Abstract: The present invention is directed toward reducing corrosion in a methanol-to-olefin (MTO) effluent processing system, and particularly in the condensate removal system thereof, by injecting a neutralization agent into one or more target regions of the MTO effluent processing system. The neutralization agent ensures that any localized condensation in the MTO effluent processing system, particularly in the condensate removal system, occurs under basic conditions and that any acidic condensable components are neutralized. The invention is also directed to monitoring corrosion in an MTO effluent processing system and to monitoring the pH of localized corrosion sites in order to ensure proper neutralization of any acidic condensation formed therein.

Abstract: A diene production stream comprising a solvent recovery blend from diene production comprising one or more fouling agent, one or more extractive distillation solvent, and from about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm of N,N-disubstituted amide.

Abstract: A treatment for accelerating the settling of finely divided solids in hydrocarbon fluids, including adding to the hydrocarbon a sufficient settling amount of a combination of at least two of (a) a quaternary fatty ammonium compound, (b) a hetero-atom punctuated fatty polymer and (c) an alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylate.

Abstract: At lower temperatures an acidic molecular sieve adsorbent preferentially adsorbs water and basic organic nitrogen compounds over weakly basic organic nitrogen compounds such as nitrites. Elevated temperatures improve the capacity of acidic molecular sieve adsorbents to adsorb nitrites in the presence of water.

Abstract: A process to prepare a process oil with an aromatic content of more than 50 wt % (according to ASTM D 2007) and a polycyclic aromatics (PCA) less than 3 wt % (according to IP 346) by (a) contacting a feed mixture of a petroleum fraction boiling in the lubricating oil range and an aromatic rich hydrocarbon fraction with a polar solvent in a counter-current liquid-liquid extraction column, wherein the process oil is obtained by removing the polar solvent from the top product and an extract is obtained by removing the polar solvent from the top product and an extract is obtained by removing the polar solvent from the bottom product.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preparing allicin which comprises the following steps: (a) mechanically treating a natural source of alliinase to release alliinase therefrom; (b) contacting the mechanically treated alliinase source with an aqueous solution of allicin containing alliin at a concentration greater than that found in raw garlic, whereby the alliin is enzymatically converted to allicin by the alliinase released from the alliinase source; and optionally (c) extracting the resultant allicin into a low boiling point non-polar organic solvent.

Abstract: Enabling a transalkylation process to handle both C10 alkylaromatics and unextracted toluene permits the following improvements to be realized. No longer extracting toluene allows a reformate-splitter column to be eliminated. The extraction unit can be moved to the overhead of a benzene column that is also closely integrated with the transalkylation unit. No longer requiring a rigorous split between C9 and C10 alkylaromatics allows a heavy aromatics column to be eliminated. Such an enabled transalkylation process requires stabilization of a transalkylation catalyst through the introduction of a metal function. These improvements result in an aromatics complex apparatus with savings on inside battery limits curve costs and an improvement on the return on investment in such a complex.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering pure naphthalene from hot crude coke oven gas. The hot crude coke oven gas is directly cooled by means of sprinkling water directly thereon, and the naphthalene is recovered by subsequent filtering out of tar and other impurities, followed by cooling to obtain crystalline pure naphthalene. More specifically, after direct cooling of the hot crude coke oven gas, the gas is then guided through an electrofilter to be subsequently cooled in such a manner that the naphthalene contained in the crude coke oven gas is separated from the gaseous phase and is obtained in the form of pure naphthalene crystals without any required additional treatment.

Abstract: Enabling a transalkylation process to handle both C10 alkylaromatics and unextracted toluene permits the following improvements to be realized. No longer extracting toluene allows a reformate-splitter column to be eliminated. The extraction unit can be moved to the overhead of a benzene column and integrated together with the transalkylation unit to reduce costs. No longer requiring a rigorous split between C9 and C10 alkylaromatics allows a heavy aromatics column to be eliminated. Such an enabled transalkylation process requires stabilization of a transalkylation catalyst through the introduction of a metal function. These improvements result in an aromatics complex apparatus with savings on inside battery limits curve costs and an improvement on the return on investment in such a complex.

