Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company

Craig Y Sabottke

Bal K Kaul

Dennis G Peiffer

Walter Weissman

Randall David Partridge

Christopher P Eppig

Fritz A Bernatz

John G Matragrano

Eric W Fryatt

Michael Siskin

Stuart S Shih

Narasimhan Sundaram

David Craig Dalrymple

Peter S Maa

Edward W Corcoran

Richard L Eckes

Sanjay K Bhatia

Fred Y Lo

Jordan K Lambert

The morphology of petroleum cokes produced by the delayed coking of feeds produced from extra-heavy crude sources such as those from the Venezuela Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt can be controlled to produce a less dense coke which is less likely to inflame in the coke pit or in subsequent handling. An aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate salt when added to a feed of this type which would normally produce a dense coke product is effective to produce a quenchable coke product of lower density and higher porosity, usually in compact, granular form permitting it to be readily discharged from the drum.

Delayed coking process

Petroleum cokes derived from extra-heavy crude sources can be made more amenable to quenching by adding water or a water/light oil mixture to the coker feed downstream of the furnace. The coke product resulting from this addition of normally volatile liquids to the hot coker feed is still relatively dense but is more friable and usually is in a compact, relatively free-flowing, granular form. The coke is more amenable to uniform quenching in the drum and so can be cut and discharged with a reduced risk of eruptions and a reduced risk of fires in the coke pit or when the coke is subsequently handled and transported.

This invention relates to the fabrication of a polymeric membrane and a process for utilizing the polymeric membrane for separating components of a feedstream. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to the fabrication of a polymeric membrane and a process for utilizing the polymeric membrane in the separation of aromatics from a hydrocarbon based feedstream. The membranes of the present invention possess low soft segment glass transition temperatures and improved separation characteristics.

Chemically cross-linked polymeric membranes and method of use

The present invention is directed to a process for producing a diesel fuel of enhanced cetane value from low cetane distillate and diesel boiling range fractions from poor crudes such as naphthenic crudes.

Process for improving the cetane rating of distillate and diesel boiling range fractions

The present invention pertains to a process for the separation of aromatics from a feed stream, including aromatics and non-aromatics by selectively permeating the aromatics through a membrane comprising feeding a mixed phase vapor-liquid feed to a membrane wherein said liquid phase preferentially wets the surface of the membrane.

Membrane separation process using mixed vapor-liquid feed

This invention relates to a polymer membrane assembly for selective separation of permeate compositions by carbon weight. This invention also relates to a process for utilizing these polymer membrane assemblies in separation processes for selective carbon weight separation of hydrocarbon feedstreams components. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to the use membrane assemblies for the selective separation by carbon weight of aromatics from a hydrocarbon based feedstream.

Chromatographic membrane separation

This invention relates to the composition of an integrally-layered polymeric membrane and a process for utilizing the integrally-layered polymeric membrane components of a feedstream. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to the composition of an integrally-layered polymeric membrane and a process for utilizing the integrally-layered polymeric membrane in the separation of aromatics from a hydrocarbon based feedstream. The polymeric membranes of the present invention are fabricated by chemically crosslinking adjacent polymer membrane layers of the same or differing copolymer solutions to produce an integrally-layered polymeric membrane with improved separations properties.

Integrally-layered polymeric membranes and method of use

This invention relates to a polymeric membrane composition utilizing the non-hazardous compound 4-aminophenyl disulfide ('APD'), a method of making the polymeric membrane, and a process for separating components of a feedstream utilizing the polymeric membrane. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to utilizing the polymeric membrane composition in a process for the separation of aromatics from a hydrocarbon feedstream containing aromatics and aliphatic compounds.

Membrane for separating aromatic and aliphatic compounds

The present invention is a method for operating a rapid cycling pressure swing adsorption (RCPSA) having a cycle time, T, to separate a feed gas into a non-adsorbed gas and tail gas. The method includes the steps of passing the feed gas having a purity of F % at high pressure into a first end of a bed which selectively adsorbs the tail gas and passes the product gas out a second end of the bed for a time, F. The product gas has a purity, P %, and a rate of recovery of R %. Then the bed is cocurrently depressurized for a time, t, followed by countercurrently depressurizing the bed for a time, t. The bed is then purged for a time, t, wherein desorbate (tail gas) is released at the first end of the bed at a pressure greater than 30 psig, Subsequently the bed is repressurized for a duration, t.R&#x3e;80%, P/F&#x2267;1.1 or R&#x2267;90%, 0&#x3c;P/F &#x3c;1.1.

