Abstract: This invention relates to a surfactant composition, production and use thereof in tertiary oil recovery. The present surfactant composition comprises a cationic surfactant and an anionic-nonionic surfactant, and exhibits significantly improved interfacial activity and stability as compared with the prior art. With the present surfactant composition, a flooding fluid composition for tertiary oil recovery with improved oil displacement efficiency and oil washing capability as compared with the prior art could be produced.

Abstract: Devices and methods to extract a desired product from organic matter using supercritical fluid extraction processes are described herein. The extraction vessel generally includes a reaction chamber, a water jacket affixed to the reaction chamber capable of separate pressurization, and a closure mechanism with a gasket, a plug, and a cap ring with ACME threading. The extraction vessel may be sealed by hand closure without a need for additional tools to create a seal able to withstand pressures up to 5,000 psi.

Abstract: A modular quality improvement process and quality improvement system for high density coal measures oil shale. The process comprises: performing separation on the material with a particle size larger than 13 mm by an air dense medium fluidized bed, performing separation on the material with a particle size equal to or less than 13 mm and larger than 6 mm by an air dense medium fluidized bed, performing separation on the material with a particle size equal to or less than 6 mm and larger than 3 mm by a vibrated dense medium fluidized bed, and performing separation on the material with a particle size equal to or less than 3 mm by a vibrated fluidized bed, and recovery of a medium by magnetic separation for use as a circulating medium.

Abstract: A process for removing at least one contaminant from coal tar is described. The process involves extraction with an extraction agent or adsorption with an adsorbent. The extraction agent includes at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, inclusion complexes of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent includes exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.

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: The one-step hydrolysis of diverse biomaterials including coal, cellulose materials such as lumber and forestry waste, non-food crop waste, lignin, vegetable oils, animal fats and other source materials used for biofuels under mild processing conditions which results in the formation of a liquid fuel product along with the recovery of a high purity CO2 product is provided.

Abstract: Methods for extracting bitumen from bituminous material through the use of a polar solvent. The method may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from a material comprising bitumen and produces first solvent-wet tailings. A polar solvent is added to the first solvent-wet tailings in order to remove the first solvent (plus any entrained bitumen) from the tailings. A mixture of polar solvent and first solvent produced by the addition of the polar solvent to the first solvent-wet tailings may be phase separated by maintaining the polar solvent-first solvent mixture for a period of time. Alternatively, the polar solvent and first solvent may leave the tailings in a phase separated state. Phase separation may occur due to the presence of water in the polar solvent-first solvent mixture. Water may also be added to the mixture of solvents to serve as an antisolvent and initiate phase separation. The separated solvents may then be recovered and reused in the method.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon-extracting solvent containing DMSO, Cellosolve, or a mixture thereof; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the hydrocarbon-extracting solvent to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the hydrocarbon-extracting solvent; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are novel compositions and methods having application in the field of enhanced oil recovery. In particular, the quaternary ammonium compounds and mixtures thereof presented herein can be used, inter alia, for the recovery of a large range of crude oil compositions from challenging reservoirs.

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: Disclosed is a method of retorting an oil sands or oil scale material to recover the hydrocarbon values therein in the form of crude oil products. Dried crushed material is directed to a retort unit in which the material is heated in the present of a catalyst to generate a gas byproduct containing the desired hydrocarbon values and a solid byproduct containing carbon. The gas byproduct is treated in a condenser to cool the gas to recover desired crude oil products. The solids byproduct is calcined in a heated gas after which the calcined solids byproduct is separated from the heated gas.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon products from waste tailings of a froth flotation unit and a paraffinic froth treatment process are provided. Bitumen and asphaltenes from the waste tailings are extracted using a serial addition of an aromatic solvent, followed by a polar-non-polar solvent. The method and system divert valuable hydrocarbons from tailings ponds. The hydrocarbon product can be used as a coating material or an emulsion fuel, for example.

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 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 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: The present invention provides a method of converting coal to a petroleum product. The method includes the steps of mixing the coal and water to form a mixture, and heating the mixture to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The method further includes separating the mixture in a first separator into a liquid stream of a water bearing minerals and a solid stream of coal, and transferring the coal from the first separator to a coking reactor wherein the temperature is raised to approximately 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to drive off lighter fractions of the coal as a gas. The method also includes transferring the gas to a fourth separator to separate water and liquid petroleum product from the gas.

Abstract: A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen.