Abstract: An improved methanol-to-olefin (MTO) product recovery scheme is provided which enables substantial reduction in the amount of light olefins that are undesirably captured in a dimethylether (DME) recycle stream when a portion of the methanolic feed to the MTO reaction zone is used as the scrubbing solvent in a primary DME absorption zone in order to recycle this DME oxygenate by-product to the MTO reaction zone. In accordance with the present invention, a liquid solvent stream recovered from the primary DME absorption zone is subjected in a stripping zone to light olefin stripping conditions sufficient to lift a substantial portion of the light olefins that are absorbed in the DME solvent without stripping a significant portion of this methanol solvent, thereby increasing the recovery of desired light olefins while simultaneously diminishing the amount of light olefins carried by the DME recycle stream back to MTO conversion step.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for removal of carbon dioxide from a reactor effluent stream comprising water, carbon dioxide and olefin(s), where a portion of the carbon dioxide is removed in a quenching step with a quench medium and more carbon dioxide is removed by contacting the quenched effluent stream with an alkaline stream. A portion of the alkaline stream is added to the quench medium.

Abstract: An improved methanol-to-olefin (MTO) product recovery scheme is provided which enables substantial reduction in the amount of light olefins that are undesirably captured in a dimethylether (DME) recycle stream and improved recovery of methanol when a portion of the methanolic feed to the MTO reaction zone is used as the scrubbing solvent in a primary DME absorption zone in order to recycle this DME oxygenate by-product to the MTO reaction zone. In accordance with the present invention, a liquid solvent stream recovered from the primary DME absorption zone is subjected in a stripping zone to light olefin stripping conditions sufficient to lift a substantial portion of the light olefins that are absorbed in the DME solvent without stripping a significant portion of this methanol solvent, thereby increasing the recovery of desired light olefins while simultaneously diminishing the amount of light olefins carried by the DME recycle stream back to MTO conversion step.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing olefin(s) from oxygenates that is more effective than previously known processes at removing carbon dioxide from the effluent stream by operating a quench tower at a pH greater than 7.0.

Abstract: Process for the continuous drying of a hydrocarbon stream at a temperature being effective in drying the stream with an ionic liquid drying agent comprising a salt of sulphuric acid being in liquid or melted form at the drying temperature.

Abstract: This application relates to a composite solvent for separating aromatics by extractive distillation, comprising a main solvent, a solutizer and a modifier. Said solutizer is selected from any one or mixtures of any two of C8–C11 aromatics having different number of carbon atoms, the content of which is 3–39 wt %, and the number of carbon atoms of the lowest aromatic in the solutizer should be greater than that of the highest aromatic in the aromatics to be separated. When the solutizer is selected from any one of C8–C11 aromatics, the composite solvent contains 0.01–10.0 wt % of the modifier; when the solutizer is selected from mixtures of any two of C8–C11 aromatics having different number of carbon atoms, the composite solvent contains 0–10.0 wt % of the modifier. Said main solvent and modifier are independently selected from sulfolane derivatives, N-formyl morpholine, and N-methyl pyrrolidone, provided that the acidity and basicity of the modifier are opposite to those of the main solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing dimethyl ether from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. Dimethyl ether is removed at a high pressure, preferably in a distillation column. The high pressure separation has the benefit of providing a relatively low bottoms temperature separation, while allowing for recovery of a highly concentrated ethylene and/or propylene stream.

Abstract: A treatment for accelerating the settling of finely divided solids in hydrocarbon fluids, including adding to the hydrocarbon a sufficient settling amount of a combination of (a) a polyacrylic acid adducted alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylate compound, and (b) an alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylate having a molecular weight of about 500 to about 5,000.

