Abstract: A lubricant management system is provided for a work vehicle transmission. The system includes a balance piston contained in a balance piston cavity configured to receive fluid under pressure and provided between a clutch piston and a balance piston; a cooling fluid shutoff piston mounted in a passageway of the clutch piston; a valve configured to control pressure of fluid flow into the clutch piston cavity; and a controller, having processing and memory architecture, operatively coupled to the valve and configured to command the valve to adjust the pressure of the fluid flowing into the clutch piston cavity during operation of the clutch assembly. The passageway has a lubrication supply opening that is closed by the cooling fluid shutoff piston when a first pressure is within the clutch piston cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a multimodal polyethylene composition in the reactor system according to the invention, comprising; (a) polymerizing ethylene in an inert hydrocarbon medium in the first reactor in the presence of a catalyst system, selected from Ziegler-Natta catalyst or metallocene, and hydrogen in an amount of 0.1-95% by mol with respect to the total gas present in the vapor phase in the first reactor to obtain a low molecular weight polyethylene or a medium molecular weight polyethylene; (b) removing in the hydrogen removal unit 98.0 to 99.

Abstract: A diesel fuel product with beneficial cold flow properties can be produced. A suitable feedstock for forming a diesel boiling range product can be hydrotreated to have a sulfur content of at least about 100 wppm and then dewaxed. This two stage process can allow for production of an arctic or winter diesel without use of high pressures. Optionally, a divided wall column fractionator can be used to allow a single separation stage to handle the effluent from both the hydroprocessing and the dewaxing stages.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing vacuum in a vacuum oil-stock distillation column and includes pumping a gas-vapor medium out of a column by an ejector into a condenser; feeding a gas mixture and a high-pressure gas into a second gas-gas ejector from which the vapor-gas mixture is fed into a second condenser. A condensate is directed from the condensers into a separator in which the condensate is separated into a water-containing condensate and a hydrocarbon-containing condensate. The hydrocarbon-containing condensate is removed while the water-containing condensate is fed into a steam generator in which heat is supplied to the water-containing condensate from a hot distillate removed from the vacuum column and steam is produced from the water-containing condensate, the steam is fed as a high-pressure gas into the gas-gas ejectors. A plant for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to low temperature steam stripping methods for byproduct polymer and solvent separation from an ethylene oligomerization process. The methods disclosed have been found to separate byproduct polymer from solvent without fouling process equipment or causing other process problems. The byproduct polymer ends up as flowable solid particles in a water stream that may be easily discharged from the process, while solvent is recovered for recycle to the process. In embodiments of the invention, over 90 wt % of the solvent used is recovered and the discharged byproduct polymer is less than 20 wt % solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to the oil processing industry and can be used for producing vacuum in a vacuum petroleum distillation column. The inventive method involves pumping out a vapor-gas medium from the column by of a gas-gas ejector in such a way that a vapor-gas mixture is formed at the entry thereof and supplying said mixture to a condenser for producing a gas mixture and a vapor phase condensate. The gas mixture is supplied from the condenser to a liquid-gas jet apparatus and the condensate is delivered to an additional separator. A hydrocarbon-containing condensate is removed from the additional separator for the intended use thereof and a water-containing condensate is fed to a steam generator for producing steam by supplying heat of a hot distillate evacuated from the vacuum column. The thus obtained steam is used in the gas-gas ejector as a high-pressure gas.

Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive process comprises a process for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing nonvolatiles in a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system. The inventive process comprises: (a) heating the nonvolatile-containing hydrocarbon feedstock upstream of a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system to a temperature sufficient to form a vapor phase that is essentially free of nonvolatiles and a liquid phase containing the nonvolatiles; (b) separating said vapor phase from said liquid phase; (c) feeding the separated vapor phase to the pyrolysis reactor system; and (d) converting the separated vapor phase in said pyrolysis reactor system to form a pyrolysis product.

