Abstract: A method for recovering synthetic oils from a feed stream, the method comprising separating at least a portion of the non-synthetic oil constituents from a commingled stream to produce a partially purified synthetic oil stream and one or more contaminant streams. Extracting at least a portion of the synthetic oil from the partially purified synthetic oil stream to produce a synthetic oil stream and a second contaminant stream.

Abstract: A method for recovering synthetic oils from a feed stream, the method comprising separating at least a portion of the non-synthetic oil constituents from a commingled stream to produce a partially purified synthetic oil stream and one or more contaminant streams. Extracting at least a portion of the synthetic nil from the partially purified synthetic oil stream to produce a synthetic oil stream and a second contaminant stream.

Abstract: A gaseous component is extracted non-cryogenically from a feed gas containing condensable hydrocarbons. The feed gas is passed first through a module containing polymeric fibers useful for removing water vapor from the gas. The gas is then passed through a module containing polymeric fibers selected such that they remove some, but not all, of the carbon dioxide in the stream. The gas is then passed through a module containing polymeric fibers selected to remove at least some of the remaining carbon dioxide as well as heavy hydrocarbons, defined as C5 and heavier, from the stream. The invention is especially useful in processing raw methane taken from a well, and in producing methane which is relatively free of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and heavy hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing an aromatic concentration in a hydrocarbon stream are provided. In an embodiment, a method for reducing an aromatic concentration in a hydrocarbon stream includes saturating aromatics in the hydrocarbon stream to form a low aromatic hydrocarbon stream comprising no more than about 2 weight percent (wt %) aromatics. Further, the method includes passing the low aromatic hydrocarbon stream through an adsorption zone to remove aromatics therefrom to form an aromatic-depleted product stream comprising less than about 10 weight parts per million (wppm) aromatics.

Abstract: A process for recovering 1-hexene comprising: a) separating the mixture obtained from the ethylene trimerization reaction into a top fraction comprising ethylene and a bottom fraction, b) separating a portion of the bottom fraction obtained from step a) into a top fraction comprising 1-hexene and 1-butene and a bottom fraction, c) separating a portion of the fraction comprising 1-hexene and 1-butene obtained from step b) into a top fraction principally comprising 1-butene and into a bottom fraction principally comprising 1-hexene, and in said process: a portion of the bottom fraction obtained from step b) is returned to the reaction section and another portion of said bottom fraction obtained from step b) is used in a recirculation loop connecting the reaction section and the column of said step b), said recirculation loop being used to cool the reaction section and to reboil said column of step b).

Abstract: A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream.

Abstract: A process for upgrading residuum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a residuum hydrocarbon fraction and hydrogen with a first hydroconversion catalyst in a first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system; recovering a first effluent from the first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system; solvent deasphalting a vacuum residuum fraction to produce a deasphalted oil fraction and an asphalt fraction; contacting the deasphalted oil fraction and hydrogen with a second hydroconversion catalyst in a second hydroconversion reactor system; recovering a second effluent from the second hydroconversion reactor system; and fractionating the first effluent from the first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system and the second effluent from the second hydroconversion reactor system to recover one or more hydrocarbon fractions and the vacuum residuum fraction in a common fractionation system.

Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from a gas stream prior to sending the gas stream to a gas separation membrane system are provided. Two schemes are available. When the sulfur content is high or flow is relatively high, a scheme including two columns where one tower is regenerated if the sulfur concentration exceeds a preset value can be used. When the sulfur content is low or flow is relatively low, a scheme including one column and an absorption bed.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a H2, C6? hydrocarbon-containing gas phase and a C5+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase. The H2, (C1-C11) hydrocarbon-containing gas phase is partially condensed and separated to form a H2, C6? hydrocarbon-containing net gas stream and a C3+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream. The C5+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase, the C3+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream, and at least a portion of the H2, C6? hydrocarbon-containing net gas stream are introduced to a re-contacting recovery zone for forming a H2-rich stream, a C3/C4 hydrocarbon-rich LPG stream, and a C5+ hydrocarbon-rich reformate stream.

