Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system and method for sulphur and metal removal from crude oil and all liquid fuel fractions to biofuels by means of ultrasonic cavitation to enhance chemical reactions of said contaminants with sodium or potassium methylate and a water/fluoride mix in separate stages obtaining a solid form which is filtered out by the use of a centrifuge system. The resulting fuel is molecularly stable and cleaner than regular fuels.

Abstract: A method of reducing the formation of fouling deposits occurring in a caustic scrubber used to remove acid gases can include providing a caustic scrubber fed with an alkaline aqueous solution including essentially one or more of NaOH, KOH or LiOH. The method can include providing an olefin-containing hydrocarbon stream that is contaminated with oxygenated compounds and acid gases. The oxygenated compounds can be capable of making polymeric fouling deposits in the presence of the alkaline solution of the scrubber. The method can include sending the hydrocarbon stream to the caustic scrubber to recover an olefin-containing hydrocarbon stream that is essentially free of acid gases. An efficient amount of a solvent capable of reducing the formation of fouling deposits can be introduced in the caustic scrubber and/or in the alkaline solution fed to the scrubber. The solvent can be separated from the alkaline solution.

Abstract: A method for purifying a paraffin from a source material containing a paraffin having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and an olefin having 2 to 6 carbon atoms includes a first step of bringing the source material into contact with a silver ion-containing solution (absorption liquid) at a predetermined temperature and pressure in an absorption column 1 and recovering a non-absorbed gas not absorbed by the absorption liquid while the olefin in the source material is preferentially absorbed by the absorption liquid, and a second step of desorbing and discharging a gas component from the absorption liquid having undergone the first step at a predetermined temperature and pressure in a desorption column 2. The first step and the second step are performed continuously in parallel while the absorption liquid is circulated between the first step and the second step.

Abstract: The provided is a process for separating by absorption the pyrolysis gas from preparation of lower carbon olefins, wherein a primary absorbent and a secondary absorbent are introduced into the demethanizer to separate by absorption the feedstock of the demethanizer through countercurrent contact therewith at a moderate temperature and pressure, thereby to obtain a top fraction primarily comprising hydrogen and methane and a bottom fraction primarily comprising the absorbents and C2+ fraction, wherein the primary absorbent essentially is a mixed Cn or Cn+ fraction, the secondary absorbent essentially is a Cn? alkane fraction or mixed Cn? or Cn?+ fraction, and wherein n and n? are independently 3, 4 or 5 with the proviso when the secondary absorbent is a mixed fraction, n? is not 3.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for cooling an olefin cracking reactor effluent stream. One provided method includes reacting a hydrocarbon feedstock including C4+ olefins in an olefin cracking reactor to produce an olefin cracking reactor effluent stream, providing the olefin cracking reactor effluent stream to an inlet of a contact cooler, contacting the olefin cracking reactor effluent stream with a first quench liquid in a first contact zone in the contact cooler to produce a first bottoms stream and an intermediate vapor stream, contacting the intermediate vapor stream with a second quench liquid in a second contact zone in the contact cooler to produce a second bottoms stream and a cooled vapor stream, and removing the cooled vapor stream from an outlet of the contact cooler. The method can also include cooling the first bottoms stream to provide a cooled first bottoms stream, and cooling the second bottoms stream to provide a cooled second bottoms stream.

