Provided herein are methods of inhibiting the aggregation of asphaltenes, as well as methods of identifying appropriate aggregation inhibitors for asphaltenes.

We disclose a process for purification of hydrocarbons, suitable for a wide range of contexts such as refining bunker fuels to yield low-sulphur fuels, cleaning of waste engine oil (etc) to yield a usable hydrocarbon product, recovery of hydrocarbons from used tyres, recovery of hydrocarbons from thermoplastics etc, as well as the treatment of crude oils, shale oils, and the tailings remaining after fractionation and like processes. The method comprises the steps of heating the hydrocarbon thereby to release a gas phase, contacting the gas with an aqueous persulphate electrolyte within a reaction chamber, and condensing the gas to a liquid or a liquid/gas mixture and removing its aqueous component. It also comprises subjecting the reaction product to an electrical field generated by at least two opposing electrode plates between which the reaction product flows; this electrolytic step regenerates the persulphate electrolyte which can be recirculated within the process. The process is ideally applied in an environment at lower than atmospheric pressure, such as less than 1500 Pa. A wide range of hydrocarbons can be treated in this way. Used hydrocarbons such as engine oils and sulphur-contaminated fuels are prime examples, but there are a wide range of others such as hydrocarbons derived from the pyrolysis of a material having a hydrocarbon content. One such example is a mix of used rubber (such as end-of-life tyres) and used oils (such as engine oils, waste marine oils), which can be pyrolysed together to yield a hydrocarbon liquid which can be treated as above, and a residue that provides a useful solid fuel.

A counter-current liquid-liquid extraction column (1) adapted for the flow of two or more liquids (2) therein is disclosed. The column comprises within one common vessel (3): a first inlet (41) for a first liquid feed stream (51), a second inlet (42) for a second liquid feed stream (52), a first outlet (61) for a product stream (71), a second outlet (62) for a byproduct stream (72), a mixing section (8) comprising an agitation means (9), a static section (10) comprising a packing (11), optionally a collector (12) and/or distributor (13), characterized in that within the common vessel (3) are only one mixing section (8) and only either one or two static sections (10). The invention further relates to a process for using said column. The present invention further relates also to the use of the column or process in removing aromatic compounds from organic streams, in treating an oil stream of a refinery, or in a liquid-liquid extraction process.

A counter-current liquid-liquid extraction column (1) adapted for the flow of two or more liquids (2) therein is disclosed. The column comprises within one common vessel (3): a first inlet (41) for a first liquid feed stream (51), a second inlet (42) for a second liquid feed stream (52), a first outlet (61) for a product stream (71), a second outlet (62) for a byproduct stream (72), a mixing section (8) comprising an agitation means (9), a static section (10) comprising a packing (11), optionally a collector (12) and/or distributor (13), characterized in that within the common vessel (3) are only one mixing section (8) and only either one or two static sections (10). The invention further relates to a process for using said column. The present invention further relates also to the use of the column or process in removing aromatic compounds from organic streams, in treating an oil stream of a refinery, or in a liquid-liquid extraction process.

A process for upgrading a pyrolysis oil comprising treating the pyrolysis oil with an upgrading solution to provide a mixture comprising an extract phase and a raffinate phase, wherein the upgrading solution comprises a polar organic solvent, and wherein the pyrolysis oil is a derived from the pyrolysis of plastic or rubber, or a combination thereof, and an upgraded pyrolysis oil prepared by said process.

A process for upgrading a pyrolysis oil comprising treating the pyrolysis oil with an upgrading solution to provide a mixture comprising an extract phase and a raffinate phase, wherein the upgrading solution comprises a polar organic solvent, and wherein the pyrolysis oil is a derived from the pyrolysis of plastic or rubber, or a combination thereof, and an upgraded pyrolysis oil prepared by said process.

Systems and methods for producing one or more olefins using waste plastics and used lubricating oil are disclosed. Mixed waste plastic is processed in a pyrolysis unit to produce plastic derived oil. The plastic derived oil is subsequently blended with used lubricating oil to form a mixture. The mixture is then separated into (1) a light-end stream comprising C1 to C8 hydrocarbons and (2) a heavy hydrocarbon feed stream. The heavy hydrocarbon feed stream is then processed to produce a steam cracking feedstock stream. The light end-stream and/or the steam cracking feedstock stream are then flowed into a cracking unit to produce one or more olefins.

Systems and methods for producing one or more olefins using waste plastics and used lubricating oil are disclosed. Mixed waste plastic is processed in a pyrolysis unit to produce plastic derived oil. The plastic derived oil is subsequently blended with used lubricating oil to form a mixture. The mixture is then separated into (1) a light-end stream comprising C1 to C8 hydrocarbons and (2) a heavy hydrocarbon feed stream. The heavy hydrocarbon feed stream is then processed to produce a steam cracking feedstock stream. The light end-stream and/or the steam cracking feedstock stream are then flowed into a cracking unit to produce one or more olefins.

A process for removing metals in a petroleum oil material. The process comprises causing the petroleum oil material to react with a removing agent which comprises a phosphoric acid ester. A microwave irradiation environment was created during the reaction to provide the required energy essential for separating such contaminations from the oil chemical network. The process of the invention is applied at ambient pressure and low temperature compared to the conventional metal removal processes. The process of the invention can be readily scaled up and integrated into an industrial facility.

A process for removing metals in a petroleum oil material. The process comprises causing the petroleum oil material to react with a removing agent which comprises a phosphoric acid ester. A microwave irradiation environment was created during the reaction to provide the required energy essential for separating such contaminations from the oil chemical network. The process of the invention is applied at ambient pressure and low temperature compared to the conventional metal removal processes. The process of the invention can be readily scaled up and integrated into an industrial facility.