Abstract: A process comprising creating an immiscible mixture by combining (a) a hydrocarbon feedstock containing contaminants and (b) a wash water, to create the immiscible mixture with at least three distinct layers: a hydrocarbon layer, a rag layer, and a brine layer. In this process a portion of the contaminants are removed from the hydrocarbon mixture where are then transferred to the brine layer. The brine layer is then separated from the immiscible mixture. In this process an alkalinity modifier is added in the process to reduce the emulsions in the immiscible mixture to create the at least three distinct layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a rag layer in a gas oil separation plant. The method includes withdrawing the rag layer from a vessel proximate an oil water interface, conveying the rag layer to a separation device, and recycling separated oil from the separation device back to the gas oil separation plant process.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water/oil (W/O) emulsions is described which includes the addition of an ionic liquid, under heating, to a water/oil emulsion containing between 0.5% and 85% of water per volume as a dispersion phase, until the concentration of the ionic liquid in the emulsion remains within the range of 0.01 ?L/g to 100 ?L/g. The ionic liquid used is a salt of a general C+ A? formula in a liquid state at temperatures below 150° C., where A? is an anion and C+ is a cation, which has at least a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a cation group. The heating method includes conventional heating and heating via microwaves. In the heating via microwaves, the salts of the general C+ A? formula present synergic behavior in separation efficiency in relation to conventional heating.

Abstract: The method separates emulsions derived from whole-cell biotransformations, including stable emulsions derived from typical biocatalytic two-phase processes that result with such a biotransformation. A supercritical extraction to obtain the valuable product can follow directly, because of the use of compressed or supercritical gas as the separation agent. It is unimportant whether the valuable product is present in the aqueous or the organic phase. Recycling of the organic phase is possible, since the surfactant cell components decisively responsible for the formation of the stable emulsion can be separated off via sedimentation, because of the treatment. The achieved separation remains in existence even after the gas has gassed out, so that aside from extraction, other methods for product isolation can also follow, if necessary.

Abstract: A method of separating includes mixing a fluid into a mixture that has been separated from an oil well stream and that includes water, oil, and gas. The mixture including the fluid is fed into a separator and allowed to separate into a water phase and an oil/fluid phase. The cleaned water phase is removed from the separator via an outlet for water. The oil/fluid phase is subjected to a separation step separating the oil/fluid into an oil phase and a gaseous phase, from which gaseous phase the fluid is recovered by a condensation step and recycled for injection into the mixture. The separator is a liquid-liquid/gas separator in which the pressure is in the range of 0.5 bar to 25 bar, while the mixture including the fluid is separated into the water phase and an oil/gas phase.

Abstract: A system and method for a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of acetic anhydride as a reactor device is shown to be capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the process. A system for the production of acetic anhydride including the mixing of catalyst and acetic acid via a high shear device.

