An aqueous caustic composition comprising: a caustic component; an additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the caustic composition when such is exposed to acid; and water. Methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.

An aqueous caustic composition comprising: a caustic component; an additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the caustic composition when such is exposed to acid; and water. Methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.

A process comprising creating an immiscible mixture by combining (a) a hydrocarbon feedstock containing contaminants and (b) a wash water, to create the immiscible mixture with at least three distinct layers: a hydrocarbon layer, a rag layer, and a brine layer. In this process a portion of the contaminants are removed from the hydrocarbon mixture where are then transferred to the brine layer. The brine layer is then separated from the immiscible mixture. In this process an alkalinity modifier is added in the process to reduce the emulsions in the immiscible mixture to create the at least three distinct layers.

A process comprising creating an immiscible mixture by combining (a) a hydrocarbon feedstock containing contaminants and (b) a wash water, to create the immiscible mixture with at least three distinct layers: a hydrocarbon layer, a rag layer, and a brine layer. In this process a portion of the contaminants are removed from the hydrocarbon mixture where are then transferred to the brine layer. The brine layer is then separated from the immiscible mixture. In this process an alkalinity modifier is added in the process to reduce the emulsions in the immiscible mixture to create the at least three distinct layers.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an aqueous reforming system and a method for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons. A hydrocarbon feed and a surfactant stream are combined to produce a first precursor stream. The first precursor stream and an alkali feed are combined to produce a second precursor stream. The second precursor stream and a transition metal feed are combined to produce a catalytic emulsion stream. The catalytic emulsion stream is heated to produce a catalytic suspension and a decomposition gas, where the decomposition gas is separated by a first separator. The catalytic suspension is combined with a preheated water stream to produce an aqueous reformer feed. The aqueous reformer feed is introduced to an aqueous reformer such that the heavy hydrocarbons undergo conversion reactions to produce an effluent stream. The effluent stream is introduced to a second separator to produce a heavy stream and a light stream. The light stream is introduced to a third separator to produce a gas stream, a distillate stream, and a spent water stream. Optionally, a portion of the distillate stream and the hydrocarbon feed can be combined to produce the first precursor stream such that the first precursor stream is in the absence of a surfactant.

A method of removing a metal contaminant from a light hydrocarbon stream comprises introducing a light hydrocarbon stream into a reactor vessel, the reactor vessel containing an aqueous treatment composition which comprises a treatment agent comprising one or more of the following: an alkali metal salt of a thiocarbonate; an alkaline earth metal salt of a thiocarbonate; an alkali metal salt of a tetrathioperoxy carbonate; or an alkaline earth metal salt of a tetrathioperoxy carbonate, the light hydrocarbon stream having an API gravity of greater than 28 degree determined in accordance with ASTM D 287-12 and comprising a metal contaminant; contacting the light hydrocarbon stream with the aqueous treatment composition generating a treated light hydrocarbon stream with a reduced level of the metal contaminant; and removing the treated light hydrocarbon stream from the reactor vessel.

The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, e.g., the steam cracking of feeds comprising hydrocarbon and nitrogen-containing compositions. The invention also relates to equipment, systems, and apparatus useful for such pyrolysis, to the products and by-products of such pyrolysis, and to the further processing of such products and co-products, e.g., by polymerization.

The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, e.g., the steam cracking of feeds comprising hydrocarbon and nitrogen-containing compositions. The invention also relates to equipment, systems, and apparatus useful for such pyrolysis, to the products and by-products of such pyrolysis, and to the further processing of such products and co-products, e.g., by polymerization.

The present technology provides a method that includes contacting a composition with a caustic solution to produce a caustic-treated composition; combining the caustic-treated composition with silica particles to produce a slurry; and removing the silica particles from the slurry to produce a treated composition; wherein the composition includes one or more of animal fats, animal oils, plant fats, plant oils, vegetable fats, vegetable oils, greases, and used cooking oil and the composition includes: at least about 10 wppm of total metals, at least about 8 wppm of phosphorus, at least about 10 wppm of chlorine, at least about 10 wppm of sulfur, at least about 20 wppm of nitrogen, at least about 5 wt. % of free fatty acids; and has an acid number from about 10 mg KOH/g to about 150 mg KOH/g, and the silica particles has a particle size from about 10 microns to about 50 microns, a BET surface area from about 200 m.sup.2/g to about 1000 m.sup.2/g.

Systems and processes for removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. Sulfur compounds are extracted from a hydrocarbon feed stream with a caustic stream to provide a treated hydrocarbon stream and a rich caustic stream. The sulfur compounds in the rich caustic stream are oxidized in the presence of a catalyst to provide a lean caustic stream. The lean caustic stream is returned to extract sulfur from the hydrocarbon stream. Data such as a concentration of sulfurs species and degree of caustic saturation with the sulfur species in the rich caustic stream may be provided by a sensor, compared against other real-time or historical data and used to provide a recommended adjustment to process conditions associated with an extraction unit, or an oxidation unit, or both.