Abstract: An alkylation process including an upfront isomerization zone is described. 100% n-butane or field butanes can be converted into a blend of approximately 60 wt % isobutane and 40 wt % n-butane in the isomerization zone. This blend can be used as the feed to all types of alkylation zones. It stabilizes the feed composition so that the dehydrogenation zone and alkylation zone always operate with the same feed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mixing a catalyst precursor with a heavy oil feedstock preparatory to hydroprocessing the heavy oil feedstock in a reactor to form an upgraded feedstock. Achieving very good dispersion of the catalyst precursor facilitates and maximizes the advantages of the colloidal or molecular hydroprocessing catalyst. A catalyst precursor and a heavy oil feedstock having a viscosity greater than the viscosity of the catalyst precursor are provided. The catalyst precursor is pre-mixed with a hydrocarbon oil diluent, forming a diluted catalyst precursor. The diluted precursor is then mixed with at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock so as to form a catalyst precursor-heavy oil feedstock mixture. Finally, the catalyst precursor-heavy oil feedstock mixture is mixed with any remainder of the heavy oil feedstock, resulting in the catalyst precursor being homogeneously dispersed on a colloidal and/or molecular level within the heavy oil feedstock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting hydrocarbon mixtures that have an increased proportion of hydrocarbons of a medium chain length (8 to 16 carbon atoms), or the corresponding pure compounds. Firstly, a starting material is provided that includes at least 50 wt. % unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds having oxygen. The compounds include olefin fragments of the formula —C1CxH2x—CH?CH—CyH2y+1 with at least 14 carbon atoms, carbon atom (C1) being saturated with substituted or unsubstituted heteroatoms and/or hydrogen. In a conversion reactor, this starting material is brought into contact with a porous catalyst based on carbon, in the absence of oxygen, and at a temperature of between 200 and 800° C.; and a product mixture that contains hydrocarbons is produced containing an increased proportion of hydrocarbons with medium chain lengths. Finally, the product mixture including hydrocarbons is collected and fed to a separating device in which a product separation is carried out.

Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing a substantially free-flowing alkali metal gasification catalyst-loaded carbonaceous particulate suitable for use as a feedstock for the production of gaseous products, and in particular methane, via the catalytic gasification of the catalyst-loaded carbonaceous particulate in the presence of steam.

Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing a substantially free-flowing alkali metal gasification catalyst-loaded coal particulate suitable for use as a feedstock for the production of gaseous products, and in particular methane, via the catalytic gasification of the catalyst-loaded coal particulate in the presence of steam.

Abstract: This invention relates to fuel compositions for use in combustion engines, such as for motor vehicle and aircraft usage. The fuel composition contains at least 99.5% of aromatic hydrocarbons and paraffinic hydrocarbons. The composition also preferably contains no lead, no multi-ring compound (only single ring compounds are present), less than about 15 ppm sulfur, and/or less than about 5 ppm nitrogen species. The resulting fuel is a drop-in fuel that provides clean burning with little to no engine deposit, high lubricity, high stability, and low corrosion.

Abstract: A radiant heat chemical reactor is configured to generate chemical products including synthesis gas products. Two or more tubes in the radiant heat chemical reactor separate an exothermic heat source, such as flames and gas from a regenerative burner, from the endothermic reaction of the reactant gas occurring within the cavity of the refractory vessel. The exothermic heat source heats a space inside the tubes. One or more feed lines supply chemical reactants to the cavity area between an inner wall of the cavity of the refractory vessel of the chemical reactor and the two or more tubes that are internally heated located with the cavity.

Abstract: High power RF energy supplied to a reaction chamber at a resonant frequency is used to break the covalent bonds of a hydrocarbon material without heat. An RF signal generator may be used to supply RF energy to a resonant ring through a four port coupler. The phase of the RF energy passing through the resonant ring may be adjusted to achieve an integral multiple of a resonant wavelength. Wavelength and intensity may be adjusted to sublimate or pyrolyze the hydrocarbon material to yield a useful gaseous product.

