A process for facile separation of lighter hydrocarbon fractions from the heavier fractions of hydrocarbon oil feedstocks is disclosed, which utilizes novel sparging and reverse distillation techniques. The present invention can be utilized for the facile “topping” of crude oil extracted on-site. Moreover, while heavier hydrocarbon fractions may be shipped to refineries for further processing, this invention will also prove useful for quick separation of light fractions produced by cracking processes off-site.

A process for facile separation of lighter hydrocarbon fractions from the heavier fractions of hydrocarbon oil feedstocks is disclosed, which utilizes novel sparging and reverse distillation techniques. The present invention can be utilized for the facile “topping” of crude oil extracted on-site. Moreover, while heavier hydrocarbon fractions may be shipped to refineries for further processing, this invention will also prove useful for quick separation of light fractions produced by cracking processes off-site.

A global theoretical graphical representation of a soft sensor is generated based on a cursory model, where the soft sensor is used to control crude stabilization. A plurality of local real-life graphical representations are generated for the soft sensor, each of the plurality of local real-life graphical representations corresponding to a respective local regime. A global real-life graphical representation is generated for the soft sensor by combining the plurality of local real-life graphical representations. A set of numerical values for the soft sensor are generated based on the global real-life graphical representation. The soft sensor is updated based on lab results and a crude stabilization operation is controlled using the soft sensor.

A global theoretical graphical representation of a soft sensor is generated based on a cursory model, where the soft sensor is used to control crude stabilization. A plurality of local real-life graphical representations are generated for the soft sensor, each of the plurality of local real-life graphical representations corresponding to a respective local regime. A global real-life graphical representation is generated for the soft sensor by combining the plurality of local real-life graphical representations. A set of numerical values for the soft sensor are generated based on the global real-life graphical representation. The soft sensor is updated based on lab results and a crude stabilization operation is controlled using the soft sensor.

Low vapor pressure hydrocarbon blends are provided, comprising miscible and separable hydrocarbon fractions. A high-octane low-boiling point diluent fraction may be combined with a high-boiling point bitumen fraction. In select embodiments, and the blend may have a viscosity of less than about 350 cSt and a density of less than about 940 kg/m.sup.3 over a temperature range of from 7.5° C. to 18.5° C. After transportation, for example by pipeline, the high-octane low-boiling point diluent fraction may be recovered from the blend, and may for example be used as a high-octane gasoline blendstock.

Low vapor pressure hydrocarbon blends are provided, comprising miscible and separable hydrocarbon fractions. A high-octane low-boiling point diluent fraction may be combined with a high-boiling point bitumen fraction. In select embodiments, and the blend may have a viscosity of less than about 350 cSt and a density of less than about 940 kg/m.sup.3 over a temperature range of from 7.5° C. to 18.5° C. After transportation, for example by pipeline, the high-octane low-boiling point diluent fraction may be recovered from the blend, and may for example be used as a high-octane gasoline blendstock.

A gas oil separation plant (GOSP) and method for receiving crude oil from a wellhead and removing gas, water, and salt from the crude oil, and discharging export crude oil. The GOSP includes online analyzer instruments for performing online analysis of salt concentration in multiple streams in the GOSP. Based in part on the online analysis, the salt content in the export crude oil may be determined and the flowrate for wash water supplied to the desalter vessel may be specified.

A gas oil separation plant (GOSP) and method for receiving crude oil from a wellhead and removing gas, water, and salt from the crude oil, and discharging export crude oil. The GOSP includes online analyzer instruments for performing online analysis of salt concentration in multiple streams in the GOSP. Based in part on the online analysis, the salt content in the export crude oil may be determined and the flowrate for wash water supplied to the desalter vessel may be specified.

A process is described for reducing the level of benzene in a refinery gasoline feed containing benzene and at least one C.sub.5+ olefin, in which the refinery gasoline feed is contacted with a first alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to react at least part of the C.sub.5+ olefin and benzene in the refinery gasoline feed and produce a first alkylation effluent. The first alkylation effluent is separated into at least (i) a first fraction rich in benzene, (ii) a second fraction rich in C.sub.7 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbons and (iii) a third fraction rich in C.sub.13+ hydrocarbons. At least part of the first fraction is contacted with an alkylating agent comprising one or more C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 olefins in the presence of a second alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a second alkylation effluent which has reduced benzene content as compared with the first fraction.

A process is described for reducing the level of benzene in a refinery gasoline feed containing benzene and at least one C.sub.5+ olefin, in which the refinery gasoline feed is contacted with a first alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to react at least part of the C.sub.5+ olefin and benzene in the refinery gasoline feed and produce a first alkylation effluent. The first alkylation effluent is separated into at least (i) a first fraction rich in benzene, (ii) a second fraction rich in C.sub.7 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbons and (iii) a third fraction rich in C.sub.13+ hydrocarbons. At least part of the first fraction is contacted with an alkylating agent comprising one or more C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 olefins in the presence of a second alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a second alkylation effluent which has reduced benzene content as compared with the first fraction.