Phillips Petroleum Company

Roger W Fenstermaker

Michael E Olbrich

Rebecca L Jones

Jack P Guillory

Ralph S Becker

Method and apparatus are described whereby a caustic-treated hydrocarbon feed mixture having a contaminating concentration of water and sulfur compounds is treated by separating the hydrocarbon feed into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is contacted with an adsorbent material to produce a reactor feed stream having a significant reduction in the concentration of the contaminating water and sulfur compounds. The reactor feed stream is thereafter contacted in the presence of hydrogen under suitable isomerization conditions with an isomerization catalyst to produce an isomerate product.

Treatment of hydrocarbons

Mine-run lignite having an unsalably high content of ash-producing clay is treated selectively to shatter the more friable portions; the effluent from the shattering operation is classified by size; at least the classification containing the smallest particles is discarded; and particles of size larger than those discarded are combined to produce a mixture of lower ash producing clay content. Preferably, the classified effluent is separated into a first portion containing the larger, salable particles; a second portion containing medium-size particles which contains too much clay to be readily salable with the medium-size particle mixture subjected to further treatment such as jigging or heavy media separation to yield a product of clay content that is salable; and a third portion of smaller size particles which is discarded.

Reducing ash content of lignite

Natural gas is improved for use as an engine fuel gas stream by treating with a membrane through which hydrogen sulfide and heavier hydrocarbons permeate preferentially. The reject gas is returned to the natural gas pipeline. The upgraded gas is used for engine fuel to operate the pipeline compressor. Treatment of the natural gas provides a cleaner, higher octane fuel for engine use, and reduces engine wear and failure.

Engine performance operating on field gas as engine fuel

Lignite is removed from a seam or stratum containing the same in an underground formation by forming within the seam or stratum with aid of a production fluid, which can contain a dispersant or surfactant, a suspension of the lignite in said fluid whereupon the fluid is removed to the surface and the lignite recovered therefrom. The fluid thus recovered is re-used. The production fluid can be heated and/or pulsated and is injected and passed through the formation under conditions to promote the formation of the desired lignite suspension.

Production of lignite from underground deposits

A composition is tested for its flame retarding ability by determining the decrease in the amount of hydrogen molecules produced in a reaction zone from hydrogen radicals when said composition is present in the reaction zone over the amount produced in the same reaction zone without said composition.

Growing community of inventors

Bartlesville, OK, United States of America

Roger W Fenstermaker