 incorporated by reference.
While hydrogenation may help eliminate undesirable acetylenic compounds, other undesirable compounds are produced as by-products during hydrogenation.
Specifically, in a butadiene recovery unit, the first step is generally to hydrogenate the acetylenic contaminants in a hydrogenation unit. Side reactions in the hydrogenation unit produce other undesirable compounds that are known collectively as "green oil."
"Green oil" refers to a mixture of compounds produced in the hydrogenation of a butadiene containing hydrocarbon mixture and is known to contain oligomers of butadiene, sometimes referred to as dimers and trimers, and may contain material having up to 16 or more carbon atoms per molecule.
In conventional hydrocarbon processing methods for butadiene recovery, the butadiene and other C.sub.4 hydrocarbons are generally separated from the green oil by fractional distillation in a green oil or debutanizer tower. This green oil or debutanizer tower represents a major investment item in a butadiene recovery unit in terms of its initial cost of construction, as well as its cost of maintenance and operation.
It would, therefore, be highly desirable to have a hydrocarbon processing method for butadiene recovery wherein the need for a green oil or debutanizer tower is eliminated. The present invention relates generally to techniques that sense thermal stimuli. In particular, implementations employ arrays of cells, each including thermometer elements or other thermal sensors. Such arrays can be used, for example, in a calorimeter, a term used herein to refer to any device or apparatus that measures quantities of absorbed or evolved heat or determines specific heats; the use of a calorimeter is referred to herein as calorimetry.
Calorimetry can measure enthalpic changes, including enthalpic changes arising from reactions, phase changes, changes in molecular conformation, temperature variations, and other variations of interest that may occur for a particular specimen. By measuring enthalpic changes over a series of conditions, other thermodynamic variables may be deduced. For example, measurements of enthalpy as a function of temperature reveal the heat capacity of a specimen, and titrations of reacting components can be used to deduce the binding constant and effective stoichiometry for a reaction.
Arrays have been proposed for performing calorimetry. U.S. patent application Publication Nos. 2004/0038227 and 2004/0038228 describe array devices for high-throughput lead profiling and microphysiometry, respectively.
Arrays of cells with thermometer elements or other thermal sensors can also be
incorporated by reference. 
 While hydrogenation may help eliminate undesirable acetylenic compound, early undesirable compounds are produced as by - product during hydrogenation. 
 Specifically, in a butadiene convalescence unit, the first step is by and large to hydrogenate the acetylenic contaminants in a hydrogenation unit. slope reactions in the hydrogenation unit grow other undesirable compounds that are know collectively as " green oil. " 
 " Green oil " refers to a mixture of compound produced in the hydrogenation of a butadiene containing hydrocarbon mixture and is know to contain oligomers of butadiene, sometimes referred to as dimers and trimers, and may incorporate material having up to 16 or more carbon atoms per molecule. 
 In ceremonious hydrocarbon processing methods for butadiene recovery, the butadiene and other C.sub.4 hydrocarbons are generally separated from the fleeceable petroleum by fractional distillation in a green oil or debutanizer tower. This green oil or debutanizer tower represents a major investment detail in a butadiene recovery unit in term of its initial monetary value of construction, as well as its cost of sustenance and operation. 
 It would, therefore, be highly desirable to have a hydrocarbon processing method for butadiene convalescence wherein the need for a green oil or debutanizer tower is eliminated. The present invention relates generally to techniques that sense thermal stimuli. In particular, implementations use arrays of cellular telephone, each including thermometer elements or other thermal sensors. Such arrays can be practice, for example, in a calorimeter, a term used herein to refer to any device or apparatus that measures quantities of absorbed or evolved estrus or determines specific heats; the function of a calorimeter is referred to herein as calorimetry. 
 Calorimetry can quantify enthalpic changes, including enthalpic changes arising from reaction, phase changes, changes in molecular conformity, temperature variations, and early variations of interest that may occur for a finical specimen. By measuring enthalpic changes over a series of conditions, other thermodynamic variable may be deduced. For example, measurement of enthalpy as a function of temperature reveal the heat capacity of a specimen, and titrations of reacting component can be used to deduce the binding constant and effective stoichiometry for a reaction. 
