Abstract: The invention relates to a class of novel surfactants that have utility in the recovery and/or extraction of oil.

Abstract: An improved solvent regeneration system for extractive distillation and liquid-liquid extraction processes capable of effectively removing heavy hydrocarbons and polymeric materials that otherwise develop in a closed solvent loop. The improved process employs a light hydrocarbon displacement agent, which is at least partially soluble in the solvent to squeeze the heavy hydrocarbons and polymeric materials out of the solvent, with virtually no additional energy requirement. It has been demonstrated that the light non-aromatic hydrocarbons in the raffinate stream generated from the extractive distillation or the liquid-liquid extractive process for aromatic hydrocarbons recovery can displace not only the heavy non-aromatic hydrocarbons but also the heavy aromatic hydrocarbons from the extractive solvent, especially when the aromatic hydrocarbons in the solvent are in the C10+ molecular weight range.

Abstract: Extractive distillation processes whereby water-soluble extractive distillation (ED) solvents are regenerated and recovered employ improved operations of the extractive distillation column (EDC) so that polar hydrocarbons are recovered and purified from mixtures containing polar and less polar hydrocarbons and measurable amounts of hydrocarbons that are heavier than intended feedstock and/or polymers that are generated in the ED process. The improved process can effectively remove and recover the heavy hydrocarbons and/or remove polymer contaminants from the solvent in a closed solvent circulating loop through mild operating conditions with no additional process energy being expended. With the improved process, the overhead reflux of the EDC may be eliminated to further reduce energy consumption and to enhance the loading and performance within the upper portion of the EDC, especially when two liquid phases exists therein.

Abstract: A process for recovering polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons, such as aromatics from non-aromatics, naphthenes from paraffins and isoparaffins, or olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins, in feed mixtures containing at least a measurable amount of heavier hydrocarbons. This improved extractive distillation (ED) process recovers aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, and xylenes from the C6-C8 petroleum streams containing a measurable amount of C9+ hydrocarbons. The ED process also recovers benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons. The ED solvent utilized to recover and purify the aromatic hydrocarbons from the petroleum stream with a heavier than intended feedstock of hydrocarbons is also regenerated and recovered.

Abstract: A lubricating oil stock is extracted with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone to yield a primary raffinate useful as a high VI lubricating base oil and a primary extract. The primary extract is mixed with antisolvent and chilled to yield a secondary raffinate. This secondary raffinate is sufficiently reduced in aromatics that it is solvent extracted to yield medium to high VI lubricating base oil.

Abstract: A process for removing oxygenated impurities from a hydrocarbon stream includes extracting said oxygenates by a heavy organic polar solvent, water scrubbing the extracted hydrocarbon to recover dissolved solvent and combining the solvent phase from the extractor and the water phase from the scrubber and distilling to recover the solvent.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process for selectively separating an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon from a mixture containing hydrocarbon liquids having similar boiling points wherein an amine acts as a selective solvent and polymerization inhibitor. For example, styrene can be separated from a mixture of styrene and o-xylene using aminoethyl piperazine as the solvent for the distillation.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is removed from CO.sub.2 and hydrocarbon containing gaseous streams. In the instance where the hydrocarbons and CO.sub.2 are such that hydrocarbons would condense out during CO.sub.2 removal, the gas stream is treated in one or more stages to accomplish hydrocarbon composition control.

Abstract: Process for the upgrading of hydrocarbons comprising conjugated diolefins using a dispersion of an alkali(ne earth) metal, characterized in that the upgrading is carried out in the presence of an aliphatic amine having at least one primary amine group.