Abstract: Mixtures of hydrocarbons predominantly having 4 carbon atoms per molecule known as C4 cuts are used in obtaining crude 1,3-butadiene by a thermal cracking process. Vaporous purified crude C4 cuts are produced from liquid crude C4 cuts, containing butanes, butenes, 1,3-butadiene, C3 hydrocarbons, C4 oligomers and polymers, and C5+ hydrocarbons via an extractive distillation by fist removing the C4 oligomers and polymers and the C5+ hydrocarbons and then vaporizing the liquid crude C4 cut in a vaporizer vessel. The vaporizer vessel is directly or indirectly in contact with a stripping column where liquid C4 cuts are supplied to the upper region, direct gas and liquid exchange with the vaporizer vessel occurs in the lower region, and vaporous purified crude C4 cuts are removed from the top region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for biogas treatment, wherein the gas originating from a fermentation is separated into a usable biogas stream consisting essentially of methane gas and into an exhaust gas stream containing undesired substances, said exhaust gas stream being thermally or catalytically oxidized. According to the invention, the exhaust gas stream is guided prior to oxidation through closed storage containers and/or fermentation residue containers for the inertization of explosive gas concentrations resulting there.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for separating a paraffin isomerization-zone effluent are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a DIB column configured for fractionating the paraffin isomerization-zone effluent to form a branched C4 hydrocarbon-rich stream. The DIB column comprises a vessel. The vessel comprises a cylindrical wall that extends vertically and that encloses an internal cylindrical volume having a lower portion extending to an upper portion. An internal swage is disposed in the lower portion of the internal cylindrical volume. A plurality of fractionation trays includes an upper fractionation tray that is disposed in the internal cylindrical volume above the internal swage and a lower fractionation tray that is disposed in the internal swage. The lower fractionation tray has a smaller diameter than the upper fractionation tray.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing process control in dual column processes are provided. In an embodiment, a method for processing a raffinate stream includes forming the raffinate stream in an adsorbent zone. The method monitors the pressure in the adsorbent zone. The raffinate stream is split into a first portion and a second portion. A first flow rate of the first portion is adjusted in response to the pressure in the adsorbent zone, and a second flow rate of the second portion is adjusted in response to the first flow rate. The first portion is fractionated in a first column and the second portion is fractionated in a second column.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for recovering a product stream by fractionation perhaps with compression of a C5? hydrocarbon stream. The C5? hydrocarbon stream may be taken from an overhead of a fractionation column. Fractionation includes a depentanizer column followed by a depropanizer column for producing a C4 and C5 stream. The recovered product stream may be oligomerized to produce larger oligomers. Oligomers may be delivered to a cracking reactor which may produce the C5? hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: A process includes contacting a feed stream of light hydrocarbons and an acid gas with a first solvent stream to produce a first methane-enriched overhead gas stream and a first stage solvent effluent bottoms stream including absorbed methane and absorbed acid gas. The process further includes flash separating the first stage solvent effluent bottoms stream to produce a vapor fraction including the acid gas and methane a gas-depleted liquid fraction of the first stage solvent effluent bottoms stream. The process further includes contacting the first methane-enriched overhead gas stream with a second solvent stream to produce a second methane-enriched overhead gas stream and a second stage solvent effluent bottoms stream including absorbed methane CO2. Still further, the process includes regenerating the second stage solvent effluent bottoms stream to produce a vapor fraction comprising the acid gas and a regenerated liquid fraction of the second stage solvent effluent bottoms stream.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for extracting one or more sulfur compounds. The process may include mixing a hydrocarbon stream containing the one or more sulfur compounds with an alkaline stream in at least one vessel. Often, the at least one vessel includes a member forming a perimeter about an interior space and having a first side and a second side forming a passageway communicating at least one of the hydrocarbon stream and the alkaline stream from an outer surface of the member to the interior space, and a frustum. The frustum can be positioned proximate to the passageway and abutting the member for facilitating contacting of the hydrocarbon stream and the alkaline stream.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more sulfur compounds from a first liquid. The process can include passing the first liquid through a first inlet and a second liquid through a second inlet, and passing the first liquid through a first outlet and the second liquid through a second outlet of a vessel. The vessel may further have a plurality of vortex contactors. Often, the plurality of vortex contactors has a first vortex contactor, in turn including at least one wall and a frustum. The at least one wall can form a perimeter about an interior space and include a first side and a second side forming a passageway communicating the first liquid from an exterior to the interior space, and a frustum positioned proximate to the passageway and abutting the at least one wall for facilitating contacting of the first and second liquids to extract the one or more sulfur compounds from the first liquid to the second liquid.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process. The process can include obtaining a hydrocarbon phase having one or more hydrocarbons and an alkylation catalyst from a first vessel, swirling the hydrocarbon phase to separate the alkylation catalyst, and recycling the alkylation catalyst to an alkylation reactor.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a pervaporation membrane process for the separation of high octane fuel components from a gasoline feed stream comprising feeding a mixed phase vapor-liquid feed to a cyclone separation means to separate the liquid from the vapor, then sending the saturated vapor to the membrane, thereby extending the useful life of the membrane.

