Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for removing mercaptans from a gas stream. First, a gas stream comprising at least a mercaptan of the general formula R1—SH, wherein R1 is an alkyl group comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, may be contacted with an absorption medium comprising a solvent, a substituted disulfide of the general formula R2—SS—R3 wherein R2 and R3 are carbon comprising substituents of which the corresponding R2—SH and R3—SH thiols have a vapour pressure below the vapour pressure of any R1—SH thiol and at least one of R2 and R3 is an electron withdrawing group; and at least a catalytic amount of a base. The absorption medium may be retrieved and regenerated in a regeneration unit. The regenerated absorption solution may be recycled and subjected to oxidation.
Abstract:
A process for converting a biomass material comprising a) pyrolyzing a biomass material to produce a biomass-derived pyrolysis product; b) mixing at least part of the biomass-derived pyrolysis product and a petroleum-derived hydrocarbon composition, which petroleum derived hydrocarbon composition has a C7-asphaltenes content of equal to or more than 0.2 wt %, based on the total weight of the petroleum-derived hydrocarbon composition, to produce a hydrocarbon-containing mixture; c) dewatering the hydrocarbon-containing mixture to produce a dewatered hydrocarbon-containing mixture; d) contacting the dewatered hydrocarbon-containing mixture with hydrogen in one or more ebullating bed reactors comprising a catalyst at a temperature in the range from 350 to 500° C. to produce a reaction product.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for removing fine solids from an aqueous bitumen-containing stream, in particular from an aqueous bitumen-containing stream as obtained during an oil sands extraction process, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous bitumen-containing stream; (b) subjecting the aqueous bitumen-containing stream to membrane separation using a ceramic membrane, thereby obtaining a bitumen-depleted permeate stream and a bitumen-enriched retentate stream.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for dewatering oil sand tailing muds, comprising: (a) adding a flocculant into oil sand tailing muds and mixing the flocculant and the tailing muds; (b) filtering the flocculated tailing muds using a dynamic filtration system, wherein in step (b) a pressure difference is applied over the filter and wherein the dynamic filtration system comprises a means for producing a dynamic action by which the filter cake is continuously or intermittently moved, deformed and/or broken, the filter cake being the solidified material that sets on the filter during filtration. The process is useful for dewatering oil sand tailing muds from tailing ponds, such as those produced in the Athabasca Oil Fields in Canada.