A system and method are provided for the separation of hydrogen from natural gas feedstock to form hydrocarbon radicals. Aspects of the system include perpendicular magnetic and electric fields, a method of radical formation that separates hydrogen from the reaction process, and a separation method based on centrifugal forces and phase transitions. The gases rotate in the chamber due to the Lorentz force without any mechanical motion. Rotation separates gases and liquids by centrifugal force. The lighter species are collected from the mid region endpoint of the apparatus and fed back for further reaction. A new concept of controlled turbulence is introduced to mix various species. A novel magnetic field device is introduced comprised of two specially magnetized cylinders. A novel control of temperatures, pressures, electron densities and profiles by, RF, microwaves, UV and rotation frequency are possible especially when atomic, molecular, cyclotron resonances are taken into account. The electrodes can be coated with catalysts; the entire apparatus can be used as a new type of chemical reactor.

Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve performing a startup mode process prior to beginning a normal operation mode process to remove contaminants from a gaseous feed stream. The startup mode process may be utilized for swing adsorption processes, such as TSA and/or PSA, which are utilized to remove one or more contaminants from a gaseous feed stream.

Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO.sub.2. At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H.sub.2O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (ΔH) and the required energy input, compared to “pure” dry reforming in which no H.sub.2O is present. Such dry reforming (reaction with CO.sub.2 only) or CO.sub.2-steam reforming (reaction with both CO.sub.2 and steam) processes are advantageously integrated with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to yield liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Further integration may involve the use of a downstream finishing stage involving hydroisomerization to remove FT wax. Yet other integration options involve the use of combined CO.sub.2-steam reforming and FT synthesis stages (optionally with finishing) for producing liquid fuels from gas streams generated in a number of possible processes, including the hydropyrolysis of biomass.

A fractionation system for removing heavy hydrocarbons in a gas stream. A stripping section receives a predominantly liquid phase of the feed gas stream. A co-current contacting system receives a predominantly vapor phase of the feed gas stream. The co-current contacting system includes a compact contacting bundle disposed within a vessel and including a plurality of substantially parallel contacting units, each of the plurality of contacting units having a droplet generator, a mass transfer section, and a separation system. Each droplet generator generates droplets from a liquid disperses the droplets into a gas stream. Each mass transfer section provides a mixed, two-phase flow having a vapor phase and a liquid phase. Each separation system separates the vapor phase from the liquid phase such that the concentration of heavy hydrocarbons in the vapor phase is lower than in the liquid phase.

An integrated refinery process for removing mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream containing mercaptans and converting by-product disulfide oil to useful products. The process includes introducing the hydrocarbon stream containing mercaptans into an extraction vessel containing an alkaline solution and passing the hydrocarbon stream through an extraction section of the extraction vessel which includes one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks for reaction to convert the mercaptans to alkali metal alkanethiolates. Further, the process includes withdrawing a hydrocarbon product stream free of mercaptans from the extraction vessel and recovering spent caustic containing alkali metal alkanethiolates from the extraction vessel. Additionally, the process includes subjecting the spent caustic containing alkali metal alkanethiolates to air oxidation to produce a by-product stream containing disulfide oils (DSO) and sulfides and processing the by-product stream in a steam cracking unit to produce a DSO free product stream.

A catalyst and corresponding methods of using a catalyst are provided that can be beneficial for conversion of paraffins into a product stream enriched in aromatics and/or methane while reducing or minimizing the content of ethane in the product stream. Such catalysts and methods can be useful, for example, for processing a raw gas, associated gas, tail gas, natural gas, or other type of methane-containing feed stream to convert C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons in the stream to heavier hydrocarbons and methane while reducing or minimizing content of ethane in the products from the conversion reaction. Such conversion can be useful for upgrading a methane-containing feed stream to have an energy content that is suitable for pipeline transport under one or more specifications for transport of natural gas. The catalyst and corresponding method can also be beneficial when used as a second stage catalyst in a configuration involving multiple conversion stages.

A portable fuel synthesizer, comprising a portable housing, an electrical power source utilizing the hydrocarbon gas as fuel and connected to the portable housing, a boiler utilizing the hydrocarbon gas as fuel and connected to the portable housing, a reactor connected to the boiler to react the hydrocarbon gas to the hydrocarbon liquid, the reactor connected to the portable housing, at least one temperature sensor connected to the reactor to sense at least one temperature of the reaction, at least one pressure sensor connected to the reactor to sense at least one pressure of the reaction and a control system controlling the at least one of at least one temperature of the reaction and the at least one pressure of the reaction, the control system connected to the portable housing.

Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a synthetic fuel on a vessel above a stranded gas field or an oil & gas field by a GTL-FPSO process, more particularly to a method for preparing a synthetic fuel with superior economic feasibility, productivity and efficiency using a compact GTL (gas to liquid) apparatus that can be used for a stranded gas field or an oil & gas field and an FPSO (floating production, storage and offloading) process under a condition optimized for the ratio of carbon dioxide in the stranded gas field or the oil & gas field and an apparatus for the same.