Abstract: A process for the liquid phase selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes with high selectivity to alkenes relative to alkanes, high alkyne conversion, and sustained catalytic activity comprising a reactant comprising an alkyne and a non-hydrocarbon solvent/absorbent, contacting the reactant stream with a hydrogen-containing stream in the presence of a supported, promoted, Group VIII catalyst, removing the solvent/absorbent, and recovering the alkene product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating the isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene and dicyclopentadiene from a C5 cuts, comprising dimerization of the cyclopentadiene and selective catalytic hydrogenation. The second extractive rectification step can be omitted, because the alkynes are removed through selective catalytic hydrogenation prior to the extractive rectification. As a result, the solvent-recovering units can be simplified, and thus the process as a whole can be optimized. Correspondingly, the investment and energy consumption, the operation cost, and finally the production cost can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method for the separation of non-hydrocarbon gases from hydrocarbon gases, the method comprising the steps of: adding water and an agent adapted to reduce the interfacial tension between water and hydrocarbons to a first stream of desired hydrocarbon and undesired non-hydrocarbon gases to form a gas-agent-water mixture; pressurising the gas-agent-water mixture; and cooling the gas-water-agent mixture to initiate the formation of a hydrate richer in desired hydrocarbons and leaner in undesired non-hydrocarbons relative to the first stream of desired hydrocarbon and undesired non-hydrocarbon gases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for extracting carotenoids from green plant materials using supercritical fluid extraction. A first and second supercritical fluid extraction is performed on the green plant composition at two different pressures to obtain two extracts. The first extract includes substantial amounts of ?-carotene. The second extract may have a controlled concentration of ?-carotene, and includes substantial amounts of lutein.

Abstract: A process for treating nitrogen-containing, substantially paraffinic product derived from a Fischer-Tropsch process. The substantially paraffinic product is purified in a purification process to lower the concentration of oxygen, nitrogen, and other impurities. The nitrogen content of the purified product is monitored, and the conditions of the purification step are adjusted to increase nitrogen removal if the nitrogen content of the purified product exceeds a preselected value.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating olefins and paraffins from oxygenates in a liquid hydrocarbon stream containing a high proportion of olefins, paraffins and oxygenates (mainly alcohols). Typically, the hydrocarbon stream is obtained from a Fischer-Tropsch process. The organic counter-solvent has a boiling point which is less than the boiling point of the most volatile alcohol in the hydrocarbon stream. A raffinate from the liquid-liquid extractor is passed to a distillation column. A bottoms product from the distillation column comprises olefins and paraffins, and the overhead product comprising solvents is recycled. An extract from the liquid-liquid extractor is sent to a stripping column, where a bottoms product containing pure alcohol is obtained. The overhead product containing counter-solvent is recycled.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbonaceous oil containing heteroatom-containing compounds where the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a solvent system that is a mixture of a major portion of a polar solvent having a dipole moment greater than about 1 debye and a minor portion of water to selectively separate the constituents of the carbonaceous oil into a heteroatom-depleted raffinate fraction and heteroatom-enriched extract fraction. The polar solvent and the water-in-solvent system are formulated at a ratio where the water is an antisolvent in an amount to inhibit solubility of heteroatom-containing compounds and the polar solvent in the raffinate, and to inhibit solubility of non-heteroatom-containing compounds in the extract. The ratio of the hydrocarbonaceous oil to the solvent system is such that a coefficient of separation is at least 50%.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. Dimethyl ether is removed from the olefin stream by first separating the olefin stream into a first stream comprising dimethyl ether and lighter boiling point compounds, and a second stream comprising C4+ olefin and higher boiling point hydrocarbons. The dimethyl ether is then separated from the first stream using extractive distillation.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing acetaldehyde, CO2 and/or water from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. In this invention, acetaldehyde and C4+ olefins are substantially removed from the ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. The stream is then acid gas treated. The ethylene and/or propylene streams which are separated and recovered according to this invention can be further processed, for example, to make polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

Abstract: Indene is produced from an indene-containing coal tar distillate by adding a glycol to the indene-containing coal tar distillate and then conducting azeotropic distillation to obtain an indene fraction while eliminating benzonitrile from the indene-containing coal tar distillate.

Abstract: The continuous process for removing mercury comprises a step of continuously feeding a mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon to an ionization zone where the elementary mercury is ionized; and a step of continuously feeding the liquid hydrocarbon containing the ionized mercury to a sulfur compound-treatment zone where the ionized mercury is converted to a solid mercury compound. The semi-continuous process for removing mercury comprises a step of continuously feeding a mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon to an ionization column where the elementary mercury is ionized; and a step of feeding the liquid hydrocarbon containing the ionized mercury to a sulfur compound-treatment tank where the ionized mercury is converted to a solid mercury compound in batch manner. With the above processes, the mercury is removed from the liquid hydrocarbon with ease in a continuous or semi-continuous manner at around ordinary temperature under around ordinary pressure.