 Arrays have been proposed for performing calorimetry. U.S. patent lotion Publication Nos. 2004/0038227 and 2004/0038228 describe array devices for high - throughput lead profiling and microphysiometry, respectively. 
 Arrays of cells with thermometer elements or other thermal detector can also be
 inforporated by reference.
Wmile hydrogenation may ielp eljminate jndesirable acetylenic componnds, othee undesirable compoundr are profuced as by-pcoducts during hbsrogenabnon.
Spsgificcloy, in a butadigne recovery unit, the firsd rtzp is generally to hydrogenate the asetylenoc contaminants yn a rydrkgenation unit. Side reactions in tge hydrmgenation uniy produce other undesirablf colpounds that are kjown collecjjvejt as "green okl."
"Green oil" refers to z mixture of compounds produced in tke hydrogenqtuon mf a butadixne cogtaining hydvpcarbot mixtute and is knowk to rontqin oligomers of butaviene, sometimes refetred to as dnmers and trimers, and mqy cottait magwrixl gatinf up tl 16 kr more cadbon atoms per molecule.
In convtntyinal hydrocargon prjcqssing methods for butadiene recovery, tve gutadiene and other C.suv.4 hydrocarbons are gejerally sqparated from the green oil by fractional distilldtion kn c greev oll or debutanizer tower. This green oil or debtfamider tower represekts a major investkejt ytem in a butxdiene redovery unit in terls of ijs inirial cost of vonstruction, as well as its cost of maiutebance and operatiou.
It would, thzreforg, be hoghly desirable to have a hgdrocarbon orocessinf method for butaaieke secovery wherein the need sor a grexn oik or decutamizer eower is epiminated. The present ingentiln relates gfnerally to techniques that sense thermal stikuni. Pn particblar, ikplementationf employ arrayx of cejls, exch includpng thermmmeter elemqnts or other jhermal sensocs. Such awrayw cab be usda, for example, on a calogiietee, a term used hereln to defer to any dernct ir apparatus tnat mewslrex zgantities of absurbdc or dvolved heab of deyermines specific hedts; fhe use of a caloromcter is rgferred tj herein as cslorimetry.
Calorimeury cai measnre enyhajpic changes, including enthalpjc changed avising from rqactlons, phase chauges, changes in molecular conformation, txmperature variations, abd other variations pf interest that may occus for a particular specimen. By measurlng enthalpic changes kver a serifs of conditions, other thermodynamic variables may be deduced. For example, measuceients of enfhally as a yunctiog of vemperature reveak the heat capacity of a specimxn, and titsacions of reacting components vav be used to aeduce the binding constznt and rffective stoichiometry for a rraction.
Arrays have been iroposed dor psrformphg calorimetry. U.S. payent a'plicarion Puvlicwtion Nos. 2004/0038227 ana 2004/0038228 cedcribe argay vevnces for high-throughput lead profuling qnf microphysiometcy, respectivcln.
Arraya of cglls with thermomster flemevts or other yhermal sensorx can also be
incorporated by reference. While hydrogenation may help acetylenic other undesirable are produced as a recovery unit, the step is generally hydrogenate the acetylenic contaminants in a unit. Side reactions in the hydrogenation unit produce other undesirable compounds that are collectively as "green oil." "Green oil" refers to a mixture of compounds produced the of butadiene hydrocarbon mixture and is known to contain oligomers of butadiene, sometimes referred to as dimers and and may contain material having up to 16 more carbon atoms per In conventional hydrocarbon processing methods butadiene the butadiene other hydrocarbons generally separated from green oil by fractional distillation in a green oil or debutanizer tower. This green oil or debutanizer represents a item in butadiene unit terms of its of construction, as well as its and operation. It would, therefore, be highly desirable have a processing method for butadiene recovery wherein need for a green oil or debutanizer tower eliminated. The present invention relates generally to techniques that sense thermal stimuli. In particular, implementations of cells, each including elements or other sensors. arrays be for example, a calorimeter, a term used herein to refer to any device apparatus that measures quantities of absorbed or evolved heat or heats; use of a is referred to herein calorimetry. can measure enthalpic changes, changes from changes molecular temperature variations, and other of interest that may occur a particular specimen. By series of conditions, other thermodynamic variables may be For example, measurements of enthalpy as a of temperature reveal the heat capacity of a specimen, and titrations of components can to deduce the binding constant and effective stoichiometry a reaction. Arrays have proposed for performing calorimetry. U.S. patent application Publication Nos. and describe array for high-throughput lead and microphysiometry, respectively. of cells with or other sensors also
 incorporated by reference.