Abstract: An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and/or ethane), and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components including the steps of cooling and partially condensing and delivering the feed stream to a separator to provide a first residue vapor and a first liquid containing C2, directing a first part of the first liquid containing C2 into a heavy-ends fractionation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue and a second liquid product containing C2; further cooling the second part of the first liquid containing C2 and partially condensing the second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue; combining the cooled second part of the first liquid and partially condensed second hydrocarbon-bearing vapor residue and directing them to a second separator effecting a third residue and a third li

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase which collect as bottoms and removing the liquid phase, separating and cracking the vapor phase, and cooling the product effluent, wherein the bottoms are maintained under conditions to effect at least partial visbreaking. The visbroken bottoms may be steam stripped to recover the visbroken molecules while avoiding entrainment of the bottoms liquid. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive process comprises a process for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing nonvolatiles in a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system. The inventive process comprises: (a) heating the nonvolatile-containing hydrocarbon feedstock upstream of a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system to a temperature sufficient to form a vapor phase that is essentially free of nonvolatiles and a liquid phase containing the nonvolatiles; (b) separating said vapor phase from said liquid phase; (c) feeding the separated vapor phase to the pyrolysis reactor system; and (d) converting the separated vapor phase in said pyrolysis reactor system to form a pyrolysis product.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from a naphtha stream and for simultaneously removing sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from two streams is described. A separator vessel having a top, a bottom, a primary feed inlet and a co-feed inlet is disposed vertically above the primary feed inlet. The separator vessel further includes a catalyst bed disposed between the co-feed inlet and the top. A primary feed stream comprising sulfur hydrocarbon compounds is delivered through the effluent inlet and a vaporized co-feed stream that also comprises sulfur hydrocarbon compounds is delivered through the co-feed inlet. Vaporized sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from the primary feed stream with the vaporized co-feed stream pass upwardly through the desulfurization catalyst bed. Sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from both primary feed and co-feed stream are at least partially converted to hydrogen sulfide and non-sulfur containing hydrocarbons in the catalyst bed.

Abstract: A process for decoking of a process that cracks hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid and coke precursors, wherein steam is added to the feedstock to form a mixture which is thereafter separated into a vapor phase and a liquid phase by flashing in a flash/separation vessel, separating and cracking the vapor phase, and recovering cracked product. Coking of internal surfaces in and proximally downstream of the vessel is controlled by interrupting the feed flow, purging the vessel with steam, introducing an air/steam mixture to at least partially combust the coke, and resuming the feed flow when sufficient coke has been removed. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid is cracked by a process comprising: (a) heating the hydrocarbon feedstock; (b) mixing the heated hydrocarbon feedstock with steam and optionally water to form a mixture stream; (c) introducing the mixture stream to a flash/separation apparatus to form i) a vapor phase at its dew point which partially cracks and loses/or heat causing a temperature decrease and partial condensation of the vapor phase in the absence of added heat to provide coke precursors existing as uncoalesced condensate, and ii) a liquid phase; (d) removing the vapor phase as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms from the flash/separation apparatus; (e) treating the overhead by contacting with a hydrocarbon-containing nucleating liquid substantially free of resid and comprising components boiling at a temperature of at least about 260° C. (500° F.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing DME from a stream containing C4 olefins. The process includes providing a first stream comprising C4 olefins, C5+ hydrocarbons, DME, and methanol. The first stream is separated into a second stream comprising the C4 olefins and the DME and a third stream comprising the C5+ hydrocarbons and the methanol. The second stream is directed to a DME absorption unit, wherein the second stream contacts water under conditions effective to separate the C4 olefins from the DME. Also disclosed is a process including contacting the first stream with water in a methanol removal unit under conditions effective to separate remove the methanol therefrom; distilling the methanol-depleted stream to remove C5+ hydrocarbon components, and contacting the stream with water in a DME removal unit under conditions effective to form an overhead stream comprising the C4 olefins and a bottoms stream comprising the DME.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention relates to a method for reducing coke agglomeration in petroleum streams derived from coking processes. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method for mitigating filter fouling from a coker gas oil by using a pusher gas substantially free of molecular oxygen.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention relates to a method for reducing coke agglomeration in petroleum streams derived from coking processes. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method for mitigating filter fouling from a coker gas oil wherein an oxygen scavenger is employed to remove molecular oxygen and peroxides.

Abstract: An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and/or ethane), and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components including the steps of cooling and partially condensing and delivering the feed stream to a separator to provide a first residue vapor and a first liquid containing C2, directing a first part of the first liquid containing C2 into a heavy-ends fractionation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue and a second liquid product containing C2; further cooling the second part of the first liquid containing C2 and partially condensing the second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue; combining the cooled second part of the first liquid and partially condensed second hydrocarbon-bearing vapor residue and directing them to a second separator effecting a third residue and a third li

Abstract: A process for pre-treating a spent caustic stream prior to oxidation which includes countercurrent multi-stage elevated temperature solvent extraction of dissolved organic material from the spent caustic using a solvent to yield a spent caustic raffinate containing only residual amounts of organic solute and steam distilling the spent caustic raffinate to remove the residual organic solutes, yielding a pretreated spent caustic stream substantially free of organic material which is then subjected to wet air oxidation and thereafter to ozonolysis to yield a wastewater stream having a low COD and BOD, which is neutralized to a pH of 8.5 to 9.0.

