Abstract: A distillation head of embodiments of the disclosed technology has a vertical tube which extends to and partially through a fraction collector. The vertical tube is mostly filled with a distillation key which is attached to a top side of the fraction collector and extends downwards through the vertical tube without coming into contact with same. A class housing or shell surrounds the vertical tube, which in turn, surrounds the distillation key or, at least a majority of each while the vertical tube extends past an area circumscribed by the shell and the distillation key extends past an area circumscribed by the vertical tube in some embodiments of the disclosed technology.

Abstract: A combined hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG) system and process are described that convert various biomass-containing sources into separable bio-oils and aqueous effluents that contain residual organics. Bio-oils may be converted to useful bio-based fuels and other chemical feedstocks. Residual organics in HTL aqueous effluents may be gasified and converted into medium-BTU product gases and directly used for process heating or to provide energy.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from bituminous material. In some embodiments, the method may include loading a bitumen material in a column, followed by feeding a first quantity of solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting the bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column. A quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent may then be fed into the column. In some embodiments, the method may include simultaneously loading bitumen material and a solvent in a column, followed by feeding additional solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column, and feeding a quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent into the column.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from bituminous material. In some embodiments, the method may include loading a bitumen material in a column, followed by feeding a first quantity of first solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting the bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column. A quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent may then be fed into the column. In some embodiments, the method may include simultaneously loading bitumen material and a first solvent in a column, followed by feeding additional first solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column, and feeding a quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent into the column.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and hanging purses, handbags, jackets and the like from the edge of a table, desk or other elevated platform. A support hook is pivotally coupled within a housing into which the support hook may be stored. The housing comprises first and second planar panels in parallel, spaced relation to each other and is adapted to be positioned upon the top of the table, desk or surface adjacent the edge thereof. The planar panels are secured in parallel spaced relation to one another by at least a single interior wall. The support hook is pivotally coupled to a pivot block in a manner which permits it to be moved in planes both perpendicular and parallel to the housing panels. When not in use, the support hook may be positioned for storage between the planar panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of oil residues coming from the oil industry which comprises the recovery of the oil fraction of residues by extraction with solvents having a low environmental impact (ethyl acetate/toluene) and subsequent finishing for the downgrading of the residual material.

Abstract: It has now been disclosed that by directing the effluent from an oligomerization reactor to a water wash column to remove alcohol modifier from the hydrocarbon stream before sending it to a fractionation column offers flexibility in providing a bottoms product of a desired vapor pressure without increasing the concentration of alcohol modifier in the overhead stream beyond alcohol concentration limits.

Abstract: This application relates to a composite solvent for separating aromatics by extractive distillation, comprising a main solvent, a solutizer and a modifier. Said solutizer is selected from any one or mixtures of any two of C8–C11 aromatics having different number of carbon atoms, the content of which is 3–39 wt %, and the number of carbon atoms of the lowest aromatic in the solutizer should be greater than that of the highest aromatic in the aromatics to be separated. When the solutizer is selected from any one of C8–C11 aromatics, the composite solvent contains 0.01–10.0 wt % of the modifier; when the solutizer is selected from mixtures of any two of C8–C11 aromatics having different number of carbon atoms, the composite solvent contains 0–10.0 wt % of the modifier. Said main solvent and modifier are independently selected from sulfolane derivatives, N-formyl morpholine, and N-methyl pyrrolidone, provided that the acidity and basicity of the modifier are opposite to those of the main solvent.

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 upgrading hydrocarbonaceous oil containing heteroatom-containing compounds where the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a solvent system that is a mixture of a major portion of a polar solvent having a dipole moment greater than about 1 debye and a minor portion of water to selectively separate the constituents of the carbonaceous oil into a heteroatom-depleted raffinate fraction and heteroatom-enriched extract fraction. The polar solvent and the water-in-solvent system are formulated at a ratio where the water is an antisolvent in an amount to inhibit solubility of heteroatom-containing compounds and the polar solvent in the raffinate, and to inhibit solubility of non-heteroatom-containing compounds in the extract. The ratio of the hydrocarbonaceous oil to the solvent system is such that a coefficient of separation is at least 50%.

