Conocophillips Company

Conoco Inc.

Gary E Welch

Joe D Allison

Sriram Ramani

Priya Rangarajan

Kenneth M York

Hooshang Jozavi

Jerry R Bittle

Troy L Amundson

Marvin R Appel

The present invention includes a process for producing carbon filaments and synthesis gas from a mixture of alkanes, preferably natural gas, comprising converting a first portion of the alkanes, preferably Chydrocarbons, directly to carbon filaments and converting a second portion of the alkanes, preferably methane, to syngas. The natural gas may be separated into a first feed stream comprising ethane, propane, and butane and a second feed stream comprising methane. The first feed stream is fed to a carbon filament CF reactor to produce carbon filaments and hydrogen. The second feed stream is fed to a syngas production reactor to produce syngas. Alternatively, the natural gas is fed to at least one carbon filament reactor that is maintained at an effective temperature to convert Chydrocarbons in the natural gas to carbon filaments and hydrogen, thereby filtering methane from the natural gas.

Process for converting alkanes to carbon filaments

An improved test for quantifying luster of petroleum products in particle form, especially coke, as an index of quality. A representative sample of the product is obtained and prepared. A digital image of the sample is formed using a scanner. The image is then processed digitally to produce a representative luster or optical density measurement for the sample. The preceding process may be repeated several times for each sample and the resultant luster or optical density measurements for each iteration are totaled and averaged. Once the luster measurement or optical density for the sample is obtained, it is compared to established parameters to assign a CTE value to the sample, assuming there is sufficient historical data correlating the two measurements. Various refining operating parameters including feedstocks, temperatures and pressures, may be altered to obtain a desired product.

Use of a scanner to determine the optical density of calcined coke as a measure of coke quality

Apparatus for measuring the formation of crystals in a flowing liquid using a flow way that receives a flow of the liquid therethrough; wherein, the flow way includes an optical means and access for illuminating the liquid with a beam of polarized light and then imaging the illuminated liquid to qualitatively ascertain the rate and type of crystal formation within the liquid.

Method and apparatus for measuring crystal formation

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Ponca City, OK, United States of America

Gary E Welch