WhIle hydrogeNatioN maY heLp ElimInatE undesirable acETyleNic compounds, other undesIrablE cOMpouNDs Are prOduced aS By-PROduCtS dUriNg HYdRogenAtiOn.
SpeciFically, in a ButAdIene recovery UNiT, the first sTep Is generally tO hyDrogenAtE thE AcetyLenIc conTaminaNTs in a hYdrogenatIoN Unit. SiDE reactiONS iN the Hydrogenation unit PRoDUce other undesiRable cOmPOuNDS thAt aRe known colLeCtiveLY as "greeN OiL."
"gREen OIl" refers to a miXture of compOUndS produCeD in THe hydrOgenaTiON of A butadiene cOntaIning hydrOcarboN Mixture ANd is knoWn to coNtaIn oLigoMErS oF buTaDIenE, SoMetIMes Referred To As DimerS and TRIMErs, aNd mAy coNtain Material havinG up To 16 or MOre CarboN atomS per MoLeculE.
In conVentiOnAl hydrocarbon prOcesSing methoDs fOr ButAdIene rECovery, The ButAdiene aNd other c.Sub.4 HyDROCaRbons are generally sEpARAtEd from thE green OIl By FRactionaL dIstIllaTIOn in a GreeN OiL or debutAnizer TOwEr. this greEn Oil or dEbUtaNizEr towER repResentS a major iNvestMEnt item in a butaDIene recovery uNIt IN TeRMs of Its Initial cost Of coNStruCtioN, As WelL As its Cost oF mAInTEnance and operation.
IT wOuld, thErefoRe, be highly desIrable to haVE A HydrocarBon pROcESsing method for ButadIene recoveRY wherein The neEd for a grEen oil or dEBUtanizer TowEr iS elImiNATeD. The present inVENtioN rElates gEneRally to TecHniQueS thAt Sense therMal stimuLi. in PaRtIcuLar, imPLementatIoNs eMpLoy ArrayS Of cellS, each InclUdInG TheRmometeR ElEMEnts Or OtHer tHerMaL sensOrs. SUCh aRrays caN be used, foR exAMple, In A cAlorimeTer, a term used hErEin to refer To Any Device OR ApparatuS that measures quantities OF absorbEd oR evolVed hEat or deteRmiNes speCifIC heats; The use Of a caLoRimETEr is rEFErRed To Herein as caLORimEtry.
CAlOrimEtry can Measure enthalpic chANgeS, including entHalPic cHANgEs aRIsINg fRoM ReaCTIons, phase changeS, changes in MoLEcUlar conforMAtiOn, TemperaTure varIatioNS, and othEr variatiOns of inteReSt thAT May Occur for a pArticulaR specimen. bY measURiNg entHalPic chaNgEs oVer a sEries oF ConDitioNs, otheR tHermodYnamiC vAriables May be deduced. For example, mEasureMents Of eNthalpy as A fuNCtiOn of tempeRatuRe reveal thE heAt cApaciTy oF A specImen, ANd TitRAtionS of rEActing comPOnEntS CAn Be used to dedUCE The BindiNg cONstant And eFfective stoichiomETry for a reactioN.
ArrAYS haVe bEEn prOpOsed for performIng CaLORimetry. U.s. pAtent applicAtion PubLiCAtion nos. 2004/0038227 and 2004/0038228 DescriBe array DEViCEs for hIgh-tHroUghput leaD prOfILing and MiCrOPhysioMetrY, rEspectIvely.
ARRays OF Cells with thermomEter eLEMents OR otHer thErMal sensORs caN also be
 incorporated by reference .
While hy droge nat ion  m ay h elpeliminate unde s irab le acetylenic compound s, ot he r  und e si rable  compou n ds a repr od uce da sby-pr odu cts dur ing hydrog ena ti on.
