We describe vortical thin layer film flow along a spiral channel designed to improve mass and heat transfer efficiency for a multitude of physicochemical reactions and processes. Spiral channels, commonly augmented by centrifugal rotation, support rapid reaction between one or more fluids in a given channel. Dean vortices generate screw-shaped patterns processing axially in the channel, repeatedly refreshing radial interfaces. Fluids self-align, self-assemble, stable, controllable, exhibit thin film geometry. Multiple discrete lamellae can flow with independent velocity separated by density and may be soluble or insoluble in one another. Membranes separating spirals allow other interactions. Energy can be provided and extracted from each flow. Flows can enter or exit independently along the channel length. The pressure within each channel is controlled even when operated at the liquid's vapor pressure. The device is scalable to include a multiplicity of flows in a multiplicity of centrifugally rotating chambers.

An apparatus and process is provided for improved asphaltene separation from heavy hydrocarbon or bitumen with low process complexity through mass transfer using solvent and counter-current flows, with three sections: an upper DAO/solid-asphaltene separation zone, a middle solvent mixing and segregation zone, and a bottom clarification zone. Solvent mixed with heavy hydrocarbon forms a process feed introduced to the process vessel's upper zone and exposed to counter-current solvent removing DAO from solid asphaltene particles in the feed, the particles fall through the middle zone and are mixed with introduced solvent, which introduced solvent segregates DAO-rich solution in the upper zone (for extraction from that zone) from solvent-rich mixtures in the middle mixing and lower clarification zones. Solvent flows and precipitate movement are controlled to optimize mass transfer in process, resulting in high DAO recovery and dry, solid asphaltene product.

A method including contacting an organic stream with water and carbon dioxide, whereby sodium is extracted from the organic stream, and separating an aqueous sodium salt-containing phase from an organic phase comprising a reduced sodium content. The organic stream can be a heavy residue formed in the co-production of propylene oxide and styrene. Contacting can include combining the carbon dioxide with the water to form a CO.sub.2-saturated water stream and contacting the CO.sub.2-saturated water stream with the organic stream, and/or combining the organic stream and the water to form a mixture and injecting the carbon dioxide as a gas thereinto. The method can further include repeating the contacting and the separating one or more times on the organic phase, subjecting the organic phase to ion exchange, or both, to obtain an organic phase having a further reduced sodium content. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.

One exemplary embodiment can be a process for oxidizing one or more thiol compounds from an alkaline stream. The process may include passing a mixed stream having the alkaline stream to a vessel having an oxidation section, a separation section and a vent gas section. Often, the oxidation section includes a body containing one or more packing elements. The process can further include passing an oxidized alkaline stream to the separation section containing a first chamber and a second chamber. Usually, the first chamber contains a coated mesh and packing. The two sections further form a neck contains a packing, a distributor, and a mesh.

An apparatus and process is provided for improved asphaltene separation from heavy hydrocarbon or bitumen with low process complexity through mass transfer using solvent and counter-current flows, with three sections: an upper DAO/solid-asphaltene separation zone, a middle solvent mixing and segregation zone, and a bottom clarification zone. Solvent mixed with heavy hydrocarbon forms a process feed introduced to the process vessel's upper zone and exposed to counter-current solvent removing DAO from solid asphaltene particles in the feed, the particles fall through the middle zone and are mixed with introduced solvent, which introduced solvent segregates DAO-rich solution in the upper zone (for extraction from that zone) from solvent-rich mixtures in the middle mixing and lower clarification zones. Solvent flows and precipitate movement are controlled to optimize mass transfer in process, resulting in high DAO recovery and dry, solid asphaltene product.

A method for detecting information concerning an emulsion layer within a desalter vessel. Liquid samples are drawn from various depths within the desalter vessel, and each sample is passed through a fluid density and flow measurement device. Information concerning the emulsion layer can be used to adjust injection of demulsifying chemical into the desalter vessel and/or the control the rate of water removal from the desalter vessel.

A dual phase re-circulating extraction apparatus comprises at least one extraction vessel, at least one separation chamber, and a circulation conduit configured to direct a process fluid into the extraction vessel, where it may come into contact with a source material to form a mixture, and is then passed to the separation chamber, where the process fluid separates from the extracted material, and the process fluid is recirculated back to the extraction vessel. The apparatus includes a gas pump, at least one heat exchanger, and a liquid pump, each connected to the conduit, to efficiently convert a relatively low pressure gas after separation to a relatively high pressure liquid or supercritical fluid for extraction. The apparatus can be configured to enable a batch mode process allowing continuous flow to the separators while the extractors are cycled online and offline in a sequence to enable servicing and reloading.

The invention relates to a method of fluid circulation in a setup for implementing a multi-step chemical process, comprising: supplying (102), through a first fluidic circulation system (10a) of the setup and a second fluidic circulation system (10b) of the setup (5) configured in a first supply setting, reagents (R1; R2) for performing a first step of the multi-step chemical process, to a fluidic interaction structure (25; 30) of the setup, collecting (104), in an intermediate product container (37a, 37b) of the setup, a product (R4) obtained from the interaction between the reagents within the fluidic interaction structure (25, 30) during the first step of the multi-step chemical process, and supplying (106), through the first fluidic circulation system (10a) and the second fluidic circulation system (10b) configured in a second supply setting different from the first supply setting, reagents for performing a second step of the multi-step chemical process, to the fluidic interaction structure (25; 30), and
wherein the reagents for performing the second step include the product from the first step collected in the intermediate product container (37a, 37b) or a product obtained from the interaction between said collected product and another reagent within another fluidic interaction structure (30).

A fractional extraction apparatus comprises one or more extraction vessel configured to receive a process fluid, allow the process fluid to come into contact with a source material within the extraction vessel under either of a selectively configured first predetermined pressure and a first predetermined temperature to remove a first predetermined extracted material from the source material to form a first mixture or a second predetermined pressure and a second predetermined temperature to remove a second predetermined extracted material from the source material to form a second mixture. The apparatus further comprises one or more separation chamber and a circulation conduit, the conduit including a separation portion configured to receive the first or second mixture and permit a portion of the first or second predetermined extracted material to separate from the mixture within the separation chamber. The apparatus further comprises a temperature regulator configured to regulate the temperature of the process fluid during extraction. The apparatus further comprises a thermal manager configured to regulate the temperature of the process fluid during recirculation. The apparatus further comprises one or more filter plugs configured to retain a filter at the opening of the extraction vessel.

An extraction apparatus comprises an extraction vessel configured to remove an extracted material from a source material in contact with a process fluid to form a mixture. The apparatus further comprises a separation chamber and a process fluid circulation conduit, the conduit comprising a separation portion configured to receive the mixture and permit a portion of the extracted material to separate from the mixture within the separation chamber. The apparatus further comprises a temperature regulator configured to permit re-circulation of a temperature regulation fluid and regulate the temperature of the process fluid.