Abstract: A method of treating a coal-derived liquid byproduct from a coal gasification process includes subjecting the coal-derived liquid to a vacuum distillation process, thereby separating the coal-derived liquid into condensed gas and coal-derived liquid bottoms. The coal-derived liquid bottoms are mixed with a bottoms solvent capable of dissolving the coal-derived liquid bottoms. The solvent/bottoms mixture is introduced along with a linear chain hydrocarbon solvent into a liquid extractor. The Raffinate is separated from the solvent for the coal-derived liquid/bottoms mixture, thereby producing in a heavy extract. The condensed gas is subjected to atmospheric distillation producing a bottoms fraction and another condensed fraction. The bottoms fraction may be used as fuel or for diesel fuel production. The condensed fraction is extracted with a linear hydrocarbon solvent in an extractor to produce light neutral oil and a Raffinate which is a cresylic acid feed stock.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction and obtaining a mesophase pitch. A method of obtaining a quinolone insoluble-free and ash-free mesophase pitch may include exposing a coal to a hydrogenated vegetable oil in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract that is quinoline insoluble-free, and distilling the coal extract under vacuum to obtain a mesophase pitch with a softening point in the range of 25 degrees Celsius to 160 degrees Celsius, wherein the mesophase pitch can be coked to obtain an anisotropic coke.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a hydrogenated vegetable oil. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a hydrogenated vegetable oil in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a rubber material. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a rubber material in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a sewage material. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a sewage material in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.

Abstract: A method for chemically-upgrading shale-bound kerogen comprises contacting shale-bound kerogen comprising carbon-carbon double bonds with a quantity of alkene species in the presence of an olefin metathesis catalyst. A catalyzed metathetical reaction occurs between the shale-bound kerogen and the alkene species and smaller kerogen-derived molecular species are formed. The smaller kerogen-derived molecular species are recovered.

Abstract: A method for the production of a carbon material from the extraction of coal, comprising forming a mixture of coal, a solvent and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tin, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, thorium, selenium, tellurium, polonium, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, the catalytically-active compounds and coordination compounds containing any of the foregoing, and combinations and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for partially upgraded heavy oil diluent production. A crude heavy oil and/or bitumen feed is supplied to an FCC unit having a low activity catalyst and low conversion number. A distillate fraction is supplied for use as diluent to end users. The distillate fraction and FCC unit gas oil products can be supplied to a hydrotreater for upgrading and collected as a synthetic crude product stream. An asphaltene fraction can be supplied to a gasifier for the recovery of power, steam and hydrogen, which can be supplied to the hydrotreater or otherwise within the process or exported.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coal chemical processing, and particularly to a thermal dissolution catalysis method for preparing liquid fuel from lignite. The method comprises steps of: 1) crushing and drying lignite into coal powder; 2) stirring and mixing coal powder, a solvent and a catalyst sufficiently to form coal slurry, wherein there are 30-40% mass of coal powder, 60-70% mass of solvent, and 0.5-1% mass of catalyst relative to coal powder mass; 3) subjecting the coal slurry to thermal dissolution catalysis reaction to obtain thermal dissolution liquefied product, wherein the reaction is carried out for 30-60 minutes at a temperature 390-450° C. under a pressure 5.0-9.0 MPa; 4) separating the thermal dissolution liquefied product into gas, liquid and solid phases; and 5) upgrading the liquid product into liquid fuel. The present invention further discloses a catalyst and a solvent for use in the above method.

Abstract: There is provided a process for removing oil from particulate matter comprising mixing an aqueous slurry of the particulate matter with at least one stream of water applied at a pressure of from 0.5 to 100 Mpa, wherein the one or more high pressure water streams expand adiabatically when mixed with the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A catalytic process is disclosed for converting solid or high viscosity carbon-based energy carrier materials, such as heavy crudes, oil sands, synthetic polymeric wastes and cellulosic or aquatic biomass. The conversion temperature is less than 450° C. The reaction products are separated from the catalyst within 10 seconds after being formed. The temperature of the reaction products is lowered to less than 200° C. within 10 seconds after being formed. The process results in less deterioration of the reaction products.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbons are upgraded more efficiently to lighter, more valuable, hydrocarbons with lower amounts of solid carbonaceous by-products in supercritical water using two heating stages, the first stage at a temperature up to about 775K and the second stage at a temperature from about 870K to about 1075K. The temperature is preferably raised from the first temperature to the second temperature by internal combustion using oxygen.

Abstract: This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for recovering and/or cleaning residual or waste petroleum products such as sludge accumulated within a storage tank or upon process equipment surfaces, or from inorganic materials such as sand or clay, and the like. The system and process include a negatively charged aqueous-based dispersion fluid, which is contacted with the petroleum product under controlled relatively high pressure and high shear conditions for fluidizing hydrocarbon molecules and for preventing such molecules from adherence to process equipment surfaces, or contaminants such as sand or clay. Additional mechanical separation as by subjecting the mixed petroleum product and dispersion fluid slurry to sonic vibration may also be employed. The thus-fluidized slurry of petroleum products, dispersion fluid, and inorganic materials can be separated by conventional techniques, as by settling and/or flotation, for further individual processing and/or re-use.