Abstract: There is provided a method for recovering hydrocarbon compounds from a gaseous by-products generated in the Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reaction, the method comprising a pressurizing step in which the gaseous by-products are pressurized, a cooling step in which the pressurized gaseous by-products are pressurized to liquefy hydrocarbon compounds in the gaseous by-products, and a separating step in which the hydrocarbon compounds liquefied in the cooling step are separated from the remaining gaseous by-products.

Abstract: There is provided a method for recovering hydrocarbon compounds from gaseous by-products generated in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction. The method includes absorbing light hydrocarbon compounds and a carbon dioxide gas from the gaseous by-products using an absorption solvent including liquid hydrocarbon compounds and a carbon dioxide gas absorbent, separating the absorption solvent which has absorbed the light hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas into the liquid hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas absorbent, heating the separated liquid hydrocarbon compounds to recover the light hydrocarbon compounds from the separated liquid hydrocarbon compounds, heating the separated carbon dioxide gas absorbent to strip the carbon dioxide gas from the separated carbon dioxide gas absorbent, and reusing the gaseous by-products from which the light hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas are absorbed as a feedstock gas for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing an aromatic concentration in a hydrocarbon stream are provided. In an embodiment, a method for reducing an aromatic concentration in a hydrocarbon stream includes saturating aromatics in the hydrocarbon stream to form a low aromatic hydrocarbon stream comprising no more than about 2 weight percent (wt %) aromatics. Further, the method includes passing the low aromatic hydrocarbon stream through an adsorption zone to remove aromatics therefrom to form an aromatic-depleted product stream comprising less than about 10 weight parts per million (wppm) aromatics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating toluene from multiple hydrocarbon streams are provided. A method includes fractionating a first hydrocarbon stream, which includes benzene-depleted fractionation bottoms from benzene fractionation, in a first fractionation zone into a first fractionation overhead stream that includes toluene and a first fractionation bottoms. A second hydrocarbon stream, which includes toluene and is substantially free of compounds having a higher vapor pressure than toluene, is fractionated in a second fractionation zone into a second fractionation overhead stream including toluene and a second fractionation bottoms. The second fractionation zone is in liquid isolation from and in vapor communication with the first fractionation zone. The first fractionation bottoms are removed from the first fractionation zone, and the second fractionation bottoms are removed from the second fractionation zone separate from the first fractionation bottoms.

Abstract: Gas processing plants and methods are contemplated in CO2 is effectively removed to very low levels from a feed gas to an NRU unit by adding a physical solvent unit that uses waste nitrogen produced by the NRU as stripping gas to produce an ultra-lean solvent, which is then used to treat the feed gas to the NRU unit. Most preferably, the physical solvent unit includes a flash unit and stripper column to produce the ultra-lean solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for revamping an HF or sulphuric acid alkylation unit to an ionic liquid alkylation unit, wherein the HF or sulphuric acid alkylation unit comprise at least: —a reactor unit for contacting catalyst and hydrocarbon reactants; —a separator unit for separating a reactor effluent into a catalyst phase and an alkylate-comprising hydrocarbon phase; —a fractionator unit for fractionating the alkylate-comprising hydrocarbon phase into at least one stream comprising alkylate; and which method includes: —providing a second separator unit suitable for the separation of solids from liquids downstream of the reactor unit suitable to reduce the solids content in at least part of the reactor effluent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for recovering normal hexane from a reformate stream are provided. In one example, a method for recovering normal hexane from a reformate stream includes extracting aromatics from the reformate stream to form an aromatic extract stream and a raffinate stream. In the method, the normal hexane is separated from the raffinate stream to form a normal hexane product stream.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for extracting sulfur compounds in a hydrocarbon stream. The process can include feeding a hydrocarbon stream containing sulfur compounds to a prewash zone containing an alkali, withdrawing a prewashed hydrocarbon stream from the prewash zone, and feeding the prewashed hydrocarbon stream to a mass transfer zone for extracting one or more thiol compounds from the prewashed hydrocarbon stream. Often, the mass transfer zone includes a hollow fiber membrane contactor.

