Nalco/exxon Energy Chemicals,l.p.

Nalco Chemical Company

Robert D McClain

Michael K Poindexter

Vincent E Lewis

David G Comer

Natu R Patel

David J Ciarella

Raymond M Glath

Paul R Kraus

Reducing undesired polymerization in the basic wash unit of hydrocarbon cracking process

A method of inhibiting the formation of fouling deposits occurring in spent caustic wash systems used for ethylene dichloride (EDC) manufacturing processes. Fouling occurs in these systems when they are in contact with EDC processing streams contaminated with oxygen-containing compounds, such as aldehydes. These deposits are formed in EDC processing streams contaminated with oxygen-containing compounds while in contact with a caustic solution having a pH&gt;7. The invention comprises adding an effective deposit-inhibiting amount of a non-enolizable carbonyl compound to the caustic solution. Preferred non-enolizable carbonyl compounds are formaldehyde, glyoxal, benzaldehyde, p-anisaldehyde, formic acid, glyoxalic acid and paraformaldehyde.

Non-enolizable oxygenates as anti foulants in ethylene dichloride

The invention is a method of inhibiting the formation of fouling deposits occurring on the surface of an alkaline scrubber used to remove acid gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and mercaptans, from hydrocarbon streams. These deposits are formed during the scrubbing of pyrolytically produced hydrocarbons contaminated with oxygen-containing compounds with a caustic solution having a pH&gt;7 which comprises adding an effective deposit-inhibiting amount of a non-enolizable carbonyl compound to the caustic solution. The invention is also a method of inhibiting the formation of fouling deposits occurring in spent caustic wash/stripper systems used for hydrocarbon manufacturing processes. Fouling occurs in these systems when they are in contact with hydrocarbon processing streams contaminated with oxygen-containing compounds, such as aldehydes. These deposits are formed in hydrocarbon processing streams contaminated with oxygen-containing compounds while in contact with a caustic solution having a pH&gt;7. The invention comprises adding an effective deposit-inhibiting amount of a non-enolizable carbonyl compound to the caustic solution. Preferred non-enolizable carbonyl compounds are formaldehyde, glyoxal, benzaldehyde, p-anisaldehyde, formic acid, glyoxalic acid and paraformaldehyde.

Non-enolizable oxygenates as antifoulants

Thickness-shear mode resonators which simultaneously measure mass deposition and fluid properties can be utilized to monitor petroleum processing, petrochemical and water treatment systems. Specialty chemical additive materials can be accurately and instantaneously added to control conditions detected by the thickness-shear mode resonators. The thickness-shear mode resonators are piezoelectric crystals used in conjunction with oscillator circuitry that can determine mass as well as viscosity and/or density of a fluid in contact with the piezoelectric surface.

Method to monitor and control chemical treatment of petroleum,

A method for the determination of organic hydroperoxides in a hydrocarbon which has been subjected to oxidative polymerization conditions is disclosed. The steps employed in the invention include mixing an organic cupric salt such as cupric acetate and a phenanthroline such as 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline with a sample of the hydrocarbon in an organic solvent such as acetonitrile, measuring the color change after a fixed period of time for cuprous complex formation, and comparing the measurement to the color change of a standard reference to determine the relative quantity of organic hydroperoxide in the sample.

Spectrophotometric detection of hydroperoxides in hydrocarbons

The premature free-radical polymerization of a non-linear, readily polymerizable organic monomer under conditions where the monomer would otherwise polymerize is inhibited by incorporating within the non-linear, readily polymerizable monomer a polymerization inhibiting amount of a fullerene or a derivative thereof.

Polymerization inhibition by fullerenes

Generally, the invention provides a fouling probe apparatus. The fouling probe including a heat transfer conduit having a first portion formed as a loop which is removably attached to a second portion which extends linearly. A hollow housing encases the apparatus. The housing has an open forward portion and an open rear portion. The open forward portion is attachable to an oil quench tower about an opening in the quench tower and the open rear portion is adapted to be securely attached to the linearly extending second portion of the heat transfer conduit. A fouling grid is attached to the first portion of the heat transfer conduit. The fouling grid is super-heated to accelerate fouling.

Growing community of inventors

Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

Robert D McClain