Abstract: A method for chemically-upgrading shale-bound kerogen comprises contacting shale-bound kerogen comprising carbon-carbon double bonds with a quantity of alkene species in the presence of an olefin metathesis catalyst. A catalyzed metathetical reaction occurs between the shale-bound kerogen and the alkene species and smaller kerogen-derived molecular species are formed. The smaller kerogen-derived molecular species are recovered.

Abstract: Bitumen extraction done using a process comprising: (a) preparing a bitumen froth comprising particulate mineral solids and hydrocarbons dispersed in aqueous lamella in the form of an emulsion; (b) adding a sufficient amount of a paraffinic solvent to the froth to induce inversion of the emulsion and precipitate asphaltenes from the resultant hydrocarbon phase; (c) mixing the froth and the solvent for a sufficient time to dissolve the solvent into the hydrocarbon phase to precipitate asphaltenes; and (d) subjecting the mixture to gravity or centrifugal separation for a sufficient period to separate substantially all of the water and solids and a substantial portion of the asphaltenes from the bitumen; wherein a separation enhancing additive is present in the process. The separation enhancing additive is a polymeric surfactant that has multiple lipophilic and hydrophilic moieties, which can effect easier handling of asphaltene sludges and less foaming during solvent recovery.

Abstract: A drilling fluid for use in high oil viscosity formations containing tar, sand and oil entrained therein. The drilling fluid can be comprised of a polymer in an amount from between 0.05% and 5% by volume, a solvent in an amount from between 1% and 20% by volume and de-emulsifier in an amount from between 0.05% and 10% by volume.

Abstract: A process for converting oil shale into petroleum is disclosed. The process includes the steps of pulverizing oil shale to produce pulverized oil shale and then preparing a mixture of pulverized oil shale, water and ethyl alcohol in a sealed vessel. The mixture in the sealed vessel is then heated to a temperature of at least about 465° F. for a period of time which is sufficient to cause the oil shale and ethyl alcohol to combine to produce a second mixture of petroleum and water. The water is then separated from the petroleum.

Abstract: A process for the selective extraction of desired compounds from solid materials, and more particularly, a process for oil extraction from oil-bearing materials with a hydrocarbon solvent composition is provided. The method includes contacting the oil-containing solids with a particular type of hydrocarbon solvent to form an extraction mixture.

Abstract: A method for selecting an emulsifier for isolating free hydrocarbons in a given drilling system and a method of using the emulsifiers to treat drill cuttings to isolate free hydrocarbons, including bitumen.

Abstract: A process for converting oil shale into petroleum is disclosed. The process includes the steps of pulverizing oil shale to produce pulverized oil shale and then preparing a mixture of pulverized oil shale, water and ethyl alcohol in a sealed vessel. The mixture in the sealed vessel is then heated to a temperature of at least about 465° F. for a period of time which is sufficient to cause the oil shale and ethyl alcohol to combine to produce a second mixture of petroleum and water. The water is then separated from the petroleum.

Abstract: A method for treating hydrocarbonaceous deposits to recover a petroleum-like hydrocarbon portion and a cleaned particulate substrate portion. Hydrocarbonaceous ore containing bitumen and/or kerogen is crushed or otherwise comminuted to the particle size of sand or smaller. The comminuted ore is mixed with water to form a slurry, is heated to between 60° C. and 100° C., and is blended with an oxidant in aqueous solution, preferably hydrogen peroxide. Both free interstitial hydrocarbons and those hydrocarbons bound electrostatically to the surfaces of clay-like particles in the ore are released from the rock substrate in a putative electrophysical reaction in the presence of the oxidant. Some of the released bituminous and kerogenic compounds are then controllably cleaved by the oxidant in a limited Fenton's reaction to yield organic compounds having lower average molecular weights which are suitable for refining as oil after separation from the process water phase and the residual rock substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for transforming aromatic organic compounds and resource materials. The process includes the steps of contacting an organic material selected from the group consisting of single and/or multi-ring aromatic compounds and alkylaromatic compounds, and their heteroatom-containing analogues, crude oil, petroleum, petrochemical streams, coals, shales, coal liquids, shale oils, heavy oils and bitumens with a microorganism or enzymes in order to hydroxylate the organic material, followed by contacting the hydroxylated organic resource material so as to cause hydrogenation and/or hydrogenolysis on the material.

