Abstract: An apparatus for determining the congealing point of a wax-containing sample, the sample placed within a sample flask. The apparatus includes a motor having a rotatable shaft extending horizontally therefrom; clamp for mounting the sample flask thereto, the clamp operatively connected to the rotatable shaft; and a temperature sensor for determining sample temperature over time. A method for determining the congealing point of a wax-containing sample is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fractionating a crude mixture comprising at least one oil and at least one wax, which comprises the following steps: (a) mixing the crude mixture with a solvent to obtain a crude solvent-mixture, (b) carrying out at least one crystallization stage with the solvent-mixture obtained in step (a) to prepare a first fraction containing dewaxed oil and a second fraction containing slack wax, (c) carrying out at least one crystallization stage with the second fraction obtained in step (b) in a layer crystallizer, wherein to the second fraction prior to the crystallization in step (c) no solvent or at most 100% by weight of solvent relative to the weight of the second fraction are added, to prepare a third fraction containing hard wax having an oil content of at most 1.5% by weight and a fourth fraction containing soft wax having an oil content of more than 1.

Abstract: The determination of wax crystal particle size and population is used to monitor the performance of wax crystallizers used in lubricant oil processing using solvent dewaxing. The wax crystal particle size is monitored using online measurements. The information obtained from on-line monitoring is then used to control crystallization in the dewaxing equipment in order to optimize performance of the dewaxing units.

Abstract: A process for recovering paraffinic solvent from tailings produced in the treatment of bitumen froth comprising introducing the tailings into a tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU), the TSRU having internals, and distributing the tailings over the internals. An inert gas or steam is then introduced below the internals and above the liquid pool for enhancing the vaporization of the contained solvent. Solvent is vaporized from asphaltene agglomerates. In one embodiment, the process is affected in the absence of mechanical means used to substantially break up asphaltene agglomerates or to prevent the agglomeration of asphaltene. In another aspect, the process comprises introducing the tailings into a first TSRU as described above and then into a second TSRU operated at a lower pressure. In another aspect, internals are optionally present and steam or inert gas is injected in the liquid pool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid fuel blended by dissolving crude pentane into the heavy oil with different proportions, and applied to different combustion system respectively; the fuel thus formed is easily dissolved, volatilized, atomized and vaporized into fine vapor articles, so it will burn completely to not only increase the heat value but also reduce the pollution without producing the dense smoke like common heavy oil combustion furnace. In addition, alkanes with low price, low octane value and high volatility substitute or blend with the crude pentane to become a liquid fuel having suitable initial boiling point, viscosity and fluidity as well as low price and low pollution, which is much better than common diesel oil.

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: Dewaxed fuel and lubricant base stocks are made by (a) producing a synthesis gas from natural gas, (b) reacting the H2 and CO in the gas in the presence of a cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, at reaction conditions effective to synthesize a waxy hydrocarbon feed boiling in the fuel and lubricant oil ranges, which is hydrodewaxed in a first stage to produce a dewaxed fuel and a partially dewaxed lubricant fraction. The partially dewaxed lubricant fraction is separated into heavy and lower boiling fractions each of which is separately hydrodewaxed, to produce lubricant base stocks. A hydrodewaxing catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component, binder and solid acid component used to hydrodewax at least one, and preferably at least two of the waxy feed and partially dewaxed heavy and lower boiling lubricant fractions.

Abstract: A laser beam reflected by wax crystals is used in determining the wax crystallization temperature of a hot dewaxing solvent upstream of solvent chillers. This is automatically achieved by an on-line method from a remote control point, in which a slipstream of solvent is passed through an attached solvent loop into a sample chamber in the loop, without being exposed to ambient conditions. As the sample is cooled, the beam reflections are detected and indicate the wax to crystallization temperature. Corrective measures can then be taken to prevent fouling of the chillers, if need be.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of crystalline zeolite SSZ-54 as a catalyst in a process for dewaxing hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to separate a light lube stock product and a heavy lube stock product from heavy dewaxed lube oils are described which maintain product specifications while utilizing conventional refinery equipment. The heavy dewaxed lube oil stream is first heated, such as in a spiral heat exchanger in the top of a vacuum stripper, with the heavy lube stock fraction, and/or with hot oil. Next, the heated heavy dewaxed lube oil stream is injected into the vacuum stripper, and fuel gas is injected at the bottom of the stripper as the stripping medium. A light lube stock fraction is removed from the upper portion of the stripper, and a heavy lube stock fraction is removed from the lower portion thereof. Optionally, the gas stripping medium is removed from the top of the stripper by a vacuum pump and used to fuel a hot oil exchanger to heat the oil which in turn is employed to heat the heavy dewaxed lube oil stream.

Abstract: A process for fractional crystallization of paraffin from mineral oil based and synthetic crude paraffin, wherein crude paraffin having a high oil content is crystallized in a crystallizer equipped with perforated metal sheets (31) extending in a zig-zag in the spaces between the heat exchanger surfaces (39). The paraffin-containing melt is only solidified to an extent such that the fractions and oils for discharge remain liquid and are run off without total solidification of the melt. The perforated sheets (31) support the layers of crystals (43) and during sweating the paraffin is detached in strips from the heat exchanger surface (39) and is adapted to rest on the sloping perforated sheets (31). The inclination of the perforated sheets (31) guides and moves the paraffin strips (53), so that the paraffin strips remain in contact with the heat exchanger surfaces (39) while being pressed by their own weight along the inclined surface (30) towards the heat exchanger surfaces (39).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously removing oil from oil-bearing solids such as tar sands, vegetables or other solid materials using a solvent is provided. By providing a pressure differential between the exterior and interior of an oil extraction chamber, substantially oil free solids may be removed from the oil extraction chamber through a solids extraction channel without removing any substantial volume of solvent through the solids extraction channel.

