Abstract: A process and system for converting a high-pour-point organic feedstock to an upgraded product that exhibits good low-temperature properties (cloud point, pour point, and viscosity) and improved transportability. The high-efficiency process includes a continuous-flow, high-rate hydrothermal reactor system and integrated separation systems that result in low complexity, small footprint, high energy efficiency, and high yields of high-quality upgraded product. The system is specifically desirable for use in converting waxy feedstocks, such as yellow and black wax petroleum crudes and wax from the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process, into upgraded crude that exhibits a high diesel fraction and, correspondingly, low vacuum gas oil (VGO) fraction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process and system for treating a feed diluent to produce a retentate product that is enriched in a heavy diluent component. The process includes: applying the feed diluent to a feed side of an organic solvent nanofiltration membrane; causing the light diluent component in the diluent to preferentially pass through the membrane in comparison to the light diluent component in the feed diluent; and producing the retentate product that is enriched in the heavy diluent component in comparison to the heavy diluent component in the feed diluent.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. One process provides for operation of a bitumen froth treatment plant at optimum shear rates in the feed pipe carrying the bitumen froth to the froth settling unit. Another process provides for optimizing the design of a bitumen froth treatment plant by optimizing the diameter of the feed pipe to impart an optimum shear rate to the bitumen froth mixture and further optimizing the volume of the feed pipe to impart an optimum residence time for the bitumen froth stream in the feed pipe. An optimal plant design is also disclosed, the plant including optimal diameter and volume of the feed pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-powered method for conversion of disposable hydrocarbons into diesel and heating oil fuels and conversion of biomass into biodiesel fuel. The method is operated using a feedstock tank, a preparation tank for first stage warming of the feedstock, a first heat exchanger to separate out water as steam and light ends, a stack to vent steam to the atmosphere, a second heat extension to raise the temperature to the necessary for processing the feedstock in a cracking kettle, a fume incinerator burning the light ends to generate heat for the first and second heat exchangers, a distillation column to process the gases from the cracking kettle, a condenser to convert gas to liquid #2 diesel fuel, a filter and chiller unit and storage tanks to hold the fuels and residuals. The method uses retained heat in the residuals to preheat the feedstock to save energy.

Abstract: The current invention provides an improved petroleum coking process wherein the risk of silicone poisoning of units downstream of the coke drums is eliminated. The method of the current invention controls the foam layer within the coke drum by injection of a non-silicone anti-foam agent, preferably a tire oil. In another embodiment, the current invention provides a controlled foaming method which increases the liquid production from the coke drum. In the controlled foaming method, an anti-foam agent is cyclically injected into the drum early in the coke drum fill cycle. The cyclic injections manage the foam layer without inducing the induction phase in the coke feedstock, thereby increasing the total volume of feedstock received by the coke drum.

Abstract: In solvent-assisted bitumen extraction, a native marker, for example: sulfur, nickel, vanadium, iron copper, or manganese, is used to control the solvent to bitumen ratio in a process stream such as a stream from a froth separation unit (FSU) and/or to measure hydrocarbon loss in a tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of providing water management and utilization during the process of dewatering and retorting of oil shale. More specifically, the process described relates to co-producing potable and non-potable water, for various uses, during the extraction of petroleum from shale oil deposits. Generally, the process allows the production of multiple streams of waters or varying salinity and pressures at least one of which is of high enough pressure for reinsertion into geological formations or reservoirs, and another which may supply a potable water source. In one embodiment, the high pressure required for reinserting the non-potable water into geological formation or reservoirs may be utilized for producing the potable water supply. In another embodiment, the non-potable water supply may also be used for entraining and sequestering undesired emissions, such as CO2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the outflow amount for each component of the effluent of a coal liquefying reactor consisting of vessel type reactors (16a, 16b, 16c) operated under a high temperature and a high pressure. The outflow amount for each component of the effluent is assumed, and the gas-liquid equilibrium composition of the mixture of the composition within the reaction vessel is calculated. Further, the volume flow rates of the gaseous phase and the liquid phase within the reaction vessel are calculated, and the residence time (&tgr;1G, &tgr;2G, &tgr;3G), (&tgr;1S, &tgr;2S, &tgr;3S) of each of the gaseous phase and the liquid phase is calculated on the basis of the gas hold-up within the reaction vessel calculated on the basis of the volume flow rate and the empirical formula. The outflow amount for each component of the effluent is calculated on the basis of the residence time (&tgr;1, &tgr;, . . .

Abstract: The invention concerns a coal tar extract with reduced polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content and a method for obtaining same using two sequentially linked distillation systems. The invention also concerns cosmetic and dermatological preparations containing said resulting coal tar extract.

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: 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: The method and associated apparatus for recovering fractions from hydrocarbon material, comprising the steps of generating electromagnetic energy generally in the frequency range of from about 300 megahertz to about 300 gigahertz, in accordance with the lossiness of the material, transmitting the generated electromagnetic energy to the hydrocarbon material, sensing the temperature of the hydrocarbon material, varying the electromagnetic energy in accordance with the sensed temperature, exposing the hydrocarbon material to the electromagnetic energy for a sufficient period of time to sequentially separate the hydrocarbon material into fractions, and removing the resulting fractions.

Abstract: The hot water process is controlled in response to viscosity measurements taken in situ in the middlings in the primary separation vessel. The viscosity in the middlings is found to vary. Therefore, the layer of maximum viscosity is located and the viscosity at this depth is monitored. Adjustments are made to the process to keep this maximum viscosity below a pre-determined limit.