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: Apparatuses and systems for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are disclosed herein. The apparatuses extract heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons and provide a solvent stream having the heavy hydrocarbons removed. Two water washing steps are used to remove residual solvent from the heavy hydrocarbon solution in light hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, the second water wash is used for processing subsequent batches of the solvent stream. The heavy hydrocarbons and solvent can be recovered and processed further. Methods for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Process for removing oxygen-containing organic compounds from mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds, in which a liquid phase (1) containing hydrocarbons and oxygenates is charged to a first column (3), a light fraction is separated as top product (5) by distillation, and that a heavier C4+ fraction is removed from the bottom, the light fraction (5) and a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenates (2) is charged to a second column (7), and separated into a light and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction distillation, and an additional solvent (6) is supplied to the upper part of the second column (7), which dissolves the oxygenates and, the solvent and oxygenates being discharged as bottom product (9) and a hydrocarbon product (8), which is free from oxygenates leaves the top of the column (7). The solvent optionally is wholly or partly regenerated and recirculated to the extractive distillation column.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a process oil using as a raw material a deasphalted oil obtained by deasphalting a vacuum residual oil of a crude oil and a manufacturing method of the process oil, the process oil having properties of: (a) a polycyclic aromatics (PCA) content of less than 3 mass %; (b) a viscosity (100° C.) of 40 to 70 mm2/s; (c) an aniline point of 85 to 100° C.; (d) a flash point of 250° C. or higher; (e) an aromatic hydrocarbon content of 40 to 55 mass %; and (f) a polar substance content of 10 to 15 mass %. The present invention is also related to a process oil and a manufacturing method of the process oil, the process oil obtained by mixing: an extract obtained by deasphalting and solvent-extracting a vacuum residual oil of a crude oil; and a lubricant base oil having a polycyclic aromatics (PCA) content of less than 3 mass %, and having properties of: (a) a polycyclic aromatics (PCA) content of less than 3 mass %; (i) a viscosity (100° C.

Abstract: An energy efficient, high throughput process for aromatics recovery can be readily implemented by revamping existing sulfolane solvent extraction facilities, or constructing new ones, so as to incorporate unique process operations involving liquid-liquid extraction and extractive distillation. Current industrial sulfolane solvent based liquid-liquid extraction processes employ a liquid-liquid extraction column, an extractive stripping column, a solvent recovery column, a raffinate wash column, and a solvent regenerator. The improved process for aromatic hydrocarbon recovery from a mixture of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons requires transformation of the extractive stripping column into a modified extractive distillation column. The revamping incorporates the unique advantages of liquid-liquid extraction and extractive distillation into one process to significantly reduce energy consumption and increase process throughput.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of oxygenates from a gaseous stream also comprising carbon dioxide, said process comprising: a) providing a first gaseous stream comprising one or more mono-olefin(s), at least 100 ppm (by weight) of one or more oxygenates and at least 0.1 wt % carbon dioxide, and b) treating the first gaseous stream to produce a second gaseous stream comprising one or more mono-olefin(s) and at least 0.1 wt % carbon dioxide with reduced oxygenate content, wherein said treating comprises contacting the first gaseous stream with a first aqueous stream and with a first liquid hydrocarbon stream, and c) subsequently treating the second gaseous stream to remove the carbon dioxide therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing 1-butenic fractions having less than 2000 ppm of isobutene in relation to 1-butene from technical mixtures of C4 hydrocarbons I which contain at least 1-butene and 2000 ppmw to 8% by mass of isobutene based on the 1-butene, with or without n-butane, isobutane and/or 2-butenes.

Abstract: A method for reducing corrosion in a diolefin extractive distillation process comprising preventing the formation of ammonium carbonate by promoting the formation of a carbonate salt that does not dissociate in the ammonium carbonate dissociation temperature range of that extractive distillation process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an original experimental device for the study and the validation of processes in a reactive simulated moving bed, as well as the method that makes possible the exploitation of the results obtained from said device. This device consists of one or two columns and a number of storage tanks.

