utilizing a combination of thermal and acidic treatment. Further, the invention describes a method for making a water-in-oil emulsion, or a solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion with a reduced viscosity. The emulsion can be used in enhanced oil recovery methods, including using the emulsion as a drive fluid to displace hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation, and using the emulsion as a barrier fluid for diverting flow of fluids in the formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for removing free organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, the metal oxide substrate having properties sufficient to bond with free organic acids in the crude product mixture, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture, and separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device for removal of free organic acids from a crude product mixture including a first housing defining an interior volume, an input port, and an output port, and metal oxide media disposed within the first housing, the metal oxide media comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hafnia, and titania. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: A process for reducing the content of oxygen-containing and/or nitrogen-containing compounds in streams having an isobutene content of at least 10% by weight, which comprises passing the stream in the liquid state at a temperature T [in K] and a linear velocity v [in cm/min] over a fixed bed of an acid-free zeolite having a mean pore size of from 0.3 to 1.5 nm, where the fixed bed has a length l [in cm] in the flow direction of the stream and T, v and l obey the relationship 2(T?283 K)/10 K·l/v?500 min, is described. The process avoids the formation of isobutene oligomers.

Abstract: A reduction in the formation and presence of peroxides in low sulfur diesel fuels is obtained through the combination of those fuels with an organic nitrate combustion improver. The reduction in the amount of peroxides means that the fuel system elastomers will be more durable, as they are not being corroded by as much peroxide formed in the fuel, fuel color durability is improved, fuel stability is enhanced, and fuel sediments are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a phosphorus-containing compound to control the formation of soaps in various media. Also provided is the use of phosphorus containing compounds to remove metal ions from various media. An effective amount of the phosphorus-containing compound is contacted with the medium to remove the metal ions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to improve the cetane number and emissions characteristics of a distillate feedstock by increasing the oxygen content of the feedstock by contacting the feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the oxidation zone at oxidation conditions in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a basic support.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method of separating non-acid chemicals from a water rich stream produced during a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction.

Abstract: Method to determine the viscosity of a water-in-oil emulsion that will be formed by an oil comprising organic acids when mixed with water comprising: determining the value of the expression: ? ( emul ) = K ? ? ? ( oil ) ? TAN - r ( 1 - ? ) 2.5 wherein ?(oil) is the viscosity the oil, TAN is the total acid number of the oil, ? is a number in the range of 0.1 to 0.8, r is a number in the range of about 0.5 to 2, and K is a number from about 1 to 20, said determined value, ?(emul) being the viscosity of the water-in-oil emulsion. The method is used to prepare water-in-oil emulsions of predetermined viscosity and to improve desalting of oils.

Abstract: A method of reducing hydrolysis in a hydrocarbon stream comprising adding to a hydrocarbon stream containing a chloride compound which undergoes hydrolysis at elevated temperatures in the presence of water to form hydrochloric acid, an effective amount of a treating agent that is at least one overbased complex of a metal salt and an organic acid complexing agent, the treating agent being added to hydrocarbon stream when the stream is at a temperature below which any substantial hydrolysis of the chloride containing compound occurs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating olefins and paraffins from oxygenates in a liquid hydrocarbon stream containing a high proportion of olefins, paraffins and oxygenates (mainly alcohols). Typically, the hydrocarbon stream is obtained from a Fischer-Tropsch process. The organic counter-solvent has a boiling point which is less than the boiling point of the most volatile alcohol in the hydrocarbon stream. A raffinate from the liquid-liquid extractor is passed to a distillation column. A bottoms product from the distillation column comprises olefins and paraffins, and the overhead product comprising solvents is recycled. An extract from the liquid-liquid extractor is sent to a stripping column, where a bottoms product containing pure alcohol is obtained. The overhead product containing counter-solvent is recycled.

Abstract: A process for distilling paraffinic hydrocarbons comprises feeding a Fischer-Tropsh derived paraffinic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising heavy paraffinic hydrocarbons and, optionally, light and/or medium paraffinic hydrocarbons, into a distillation column. The distillation column is operated to produce usable waqx products. An overhead stream, a bottom stream, and at least one side stream, are withdrawn from the distillation column. All the wax products obtained are usable wax products.

Abstract: The invention is a process for decreasing the acidity of an organic acid containing petroleum oil, comprising contacting said petroleum oil containing organic acids with an effective amount of an alcohol and an effective trace amount of a base selected from Group IA and IIA metal carbonates, hydroxides, phosphates, biphosphates and mixtures of a hydroxide and phosphate and/or biphosphates at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding ester of said alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of refining crude oils having high acidity by neutralising the organic acidity thereof. The inventive method consists in adding a nitrogenous compound to the crude oil. Said method is characterised in that a nitrogenous compound containing at least three carbon atoms, a secondary amine group and a hydric group is introduced at at least one point of the crude oil pre-treatment units upstream of, or in the atmospheric distillation unit.

Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbons such as gas oil feedstocks are hydrotreated by passing feedstreams comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid hydrocarbons through a catalyst bed comprising honeycomb or similarly structured monolithic hydrotreating catalysts at controlled superficial liquid linear velocities and gas:liquid feedstream ratios; good hydrotreating selectivity and high one-pass conversion rates for sulfur and other heteroatoms are provided.

Abstract: A process for reducing the naphthenic acidity of petroleum oils, or their liquid fractions, is described, the process comprising a thermal treatment of the petroleum oils, or their liquid fractions, in the presence of an adsorbent the surface of which is covered by high molecular weight carbon compounds. Preferred adsorbents are the spent or coked FCC catalysts.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for treating acidic crudes or fractions thereof to reduce or eliminate their acidity and corrosivity by addition of suitable amounts of Group IA or Group IIA oxides, hydroxides and hydrates and Group IIA metal naphthenate salts. The process has the additional benefits of reducing materials handling problems associated with treating acidic crude oils using liquid solvents and in reducing emulsion formation.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating acidic compounds of an acidic petroleum oil is disclosed. The process includes contacting the acidic petroleum oil with a hydrogen donor solvent to thereby produce a treated petroleum oil. The process can further include contacting a fraction or a full-boiling range portion of the treated petroleum oil with a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen and under process conditions sufficient to hydrogenate at least a portion of the hydrocarbons of the fraction or full-boiling range portion; and utilizing at least a portion of the hydrogenated fraction or full-boiling range portion as the hydrogen donor solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing naphthenic acid content of crude oils and its fractions in the essential absence of oxygen and in the presence of an aqueous base selected from Group IA and IIA hydroxides and ammonium hydroxide and mixtures thereof, a phase transfer agent that is a quaternary onium salt in amounts of from 10−5 to 10−1 at a temperature and pressure effective to produce a treated petroleum feed having a decreased naphthenic acid content and an aqueous phase containing naphthenate salts, phase transfer agent and base.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating acidic compounds of an acidic petroleum oil is disclosed. The process includes contacting the acidic petroleum oil with a hydrogen donor solvent to thereby produce a treated petroleum oil. The process can further include contacting a fraction or a full-boiling range portion of the treated petroleum oil with a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen and under process conditions sufficient to hydrogenate at least a portion of the hydrocarbons of the fraction or full-boiling range portion; and utilizing at least a portion of the hydrogenated fraction or full-boiling range portion as the hydrogen donor solvent.

Abstract: A catalyst assisted upgrading process for treating a hydrocarbon oil feed to reduce total acid number (TAN) and increase API gravity is provided herein which employs a hydroprocessing catalyst based on a catalyst support, e.g., alumina. The process includes blending the supported hydroprocessing catalyst with the hydrocarbon oil feed to form a slurry which is then treated with hydrogen at moderate temperature and pressure in, for example, a tubular reactor. Deposit formation is thus minimized or avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing naphthenic acid content of crude oils and its fractions in the presence of an aqueous base selected from Group IA and IIA hydroxides and ammonium hydroxide and mixtures thereof, a phase transfer agent at a temperature and pressure effective to produce a treated petroleum feed having a decreased naphthenic acid content and an aqueous phase containing naphthenate salts, phase transfer agent and base.

Abstract: A process for removing impurities from a hydrocarbon component or fraction comprises mixing, in a liquid-liquid extraction step, an impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon component or fraction, as an impure liquid hydrocarbon feedstock, with an acetonitrile-based solvent. Thereby, at least one impurity is extracted from the hydrocarbon component or fraction into the solvent. There is withdrawn from the extraction step, as a raffinate, purified hydrocarbon component or fraction, while there is withdrawn from the extraction step, as an extract, impurity-containing solvent.

Abstract: An efficient dehalogenation can be carried out by a method which comprises treating an organic compound containing a compound of halogen, such as fluorine or chlorine, as an impurity and having non-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds, for example, butene polymer produced with a boron trifluoride catalyst, with an inorganic solid treating agent containing aluminum atoms. When the dehalogenation is conducted in the presence of a basic substance such as ammonia or an amine, it can be continued over long while inhibiting the isomerization of the non-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for deacidifying a crude oil system, said process comprising the steps of: a) contacting the crude oil system with a polar solvent, such that at least part of the organic acid present in the oil is extracted into the solvent as an extract phase, and b) separating said extract phase from the treated crude oil system of step a).

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for decreasing the amount of acids contained in oils by forming a water-in-oil emulsion and utilizing solids.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for removing trace acidic compounds from liquid hydrocarbons. Traces of acidic compounds, including carboxylic acids, H2S, naphthenic acids, et al., are present in most hydrocarbon streams. The presence of these acidic compounds is considered deleterious to accepted product specifications. The trace acidic compounds which interfere are removed via injection of a dilute aqueous alkaline solution into the hydrocarbon stream and passage of this stream through a coalescing bed.