Abstract: An improved furfural extraction process for lube oil base-stock production from hydrocarbon oils containing aromatic type material by the addition of a solvent comprising of furfural and a co-solvent, said process being conducted in a continuous countercurrent extraction column that facilitates phase separation and increases the raffinate yield while maintaining the same raffinate quality measured by raffinate refractive index.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid phase adsorption process for removing and concentrating heteroatom compounds in hydrocarbons (HCH), comprising the steps of adsorption, copurging and regeneration. In the adsorption step, a liquid hydrocarbon stream is fed to an adsorber, which adsorbs HCH and returns adsorption effluent. In the copurging step, HCH, which are extracted from the previous regeneration, are applied to the adsorber, displacing the copurging effluent. In the regeneration step, a polar solvent is flowed through the adsorber, purging HCH. Most of the HCH are then set aside for use in the next copuring step, while a small amount of the HCH are taken out from the process as HCH product. The present invention is economically advantageous in effectively removing HCH from hydrocarbon streams and increasing the concentration of HCH within an HCH product.

Abstract: An improved process for the recovery of aromatic compounds from a mixture containing aromatic and non-aromatic compounds and method for retrofitting existing equipment for the same is provided. The improved process comprises the steps of recovering aromatic compounds via parallel operation of a hybrid extractive distillation/liquid-liquid extractor operation and variations thereof. Methods of quickly and economically retrofitting existing recovery process equipment for use with the improved aromatics recovery process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for separating sulfur species from hydrocarbon streams, particularly cracked naphtha streams, using extractive distillation. The method effectively separates sulfur species from cracked naphtha streams without substantially lowering the olefin content.

Abstract: A process for reducing the Mutagenicity Index and/or the PCA content of a lubricating oil extract by re-extracting a lubricating oil extract with a second extraction solvent, different from the first extraction solvent, to form a secondary raffinate and a secondary extract mix; separating the secondary raffinate from the secondary extract mix; and separating the secondary raffinate and the secondary extract from said second extraction solvent.

Abstract: A process to improve the performance of furfural for aromatics extraction from gas oils and lube distillates by the addition of ethers and/or aldehydes, preferably having a dielectric constant less than about 40 @ 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a fuel for internal combustion engines from a hydrocarbon charge, comprising a step (a) for distillation (D1) in which a bottom product (Q1) is obtained via a line 3 and in which a top product (T1) is obtained via a line 2, a step (b) of liquid/liquid extraction (LE) using a solvent (S1) to obtain a raffinate to (R1), (line 5) and an extract from which product (Q1) an extract (E1) is obtained (line 6) and a raffinate, a step c) of separating (D2) the raffinate (R1) enabling a product (Q2) to be obtained via line 7, which product has a low solvent (S1) content, and a step (d) of hydrotreatment (HDS) in which the mixture of the products (T1) and (Q2) are subjected to hydrotreatment with a hydrogen partial pressure of less than 10 megapascals, to obtain a product (P) (line 9) which has improved qualities and which contains less than 500 ppm by weight sulphur.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from feedstreams containing mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons using extractive distillation with an aromatic selective solvent in order to separate the aromatic hydrocarbons from the non-aromatic hydrocarbons. A side stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbons and trace amounts of entrained aromatic selective solvent is withdrawn from the extractive distillation column and passed to a cyclone separator to provide a lean solvent stream, a stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbons. The raffinate is withdrawn as an overhead stream comprising non-aromatic hydrocarbons. Various solvents are disclosed and an especially preferred solvent is sulfolane.

Abstract: In a solvent refining process a naphthenic lubricating oil feedstock is solvent extracted to yield a primary aromatics-lean raffinate and a primary aromatics-rich extract. Polynuclear aromatic content of primary raffinate is controlled by manipulating extraction temperature and solvent dosage. Primary extract is separated (settled) to form a secondary raffinate and a secondary extract. Secondary raffinate is recycled to solvent extraction. The refractive index of secondary raffinate is controlled by manipulating settling temperature and antisolvent dosage. The refractive index of secondary raffinate is maintained at or below the refractive index of feedstock. An improved yield of primary raffinate of a specified polynuclear aromatic content is achieved.