Abstract: A process for recovering crude 1,3-butadiene from a C4 fraction by extractive distillation using a selective solvent in a dividing wall column (TK) in which a dividing wall (T) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the column to form a first subregion (A), a second subregion (B) and a lower common column region (C) and which is preceded by an extractive scrubbing column (K), wherein the operation of the dividing wall column (TK) is set by regulation of the energy input into the dividing wall column (TK) via a bottom vaporizer (V) and setting of the number of the theoretical plates in the lower common column region (C) so that a bottom stream (17) consisting of purified solvent is obtained from the dividing wall column (TK), is proposed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a commercially viable process for extracting oxygenates from a hydrocarbon stream, typically a fraction of the condensation product of a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, while preserving the olefin content of the condensation product. The oxygenate extraction process is a liquid-liquid extraction process that takes place in an extraction column using a polar organic solvent, such as methanol, and water as the solvent, wherein the polar organic solvent and water are added separately to the extraction column.

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of a light boiling range (C5-350° F.) fluid catalytically cracked naphtha, which may be first subjected to a thioetherification to react the diolefins with mercaptans contained in it to form sulfides, is fed to a high pressure (>250 psig) catalytic distillation hydrodesulfurization step along with hydrogen under conditions to react most of the organic sulfur compounds, including sulfides from the thioetherification to form H2S. The H2S and a light product stream (C5's and C6's) are removed as overheads. The bottoms from the catalytic distillation hydrodesulfurization step is fractionated and the bottoms from the fractionation contacted with hydrogen in a straight pass hydrogenation step in the presence of a hydrodesulfurization catalyst at pressure of >250 and temperature >400° F. to further reduce the sulfur content.

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.

Abstract: The invention is a process for recovering heat and removing impurities from a reactor effluent stream withdrawn from a fluidized exothermic reaction zone for conversion of oxygenates into light olefins from an oxygenate feedstream. The process comprises a two-stage quench tower system to remove water from the reactor effluent stream in the first tower and recover heat from the reactor effluent to at least partially vaporize the feedstream by indirect heat exchange between the oxygenate feedstream and either a first stage overhead stream or a first stage pumparound stream. A drag stream withdrawn from the first tower comprises the majority of the impurities and higher boiling oxygenates. The second stage tower further removes water and provides a purified water stream which requires minimal water stripping to produce a high purity water stream. The invention concentrates the impurities into a relatively small stream and results in significant energy and capital savings.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to reduce the fouling of equipment for processing petroleum feedstreams. The steps of the process include mixing the feedstream with an aqueous electrolyte forming an oil-in-water dispersion, passing the dispersion through an electrochemical cell, passing a low voltage current through the dispersion, and separating the phases of the dispersion. The oil phase can then be further processed with minimum fouling of the equipment. The water phase is recycled for dispersing fresh petroleum.

Abstract: The impurity content, e.g. propionitrile, in a fraction containing C5 or C6 tertiary olefins obtained by cracking hydrocarbons is reduced by distilling with an alkanol and removing the impurity as a higher boiling point fraction.

Abstract: A high speed zone refiner (10) includes a plurality of elongated heating elements (23) mounted side by side to provide a plurality of spaced elongated heating zones and a sample tray (44) for holding an impure organic specimen. The zone refiner also includes a motor (36) and cam (38) arrangement for cyclically moving the sample tray generally horizontally over the heat bed. The heat bed includes cool zones interspersed between the hot zones with the cool zones comprising a plurality of elongated cooling channels (14) also mounted in a side by side arrangement but alternating with the heating elements. The sample tray is sealed and having a bottom (58) of flexible metallic foil. Using the refiner, hot and cold zones are moved laterally within the impure organic specimen causing impurities to migrate to one end of the sample tray.

Abstract: An extraction process and an apparatus for separating aromatic compounds contained in a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock where the feedstock feed into the lower part of an extraction column is brought into intimate countercurrent contact therein with a third liquid and at least partially with at least one structured packing element (31) of the static mixer type contained in the upper part of the extraction column. Such third liquid (feed to the top of said column) is in the form of a solvent which is immiscible with the feedstock except for being capable of extracting the aromatic compounds. At least part of the extract phase rich in solvent and aromatic compounds is separated by liquid--liquid separation (26), preferably by gravity type decantation, into a phase rich in solvent and essentially depleted of raffinate, which is removed, and a phase rich in raffinate and impoverished in solvent, which is recycled to the extraction step. The extraction process is typically to be used to formulate lubricant oils.