Abstract: A process for separating off acid gases from a water-comprising fluid stream wherein the water-comprising fluid stream is contacted in an absorption zone with an absorbent, producing a deacidified fluid stream and an acid gas-loaded absorbent; the deacidified fluid stream is contacted in a scrubbing zone with an aqueous scrubbing liquid, producing a deaminated, deacidified fluid stream and an amine-loaded scrubbing liquid which is cooled, producing an absorber top condensate; the loaded absorbent is passed into a desorption zone producing a regenerated absorbent and desorbed acid gases; the regenerated absorbent is returned to the absorption zone in order to form an absorbent circuit, to which the amine-loaded scrubbing liquid and the absorber top condensate are introduced; and the desorbed acid gases are conducted through an enrichment zone and the acid gases exiting at the top of the enrichment zone are cooled, producing a desorber top condensate.

Abstract: A method of processing feed streams high in hydrogen sulfide is provided. The method includes providing a feed gas stream that includes hydrocarbons and at least 5 vol % hydrogen sulfide. At least a portion of the feed gas stream is separated into a hydrogen sulfide stream and a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon gas stream is processed to produce natural gas. At least 34 mol. % of the hydrogen sulfide in the hydrogen sulfide stream is combusted with an oxidant to generate thermal power. Thermal power generated by the combustion is utilized in one or more of the steps of separating the feed gas stream into the hydrogen sulfide stream and the hydrocarbon gas stream, and processing the hydrocarbon gas stream to produce natural gas, compressed natural gas, or liquefied natural gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting styrene, having a polymerization quality, from pyrolysis benzol fractions containing styrene by means of extractive distillation. The pyrolysis benzol fraction is separated in a separating wall column in a C8-core fraction, a C7 fraction and a C9+-fraction, the obtained C8-core fraction is subjected to selective hydrogenation of the phenylacetylene C8H6 which it contains. Subsequently, the obtained C8-fraction undergoes extractive-distillative separation in a styrene fraction and a fraction which is low in styrene.

Abstract: Processes for the separation of a hydrocarbon-containing feed streams are described herein.

Abstract: Secondary streams in 1,3-butadiene processing plants still contain high amounts of valuable 1,3-butadiene. An energy-efficient process for purifying a recycle stream from a 1,3-butadiene processing plant is provided. The recycle stream is divided into two substreams: the first substream for prepurifying pure 1,3-butadiene feedstream by removing high boilers relative to 1,3-butadiene in a stripping column and the second substream in an extractive distillation plant.

