Abstract: A process for separating diamondoids and water from a gas stream that is being cooled to below atmospheric temperature is disclosed. The multi-component gas stream is contacted with a diamondoid solvent and a water solvent (glycol) simultaneously. The feed gas can be cooled to temperatures of at least ?40° F. without formation of water-based or diamondoid solids. Downstream equipment is protected from large accumulations of diamondoid solids or liquids. The feed gas may be natural gas, coal seam gas, associated gas, or other naturally occurring gases. The rich solvent with diamonoids may be regenerated or simply recirculated with make-up of fresh solvent and a purge of rich solvent. The rich glycol and rich diamondoid solvent streams are each separated from the feed gas after cooling. The lean glycol and lean solvent can be mixed using static mixers in order to inject with a single set of nozzles.

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: A continuous process for isolating butenes from a C4 fraction comprising butanes, butenes and other C3-C5-hydrocarbons by extractive distillation using a selective solvent (LM), comprising a first process stage I in a scrubbing zone (E) and a second process stage II in a degassing zone (A), wherein the liquid or a substream of the liquid is taken off from the degassing zone (A) at a theoretical plate located one or more theoretical plates below the feed point for the bottom stream (LM/C4H8) from the scrubbing zone (E), heated and/or vaporized by indirect heat exchange with the hot bottom stream (LM) from the degassing zone (A) and returned to the degassing zone (A) at the same theoretical plate or above this, with the theoretical plate from which the liquid or substream of liquid is taken off being selected so that the total energy requirement in the process stages I and II is minimized, is proposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process to separate butadiene dimers from a mixture comprising butadiene dimers and alkyl-3-pentenoate and/or isomers thereof wherein the butadiene dimers are separated from said mixture by distillation in the presence of an alcohol and in that the distillation is effected at a bottom temperature of between 80 and 200° C. Examples of frequent occurring butadiene dimers are 4-vinylcyclohexene and 1,3,7-octatriene. Examples of the alcohol are monohydroxy aliphatic alcohols.

Abstract: A catalytic distillation process for isomerizing and separating 1-alkenes from a mixed alkene stream. The process comprises contacting a mixed alkene stream comprising the 1-alkene and homologs thereof with a supported isomerization catalyst under isomerization/distillation conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the homologs to the 1-alkene, the isomerization/distillation conditions also being effective to produce a distillation overhead comprising a sufficient portion of the 1-alkene to drive isomerization of the homologs to the 1-alkene while maintaining the mixed alkene stream at least partially in liquid phase. The isomerization/distillation conditions are effective to recover a quantity of 1-alkene greater than an equilibrium quantity of 1-alkene recovered under isomerization conditions alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the liquid-liquid extraction or liquid-gas extraction of mixtures of organic compounds, in which one or more components of the mixture are completely or partly extracted by means of a phase comprising at least one ionic liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for settling suspended finely divided inorganic solid particles from a hydrocarbon slurry using an additive. The additive comprises (a) a hydroxy-terminated polyoxyalkylate chain(s) containing polymer having at least one oxygen atom and at least one nitrogen atom and, optionally, (b) other components such as a solvent, an acid or mixtures thereof.

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: 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: Methods and compositions effective to prevent deposition of fouling agents, preferably polymerization precursors, on handling equipment, particularly during solvent recovery.

Abstract: A process for the separation and recovery of minor components from vegetable oil such as palm oil. Esterified palm oil is subjected to molecular distillation giving a concentrate rich in minor components. The concentrate is then adsorbed to adsorbents such as normal phase silica gel, reversed phase (particularly C18) silica gel or neutral alumina as well as polymer absorbents such as polyethylene glycol and polyacrylate polyalcohol. Minor components such as squalene, carotenes, tocols and sterols are then selectively desorbed, separated and recovered using solvents operating at isocratic conditions. The desorption of the said minor components are sped up by applying pressure of between 0.2 to 50 bar. By the same method, individual tocols isomers from palm oil can also be separated and recovered.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of phytonutrients such as carotenes, phospholipids and ubiquinones from palm oil esters is disclosed. This process comprises the steps of vacuum distillation, treatment and purification of concentrate containing these phytonutrients. The alkyl esters is subjected to at least one stage vacuum distillation at temperature from 80° C. to 220° C. and pressure less than 40 mTorr. The carotenes concentrate is subjected to various physical and chemical treatments to yield higher carotenes concentration enriched with ubiquinones in indigenous diacylglycerols.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feedstock, includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon feed having an initial characteristic; providing a first hydrogen-containing gas; feeding the hydrocarbon feed and the first hydrogen-containing gas cocurrently to a first hydroprocessing zone so as to provide a first hydrocarbon product; providing a plurality of additional hydroprocessing zones including a final zone and an upstream zone; feeding the first hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a recycled gas to the upstream zone so as to provide an intermediate hydrocarbon product; and feeding the intermediate hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a second hydrogen-containing gas to the final zone so as to provide a final hydrocarbon product having a final characteristic which is improved as compared to the initial characteristic.