Abstract: A process for the removal of corrosive compounds from a fluid stream, comprising the steps of: in an extraction column with an outer steel tube and an inner tube of corrosion resistant material having an open inlet end and an open outlet end and being arranged coaxially with and spaced apart within at least top portion of the outer tube, introducing at elevated temperature at the inlet end of the inner tube the fluid stream and an extraction agent and effecting in the mixed stream of the fluid and extraction agent extraction of the corrosive compounds; introducing into an annular space between the walls of the outer and the inner tube a shell stream of a non-corrosive fluid, thereby absorbing in the shell stream amounts of the corrosive compounds diffusing through the wall of the inner tube; passing the shell stream to the bottom portion of the outer tube; cooling the mixed stream at the outlet end of the inner tube by introducing into the stream a cooling stream; passing the cooled stream to the bottom porti

Abstract: A process disclosed for the separation, purification and recovery of an unsaturated hydrocarbon from its mixture with at least one other material using a facilitated transport liquid membrane system.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process for separating at least one substituted unsaturated aromatic from a pyrolysis gasoline mixture, containing said aromatic and at least one close-boiling aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbon, employing a two part extractive solvent, the first part selected from propylene carbonate, sulfolane (tetramethylene sulfone), methyl carbitol, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 2-pyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof, and the second portion consisting of water.

Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas containing mercaptans. Mercaptans are concentrated into a distillate stream by distilling the feed gas stream without specific pretreatment for mercaptans removal. Thus, the mercaptans removal equipment is much smaller since mercaptans treatment can take place at a point in the process where the flowrate is much lower. A portion of the treated distillate stream can be reinjected to the upstream distilling stage to facilitate mercaptan absorption.

Abstract: An FCC stripper uses a grid arrangement that provides increased contacting of stripping fluid and catalyst through multiple levels of stripping grids while using a configuration that permits access through the stripper vessel for maintenance and inspection. The invention is particularly suited for large diameter stripping vessels where the typical frusto-conical configuration of baffles greatly increases the length of the stripper. The stripper grids also have orifice openings to redistribute stripping fluid at each level of stripping grid and increase contact between catalyst and stripping fluid.

Abstract: A process for treating a light cracked naphtha to be used as an etherification or alkylation feedstock in which the mercaptans and diolefins are removed simultaneously in a distillation column reactor using a Pd catalyst. The mercaptans are reacted with the diolefins to form sulfides which are higher boiling than that portion of the naphtha which is used as feed to the etherification or alkylation unit. H.sub.2 S reacts in the same manner as the mercaptans to for the sulfides and is similarly removed from streams. The higher boiling sulfides are removed as bottoms along with any C.sub.6 and heavier materials. Any diolefins not converted to sulfides are selectively hydrogenated to mono-olefins for use in the etherification process. Certain C.sub.5 olefins, for example pentene-1 and 3-methyl butene-1 are isomerized during the process to more beneficial isomers.

Abstract: A method for extracting diamondoid compounds from a hydrocarbonaceous fluid such as natural gas, that contains diamondoid compounds is disclosed. The hydrocarbonaceous fluid is mixed with a first solvent in which diamondoids are at least partially soluble. The resulting mixture is separated into a vapor stream and a diamondoid-enriched solvent stream. The vapor stream is then countercurrently flowed past a second solvent in a multistage contacting device, so that a diamondoid-depleted vapor stream and a second diamondoid-enriched solvent stream are created. The diamondoid-enriched solvent streams can be recycled and either added to the first solvent or removed if they are highly saturated with diamondoid compounds.