Abstract: A process for separating olefins from sulfur-containing hydrocarbons contained in a hydrocarbon feedstock is disclosed and includes contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with N-hydroxyethyl pyrollidone in a contacting zone, removing at least one olefin overhead from the contacting zone, and removing at least a portion of the sulfur-containing hydrocarbons off the bottom of the contacting zone along with the N-hydroxyethyl pyrollidone.

Abstract: A process for recovery of sulfur from sour/natural gas stream containing H2S is described. It involves contacting the stream with an aqueous solution of biodegradable water soluble carboxylic acid metal chelate. This carboxylic acid metal chelate contains an oxidizing polyvalent metal e.g. Fe (III) and one of the acid from gluconic acid, malic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid. The hydrogen sulfide gas is reduced to hydrogen and elemental sulfur, which is recovered as precipitate. The iron in the metal chelate is reduced in the process and can be regenerated by oxidation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating close-boiling, homo- and heteroazeotropic mixtures by using ionic liquids. Due to the selectivity and unusual combination of properties of the ionic liquids the process is superior to conventional extractive rectification from the point of view of costs and energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for extracting carotenoids from green plant materials using supercritical fluid extraction. A first and second supercritical fluid extraction is performed on the green plant composition at two different pressures to obtain two extracts. The first extract includes substantial amounts of &bgr;-carotene. The second extract is substantially free of &bgr;-carotene, and includes substantial amounts of lutein.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems useful for removing phenylacetylene from crude styrene feedstock are disclosed. Generally the processes and systems comprise the catalytic reduction of phenylacetylene to produce styrene via injection of a phenylacetylene reducing agent, such as hydrogen. A phenylacetylene reduction catalyst preferred herein comprises palladium on a calcium aluminate carrier, wherein the catalyst comprises less than 0.3 weight percent palladium.

Abstract: A process for separating linear alpha olefins from a feedstock containing linear alpha olefins, saturated hydrocarbons, internal olefins, branched olefins, and alcohols, in particular, from a Fisher-Tropsch stream is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing dimethyl ether from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. Dimethyl ether is removed at a high pressure, preferably in a distillation column. The high pressure separation has the benefit of providing a relatively low bottoms temperature separation, while allowing for recovery of a highly concentrated ethylene and/or propylene stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing dimethyl ether from an ethylene and/or propylene containing stream. Dimethyl ether is removed at a low pressure, preferably in a distillation column. The low pressure separation has the benefit of providing a relatively low temperature separation, while allowing for recovery of a highly concentrated ethylene and/or propylene stream.

Abstract: In a process for the work-up of a C4 fraction, comprising the process steps

Abstract: The invention relates to extractive distillation compositions for separating a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds, wherein the extractive distillation composition includes at least one alkylene glycol compound, and at least one compatibility agent, wherein the compatibility agent is selected from materials having polar parameters and hydrogen bonding parameters such that the extractive distillation composition provides improved separation of the hydrocarbon compounds, as compared to the use of the extractive distillation composition without the compatibility agent.

Abstract: A multi-step process for desulfurizing liquid petroleum fuels that also removes nitrogen-containing compounds and aromatics. The process steps are: thiophene extraction; thiophene oxidation; thiophene-oxide and -dioxide extraction; raffinate solvent recovery and polishing; extract solvent recovery; and recycle-solvent purification. The thiophene oxidation is accomplished with hydrogen peroxide and the extraction solvent is acetic acid in combination with secondary solvents. The operating conditions in the process are relatively mild at near ambient pressure and less than 145° C. throughout the process, and the only chemical consumed in the process is hydrogen peroxide. The process design can be modified to accommodate a variety of liquid hydrocarbon feeds.

Abstract: A process for pretreating a oily/water stream for closed loop dilution steam production within an ethylene plant using countercurrent multi-stage extraction to remove both free and dissolved organic solutes from in-situ (net) quench water with an organic solvent to yield an aqueous raffinate containing only residual amounts of organic solute. The raffinate is steam stripped to remove the residual organic solutes, yielding a pretreated quench water stream substantially free of organic material. The pretreated quench water is suitable for reuse to generate dilution steam (without fouling). The (solvent) extract from extraction is regenerated in a solvent regenerator having an overhead stream for purging light ends, a bottom stream for purging heavy ends, and a heart-cut side stream for recycling solvent to the extractor.