Abstract: A process, comprising: a. taking a sample from a continuous alkylation reactor process; b. measuring a content of a halide in the sample; and c. within 45 minutes from the taking a sample, adjusting a flow of a halide containing additive comprising the halide to control a ratio of a yield of an alkylate gasoline and a yield of a middle distillate. Also a process, comprising: a. taking a sample from an effluent of an alkylation reactor in an alkylation reactor process; b. measuring a content of a halide in the sample; and c. in response to the measured content of the halide, adjusting a flow of a halide containing additive to a predetermined range that has been selected to obtain a ratio of a yield of an alkylate gasoline and a yield of a middle distillate from 0.31 to 4.0 in a product from the alkylation reactor.

Abstract: A system and/or process for decreasing the level of at least one organic fluoride present in a hydrocarbon phase contained in an alkylation settler by contacting the hydrocarbon phase with an HF containing stream, containing greater than about 80 wt. % and less than about 94 wt. % HF, in the intermediate portion of the settler which contains at least one tray system, with each tray system comprising a perforated tray defining a plurality of perforations and a layer of packing below the perforated tray, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyst-loaded coal compositions having a moisture content of less than about 6 wt %, a process for the preparation of catalyst-loaded coal compositions, and an integrated process for the gasification of the catalyst-loaded coal compositions. The catalyst-loaded coal compositions can be prepared by a diffusive catalyst loading process that provides for a highly dispersed catalyst that is predominantly associated with the coal matrix, such as by ion-exchange.

Abstract: A two-step method and apparatus for controlling cracking severity in the effluent from a cracking furnace such as an ethylene cracker. The method includes two steps. The first step consists of determining the near infrared spectrum of effluent in-line. The second step consists of changing the temperature and/or residence time of the furnace according to the determination of the first step. The apparatus includes a light source mounted on a conduit for the effluent, a light detector mounted on the opposite side of the conduit from the light source to receive light emitted from the light source, means for sheltering the light source from the effluent, means for sheltering the lights detector from the effluent, means for flowing a fluid past the light source at a higher pressure than the pressure of the effluent; and means for flowing a fluid past the light detector at a higher pressure than the pressure of the effluent.

Abstract: A thermowell assembly and method which allows for arresting leakage in the case a thermowell begins to leak in a hydroprocessing process without having to shut down a flow of a hydrocarbon feed stream through a hydroconversion reaction zone in the hydroprocessing process. The thermowell assembly comprises a first hollow sleeve section which supports a thermowell member, a ferrule sealing member which engages the first hollow sleeve section, a second generally cup-shaped second sleeve section wherethrough a thermocouple member slidably passes, and an outer sleeve member for maintaining the union of the first sleeve section, the ferrule sealing member, and the second sleeve section. The method comprises severing and/or removing the thermocouple member from the commenced-leaking thermowell member and placing a high pressure cap over an aperture left vacant by the thermocouple member to seal-off the leaking thermowell member from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of regulating the concentration of onium in a liquid onium poly(hydrogen fluoride) composition utilized in a hydrogen fluoride catalyzed alkylation reaction for a given level of total airborne hydrogen fluoride is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of regulating the concentration of onium in the liquid onium poly(hydrogen fluoride) composition for a given level of RON. In one embodiment, the liquid onium poly(hydrogen fluoride composition is a mixture including pyridine and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride so as to give a pyridine poly(hydrogen fluoride) composition that is useful as a catalyst in the hydrogen fluoride catalyzed alkylation reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially fail-safe HF alkylation process and reactor apparatus. The elongated reactor vessel is enclosed in a subterranean well casing and an alkylate-containing hydrocarbon layer is maintained above the hydrofluoric acid to prevent release of gaseous HF in the event of sudden depressurization. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon layer contains light hydrocarbons which vaporize upon depressurization to effect Joule-Thompson cooling of the reactor vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially fail-safe HF alkylation process and reactor apparatus. The elongated reactor vessel is enclosed in a well casing and an alkylate-containing hydrocarbon layer is maintained above the hydrofluoric acid to prevent release of gaseous HF in the event of sudden depressurization. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon layer contains light hydrocarbons which vaporize upon depressurization to effect Joule-Thompson cooling of the reactor vessel. A method for storing hazardous liquids and a penetration-resistant storage tank are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering propane product from HF alkylation process that is substantially free of HF acid. The invention allows for the improvement in the operation of an HF alkylation propane stripper by utilizing a bottoms recycle stream.