Abstract: A continuous solvent extraction process for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from a feedstock comprising aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons provides more efficient heat utilization by using a lean solvent stream to heat the rich solvent stream as it passes from a primarily extractive stripping section to a section that primarily provides steam stripping. The feed stream is contacted with a lean solvent stream in an extraction zone to separate it into a raffinate stream comprising non-aromatic hydrocarbons and a first rich solvent stream comprising solvent, aromatic hydrocarbons and non-aromatic hydrocarbons. The first rich solvent stream passes to a first stripping zone section from which a first vapor stream is recovered and a second rich solvent stream is discharged. As the second rich solvent stream is passed to a second section of the stripping zone it is heated by heat exchange with the lean solvent stream that is recovered from the second stripping zone section.

Abstract: A process is provided to remove oxygenates from a C.sub.4 raffinate stream from an MTBE plant. A back-cracking catalyst is placed into the bottom of an oxygenate removal column which will convert any MTBE or TBA contained therein back to their original components of isobutene and methanol or water. The raffinate stream is first subjected to a water wash to remove the gross amounts of methanol and DME.

Abstract: A continuous solvent extraction process for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from a feedstock comprising aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons provides more efficient heat utilization by using a lean solvent stream to heat the rich solvent stream as it passes from a primarily extractive stripping section to a section that primarily provides steam stripping. The feed stream is contacted with a lean solvent stream in an extraction zone to separate it into a raffinate stream comprising non-aromatic hydrocarbons and a first rich solvent stream comprising solvent, aromatic hydrocarbons and non-aromatic hydrocarbons. The first rich solvent stream passes to a first stripping zone section from which a first vapor stream is recovered and a second rich solvent stream is discharged. As the second rich solvent stream is passed to a second section of the stripping zone it is heated by heat exchange with the lean solvent stream that is recovered from the second stripping zone section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cracking a hydrocarbon material. The method includes introducing a stream including a hydrocarbon fluid and a carrier fluid into a reaction zone. A microwave discharge plasma is continuously maintained within the reaction zone, and in the presence of the hydrocarbon fluid and the carrier fluid. Reaction products of the microwave discharge are collected downstream of the reaction zone.

Abstract: A simultaneous recovery of pure benzene and pure toluene is performed by extractive distillation with N-formylmorpholine and/or other N-substituted morpholines whose substituents contain not more than seven C-atoms as a solvent. From the entry product by predistillation, a benzene fraction boiling in the region between 75.degree. and 85.degree. C. and a toluene fraction boiling in the region between 99.degree. and 111.degree. C. is separated. The benzene fraction is supplied in the lower part, and the toluene fraction is supplied in the upper part of the extractive distillation column separated by a chimney plate into two parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cracking a hydrocarbon material. The method includes introducing a stream including a hydrocarbon fluid into a reaction zone. A microwave discharge plasma is continuously maintained within the reaction zone, and in the presence of the hydrocarbon fluid. Reaction products of the microwave discharge are collected downstream of the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of a desired product from a supritical fluid extraction solution employ a restrictor nozzle, a coarse-pore sintered-glass enclosure member and a collecting means for collecting an oil suspension of the desired product. The supercritical fluid extraction solution is decompressed by passing through the restrictor nozzle. The resulting decompressed fluid stream is directed at the enclosure member which is saturated with an oil in which the desired product is soluble. Solutes including the desired product are dissolved in the oil, and the oil is collected. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for use in separating .beta.-carotene from a carbon dioxide solvent.

Abstract: This new process provides for the treatment of a gas containing a light fraction and a heavy fraction, so as to extract at least a portion of the heavy fraction.The process is characterized in that the gas to be treated (1) is contacted with a solvent (8) under cooling conditions to selectively absorb at least a portion of the heavy fraction of the gas in the solvent; the light unabsorbed fraction is discharged (16) and the solution of the heavy fraction in the solvent (18) is subjected to desorption (B.sub.1): the solvent (6) is recycled and the evaporated heavy fraction (9) is condensed (C), expanded (V.sub.1) and evaporated in thermal exchange contact (E.sub.2) with the mixture of the gas and the solvent to be cooled; the heavy fraction is discharged (14).The process may be used for the treatment of gas on the field (associated gas, natural gas) and/or in refining and petrochemical operations.

