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.

The present invention relates to upgrading heavy petroleum oils, their residues, and/or polymeric materials. More specifically the present invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy petroleum oils, their residues, and/or polymeric materials by hydrothermal treatment with an aqueous solvent.

The present invention relates to upgrading heavy petroleum oils, their residues, and/or polymeric materials. More specifically the present invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy petroleum oils, their residues, and/or polymeric materials by hydrothermal treatment with an aqueous solvent.

Methods and systems are provided herein utilizing a membrane cascade to separate a hydrocarbon feed into boiling point fractions. Also provided herein are methods for selecting membranes for said cascades to achieve the desired boiling point fraction separation.

Methods and systems are provided herein utilizing a membrane cascade to separate a hydrocarbon feed into boiling point fractions. Also provided herein are methods for selecting membranes for said cascades to achieve the desired boiling point fraction separation.

Metals, such as mercury, may be removed from glycol fluids by applying a sulfur compound having the general formula HS—X, wherein X is a heteroatom-substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and/or alkylaryl group either alone or in combination with or as a blend with at least one antifoam additive, at least one demulsifier and/or a buffering agent, to chelate the at least one metal and form a chelate complex of the sulfur compound with the at least one metal and then separating the chelate complex from the fluid.

The present application provides systems and methods for upgrading an oil stream. The system includes a reactor, a phase separator, an expansion device, a cooling unit, and two separation units. The reactor receives the oil stream, ammonia, and supercritical water. The supercritical water upgrades the oil stream, and the ammonia reacts with sulfur initially present in the oil stream to produce ammonia-sulfur compounds. The phase separator receives a mixture stream comprising the upgraded oil stream, supercritical water, and the ammonia-sulfur compounds, and separates out non-dissolved components. The expansion device reduces the pressure of the mixture stream below a water critical pressure. The cooling unit reduces the temperature of the mixture stream. A first separation unit separates the mixture stream it into a hydrocarbon-rich gaseous phase, a water stream containing ammonia-sulfur compounds, and a treated oil stream. A second separation unit separates the ammonia-sulfur compounds from the water stream.

The present application provides systems and methods for upgrading an oil stream. The system includes a reactor, a phase separator, an expansion device, a cooling unit, and two separation units. The reactor receives the oil stream, ammonia, and supercritical water. The supercritical water upgrades the oil stream, and the ammonia reacts with sulfur initially present in the oil stream to produce ammonia-sulfur compounds. The phase separator receives a mixture stream comprising the upgraded oil stream, supercritical water, and the ammonia-sulfur compounds, and separates out non-dissolved components. The expansion device reduces the pressure of the mixture stream below a water critical pressure. The cooling unit reduces the temperature of the mixture stream. A first separation unit separates the mixture stream it into a hydrocarbon-rich gaseous phase, a water stream containing ammonia-sulfur compounds, and a treated oil stream. A second separation unit separates the ammonia-sulfur compounds from the water stream.

Metals, such as mercury, may be removed from aqueous, hydrocarbon, or mixed oilfield or refinery fluids by: applying a sulfur compound having the general formula HS-X, wherein X is a heteroatom substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and/or alkylaryl group either alone or in combination with or as a blend with at least one demulsifier, a buffering agent, a pour point depressant, and/or a water clarifier to chelate the at least one metal and form a chelate complex of the sulfur compound with the at least one metal and then separating the chelate complex from the fluid.