Abstract: In an atmospheric pipestill stripping process where steam is utilized as the stripping gas to strip bottoms and side stream products, the improvement comprising utilizing methanol or a methanol and steam mixture as said stripping gas. In a refinery atmospheric pipestill stripping process utilizing a stripping gas, said process comprising utilizing a gas selected from the group consisting of methanol and a mixture of methanol and steam as said stripping gas.

Abstract: A method of distilling a crude oil and a contaminated liquid stream in an atmospheric distillation column (2) comprising the steps of (a) heating (13, 15) the crude oil at atmospheric pressure and introducing the heated crude oil into the inlet section (10) of the column (2); (b) removing from bottom a residue (19), removing from the top an overhead (20) and removing from the rectification section (7) at least one side stream (26, 28); (c) cooling (13) one of the side streams (28) and introducing the cooled side stream (29) into the rectification section (7) and partly condensing (21) the overhead (20) and introducing the condensed fraction (24) into the upper end of the distillation column (2); (d) supplying the contaminated liquid stream (40) to a membrane unit (3) provided with a suitable membrane (33), and removing a permeate (37) and a retentate (36); and (e) introducing the permeate (37) into the rectification section (7) and adding the retentate (36) to the crude oil (11) upstream of the furnace (1).

Abstract: In an atmospheric pipestill stripping process where steam is utilized as the stripping gas to strip bottoms and side stream products, the improvement comprising utilizing ammonia or a ammonia and steam mixture as said stripping gas wherein when an ammonia and steam mixture is utilized the ratio of ammonia to steam is about 0.1:1 to about 100:1. In a refinery atmospheric pipestill stripping process utilizing a stripping gas, said process comprising utilizing a gas selected from the group consisting of ammonia and a mixture of ammonia and steam as said stripping gas wherein when an ammonia and steam mixture is utilized the ratio of ammonia to steam is about 0.1:1 to about 100:1.

Abstract: A process for pretreating a spent caustic stream prior to oxidation includes countercurrent multi-stage elevated temperature solvent extraction of dissolved organic material from the spent caustic using a solvent to yield a spent caustic raffinate containing only residual amounts of organic solute. The raffinate is steam distilled to remove the residual organic solutes, yielding a pretreated spent caustic stream substantially free of organic material. The pretreated spent caustic is suitable for use in a Kraft paper process or for oxidation prior to recycle or disposal. Solvent extract from the extractor is regenerated in a solvent regenerator having an overhead stream for purging light ends, a bottom stream for purging heavy ends, and a heart-cut side stream for recycling solvent to the extractor.

Abstract: A process for the dehydration and/or desalination and simultaneous fractionation of a petroleum deposit effluent containing oil, associated gas and water which can be saline, which process comprises:(a) at least one step for separating the liquid and gaseous phases at the pressure P1 for removal of the gas, producing a gaseous fraction G1, on the one hand, which is removed and a liquid fraction L1, on the other hand, which is sent to step(b) at least one step for separating, at least partly, the two liquid phases mixed in the liquid fraction L1, the aqueous phase being partly removed and the oil phase containing a quantity of residual aqueous phase being sent to step (c);(c) at least one distillation step carried out at a pressure P2 which is less than, or at the most equal to, the pressure P1 in step (a), in a distillation zone C1, said distillation being carried out in the presence of the oil phase coming from step (b), said zone C1 comprising an internal heat exchange zone and a boiling zone, and enabling

Abstract: Water and organic low-boiling constituents in organic heat transfer fluids used to heat commercial processes are removed by introducing a gas such as nitrogen into a turbulent flow of the heat transfer fluid and separating gas which then contains low-boiling constituents from the heat transfer fluid of the heat transfer system. The gas containing low-boiling constituents may be sent to a condenser to return heat transfer fluid which also vaporizes into the gas, but to a lesser extent than the low-boilers, to the heat transfer system. The gas containing low-boiling constituents is then combusted.