Abstract: A method for producing nitrobenzene is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising benzene-containing droplets or particles dispersed in a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid, wherein said particles have a mean diameter less than one micron, and subjecting the dispersion to reaction conditions comprising a pressure in the range of about 203 kPa (2 atm) to about 6080 kPa (60 atm) and a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C., whereby at least a portion of said benzene is nitrated to form nitrobenzene. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing aniline or toluenediamine is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid medium comprising either nitrobenzene or dinitrotoluene, wherein the hydrogen gas bubbles have a mean diameter less than 1 micron; and subjecting the dispersion to hydrogenation reaction promoting conditions comprising pressure less than about 600 kPa and temperature less than about 200° C., whereby at least a portion of the nitrobenzene or dinitrotoluene is hydrogenated to form aniline or toluenediamine, respectively. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing polyvinyl chloride which includes mixing a vinyl chloride solution with an initiator solution in at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one rotor/stator set producing a rotor tip speed of at least 5.1 m/sec (1000 ft/min), to form a polymerization mixture; and allowing the mixture to polymerize by free radical polymerization to form polyvinyl chloride. The polymerization mixture may be subjected to free radical polymerization conditions comprising a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C. In some embodiments, the high shear mixing device produces a shear rate of at least 20,000 s?1. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of linear alkylbenzenes are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and mixing of one or more olefins (e.g. propylene) with an aromatic. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time with existing catalysts.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a sour gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide by oxidizing hydrogen sulfide in a converter by contacting the sour gas stream with an aqueous catalytic solution, thereby producing a desulfurized gas stream and a liquid stream comprising reduced catalyst and elemental sulfur, introducing an oxidant and the liquid stream comprising reduced catalyst and elemental sulfur into a high shear device and producing a dispersion wherein the mean bubble diameter of the oxidant gas in the dispersion is less than about 5 ?m, introducing the dispersion into a vessel from which a sulfur-containing slurry is removed and a regenerated catalyst stream is removed, wherein the sulfur slurry comprises elemental sulfur and aqueous liquid, and recycling at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst stream to the converter. A system of apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: Reversibly switchable negatively charged surfactants are provided. The anionic surfactant is formed in aqueous solution by providing an absence of CO2 and is converted to a non-surfactant neutral state through exposure to CO2. The anionic switchable surfactants are useful to stabilize emulsions. In the neutral state they are useful to separate immiscible liquids. The surfactants find uses in polymerization, the oil industry, remediation of oil-contaminated soil and recapture of oil contaminant, and formation of solid particles such as plastics and nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of oil and water, in particular through the action of a polymeric material on oil/water emulsions (including oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions).

Abstract: The invention includes a method for demulsification of water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, and mixtures of water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions by oscillatory mixing of the emulsions.

Abstract: Cross-flow microchannel apparatus for producing emulsions includes a pump 9 and a pump 11 which are driven to respectively supply a continuous phase to a concave portion 4 via a supply pipe 10, a supply hole 6 and a supply port 18 and a dispersed phase to a space between the outside of a base 3 and the inside of a concave portion 2 formed in a case 1 via a supply pipe 12 and a supply hole 7. Then, by applying a predetermined pressure to the dispersed phase, the dispersed phase is formed into fine particles via a microchannels 21 and mixed with the continuous phase, thereby forming emulsions. The emulsions are withdrawn to a tank and so on via a withdrawal port 19, a withdrawal hole 8, and a withdrawal pipe 13 for emulsions.

Abstract: A process for the continuous coagulation of aqueous dispersions of graft rubbers suitable for toughening thermoplastics is described. In the process, dispersions are transported through an apparatus having at least one shear element with a slotted stator and a rotating of the rotor within the stator, so that said dispersions are passed radially from the inside to the outside as a result of the rotation of the rotor in the shear element and, during or after passage through the slots of the rotor and stator, are subjected to such strong shearing that they coagulate, resulting in graft rubber coagulums which can be readily worked up even at a solids content of more than 50% by weight of elastomers.

Abstract: A system and method of use thereof for separating commingled heavier and lighter components of a liquid stream, employing a vessel having a liquid inlet, a lighter component outlet communicating with an interior upper portion of the vessel and a heavier component outlet communicating with an interior lower portion of the vessel, a distribution conduit positioned within the vessel in communication with the liquid inlet and having a plurality of spaced apart small diameter openings through which liquid is discharged as small streams and at least one momentum attenuator supported within the vessel adjacent the distribution conduit and configured to intercept the small streams to dissipate the kinetic energies thereof.

Abstract: An efficient method of separating a first material from a second material in a fluid mixture is provided. The fluid mixture of interest is caused to flow through two different sonic wave fields. In one field, the sonic waves travel in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid mixture. In the other field, the sonic waves travel in a direction parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid mixture. The overall effect of the sonic waves in these two fields is to irreversibly break any molecular bonding between a substantial portion of a first material and a second material in the fluid mixture. In one embodiment, the perpendicular-directed sonic waves are cavitation waves and the parallel-directed sonic waves are standing waves.