Integration of rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption with refinery process units (hydroprocessing, hydrocracking, etc.)

The invention relates to an improved membrane pervaporation and vapor permeation system in which the vacuum is produced by a fluid passing through a Venturi-type nozzle. The fluid is chosen from solvents that have little or no affinity for the permeate molecules. It is applicable over process feed rates, and can be used for the separation of aromatic species from hydrocarbon.

Membrane separation process

A method and system for blending components obtained from a feed stock. The method includes flowing a first stream through a membrane member, with the membrane member having a first wafer assembly comprising a first thin film polymer membrane, a first permeate zone, and heat transfer means for transferring heat from the first permeate zone to the polymer membrane. The method includes exposing the first stream to the polymer membrane and providing a heated fluid to the heat transfer means in order to heat the permeate zone and the polymer membrane as the first stream is being flown through the first wafer assembly. The method further includes removing a permeate stream from the permeate zone. The permeate stream may be conducted to at least one refinery process unit for further processing. In the preferred embodiment, the feed stock is a naphtha. The system includes a wafer assembly adapted to receive the first stream, with the first wafer assembly comprising a plurality of wafers, and a first and second membrane member having a thin film polymer member. The system also includes heat transfer means for heating a permeate zone and the polymer membrane, as the first stream is being flown through the wafer assembly, and means for processing the produced permeate.

Process and system for blending components obtained from a stream

A process for upgrading a residua feedstock using a short vapor contact time thermal process unit comprised of a horizontal moving bed of fluidized hot particles. The residua feedstock is preferably atomized so that the Sauter mean diameter of the residua feedstock entering the reactor is less than about 2500 &#x3bc;m. One or more horizontally disposed screws is preferably used to fluidize a bed of hot particles.

Process for upgrading residua

A method for separating aromatic hydrocarbons from a feed stream. The method includes flowing the feed stream through a first channel within a first wafer assembly that may contain an underflow distribution weir. Next, the feed stream is exposed to a first thin film polymer membrane. A stream permeates through the first thin film polymer membrane, and the permeate is produced from the first wafer assembly. The retentate is directed via a redistribution tube to a second wafer assembly that may contain an underflow distribution weir. This retentate is exposed to a second thin film polymer membrane. A second permeate stream is created that permeates through the second thin film polymer membrane. The second permeate stream is flown into the permeate zone and ultimately produced from the second wafer assembly. An apparatus for separating aromatic components from a feed stream is also disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a series of tandem wafer assemblies. The wafer assemblies comprise a first wafer, second wafer and third wafer. First and second membrane members are disposed within the wafer assemblies.

Polymeric membrane wafer assembly and method

An isothermal method is provided for separating aromatic hydrocarbons from a feed stream. The method includes flowing the feed stream through a first channel within a first wafer assembly that contains a rib member. Next, the feed stream is exposed to a first thin film polymer membrane. A stream permeates through the first thin film polymer membrane into a permeate zone. The permeate zone is heated via a heated fluid contained within the rib member. The permeate is produced from the first wafer assembly. The method may include having a plurality of tandem wafer assemblies arranged in series. An apparatus for separating aromatic components from a feed stream is also disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a series of tandem wafer assemblies specifically adapted for blending a transportation fuel.

Method and apparatus for separating aromatic hydrocarbons in an isothermal system

A method for separating aromatic hydrocarbons from a feed stream. The method includes flowing the feed stream through a first channel within a first wafer assembly that may contain an underflow distribution weir. Next, the feed stream is exposed to a first thin film polymer membrane. A stream permeates through the first thin film polymer membrane, and the permeate is produced from the first wafer assembly. The retentate is directed via a redistribution channel (such as a tube) to a second wafer assembly that may contain an underflow distribution weir. This retentate is exposed to a second thin film polymer membrane. A second permeate stream is created that permeates through the second thin film polymer membrane. The second permeate stream is conducted into the permeate zone and ultimately produced from the second wafer assembly. An apparatus for separating aromatic components from a feed stream is also disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a series of tandem wafer assemblies. The wafer assemblies comprise a first wafer, second wafer and third wafer. First and second membrane members are disposed within the wafer assemblies.

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Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Craig Y Sabottke