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: An improved furfural extraction process for lube oil base-stock production from hydrocarbon oils containing aromatic type material by the addition of a solvent comprising of furfural and a co-solvent, said process being conducted in a continuous countercurrent extraction column that facilitates phase separation and increases the raffinate yield while maintaining the same raffinate quality measured by raffinate refractive index.

Abstract: A process for the distillation of vinylaromatic monomers in the presence of 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) and oxygen, wherein no aromatic nitro or amino compound is present in any effective amount. The process is particularly suitable for destabilizing and purifying styrene which has been stabilized with 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) for transportation.

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: 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: A crystal substance formed by precipitating as fibrous aggregates by making a metal aliphatic carboxylate dissolve completely in pure water, stirring, and gradually cooling the resulting solution. A method of preparing the fibrous crystal aggregates. A material for recovering flowing oil and method of recovering flowing oil by using the fibrous crystal aggregates. A material for solidifying liquid hydrocarbon, waste tempura oil and edible oil and method of solidifying liquid hydrocarbon, waste tempura oil and edible oil by using the fibrous crystal aggregates. A method of preparing the solidifying material.

Abstract: A process for separating a feed mixture comprising at least one aromatic hydrocarbon and at least one non-aromatic hydrocarbon by extractive distillation (ED) utilizing a solvent mixture comprising sulfolane and at least one co-solvent. The co-solvent is an alkyl sulfolane having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule. The solvent mixture is added to the top of the ED column, and the feed mixture is added at a point on the ED column that is lower than the point where the solvent mixture is added. Extractive distillation is performed, and the aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons are separated.

Abstract: An olefin product rich in cis- or trans-isomers can be produced by reacting the mixed olefin feedstock with an linear polyaromatic compound such as anthracene under heat, then separating the unreacted olefin enriched in cis-isomer. The remaining linear unreacted polyaromtic compound and the polyaromatic compound-olefin adduct can be heated to dissociate the adduct to linear polyaromatic compound and olefin stream enriched in trans-isomer.

Abstract: A process for the separation of conjugated olefins from monoolefins in a fluid comprising such conjugated olefins and monoolefins using a Diels-Alder reaction to provide a fluid comprising a Diels-Alder adduct and monoolefins. The fluid comprising such Diels-Alder adduct and monoolefins can be subjected to a separating means to thereby recover a resulting monoolefin-containing fluid containing less than about 50 parts per million conjugated olefins. The process is particularly useful for purification of fluids containing normal alpha olefins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for settling suspended finely divided inorganic solid particles from a hydrocarbon slurry using an additive. The additive comprises (a) a hydroxy-terminated polyoxyalkylate chain(s) containing polymer having at least one oxygen atom and at least one nitrogen atom and, optionally, (b) other components such as a solvent, an acid or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for purifying to a high degree of purity aromatic hydrocarbons containing impurities which are difficult to separate by distillation such as sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds. The process of this invention for purifying aromatic hydrocarbons comprises treating crude aromatic hydrocarbons with a formaldehyde or with a formaldehyde and a phenol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form oligomers, distilling or evaporating the reaction mixture thereby separating the unreacted aromatic hydrocarbons from the oligomers, and crystallizing or washing with an organic solvent the separated aromatic hydrocarbons. In case the target hydrocarbon is naphthalene, it is possible to prepare naphthalene which has a purity of 99.9999 wt % or more, emits little odor, and can be readily flavored by perfumes. Naphthalene of this quality is used to prepare an insecticide of excellent fragrance.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reduction of oxygenates, including acid, from an olefin containing feedstream. Typically the feedstream is of Fischer-Tropsch process origin and includes hydrocarbons, such as olefins, paraffins, and aromatics, as well as oxygenates, including acid.