Abstract: A method for removing acidity and/or moisture from a hydrocarbon gas, in particular from a natural gas or a refinery gas fraction or a syngas, by absorption into a sweetening liquid and into a dehydration liquid, that are adapted to extract acid compounds or water from the gas, respectively. The method provides a step of prearranging a vertical elongated container (150) comprising at least one inner partition wall (168) that defines at least two treatment chambers within said container (151,152), a step of feeding a treatment liquid from the above into at least one of the two chambers (251,252) and feeding the gas to be treated from below into at least one same treatment chamber.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for enhanced recovery of propylene and LPG from the fuel gas produced in Fluid catalytic cracking unit by contacting a heavier hydrocarbon feed with FCC catalyst. In the conventional process, the product mixture from FCC main column overhead comprising naphtha, LPG and fuel gas, are first condensed and gravity separated to produce unstabilized naphtha, which is subsequently used in the absorber to absorb propylene and LPG from fuel gas. However, the recovery of propylene beyond 97 wt % is difficult in this process since unstabilized naphtha already contains propylene of 5 mol % or above. In the present invention, C4 and lighter components from unstabilized naphtha are first stripped off in a separate column to obtain a liquid fraction almost free from propylene (<0.1 mol %) and other LPG components. Such a stripped liquid fraction, after cooling to 20° C. to 30° C.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for separating and purifying components from mixtures and emulsions containing hydrocarbons, water, salt, and mineral solids. Key unit operations are thermal desorbing, hot filtering, direct contact condensing, solids leaching, evaporating, and salt precipitating. Preferred embodiments of the process and system use process-generated fuel, leach water, and hot combustion gas to conduct thermal desorption, solids leaching, and salt precipitating. Use of process generated streams for key unit operations greatly reduces the need for purchased utilities and contributes both to process efficiency and economy.

Abstract: The present invention describes a n-butane absorption process for purifying the ethylene product from an ethane oxidation process. The ethane oxidation product is fed to a series of absorption towers using a n-butane solvent that remove the inert components as well as purifying the ethylene from the product. A first absorption tower uses n-butane as a solvent to absorb both the ethane and ethylene, allowing for inert gasses to be removed from the stream. An ethylene-rich side stream from this tower is sent to an ethylene purification tower where ethylene is purified using n-butane solvent. The bottom stream from the first absorption tower is then sent to an intermediate ethylene recovery tower where crude ethylene is purified, and the overhead ethylene stream being sent to the ethylene purification tower.

Abstract: A method for reducing one or more additives in a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) such as natural gas, comprising the steps of: (a) admixing an initial hydrocarbon feed stream (10) with one or more additives (20) to provide a multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30); (b) passing the multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30) from a first location (A) to a second location (B2); (c) at the second location (B2), passing the multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30) through a separator (22) to provide one or more liquid streams (50) comprising the majority of the one or more additives, and a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) comprising the remainder of the one or more additives; and (d) washing the gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) in a decontamination unit (24) with a washing stream (60), wherein the washing stream (60) comprises distilled water, to provide an additive-enriched stream (70) and an additive-reduced hydrocarbon stream (80).

Abstract: The present invention is for a process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds, with a shape-selective zeolite catalyst. The process has reactors in series with C8+ aromatics being separated from the product stream effluents from each reactor before passing the reactor effluent to the next reactor with an additional input of methanol. The C8+ aromatics are separated into para-xylene and other C8+ aromatics. This process is applicable for toluene methylation having a molar excess of toluene:methanol. i.e., greater than 1:1, with a shape-selective catalyst of an aluminosilicate zeolite, such as ZSM-5 which has been modified with phosphorus, to produce para-xylene (p-xylene).

Abstract: ETS-10 titanosilicate materials selectively adsorb carbon dioxide from gaseous mixtures containing carbon dioxide and light paraffins such as methane and ethane.

Abstract: A process for recovering solvent from spent oil sands solids is provided, comprising drying the solids using superheated steam to vaporize solvent and water; compressing and condensing the vapors in a first heat exchanger (hot side) to produce condensates, comprising primarily condensed hot water, and uncondensed vapors; separating condensed hot water and solvent from the uncondensed vapors in a first separator; flowing the hot water through the first heat exchanger (cold side) to produce near-saturated steam; and superheating the near-saturated steam in a second heat exchanger to produce the superheated steam for drying the solids. Uncondensed vapors from the first separator can be further condensed in a third heat exchanger to produce warm water, recovered solvent and uncondensed off gas, which can be separated in a second separator. Some of the warm water is combined with the hot water to produce the near-saturated steam for superheating.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to removal of carbon dioxide from industrial gas streams. Processes and systems are disclosed for capturing carbon dioxide from a combustion flue gas or from uncombusted natural gas by contacting with an amine blend in a first step, and an advanced solvent in a second step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for purifying a mixture of terpene material and tall oil material for the production of biofuels and components thereof. The present invention relates further to hydroprocessing of the purified material to obtain biofuels and components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for joint production of low octane gasoline and high octane gasoline. In the process of oil or light oil rectification, the extraction points of the distillates therein are finely divided, and the temperature ranges for extraction of fractions are narrowed down. Each of the low and high octane components having a high content in the range from C6-C12 (which may be extended to C5-C14 where necessary) is then separately extracted. After that, low octane components are combined into compression ignition low octane gasoline products, while high octane components are combined into high octane gasoline products. The remaining fractions are respectively added as supplementing agents into the low octane gasoline products or high octane gasoline products dependent on their octane ratings. Low octane gasoline is used in compression ignition gasoline engines, while high octane gasoline is used in spark ignition gasoline engines.