Abstract: This invention provides for a process for separating extractable organic material from a feed composition comprising an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a continuous aqueous phase, a discontinuous organic liquid phase comprising said extractable organic material, and solids dispersed in said emulsion, the process comprising the steps of:(I) mixing said feed composition with sufficient shear to convert said feed composition to a water-in-oil emulsion; and(II) contacting said water-in-oil emulsion with at least one organic solvent, said organic solvent being capable of forming with said emulsion a system comprising at least two phases and being capable of dissolving at least about ten parts of said extractable organic material per million parts of said organic solvent at the temperature wherein at least about 50% by weight of said solvent boils at atmospheric pressure; forming a system comprising at least two phases, one of said phases being an emulsion phase comprising said emulsion and the other of said phase

Abstract: In a solvent refining process a lubricating oil stock is solvent extracted to yield a primary aromatics-lean raffinate and a primary aromatics-rich extract. Aromatics content of primary raffinate is controlled by manipulating extraction temperature and solvent dosage. Primary extract is separated (settled) to form a secondary raffinate and a secondary extract. The aromatics content of secondary extract is controlled by manipulating settling temperature.

Abstract: Processes are provided for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from feeds comprising mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons using a mixed aromatic extraction solvent at extraction temperature of less than 250.degree. F. The mixed extraction solvent is comprised of a solvent component containing low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols and a cosolvent component containing glycol ethers. Extractive distillation and steam distillation operations are employed to separate the hydrocarbon components from the rich solvent extract. Low temperature extraction followed by subsequent heating of the rich solvent stream results in improved solvent selectivity, reduced solvent to feed ratios, improved thermal stability and energy savings.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the amount of fluids in a porous sample and determining petrophysical properties of those fluids. The methods employ a two component azeotropic solvent capable of dissolving both hydrocarbon and aqueous fluids in a porous sample. The methods extract the fluids from the porous sample with a soxhlet extractor using the azeotropic solvent and then separates the two components into a solvent containing hydrocarbon fluids and a solvent containing aqueous fluids. The amounts of these extracted fluids may then be determined and the petrophysical properties of the fluids determined.

Abstract: This invention provides for a process for separating extractable organic material from a feed composition comprising said extractable organic material intermixed with solids and water, the process comprising:(A) contacting said feed composition with a solvent mixture in an enclosed space, said solvent mixture comprising at least one first organic solvent and at least one second organic solvent, said first organic solvent being capable of dissolving at least about ten parts of said extractable organic material per million parts of said first organic solvent at the temperature wherein at least about 50% by weight of said first organic solvent boils at atmospheric pressure, said second organic solvent being different than and more volatile than said first organic solvent and being capable of dissolving at least about ten parts of said first organic solvent per million parts of said second organic solvent at the temperature wherein at least about 50% by weight of said second organic solvent boils at atmospheric p

Abstract: Processes are provided for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from feeds comprising mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons using a mixed aromatic extraction solvent at extraction temperature of less than 250.degree. F. The mixed extraction solvent is comprised of a solvent component containing low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols and a cosolvent component containing glycol ethers. Extractive distillation and steam distillation operations are employed to separate the hydrocarbon components from the rich solvent extract.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds from a petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof which comprises treating, the petroleum crude oil in a distillation zone to form a distillation bottoms stream which is rich in basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. This stream is passed without cooling or heat removal to a two-phase extraction zone with an extractant consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of a lower carboxylic acid and preferably having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms. The extractant complexes the basic heterocyclic nitrogen compound to produce a stream of petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof having a smaller content of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds and a stream comprising the lower carboxylic acid extractant with an increased quantity of basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. Both of these streams are passed to distillation without heating.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon oils, particularly petroleum oils, more particularly lube, transformer, white oil and other specialty oils can be extracted to remove aromatic hydrocarbon components therefrom using a combination polar extraction solvent, such as n-methyl pyrrolidone phenol or furfural, preferably NMP in combination with aliphatic-aromatics, polar naphthenes or morpholine, preferably alkylbenzene, mixed extraction solvent.The combination of polar extraction solvent and aliphatic-aromatic, polar naphthene or morpholine extraction solvent mixture contains and from 1 to up to but not including 10 LV % aliphatic-aromatic, polar naphthene or morpholine and mixtures thereof, preferably from 2.5 to less than 10% aliphatic-aromatic, polar naphthene or morpholine and from 0 to 10 LV % water, the amount of polar extraction solvent being suitably adjusted to reflect the presence of the water.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen-enriched hydrocarbonaceous products which process comprises: (a) converting a heavy, asphaltene-containing hydrocarbonaceous residual oil, wherein at least 80% of the residual oil boils above 650.degree. F. (343.degree. C.), in the presence of hydrogen and a particulate catalyst at residual oil conversion conditions in a reaction zone to produce a liquid effluent stream comprising particulate catalyst and normally liquid hydrocarbonaceous compounds; (b) contacting at least a portion of the liquid effluent stream from step (a) with water and a hydrocarbonaceous solvent comprising at least one aromatic hydrocarbon; and (c) gravitationally separating the resulting admixture from step (b) into a solvent phase comprising the normally liquid hydrocarbonaceous compounds and essentially free of solids, and an aqueous phase comprising essentially all of the particulate catalyst.