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 method and apparatus for isolation of a barely volatile organic compound in a sample suspected to contain the same, e.g. a dioxin, which includes continuously adding superheated steam and a volatile and hardly water-soluble/water-insoluble solvent to a liquid or solid sample suspected to contain said organic compound to be isolated, a solid sample being dissolved in said solvent which can dissolve said organic compound to be isolated, distilling off an azeotropic mixture of said organic compound and said solvent by steam distillation, separating a solvent phase of said solvent dissolving said organic compound and said water phase, and recovering quantitatively said organic compound from said solvent. The dioxins are then further subjected to analysis, for example, GC, HRGC-MS and the like.

Abstract: A material contaminated with a solvent is treated with a hydrofluorocarbon to remove the contaminant. The hydrofluorocarbon can be tetrafluoroethane.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of solidifying a low-boiling-point hydrocarbon, wherein the low-boiling-point hydrocarbon (including hydrocarbons which are gaseous at ordinary temperature) is brought into contact with a metal salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid, and if necessary a high-boiling-point hydrocarbon, suspended in water, to form a solid aggregate substance, a method of handling the low-boiling-point hydrocarbon, wherein the solid aggregate substance is stored or transported, and a method of regenerating the low-boiling-point hydrocarbon, wherein the solid aggregate substance is decomposed by opening or heating, to obtain the low-boiling-point hydrocarbon. According to the methods, a wide variety of gaseous and highly volatile liquid hydrocarbons can be safely and easily solidified without using harmful reagent, and during storage, transportation, etc., the gaseous hydrocarbons and highly volatile liquids can be handled as a solid material.

Abstract: An improved process for the recovery of aromatic compounds from a mixture containing aromatic and non-aromatic compounds and method for retrofitting existing equipment for the same is provided. The improved process comprises the steps of recovering aromatic compounds via parallel operation of a hybrid extractive distillation/liquid-liquid extractor operation and variations thereof. Methods of quickly and economically retrofitting existing recovery process equipment for use with the improved aromatic recovery process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of purifying olefin containing oxygenate contaminants. The method incorporates the use of extractive distillation. Under the appropriate conditions, olefins containing very low levels of oxygenate contaminants can be recovered.

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: The present invention provides a process for removing sulfur compounds including sulfur in the (−2) oxidation state such as mercaptans, dialkyl sulfides, carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, thiophenes and benzothiophenes, from liquid or gas feed streams, particularly hydrocarbon feed streams such as, for example, natural gas and refinery process streams. According to the process, such a feed stream including these sulfur impurities is contacted with an absorbent which includes a metal ion-containing organic composition such as, for example, iron, copper, lead, nickel, tin, zinc or mercury cation-containing phthalocyanine or porphyrin to thereby form sulfur-metal cation coordination complexes in which the oxidation state of the sulfur and the metal cation remains essentially unchanged. The complexes are separated from the feed stream, and the absorbent is regenerated by disassociating the sulfur compound from the complexes.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of perfluorinated sulphonic acid from a hydrocarbon residue, comprising the steps of (a) treating the residue with an alkyl ammonium salt of the perfluorinated sulphonic acid or a mixture of an alkyl ammonium salt of the perfluorinated sulphonic acid and the perfluorinated sulphonic acid in an amount being effective to liquefy the residue at ambient temperature; (b) contacting the liquefied residue with water at conditions to obtaining an aqueous extract containing the perfluorinated sulphonic acid and/or the alkyl ammonium salt of the perfluorinated acid into water; and (c) separating water from the aqueous extract to recover the perfluorinated sulphonic acid or the mixture of the acid and the ammonium salt.

Abstract: A material for fixing gaseous hydrocarbon containing fibrous crystal aggregates formed by precipitating by making a metal aliphatic carboxylate dissolve completely in pure water to give a solution, stirring and gradually cooling the resulting solution; a method of preparing the fixing material; and a method of adsorbing and solidifying gaseous hydrocarbon by using the fixing material.

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: A process for the separation of conjugated olefins from monoolefins in a fluid comprising such conjugated olefins and monoolefins using a Diels-Alder reaction to provide a fluid comprising a Diels-Alder adduct and monoolefins. The fluid comprising such Diels-Alder adduct and monoolefins can be subjected to a separating means to thereby recover a resulting monoolefin-containing fluid containing less than about 50 parts per million conjugated olefins. The process is particularly useful for purification of fluids containing normal alpha olefins.