Abstract: The wax-containing hydrocarbon feedstocks are pre-treated by contacting them with a homogeneous solution containing 1-5 vol. % of an acid diluted in an alcohol/water mixture (preferably containing 60-90 vol. % alcohol). The pre-treated feedstock is then contacted, in the presence of hydrogen, with at least two catalysts in sequence and with no intermediate separation, comprising at least one hydrodewaxing catalyst and one hydrocracking catalyst, to recover high-grade middle distillates.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the carryover of foam in a delayed coker unit processing hydrocarbon liquids are disclosed. A non-silicone defoamer compound is added to the hydrocarbon until the foam height surpasses a predetermined value. A silicone defoamer compound is then added to the hydrocarbon to knock down the foam head and inhibit carryover of the foam.

Abstract: A method (and apparatus) is disclosed for the spectroscopic determination of the amount .alpha..sub.Nn of one constituent N of a fluid mixture 0 in another constituent n of the mixture, following separation of the mixture into its constituents 1,..., M (where n, N.ltoreq.M). The method involves determining the absorptivities an (n=1,...,N) of the M constituents from spectroscopic measurements and computing the amount .alpha..sub.Nn from a mathematical expression containing the absorptivities a.sub.n and a.sub.N which are expressed or expressible as the quotient a.sub.n /a.sub.N only. The method is insensitive to changes in the absorptivities due to feed variability or changes in upstream process conditions, since any changes in the numerator and denominator of the quotient used are affected correspondingly. A modification to the method involves determining the content .alpha..sub.N0 of constituent N in feed 0 from a mathematical expression containing a.sub.0, where a.sub.

Abstract: An early meltdown process of wax sweating is provided which enhances the efficiency, quality, product yield, and throughput of wax. In the early meltdown process, slack wax is crystallized. The crystallized was is then sweated while simultaneously draining the liquid drippings from the sweating oven. The congealing point of the liquid drippings are monitored. When the congealing point of the liquid drippings indicate that the melting temperature of the desired wax product has been obtained, sweating and drainage are stopped, and the remaining solid bed of wax in the sweating oven is rapidly melted and subsequently upgraded.

Abstract: An early meltdown process of wax sweating is provided which enhances the efficiency, quality, product yield, and throughput of wax. In the early meltdown process, slack wax is crystallized. The crystallized wax is then sweated while simultaneously draining the liquid drippings from the sweating oven. The congealing point of the liquid drippings are monitored. When the congealing point of the liquid drippings indicate that the melting temperature of the desired wax product has been obtained, sweating and drainage are stopped, and the remaining solid bed of wax in the sweating oven is rapidly melted and subsequently upgraded.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing trickle reactor construction which will facilitate the catalytic dewaxing of liquid petroleum or lube feedstocks in a highly efficient and economical manner, particularly through the use of reactors employing stationary bed of a defined, shape-selective crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite catalyst, preferably ZSM-5. Pursuant to one embodiment of the hydroprocessing reactor, the latter is essentially constituted of a trickle bed reactor wherein a plurality of vertically tiered and staggered trays support the beds of catalyst material, such as the crystalline zeolite, and through which the liquid petroleum feedstock trickles downwardly from the upper end of the reactor, while hydrogen is concurrently injected into the catalyst on each of the trays. This causes the hydrogen to percolate through the catalyst bed and to contact and efficiently strip the downwardly trickling stream of liquid petroleum feedstock of low boiling conversion products or waxy components, such as naphtha.

Abstract: Process for the extractive production of valuable, natural waxes from fossil and/or freshly grown vegetable and/or animal starting material by extraction of the starting material in an extraction stage with a physiologically unobjectionable gas at supercritical pressure and temperature conditions, separation of the extract-containing gas in a separator part by pressure reduction and/or temperature change, periodical or continuous withdrawal of the extract and return of the separated gas to the extraction stage.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon dewaxing process comprising the steps of:(a) chilling the waxy hydrocarbon feed to be dewaxed in the absence of solvent to crystallize a portion of the hard wax;(b) introducing the hydrocarbon feed to be dewaxed into a centrifuge;(c) centrifuging the solvent free hydrocarbon feed thereby generating two streams, stream (I) comprising a major portion of oil with a minor portion of entrained wax, stream (II) comprising a major portion of wax with a minor portion of entrained oil;(d) adding a dewaxing solvent to stream (II) generating a slurry A;(e) feeding slurry A to a centrifuge thereby separating slurry A into an oil-solvent stream (III) and a wax-solvent stream (IV);(f) passing the oil-solvent stream (III) to a membrane separation unit wherein the stream is separated into a recycle solvent stream and an oil-solvent stream of reduced solvent content (stream V);(g) passing oil-solvent stream (V) to an oil recovery unit wherein the stream is separated into a recycle solvent stream and an oil strea

Abstract: Foots oil, the by-product left when high quality wax is recovered by a solvent dewaxing process, is usually used as cracker feed stock. There is disclosed a method of converting it to higher quality lubricant base stock by subjecting such to catalytic hydroprocessing utilizing a ZSM-5 or similarly behaving zeolite catalyst under hydrogen pressure followed by distillation of the product to remove light products such as naphtha, LPG and No. 2 fuel oil therefrom.