Abstract: A method of removing hydrocarbons from soils contaminated with various hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel fuel, solvents, motor oil and crude oil. The process first screens the soil to remove oversized rocks and debris and to reduce the contaminated soil to uniformly sized particles. The soil particles are moved along a conveyor and first sprayed with an oxidizer diluted with ionized water and then sprayed with only ionized water. The washed particles are then vigorously mixed with their entrained oxidizer and ionized water in an auger mixer for several minutes to oxidize almost all of the remaining hydrocarbons. The washed and hydrocarbon-free soil is then moved by conveyor to a stockpile for storage, testing and drying.

Abstract: A method for producing synthetical oils and storable products of calorific energy, by co-processing waste rubber materials, especially waste tires, and coal optionally in the presence of a material containing Fe as a catalyst, comprising the steps of mixing triturated waste rubber material having a particle size of preferredly 1-5 mm, and coal having particle sizes of 0.2-1 mm, and, when used, the catalyst having a referred particle size of 0.05-0.015 mm, until obtaining a mixture, heating the mixture in a reactor to a temperature between 300.degree. C. and 500.degree. C., during 3-180 minutes, at a pressure between atmospheric pressure and 10 MPa, to enable a processing step basically consisting of a pyrolysis/hydropyrolysis. During the processing step, there is a generation of gases containing approximately 50% CO and CO.sub.2, and approximately another 50% by volume of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, and having a calorific energy between 6000 and 8000 kcal/Nm.sup.

Abstract: Described is a process for the production of depolymerized natural rubber, which makes it possible to obtain, at high reaction efficiency, of depolymerized natural rubber in the liquid form and having a narrow molecular weight distribution; and also a process for the production of depolymerized natural rubber which is free from odor or coloring peculiar to natural rubber and is also free from the danger of immediate allergy derived from protein.The process according to the present invention comprises adding a carbonyl compound to a natural rubber latex, and then subjecting the resulting natural rubber to air oxidation in the presence of a radical forming agent or adding a carbonyl compound to the latex of deproteinized natural rubber and then subjecting the deproteinized natural rubber to air oxidation optionally in the presence of a radical forming agent.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing composite materials, particularly roofing materials including asphalt and solid components to recover asphalt and the solid components. The process includes the steps of: agitating the materials with a solvent, preferably a terpene, to form a hydrocarbon/solvent mixture; heating the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture to vaporize the solvent; recovering the hydrocarbons; and recovering the solvent as a liquid by condensing the solvent vapor. The apparatus includes a composite materials washer for holding the composite materials and a solvent; means for agitating the composite materials washer to dissolve the hydrocarbons in the solvent; and a separator for vaporizing the solvent in the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture and recovering the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of solid carbonaceous materials, such as coal, to liquid products using one or more polyoxoanions selected from those represented by:[(C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1).sub.4 N].sub.a M.sub.b O.sub.c H.sub.d, where n=1 to 8, a=2 to 6, b=2 to 12, c=7 and M is a metal selected from Groups VB and VIB of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: A process is described for hydrotreating a heavy hydrocarbon oil containing a substantial portion of material which boils above 524.degree. C. to form lower boiling materials, which comprises adding to the heavy hydrocarbon oil as solvent a paraffinic, isoparaffinic or cyclic paraffinic hydrocarbon which is also hydrogen-rich and has a critical temperature of less than 500.degree. C. to thereby form a diluted feedstock mixture and subjecting said feedstock mixture to hydrotreating in the presence of activated carbon catalyst at a temperature and pressure substantially at or greater than the critical temperature and pressure of the solvent.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hard acids and soft bases used to decompose coal in which finely divided coal particles are contacted with a hard acid in the presence of a soft base at temperatures of from 0.degree. to 100.degree. C., said hard acid being characterized by a heat of reaction with dimethylsulfide of from 10 kcal/mol to 30 kcal/mol and said soft base being characterized by a heat of reaction with boron trifluoride of from 10 kcal/mol to 17 kcal/mol, followed by extracting the decomposed coal to remove said hard acid and soft base wherein the improvement comprises performing said extraction at a temperature of about 0.degree. to about 50.degree. C. using dimethylcarbonate as the extraction solvent.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hard acids and soft bases used to decompose coal in which finely divided coal particles are contacted with a hard acid in the presence of a soft base at temperatures of from 0.degree. to 100.degree. C., said hard acid being characterized by a heat of reaction with dimethylsulfide of from 10 kcal/mol to 30 kcal/mol and said soft base being characterized by a heat of reaction with boron trifluoride of from 10 kcal/mol to 17 kcal/mol, followed by extracting the decomposed coal to remove said hard acid and soft base wherein the improvement comprises performing said extraction at a temperature of about 0.degree. to about 50.degree. C. using dimethylsulfide as the extraction solvent, and wherein following said dimethylcarbonate extraction, said decomposed coal is extracted with water at a temperature of from about 60.degree. to 275.degree. C.