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: Elimination of mercury contained in a hydrocarbon feed by: a) feed 1 is mixed with a hydrogen stream 14 and a gaseous fraction 13 originating from c), b) mixture 1a contacted with a catalyst to convert mercury compounds to elemental mercury producing an effluent containing elemental mercury 6, c) effluent containing elemental mercury is cooled to between 20° C. and 80° C., then, at 1.5 MPa and 3.5 MPa and between 20° C. and 80° C., separation 10 of said effluent containing the elemental mercury into a gaseous fraction 11 and a liquid fraction 15, at least a part of said gaseous fraction 11 being recycled to step a), d) fractionation 20 of liquid fraction 15 to produce a gaseous phase 42 and a liquid phase 21, and e) contacting at least a part of gaseous phase 42 with a mercury collection material 43.

Abstract: A process for separating methane from a natural gas mixture employs pressure swing adsorption in one or more vessels. Each vessel has an adsorbent material having a kinetic selectivity for contaminants over methane greater than 5. Contaminants within the natural gas mixture become gases kinetically adsorbed within the adsorbent material. The vessel is placed under pressure to cause contaminants to be adsorbed in the surfaces and micro-pores of the adsorbent material. The process includes releasing a product stream comprised at least 95% by volume methane from a first gas outlet in the vessel, and desorbing the contaminant gases from the adsorbent material by reducing the pressure within the vessel. The desorbing step is done without applying heat to the vessel, thereby delivering a waste gas stream comprised at least 95% by volume of the contaminant gases. An improved fractionation vessel having both major and minor flow channels is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating COS and/or CS2 from a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, and further eliminating H2S from such feed stream or converting all sulfur species in such feed stream to H2S and SO2 to allow for easy subsequent conversion of such H2S and SO2 to elemental sulfur in a Claus reaction. The method comprises: (i) injecting water so that the feed stream contains greater than 10 vol % (water equivalent); (ii) passing the feed stream through catalyst means which hydrogenates COS and/or CS2 to H2S; (iii) injecting O2 so that the stoichiometric ratio of O2 to H2S is at least 0.5:1.0; (iv) passing the stream though a reaction zone having oxidation catalyst means which oxidizes H2S to elemental sulfur or SO2 (depending on the amount of oxygen and water added); where the temperature of the reaction zone is above the elemental sulfur dew point.

Abstract: The absorptive removal of carbon dioxide from biogas using a scrubbing liquid in which carbon dioxide is chemically bound proceeds by heating the loaded scrubbing liquid, occurring after the absorption, to a temperature at which liberation of CO2 begins. Immediately thereafter, the loaded scrubbing liquid is fed to at least one centrifugal separator for separating off the gas phase from the liquid phase, wherein methane and dissolved fractions of CO2 escape via the gas phase. After separation is complete, the gas phase is passed into the absorber unit and the liquid phase is further heated to the temperature required for desorption and fed to the desorption unit for regeneration.

Abstract: In a method for removing acid gases from hydrocarbon-comprising fluids, (a) a carbon dioxide-rich acid gas stream is separated off from the fluid by scrubbing with a liquid absorbent, (b) the fluid is contacted with a solid adsorbent for removing sulfur-comprising acid gases, and (c) the loaded solid adsorbent is regenerated by contacting with at least one purge gas under regeneration conditions. A carbon dioxide-rich acid gas stream separated off in step (a) is used as purge gas.

Abstract: A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream.