A method for preparing feed material for a catalytic depolymerisation process, the method comprising the steps of: separating feedstock into two or more feedstock streams based on one or more properties of the feedstock, introducing each of the two or more feedstock streams into one or more process vessels, processing the feedstock streams in the presence of a catalyst in the process vessels under conditions of elevated temperature in order to produce two or more intermediate feedstock streams, and blending the two or more intermediate feedstock streams to form the feed material.

Improved catalytic reforming processes and systems employ reforming reactors in a more efficient manner and can avoid problems associated with yield loss. Aromatics and isoparaffins are separated prior to passing to a reforming unit. An integrated process for producing gasoline blending components includes: separating a naphtha feedstream into an aromatic-rich stream and an aromatic-lean stream; separating the aromatic-lean stream into an isoparaffin-rich stream and an isoparaffin-lean stream; and catalytically reforming the isoparaffin-lean stream to produce a reformate stream.

A process is provided for making a polymer comprising providing a mixture of at least one furandicarboxylic acid, at least one diol, and at least one C2-C3 dicarboxlic acid, ester derivatives of C2-C3 dicarboxylic acid, hydroxy fatty acid or ester derivative of a hydroxy fatty acid; adding a catalyst and processing said mixture at reaction conditions until a polymer product is produced. The polymer consists of random units based upon the starting materials that are used.

A process is provided for making a polymer comprising providing a mixture of at least one furandicarboxylic acid, at least one diol, and at least one C2-C3 dicarboxlic acid, ester derivatives of C2-C3 dicarboxylic acid, hydroxy fatty acid or ester derivative of a hydroxy fatty acid; adding a catalyst and processing said mixture at reaction conditions until a polymer product is produced. The polymer consists of random units based upon the starting materials that are used.

Improved catalytic reforming processes and systems employ reforming reactors in a more efficient manner and can avoid problems associated with yield loss. Aromatics and isoparaffins are separated prior to passing to a reforming unit. An integrated process for producing gasoline blending components includes: separating a naphtha feedstream into an aromatic-rich stream and an aromatic-lean stream; separating the aromatic-lean stream into an isoparaffin-rich stream and an isoparaffin-lean stream; and catalytically reforming the isoparaffin-lean stream to produce a reformate stream.

Corrosion inhibitor compositions and methods for inhibiting corrosion on a metal surface exposed to a hydrocarbon fluid are provided. The corrosion inhibitor composition can comprise 2-aminoterephthalic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide and heavy aromatic naphtha (HAN). In another embodiment, the composition can comprise 4-methylamino benzoic acid or 4-methylsulfonyl benzoic acid, N-methyl pyrrolidone, and HAN. In the method, a corrosion inhibitor composition comprising 2-aminoterephthalic acid, 4-methylamino benzoic acid, or 4-methylsulfonyl benzoic acid can be added to a hydrocarbon fluid exposed to the metal surface. The corrosion can be caused by naphthenic acid.

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

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 process for the treatment of a hydrocracking unit bottoms recycle stream, and preferably the fresh hydrocracker feed to remove heavy poly-nuclear aromatic (HPNA) compounds and HPNA precursors employs, in the alternative, an adsorption step which removes most of the HPNA compounds followed by an ionic liquid extraction step to remove the remaining HPNA compounds, or a first ionic liquid extraction step which removes most of the HPNA compounds followed by an adsorption step to remove the remaining HPNA compounds. Ionic liquids of the general formula Q.sup.+A.sup. are identified for use in the process; organic polar solvents are identified for removal of the HPNA compounds in solution. Suitable adsorbents are identified for use in packed bed or slurry bed columns that operate within specified temperature and pressure ranges.