Abstract: An HF alkylation unit incorporates a source of a proton acceptor additive which may be added to the HF alkylation acid in the event of a release of acid from the unit. The addition of the proton acceptor to the acid alters the character of HF droplets in an HF cloud to make them more easily treated by a simple water drench. The proton acceptor is maintained in a pressurized container in the unit and is connected to the reaction section of the unit by way of additive release valves under the control of an emergency controller which opens the valves and permits the additive to enter the reaction section of the unit and mix with the acid to modify its characteristics. The container may be connected to the major acid-containing process vessels in the unit, specifically the acid settler and the acid cooler (in a gravity flow unit) or the acid settler and the reactor (in a pump-around unit).

Abstract: In an acid alkylation process wherein a fresh isobutane stream is combined with an olefin stream to form a combined isobutane olefin feed stream, a control system maintains a desired ratio of isobutane to olefin in the combined feed stream by manipulating the flow rate of the fresh isobutane stream. In addition, the controller automatically compensates for the effect of changes in the fresh isobutane feed stream by making equal changes in the flow rate of reactor effluent. Thus, the liquid level in the alkylation reactor is unaffected by changes made in the fresh isobutane stream to maintain the desired isobutane to olefin ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating the temperature and pressure of the hydrocarbon phase in an acid settler vessel associated with a catalytic alkylation process and apparatus, wherein the hydrocarbon phase in the acid settler vessel is regulated by controlling the amount of rerun catalyst stream entering the hydrocarbon phase of the acid settler vessel. In response to a detected temperature or pressure of the hydrocarbon phase above a set point, the flow of rerun catalyst stream to the hydrocarbon phase of the acid settler vessel is decreased. This decrease in flow to the hydrocarbon phase may be accompanied by an increase in flow of rerun catalyst vapor to the catalyst phase of the acid settler vessel.

Abstract: A process control technique for upgrading C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbon feed containing olefins to produce heavier liquid hydrocarbons comprising converting a major portion of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 olefins in an oligomerization zone by contacting a shape selective medium pore zeolite catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure to make distillate and olefinic gasoline. The oligomerization stage effluent is fractionated to provide distillate and gasoline product and a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 intermediate stream containing isobutane and unconverted propene and butylene. The C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 intermediate stream is combined under control with a portion of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 feed and further converting the combined streams in an alkylation zone to make heavier paraffinic hydrocarbons. The olefin feed may be produced by catalytically converting methanol or similar oxygenated hydrocarbons in a known process.

Abstract: The method is particularly adapted for controlling the molecular weight of a product output from a polybutene reactor. The method includes the steps of: deriving from the operating parameter of a polybutene reactor system a formula which correlates molecular weight as determined by product viscosity or other parameters of the product output with operating variables such as temperature of the reactor and concentration of isobutylene in the reactor, which concentration can be controlled by the amount of catalyst, e.g.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an olefins upgrading plant wherein catalytic reactor effluent is separated to recover heavy, intermediate and light hydrocarbon streams. An improved liquid recycle system includes a level control technique for diverting a portion of a separator overhead vapor stream. Recycle flow rate may be determined by reactor temperature differential in a series of adiabatic catalytic reactors.

Abstract: An acid alkylation process is controlled so as to maintain a desired ratio of isobutane to olefins in a fluid stream flowing to the alkylation reactor and to maintain a desired acid to hydrocarbon ratio in the alkylation reactor. Also, if parallel alkylation reactors are utilized, the flow rate of the olefin stream to one of the alkylation reactors is manipulated so as to maintain a balanced loading on the parallel alkylation reactors. Such control results in improved quality of the alkylate produced and also improves the amount of alkylate produced from a particular amount of fluid to the alkylation reactor.