Abstract: A process for treating a feedstock comprising olefins having an average carbon number ranging from 2-3.5, and non-olefinic compounds, said process comprising the following steps: a) contacting gaseous feedstock with a linear polyaromatic compound in a reaction zone under conditions effective to form a reaction mixture comprising linear polyaromatic compound-olefin adducts and unreacted gaseous feedstock; b) separating the olefin adducts from the unreacted gaseous feedstock; and c) dissociating the olefin adducts to form linear polyaromatic compounds and an olefin enriched composition comprising ethylene, propylene, or mixtures thereof; whereby the concentration of at least one of the olefins in said olefin enriched composition is enriched over the concentration of said at least one olefin present in the feedstock.

Abstract: A process for separating and isolating saturated hydrocarbons from olefins, and in particular, a process for separating and isolating saturated hydrocarbons from olefins in a Fisher-Tropsch stream. The feedstock composition is contacted with linear polyaromatic compound under conditions effective to form linear polyaromatic compound-olefin adducts. Separation of the adducts from the stream also separates the adducted olefins from the stream. After dissociation of the adducted olefins, the process results in an olefin composition that is enriched in concentration of olefins over the concentration of olefins in the feedstock composition, and a saturated hydrocarbon stream that is enriched in saturated hydrocarbons over the concentration of saturated hydrocarbons in the feedstock.

Abstract: This application relates to a composite solvent for separating aromatics by extractive distillation, comprising a main solvent, a solutizer and a modifier. Said solutizer is selected from any one or mixtures of any two of C8-C11 aromatics having different number of carbon atoms, the content of which is 3-39 wt %, and the number of carbon atoms of the lowest aromatic in the solutizer should be greater than that of the highest aromatic in the aromatics to be separated. When the solutizer is selected from any one of C8-C11 aromatics, the composite solvent contains 0.01-10.0 wt % of the modifier; when the solutizer is selected from mixtures of any two of C8-C11 aromatics having different number of carbon atoms, the composite solvent contains 0-10.0 wt % of the modifier. Said main solvent and modifier are independently selected from sulfolane derivatives, N-formyl morpholine, and N-methyl pyrrolidone, provided that the acidity and basicity of the modifier are opposite to those of the main solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for enhanced extractive distillation of hydrocarbons that employ extrative distillation compositions comprising sulfolane or sulfolane derivatives in comination with compatibility agents.

Abstract: A process for separating and isolating olefins from saturated hydrocarbons, preferably in a Fischer Tropsch stream, by adducting the olefins with a linear polyaromatic compound and separating the adducts from the remainder, which comprises saturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for removing CO2 from a gas stream, including methane and CO2. The method includes contacting a gas stream with an aqueous stream, so that at least a portion of the CO2 in the gas stream is dissolved into the aqueous stream, thereby creating a CO2-depleted gas stream, having an enriched methane concentration, and a CO2-enriched aqueous stream. The CO2-enriched aqueous stream is separated from the gas stream. Finally, the CO2-enriched aqueous stream is disposed of in at least one of a marine environment, a terrestrial formation or combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for removing CO2 from a CO2-containing gas. The process includes scrubbing CO2 from a CO2-containing gas using an aqueous phase liquid forming a CO2-enriched aqueous phase. The CO2-enriched aqueous phase is then disposed of in at least one of a marine environment, a terrestrial formation or combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extractive distillation composition for at least partially separating a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds comprising:

Abstract: A clean and simple process of extracting hydrocarbons from oil containing materials requiring little or no energy.

Abstract: A process for removing impurities from a hydrocarbon component or fraction comprises mixing, in a liquid-liquid extraction step, an impurity-containing liquid hydrocarbon component or fraction, as an impure liquid hydrocarbon feedstock, with an acetonitrile-based solvent. Thereby, at least one impurity is extracted from the hydrocarbon component or fraction into the solvent. There is withdrawn from the extraction step, as a raffinate, purified hydrocarbon component or fraction, while there is withdrawn from the extraction step, as an extract, impurity-containing solvent.