Abstract:
Enhanced mixed metal catalysts are provided which allow high conversions of carbon dioxide to methane, in some cases up to about 100% conversion. Methods of preparing enhanced mixed metal catalysts comprise a series of steps involving combining nickel and chromium salts with a nucleation promoter in a base environment to form a gel, allowing the gel to digest to form a solid and a mother liquor, isolating the solid, washing the solid, drying the solid, and thermally treating the solid to form a nickel-chromium catalyst. Methanation processes using the catalysts are also provided. The enhanced mixed metal catalysts provide more efficient conversion and lower operating temperatures for carbon dioxide methanation when compared to conventional methanation catalysts. Additionally, these enhanced catalyst formulations allow realization of higher value product from captured carbon dioxide.
Abstract:
A system and method for in situ upgrading of crude oil is provided. The system includes at least one injection well, at least two first production wells, and at least one second production well. The at least one injection well has a vertical portion and a plurality of non-vertical portions connected to the vertical portion. The at least two first production wells are preferably equi-spaced and each has a horizontal portion with a first axial direction, wherein each said horizontal portion of the first production wells is horizontally spaced apart. The at least one second production well has a horizontal portion with a second axial direction. The catalytic reactor is placed at the horizontal portion of the at least one second production well such that oil coming through the second production well will first go through the catalytic reactor for hydroprocessing.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus relate to recovery of in situ upgraded hydrocarbons by injecting steam and hydrogen into a reservoir containing the hydrocarbons. A mixture output generated as water is vaporized by direct contact with flow from fuel-rich combusion provides the steam and hydrogen. The steam heats the hydrocarbons facilitating flow of the hydrocarbons and reaction of the hydrogen with the hydrocarbons to enable hydroprocessing prior to recovery of the hydrocarbons to surface.
Abstract:
Improved reaction efficiencies are achieved by the incorporation of enhanced hydrothermally stable catalyst supports in various water-forming hydrogenation reactions or reactions having water-containing feeds. Examples of water-forming hydrogenation reactions that may incorporate the enhanced hydrothermally stable catalyst supports include alcohol synthesis reactions, dehydration reactions, hydrodeoxygenation reactions, methanation reactions, catalytic combustion reaction, hydrocondensation reactions, and sulfur dioxide hydrogenation reactions. Advantages of the methods disclosed herein include an improved resistance of the catalyst support to water poisoning and a consequent lower rate of catalyst attrition and deactivation due to hydrothermal instability. Accordingly, higher efficiencies and yields may be achieved by extension of the enhanced catalyst supports to one or more of the aforementioned reactions.
Abstract:
A compact sulfur recovery system is disclosed which comprises a primary structure including a catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone, first temperature-control zone, first Claus catalytic reaction zone, second temperature-control zone, first liquid sulfur outlet, and first effluent gas outlet. In some embodiments, a secondary structure follows the primary structure and comprises a second Claus catalytic reaction zone, third temperature-control zone, second liquid sulfur outlet and second effluent gas outlet. One or more components of the system employ heat transfer enhancement material in the temperature-control zones, and one or more components deter accumulation of liquid sulfur in the Claus catalytic reaction zones. A process for recovering elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide-containing gas streams comprises regulating the temperature of certain components to favor the partial oxidation and Claus reactions, respectively, and deters pooling of liquid sulfur on the Claus catalyst(s).
Abstract:
Methods and systems relate to upgrading light olefins, such as ethylene, propylene and butylenes, diluted in a gas mixture, such as refinery fuel gas. The upgrading yields products in a gasoline, distillate, lube oil or wax range without requiring purification or compression of the gas mixture prior to feeding the gas mixture to a reactor. In operation, the mixture contacts a solid oligimerization catalyst, such as silica supported chromium, within the reactor. This contact occurs at a first temperature suitable to produce oligomers that are formed of the olefins and adsorb on the catalyst in liquid or solid phases. Next, heating the catalyst to a second temperature higher the first temperature desorbs the oligomers that are recovered and separated into the products.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and system for enhancing in situ upgrading of hydrocarbon by implementing an array of radio frequency antennas that can uniformly heat the hydrocarbons within a producer well pipe, so that the optimal temperatures for different hydroprocessing reactions can be achieved.
Abstract:
A process of modifying a zeolite catalyst to produce a modified zeolite catalyst wherein the modified zeolite catalyst has blocked pore sites. An oxygenated feed is flowed over the modified zeolite catalyst, wherein the oxygenated feed comprises hydrocarbons, methanol and dimethyl ether or a mixture thereof. The hydrocarbons, methanol and dimethyl ether in the oxygenated feed react with the modified zeolite catalyst to produce cyclic hydrocarbons, wherein the cyclic hydrocarbons produced has less than 10% durene and a median carbon number is C8.
Abstract:
A process and catalyst are disclosed for reducing coking in hydrocarbon processing reactions. The preferred embodiments employ a sulfur-containing material such as hydrogen sulfide to reduce catalyst susceptibility to deactivation from carbon deposits formed during processing.
Abstract:
A system and method for in situ upgrading of crude oil is provided. The system includes at least one injection well, at least two first production wells, and at least one second production well. The at least one injection well has a vertical portion and a plurality of non-vertical portions connected to the vertical portion. The at least two first production wells are preferably equi-spaced and each has a horizontal portion with a first axial direction, wherein each said horizontal portion of the first production wells is horizontally spaced apart. The at least one second production well has a horizontal portion with a second axial direction. The catalytic reactor is placed at the horizontal portion of the at least one second production well such that oil coming through the second production well will first go through the catalytic reactor for hydroprocessing.