Abstract: Normal butane withdrawn from the main fractionator in an acid alkylation process is recycled to the main fractionator as required to insure that the actual alkylate to normal butane ratio in the alkylate product withdrawn from the main fractionator does not go below a desired ratio. Maintenance of the actual ratio at or above the desired ratio substantially minimizes the concentration of isobutane in the alkylate product stream.

Abstract: A continuous process for alkylating an alkylatable hydrocarbon with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid-type catalyst in which the alkylatable hydrocarbon is contacted with the alkylating agent in the presence of the catalyst at a temperature and for a time sufficient to alkylate the alkylatable hydrocarbon, the reaction product is separated into an alkylate product phase and a catalyst phase, containing catalyst-soluble oil, the catalyst phase is cooled to maintain a preselected temperature in the exothermic alkylation zone, the cooled catalyst phase is recycled to the alkylation reaction and a predetermined concentration of catalyst-soluble oil is maintained in the catalyst phase by at least periodically heating an alkylating agent to a temperature above the reaction temperature, contacting the heated alkylating agent with one of the separated recycle catalyst, separated rerun catalyst, fresh catalyst or mixture thereof and combining the resultant reaction product with separated recycle catalyst

Abstract: Utilization of isoparaffin is maximized in an alkylation of isoparaffin with olefin by variously detecting and/or measuring change in amount of hydrocarbon effluent, the alkylation zone and supplying a sufficient amount of olefin to said alkylation zone to keep the amount of hydrocarbon effluent said alkylation zone substantially constant, in one embodiment sensing the level of hydrocarbon in a settling zone in which alkylation zone effluent is settled, said level being representative of the amount of hydrocarbon being formed, and increasing the amount of olefin when effluent the alkylation zone is increasing, and vice versa.

Abstract: A process for virtually complete isomerization of the normal paraffin hydrocarbons contained in a feed stream consisting essentially of mixed normal and non-normal hydrocarbons, wherein the feedstock is first passed through an isomerization reactor and the hydrocarbons in the effluent from the reactor are passed through an adsorption section wherein the normals are adsorbed and the non-normals passed out of the system as an isomerate product. The fresh feed is controllably flow blended with the variable desorption effluent from the adsorber beds containing desorption normals and hydrogen purge gas in order to provide a constant flow of combined feed to the isomerization reactor.

Abstract: A continuous process for the alkylation of an alkylatable hydrocarbon with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid-type catalyst, including; contacting an alkylatable hydrocarbon with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid-type catalyst at a temperature and pressure and for a time sufficient to alkylate the alkylatable hydrocarbon; separating the reaction effluent stream into an alkylate product phase and a catalyst phase containing catalyst-soluble oil; cooling the catalyst phase to a temperature essentially equal to the alkylation reaction temperature; recycling the cooled catalyst phase to the alkylation reaction; contacting a diolefinic hydrocabon with an acid-type catalyst at a temperature and pressure sufficient to form additional catalyst-soluble oil and combining the additional catalyst-soluble oil with the circulating catalyst phase.

Abstract: A method of alkylating an alkylatable hydrocarbon with different alkylating agents, at different reaction temperatures and in a single reaction zone, in which an alkylatable hydrocarbon is contacted with an acid-type catalyst and at different points in an elongated reaction zone, the reaction zone effluent is separated into a hydrocarbon phase and a catalyst recycle phase and the reaction temperatures of the various alkylating agents are maintained at different temperatures by splitting the recycle catalyst phase into an equal number of streams and adjusting the reaction temperatures by adjusting the temperatures of the recycle catalyst phase streams, the relative proportions of the recycle catalyst phase streams or both. A method of starting-up the process and apparatus for conducting the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a fractionation system wherein a stream of heat-containing fluid is taken from a zone effecting at least a partial control of at least one operating condition in said zone by withdrawing said fluid at a rate responsive to and correlated with a change in said condition and utilizing the heat in said withdrawn fluid.

Abstract: The bottom effluent from an isostripper of an HF alkylation system is combined with the bottom effluent consisting essentially of isopentanes and heavier hydrocarbons from a debutanizer column such as to produce an alkylate product stream under the provision that the mixing of the two streams is achieved in response to a signal representing the vapor pressure of the mixed streams.