Abstract: A mixture contains one or more vinyl-containing compounds as component (A) and, as a further component, a stabilizer (B) which contains one or more readily volatile nitroxyl compounds as component (b1), one or more sparingly volatile nitroxyl compounds as component (b2), if required one or more aromatic nitro compounds as component (b3) and, if required, one or more iron compounds as component (b4). Stabilizers (B) contain the components (b1) and (b2), (b1) and (b2) and (b3), (b1) and (b2) and (b4), and (b1), (b2), (b3) and (b4), and the premature polymerization of vinyl-containing compounds during their purification or distillation is inhibited by a process in which a stabilizer (B) is added or the components of stabilizer (B) are added as individual substances or in at least two groups of the components.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for decreasing the amount of acids contained in oils by forming a water-in-oil emulsion and utilizing solids.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of solidifying a low-boiling-point hydrocarbon, wherein the low-boiling-point hydrocarbon (including hydrocarbons which are gaseous at ordinary temperature) is brought into contact with a metal salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid, and if necessary a high-boiling-point hydrocarbon, suspended in water, to form a solid aggregate substance, a method of handling the low-boiling-point hydrocarbon, wherein the solid aggregate substance is stored or transported, and a method of regenerating the low-boiling-point hydrocarbon, wherein the solid aggregate substance is decomposed by opening or heating, to obtain the low-boiling-point hydrocarbon. According to the methods, a wide variety of gaseous and highly volatile liquid hydrocarbons can be safely and easily solidified without using harmful reagent, and during storage, transportation, etc., the gaseous hydrocarbons and highly volatile liquids can be handled as a solid material.

Abstract: A process is described for extracting carotenes from carotene-containing materials, in particular from fats and oils of biological origin, which provides for extraction of carotene-containing material with an extractant comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, N-methylpyrrolidone, N,Ndimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, 4-formylmorpholine, 4-acetylmorpholine, 4-methylmorpholine, 4-phenylmorpholine.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of high-boiling monomers from distillation residue formed in the cyclodimerization and/or cyclotrimerization of 1,3-butadiene after target products of cyclooctadiene, vinylcyclohexene and/or cyclododecatriene have been separated off, comprising extracting the distillation residue with a nonpolar or slightly polar solvent, separating off insoluble oligomers and polymers that have at least partly crystallized by mechanical separation, removing the extractant, and isolating the high-boiling monomers.

Abstract: A method of separating aromatic hydrocarbons and non-aromatic hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons and naphtenes involves distilling a mixture of the components by an extractive distillation process in the presence of an extractive distillation solvent. The extractive distillation solvent may be an ester of a dibasic acid, an acetonyl acetone or morpholine.

Abstract: A process for the distillation of vinylaromatic monomers in the presence of 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) and oxygen, wherein no aromatic nitro or amino compound is present in any effective amount. The process is particularly suitable for destabilizing and purifying styrene which has been stabilized with 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) for transportation.

Abstract: A C4-hydrocarbon mixture essentially containing 1,3-butadiene, butenes, butanes and other C4-hydrocarbons is separated into at least 4 fractions, a) the fraction (a) essentially comprising 1,3-butadiene, b) the fraction (b) essentially comprising butenes, c) the fraction (c) essentially comprising butanes and d) one or more fractions (d) essentially comprising 1,3-butadiene and the other C4-hydrocarbons, by extractive distillation by means of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone or an aqueous solution of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP).

Abstract: An additive is used in a method for settling suspended finely divided inorganic solid particles from a hydrocarbon slurry. The additive comprises (a) a hydroxy-terminated polyoxyalkylate chain(s) containing polymer having at least one oxygen atom and at least one nitrogen atom and, optionally, (b) other components such as a solvent, an acid or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for separating a feed mixture comprising at least one aromatic hydrocarbon and at least one non-aromatic hydrocarbon by extractive distillation (ED) utilizing a solvent mixture comprising sulfolane and at least one co-solvent. The co-solvent is an alkyl sulfolane having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule. The solvent mixture is added to the top of the ED column, and the feed mixture is added at a point on the ED column that is lower than the point where the solvent mixture is added. Extractive distillation is performed, and the aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons are separated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating finely divided solids from a hydrocarbon slurry by using an additive that comprises a polymer and, optionally, an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid; and a composition of the additive thereof. The polymer is a polymer having (a) a polymeric backbone comprising polyol units and at least one unsaturated polycarboxylic unit, (b) acrylate units coordinated via unsaturated polycarboxylic units, and (c) oxyalkylated alkyl phenol units.