The invention relates to a process for dehumidifying a moist gas mixture and to the absorption medium used in the process. The invention further relates to an apparatus for dehumidifying a moist gas mixture and to the use of said apparatus in the process according to the invention.

The invention generally relates to processes for reducing fouling in amine systems and to equipment useful in such processes. Such amine systems are useful for removing one or more acidic gases such as CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S from olefin containing hydrocarbon streams. The invention generally relates to minimizing residence time of foulant and foulant precursors at the relatively high temperature found in the amine regenerator and/or to purging the foulant and foulant precursors from the regenerator system. This is accomplished by operating the regenerator column as a stripper (no reflux) and re-routing reflux liquid containing foulant or foulant precursors to a processing location that is less prone to fouling or, optionally, by replacing the reflux liquid with fresh make-up amine or water.

Disclosed herein are scavenging compounds and compositions useful in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the compounds and compositions as scavengers, particularly in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas.

The use of the combination of (a) an imine compound and (b) a compound including a soft electrophilic centre to scavenge and retain acidic sulfide species at a higher temperature and/or scavenge acidic sulfide species at an increased rate compared to that achieved using the imine compound alone.

Methods for the prevention or mitigation of fouling in amine-treating systems comprising providing circulating aqueous amine solution and a hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one acid gas; and interacting the circulating aqueous amine solution with the hydrocarbon stream comprising the at least one acid gas to remove the acid gas from the hydrocarbon stream and entrain the acid gas into the aqueous amine solution. The circulating aqueous amine solution comprises entrained acid gas comprises foulant precursors; and polysulfide ions are introduced to react with the foulant precursors to decrease the rate of fouling within the circulating aqueous amine solution.

The invention relates to a process for dehumidifying a moist gas mixture and to the absorption medium used in the process. The invention further relates to an apparatus for dehumidifying a moist gas mixture and to the use of said apparatus in the process according to the invention.

Disclosed herein are scavenging and antifouling compositions useful in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the compositions as scavengers and antifoulants, particularly in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas.

Methods and systems for inhibiting buildup of crystalline materials in a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) unit. Crystalline materials can accumulate in FGD units as a byproduct of chemical desulfurization processes and can adversely impact FGD unit function. The systems described in the present application include an FGD unit with one or more selected bacterial strains disposed therein. It is believed that the bacteria may form a biofilm on the surfaces in the FGD and/or form a biosurfactant to inhibit or prevent buildup of crystalline materials in the FGD unit. Methods include inoculating an FGD unit with one or more selected bacteria that inhibit or prevent buildup of crystalline materials in the FGD unit. Methods may include periodic reinoculation of the FGD unit.

The invention generally relates to processes for reducing fouling in amine systems and to equipment useful in such processes. Such amine systems are useful for removing one or more acidic gases such as CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S from olefin containing hydrocarbon streams. The invention generally relates to minimizing residence time of foulant and foulant precursors at the relatively high temperature found in the amine regenerator and/or to purging the foulant and foulant precursors from the regenerator system. This is accomplished by operating the regenerator column as a stripper (no reflux) and re-routing reflux liquid containing foulant or foulant precursors to a processing location that is less prone to fouling or, optionally, by replacing the reflux liquid with fresh make-up amine or water.

The invention generally relates to processes for reducing and removing foulant and foulant precursors from regenerated amine mixtures and to equipment useful in such processes. Such amine mixtures are useful for removing one or more acidic gases such as CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S from olefin hydrocarbon streams. A first feed comprising regenerated amine, foulant, and foulant precursors is provided. A second feed comprising aromatic hydrocarbons is provided. The first and second feeds are combined and then separated to form first and second products. The first product is an upgraded regenerated amine mixture that comprises the first feed's amine. The second product comprises second feed's aromatic hydrocarbons and a portion of the first feed's foulant.