Abstract: A mixture of normally liquid organic compounds, particularly a light cycle oil obtained by the catalytic cracking of petroleum oils, is separated by contacting the mixture with an essentially anhydrous organic sulfoxide, particularly dimethylsulfoxide, to dissolve an organic extract in said sulfoxide and form an extract phase, comprising sulfoxide and the organic extract, and a raffinate phase, comprising the organic raffinate; diluting the extract phase with about 4.0 to 10.0 wt.

Abstract: This process for fractionating solid asphalts is operable under low temperature and pressure conditions.The process consists of treating a suspension of asphalt powder in a surfactant-containing aqueous phase by means of a hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with water and of separating:an hydrocarbon phase containing asphalt of softening point lower than that of the initial asphalt, andan aqueous phase wherein is suspended asphalt of softening point higher than that of the initial asphalt.

Abstract: A process for upgrading diesel oil comprising the steps of:(1) reacting the diesel oil with a nitrogenous treating agent;(2) contacting the diesel oil from step (1) above with(a) a primary solvent selected from the group consisting of organic solvents having a dipole moment of about 1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low energy process for the solvent extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon streams containing the same, using as the solvent N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone together with small amounts of water. This solvent may be recovered from the aromatics by cooling the aromatic/solvent mixture, and adding water, whereby separation takes place without distillation. The solvent may then be separated from the water by heating the solvent/water mixture.

Abstract: The separation of aromatic and nonaromatic containing hydrocarbon feeds is provided by use of an extraction-separation process using mixed extraction solvents.The term "mixed extraction solvent" as used herein shall mean a solvent mixture comprising a "solvent" component and a "cosolvent" component, as hereinafter defined.The "solvents" component employed in the instant process are the low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols of the formula:HO--[CHR.sub.1 --(CR.sub.2 R.sub.3).sub.n --O].sub.m --Hwherein n is an integer from 1 to 5 and is preferably the integer 1 or 2; m is an integer having a value of 1 or greater, preferably between about 2 to about 20 and most preferably between about 3 and about 8; and wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, araalkyl or alkylaryl and are preferably hydrogen and alkyl having between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms and most preferably are hydrogen.The "cosolvent" component employed herein is a glycol ether of the formulaR.sub.4 O--[CHR.sub.5 --(CHR.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock may be selectively separated into its various fractions by contact with a mixture of specified polar and nonpolar solvents at a temperature so as to form a two-phase system, separating the first extract and raffinate phases so obtained, cooling the raffinate (nonpolar) phase so that three phases form, and separating the three phases. The three phases obtained consist of the polar solvent containing low molecular weight polars, the nonpolar solvent containing the saturates and aromatics, and an asphaltene-containing phase. The asphaltene-containing phase may be further washed to yield an asphalt with a higher microcarbon residue than the non-washed asphalt.

Abstract: A process of recovering the hydrocarbon values from low organic carbon content deposits comprises the hydrotreating of hydrocarbons from those deposits in the presence of supercritical alkane-containing solv

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of reducing the amount of corrosion resulting in a petroleum process operation wherein N-methyl pyrrolidone is utilized as one of the components by adding an effective corrosion inhibiting amount of an ester additive formed from a polycarboxylic acid and glycol or glycerol, preferably a dimer acid of linoleic acid and diethylene glycol.

Abstract: An improved solvent extraction process is described for the preparation of lube oil products, the improvement whereby the solvent contains an additive which facilitates phase separation and increases the yield of raffinate.

Abstract: Hydrazine is added to glycol solvents utilized for aromatic extraction so that corrosion is minimized while the extractive efficiency of the solvent is maintained.

Abstract: An improved solvent extraction process is described for the preparation of lube oil products, the improvement whereby the solvent contains an additive which facilitates phase separation and increases the yield of raffinate.