Abstract: A process for removing and recovering specific constituents from a waste stream at higher temperatures than the boiling point of the specific waste within a compound of chemicals and inert materials forming ninety-five (95%) percent of the waste stream in the United States. In the process, the waste is moved at a specified retention time, through a heat zone, thus increasing the temperature of the waste stream. There is further provided a means to separate certain components in that waste stream, whereby the components are vaporized and are released in a gaseous state, either from a liquid or a solid within the waste stream. The gaseous components are then transferred in the gaseous state through a flow of an inert medium, such as nitrogen gas, to inhibit combustion of the components, or to prevent the combination of oxidation, or oxygen being used as a catalyst to form even more hazardous compounds.

Abstract: Where side stream distillate strippers are used in the distillation of hydrocarbons, the required size of the distillation column and the amount of stripping gas or vapor required are reduced by passing components stripped from the distillates through a plurality of strippers in series, rather than directly back to the distillation zone.

Abstract: Water and organic low-boiling constituents in a organic heat transfer fluids used to heat commercial processes are removed by counter current stripping the fluid with a gas such as nitrogen. The gas containing low-boiling constituents is sent to a rectification column and condenser to return heat transfer fluid which also vaporizes into the gas, but to a lesser extent than the low-boilers, to the heat transfer system.

Abstract: A process for removing and recovering specific constituents from a waste stream at higher temperatures than the boiling point of the specific constituents. In the process, the waste is moved at a specified retention time, through a heat zone, thus increasing the temperature of the waste stream. There is further provided a means to separate certain components in that waste stream whereby the components are evaporated and are released in a gaseous state, either from a liquid or a solid within the waste stream. The gaseous components are then transferred in the gaseous state through a flow of an inert medium, such as nitrogen gas, to inhibit combustion of the components, or to prevent the combination of oxidation, or oxygen being used as a catalyst to form even more hazardous compounds.

Abstract: A distillation tower (1) has a plurality of liquid sidestream lines (5, 6, 7) and a multi-stage sidestream stripper (13) which includes a respective stripping section (14, 15, 16) for each sidestream line housed in a common, upright, cylindrical shell (28) which allows vapor to pass freely from each stage to the one above. Partial vaporization of each sidestream is achieved by applying a vacuum to the top of the stripper shell (point 21) and/or introducing strip gas at the bottom (point 20). Because the vapor passes serially through the stripping sections from the bottom of the stripper (13) to the top, the need to supply strip gas separately to the stripping sections and/or apply vacuum individually is avoided. The separation between the sidestream products is improved by including, in each stage, a rectification zone (22, 23, 24) positioned above the stripping section.

Abstract: The recovery of distillate products from a hydrocracking process includes passing the liquid-phase portion of the reaction zone effluent into a stripping column. A naphtha sidecut stream is recovered off the stripping column and combined with the net overhead liquid of the column. These combined streams are then combined with the naphtha recovered from the primary product recovery column. This minimizes the hydrogen sulfide present in the total naphtha product.

Abstract: A process for separating or stripping lighter components from a heavier hydrocarbon feedstock contaminated with or otherwise including light components. The separation is accomplished by introducing the feedstock into a column and allowing the feedstock to flow through the column, contacting a first stripping medium and a second stripping medium. The first stripping medium entrains the lighter components. The second stripping medium entrains the first stripping medium and any lighter components remaining in the feedstock. Preferred first stripping media include hydrogen, methane, propane, and other inert gas and preferred second stripping media include nitrogen and other inert gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for recovering a diesel-quality fuel from produced crude oil is described. The diesel-quality fuel is produced by flashing the crude feedstock at high temperatures and recovering the diesel quality fuel as a liquid from a refluxing exchanger. Process efficiency is enhanced by heat integration. The process is particularly applicable to remote locations, both onshore and offshore, where conventional fuel supplies are inadequate or not available.

Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbonaceous feed stream containing a non-distillable component to produce a distillable hydrocarbonaceous product and a heavy product comprising the non-distillable component while minimizing thermal degradation of the hydrocarbonaceous feed stream which process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous feed stream with a hot first hydrogen-rich gaseous stream having a temperature greater than the hydrocarbonaceous feed stream in a flash zone at flash conditions without indirect heat exchange thereby increasing the temperature of the hydrocarbonaceous feed stream and vaporizing at least a portion thereof to provide a hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprising hydrogen and a heavy product comprising the non-distillable component; (b) removing the hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprising hydrogen from the flash zone without contacting the vapor stream with hydrocarbonaceous liquid; (c) condensing at least a portion of the hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprisin

Abstract: A method of processing hydrocarbon substances including coal, heavy crude oil, and bitumen by hydrogenating the hydrocarbon substance with a gas containing from 20%-100% hydrogen at a pressure in the range of from 50 bar to 700 bar and at a temperature in the range of from 250.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. to produce a hydrogenation residue which is treated in a secondary stripping operation using hydrogen gas at a pressure between about 1.2 bar and 150 bar to recover light hydrocarbon gases from the hydrogenation residue.

Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbonaceous feed stream containing a non-distillable component to produce a distillable hydrocarbonaceous product and a heavy product comprising the non-distillable component while minimizing thermal degradation of the hydrocarbonaceous feed stream which process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous feed stream with a hot first hydrogen-rich gaseous stream having a temperature greater than the hydrocarbonaceous feed stream in a flash zone at flash conditions without indirect heat exchange thereby increasing the temperature of the hydrocarbonaceous feed stream and vaporizing at least a portion thereof to provide a hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprising hydrogen and a heavy product comprising the non-distillable component; (b) removing the hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprising hydrogen from the flash zone without contacting the vapor stream with hydrocarbonaceous liquid; (c) condensing at least a portion of the hydrocarbonaceous vapor stream comprisin

Abstract: The quality and yield of dewaxed, hydrotreated lube oil base stocks are improved by reducing the top temperature in the hydrotreated lube stripper so as to increase the proportion of heavy kerosene components in the lube oil base stock. The separation system provides for a two stage stripping of the lube oil fraction such that the kerosene fraction stripped from the lube product in the primary product stripper under vacuum is stripped in a second stage stripper at a higher pressure with recycle of the heavy kerosene fraction as a reflux stream to the primary vacuum stripper so that a product with improved viscosity index and flash point is separated in the primary stripper.

Abstract: A process for improving the separation of a hydrocarbonaceous oil is provided, in which the oil is separated into fractions in an atmospheric distillation zone. The heavy bottoms fraction (atmospheric residuum) is split into two streams. One stream is passed through a heating zone and, subsequently, to a vacuum separation zone. The other stream by-passes the heating zone and is introduced directly into the vacuum separation zone.

Abstract: A process for improving the separation of a hydrocarbon mixture is provided in which the hydrocarbon mixture is separated into fractions in a distillation zone. A liquid fraction and a portion of the vapor phase fraction are removed from the distillation zone as sidestream and introduced into a separation zone comprising a stripping gas to be stripped simultaneously. The resulting stripped vapor is recycled to an upper portion of the distillation zone.

Abstract: A liquid product (4) leaving a furnace (2) is introduced into a series of cyclone separators (5, 6, 7). The liquid product to be vaporized is introduced tangentially into the top portion (5a, 6a, 7a) of each cyclone to place the product into contact with a side wall (5b, 6b, 7b) of the cyclone. A gaseous phase (11, 12, 13) formed in each cyclone is collected in the central zone (8, 9, 10) of the cyclone and is then introduced into a vacuum distillation column (3). The liquid phase obtained in each cyclone is collected at the bottom (5c, 6c, 7c) of the cyclone and then is introduced tangentially into the top (6a, 7a) of the following cyclone or, in the case of the last cyclone, is introduced directly into the vacuum distillation column (3). The side wall (5b, 6b, 7b) of each cyclone (5, 6, 7) is heated to a temperature near the maximum temperature allowable for avoiding all thermal deterioration of the product.

Abstract: Improved product stripping in a catalytic hydrodesulfurization (CHD) product stream is obtained by employing off-gas from the unit as a stripping medium. The compressed off-gas is introduced into the stripper below the stripper feed level. The stripper may be operated at pressures higher than those previously employed in CHD product strippers and this permits LPG recovery to be maximized with lower product sulfur levels and reduced load in the off-gas compressor.

Abstract: A process for substantially neutralizing the volatile acid gases and water present in the condensate of a distilling pertroleum product which comprises treating the distilling product prior to the condensation thereof with at least one amine having a boiling point below 95.degree. C.

Abstract: A stripping column is comprised of one or more mixing channels situated in parallel arrangement, each channel in the form of a zigzag strip through which liquid cascades in a series of falls alternating with a corresponding series of pools. Simultaneously, vapor travels upwardly in a counter-current manner, intimately mixing with the liquid when forced through each successive pool. The column is especially useful in separating alcohol from fermented mash. The column is preferably employed with three other identical columns in a parallelogram structure to make a distillation unit of greater efficiency and capacity.