Abstract: The process relates to the recovering of essentially pure acetylene from the gaseous out-put stream from a coal to acetylene conversion process. A plasma arc generator or other high energy type reactor can be used for the conversion to coal. The gaseous out-put stream is initially treated in an acid gas removal stage by absorbing HCN and H.sub.2 S in an organic solvent such as N-methyl pyrrolidone and scrubbing with a caustic agent such as NaOH to remove CO.sub.2. In a second stage, the gaseous out-put stream is scrubbed with the organic solvent to provide a sweet gas treatment and remove essentially pure acetylene as a product. In a third stage, the second stage gases are first hydrogenated, then desulfurized and then methanated. The out-put from the third stage is recycled to the coal to acetylene conversion process. In a fourth stage, the organic solvent from said second stage is refined and recycled to the first stage and/or second stage.

Abstract: A process for refining an impure material using a helical solution zone and employing a common solvent for both material to be purified and impurity.

Abstract: The process relates to the recovering of essentially pure acetylene from the gaseous out-put stream from a coal to acetylene conversion process. A plasma arc generator or other high energy type reactor can be used for the conversion to coal. The gaseous out-put stream is initially treated in an acid gas removal stage by absorbing HCN and H.sub.2 S in an organic solvent such as N-methyl pyrrolidone and scrubbing with a caustic agent such as NaOH to remove CO.sub.2. In a second stage, the gaseous out-put stream is scrubbed with the organic solvent to provide a sweet gas treatment and remove essentially pure acetylene as a product. In a third stage, the second stage gases are first hydrogenated, then desulferized and then methanated. The out-put from the third stage is recycled to the coal to acetylene conversion process. In a fourth stage, the organic solvent from said second stage is refined and recycled to the first stage and/or second stage.

Abstract: Conjugated diolefins contaminated with relatively high levels of acetylenic impurities in a hydrocarbon feedstream are purified by a cyclic, liquid phase, predominantly catalytic cracking process which selectively removes alpha-acetylenes in a single pass. The energy requirement for removing the alpha-acetylenes in this liquid phase process are from about one-third to about one-fifth as great as that required in a comparable vapor phase process. A feedstream containing about equal weights of butadiene and mixed monoolefins and alkanes contaminated with alpha-acetylenes including vinyl acetylene and methyl acetylene, inter alia, in an amount up to about 1.0 percent by weight (% by wt) of the feedstream, is contacted in the liquid phase with a supported Group I B metal oxide catalyst in the absence of hydrogen, at a temperature in the range from about 200.degree. F. to about 260.degree. F.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process, wherein polyolefins are freed from saturated liquid residual hydrocarbons with the aid of water and steam. The improvement comprisesA. introducing the hydrocarbon-containing polyolefin into an aqueous emulsifier-containing solution having a surface tension at 20.degree. C. of about 50 to 60 dynes/cm with respect to air; stirring the resulting mixture and converting it to a homogeneous dispersion, the aqueous dispersion containing about 10 to 40 weight % of the polyolefin;B. introducing the dispersion into the upper portion of a column provided with 5 to 30 sieve plates and overflow weirs and contacting the dispersion in countercurrent fashion with steam of about 100.degree. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: Process for separating benzene and/or toluene from mixtures thereof with saturated hydrocarbons, by extractive distillation using an aliphatic N-alkylamide as extraction solvent, comprising introducing in the distillation column, above the level of introduction of the extraction solvent, liquid water in an amount and under such conditions that said water is completely vaporized without substantially diluting the solvent, condensing the vapors discharged from the top of the column and dividing the resulting condensate into a phase of liquid saturated hydrocarbons, and a phase of water.