Abstract: A method for separating olefins from paraffins in which a mixture of olefin and paraffin is contacted with a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extractant stream in the liquid phase thereby dissolving olefins in the DMSO and permitting separation of a paraffin stream. The DMSO containing dissolved olefin is then contacted with water and a phase separation is effected between olefin and a mixture of DMSO and water. At least a portion of the DMSO and water mixture can be fractionated to produce a dried DMSO product which can be recycled as a portion of the extractant into contact with the mixture of olefin and paraffin.

Abstract: An improved solvent refining process for hydrocarbon oils such as asphalt-free lube fractions and diesel fuels is provided by recycling an inert gas such as nitrogen through the contact zone of the extraction tower.

Abstract: An asphalt containing mineral oil is simultaneously deasphalted and extracted in a combination zone by contacting the oil with a solvent comprising N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) containing from 0-5 LV% water and a light hydrocarbon to produce a raffinate and extract phase, with the raffinate phase containing the desired oil, most of the hydrocarbon solvent and some NMP. The raffinate is then passed to a reduced pressure zone to remove most of the hydrocarbon solvent therefrom. The remaining raffinate oil and NMP solution is then chilled to produce bulk liquid-liquid immiscibility between the oil and NMP. The chilled oil and NMP are then passed to a settling zone wherein the NMP is separated from the oil and recycled back into the combination zone.

Abstract: Asphaltic material is dissolved by contact with a solvent composition for a time sufficient to dissolve the asphaltic material wherein the solvent composition is comprised of a liquid heavy aromatic solvent having a high flash point and a fused heterocyclic ring compound or compounds soluble in the heavy aromatic solvent. In another embodiment, the asphaltic material is the binder material of a degraded organic residue whereby dissolution of the asphaltic material enables the convenient disintegration of the degraded organic residue. In still another embodiment, the solvent composition is the oil phase of an oil-water emulsion.

Abstract: The degradation of furfural, used in the solvent extraction of aromatics, is inhibited by the use of a furfural-soluble, recoverable amine having a pK.sub.a greater than that of aniline. The preferred amine is N,N-diethyl aniline and the amount used may be 0.001 to 5% wt., preferably 0.01 to 2% wt. by weight of furfural.The recoverable amine may be used in combination with a non-recoverable amine, eg. tri-ethanolamine, the amount of non-recoverable amine being preferably 1 to 1000 ppm wt., particularly 5 to 50 ppm.

Abstract: Asphaltic material is dissolved by contact with a solvent composition for a time sufficient to dissolve the asphaltic material wherein the solvent composition is comprised of a liquid heavy aromatic solvent having a high flash point and a fused heterocyclic ring compound or compounds soluble in the heavy aromatic solvent. In another embodiment, the asphaltic material is the binder material of a degraded organic residue whereby dissolution of the asphaltic material enables the convenient disintegration of the degraded organic residue. In still another embodiment, the solvent composition is the oil phase of an oil-water emulsion.

Abstract: Lubricating oil stocks are upgraded by contacting same with a solvent comprising a mixture of n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and phenol. The solvent may also contain a minor amount of water. The phenol concentration in the solvent ranges between about 20 and 80 LV% based on the total amount of NMP, phenol and water in the solvent, while the water concentration in the solvent ranges between 0 and about 10 LV% based on the total amount of NMP, phenol and water in the solvent and preferably between about 1 and 4 LV%. At least a portion of the solvent is recovered from the thus-formed extract and raffinate phases by heating same to temperatures in the range of about 500.degree. to 700.degree. F., thereby flashing off the bulk of the solvent; remaining solvent may be stripped out from the extract and raffinate phases with an inert gas such as nitrogen, light hydrocarbons or hydrogen at superatmospheric pressures.

Abstract: Morpholinones are efficient selective solvents for aromatic hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon mixtures containing same. For example, N-methyl-3-morpholinone is an efficient selective solvent for benzene, toluene, and xylene from a hydrocarbon stream obtained from a catalytic reformer.

Abstract: A process for the liquid/liquid extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from organic solvent mixtures containing aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons by the use of certain ethers and esters as extractants is disclosed.

Abstract: A process of recovering the hydrocarbon values from low organic carbon content deposits comprises the hydrotreating of hydrocarbons from those deposits in the presence of supercritical alkane-containing solvent.