Abstract: An improved distillation process and apparatus are provided whereby liquid product recovery other than bottom product is maximized and feed stream heating is minimized. Inert gas streams combined with the feed stream and introduced into the distillation tower are controlled whereby feed stream heater residence time and partial pressures of feed stream components are minimized. The temperature of the combined inert gas-feed stream exiting the feed stream heater is controlled at a minimum temperature by establishing signals representative of overflash, bottom product specification and other conditions and comparing such signals whereby the signal which represents the lowest heater outlet temperature is utilized for controlling the heater operation.

Abstract: In a combination solvent extraction-steam distillation process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons, the improvement comprising(a) introducing high pressure steam into a steam ejector;(b) passing the steam from step (a) to a first heat exchanger where it exchanges heat with cooler lean solvent coming from the bottom of the distillation column and is condensed;(c) returning the lean solvent from step (b) to the bottom of the distillation column;(d) passing part of the condensate from step (b) to a second heat exchanger where it exchanges heat with the warmer lean solvent coming from the bottom of the distillation column, cooling the lean solvent and vaporizing the condensate; and(e) passing the vapor from step (d) to the steam ejector in step (a).

Abstract: A more effective and efficient method for separating the components of crude oil, particularly off-gases and LSR naphtha and heavy naphtha, is disclosed. The crude oil is heated and fed to a prefractionator that operates at relatively high pressure and uses a multiple condenser/accumulator overhead system for collecting and separating off-gases and LSR naphtha while avoiding the problems of water condensation in the top section of the prefractionator and the need to compress overhead vapors to fuel gas system pressure. After heating, the bottoms from the prefractionator are fed to an atmospheric crude tower to recover desirable components such as diesel, kerosene, atmospheric gas oils and reduced crude. The overheads of such crude tower are processed through a set of overhead condensers/accumulators for collecting the small amounts of naphtha and sending them to a naphtha stripper column for further recovery and purification.

Abstract: In a steam distillation process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons wherein there is (i) a primary flash zone at the top of the distillation zone in which rich solvent is flashed and/or (ii) provision for the removal of side cut distillate vapors from about the middle of the distillation zone, the improvement comprising (a) heat exchanging flashed rich solvent vapors or side-cut distillate vapors with stripping water to provide stripping water vapors and stripping water at at least about the boiling point of water; (b) passing the stripping water vapors from step (a) to a steam ejector; (c) passing the stripping water from step (a) to a motive steam generator wherein the stripping water is vaporized under pressure; (d) passing the stripping water vapors from step (c) to the steam ejector referred to in step (b); and (e) passing the stripping water vapors, introduced into the steam ejector in accordance with steps (b) and (d), to the lower half of the distillation zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for distillation of hydrocarbon oil subject to coking threshold temperature limits. A hydrocarbon oil is heated to a first predetermined maximum temperature above which coking is likely to occur. The heated hydrocarbon oil is introduced into a first distillation zone, wherein the heated hydrocarbon oil is separated into a liquid portion and a vapor portion. The descending liquid portion is withdrawn from the bottom region of the first distillation zone, and the withdrawn liquid is reheated to a second predetermined maximum temperature, above which coking is likely to occur in the return heater line. Finally, the heated withdrawn liquid is returned to a second distillation zone, wherein a second separation occurs to achieve increased valuable products recovery. A divider arrangement maintains the first and second distillation zones physically separate from each other.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for the treatment of heavy oil in which a hydrocarbon diluent is subjected to distillation prior to its addition to a heavy oil production stream, to remove at least some of the light components in the diluent that would otherwise vaporize in the treatment process. A distillation unit for use in the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Fractionation method and apparatus are provided, wherein heavy product is withdrawn from a first fractionator and introduced into a second fractionator, which operates in a predetermined moderate pressure range. The withdrawn heavy product is separated into relatively light ends and relatively heavy ends by introducing stripping vapor into a lower section of the second fractionator. A controlled stream of light product quench, including bottoms product from the stripper, is introduced at a predetermined low temperature and a predetermined variable flow rate to the second fractionator to adjust an end point of overhead products exiting therefrom. Second fractionator overhead product is passed into the stripper, and light components from the first fractionator are introduced into the stripper, such that overhead products from the second fractionator strip light ends from the relatively light product components from the first fractionator.

Abstract: This invention deals with a method for deasphalting heavy oils by mixing the oil with a completely miscible solvent at a low treat ratio and then subjecting the resulting one phase mixture to a gaseous antisolvent, such as carbon dioxide, to separate the mixture into two phases. The upper phase contains the majority of the miscible solvent and the product oil containing a significantly lower CCN then did the feedstock.