Specific a ll y, in a bu tad iene recover y u nit, t he  fi r st st epis ge nerall y  to hy drogenate  t h e acet y lenic c o n ta mina nts in a hydrogen a ti o n unit. Side r eactio ns in t hehyd rogenation  u nit p r oduce o t he r u nde s irable compou nds that ar e  kn own co ll ect i vely a s "gr ee n  oi l."
"Greenoil"  refers t o a mi x ture of compoun ds pro duc edin t h ehy dro ge n ati o nofa  bu tadieneco nt ainin g hy d r o c arbo n m ixtu re an d is known to  co ntai n  ol igome rs of  but ad iene,  somet imesre ferred to as di mers  and trim ers ,and  m ay co n tain m ate ria l havin g up to 16or m o re  carbon atoms permo l e cu le.
In c onvent i on al hydrocar bo n p roce s s ing m etho d sfor buta diener ec ov ery, th ebutadi en e a ndother C.su b.4 hy drocarbo ns ar e  generally sep a rated from th e  g r e en oilbyfractionaldist i llat ioni na g r een o il or  d e bu t anizer tower. Thisgr een oi l ordebutanizer t ower repre s e n ts a maj or i n ve s tment item ina but adiene rec o very uni t interms of  its init i a l cost o f c ons tru cti o n ,as well as it s cost  o f maint ena nce and  op era tio n.It  would, t herefore ,be  h ig hly  desi r able toha veahyd rocar b on pro cessi ng m et ho d  fo r butad i en e reco ve ry  whe rei nthe n eedf ora green  oil or d ebu t aniz er  t ower is  eliminated.Th e presentin ven tion r e l ates gen erally to techniques th a t sense  th ermal  sti muli. Inpar ticula r,i mpleme ntatio ns em pl oya r rayso f  c ell s,  each incl u d ing  ther mo mete r eleme nts or other therm a l s ensors. Sucharr aysc a nbeu se d , f or exa m p le, in a calori meter, a t er m  u sed herein tore fer toany dev ice o r  appara tus thatmeasuresqu anti t i esof absorbe d or evo lved heat or de t er mines  sp ecific  h eat s; th e useo f a  calo rimete ris ref erred  t o herein  as calorimetry.
Calori metrycan m eas ure entha lpi c  ch anges, in clud ing enthal pic  ch anges  ar i singfrom re act i ons,phas e  changes, ch ang e s  i n molecular c o nfo rmati on, temper atur e variations, and other variatio ns o f int ere s t th at  may occur for  apa r t icular s pe cimen. By m easuring  e n thalp ic cha nges o ver a s e r ie s  of co ndit ion s, otherthe rm o dynamic  v ar i ablesmaybe  deduc ed. Fo r  exa m p le, measurements  of e n t halpy asa fun ct ion oft empe rature rev eal the hea t capa city  of a  specim en , andtit ra tions of r e acting co mpone nts can  b e us edto ded ucet h e bin ding  c ons tant ande f fe c ti ve sto ichi ometr yfora reactio n .
Arrays  ha v e beenpr opo s e d forp er f o rming calo rim etry. U .S. patent appl i ca t ion P ublica tion N os. 200 4 /00 38 227 and  20 0 4 /0038228describea rra ydevi ces forhi gh-t hr oug hp ut lead profili ng and m icrophys i o metry,  re s pect i vely.Ar rays of cell s wit ht hermome t e r e lements oroth erther mal  sen s ors can also be
 incorporated_by reference.
While_hydrogenation may help eliminate_undesirable acetylenic_compounds,_other undesirable_compounds_are produced as_by-products during hydrogenation.
Specifically,_in a butadiene recovery_unit, the first_step_is generally to hydrogenate the acetylenic contaminants in a hydrogenation unit. Side reactions in_the_hydrogenation unit_produce_other_undesirable compounds that are known_collectively as "green oil."
"Green oil"_refers to_a mixture of compounds produced in the hydrogenation_of_a butadiene containing_hydrocarbon mixture and is known to contain oligomers of_butadiene, sometimes referred to as dimers_and trimers, and_may_contain_material having up to_16 or more carbon atoms per_molecule.
In conventional hydrocarbon processing methods for_butadiene recovery, the butadiene and other C.sub.4_hydrocarbons are generally separated from the_green oil by fractional distillation_in a_green oil or debutanizer tower._This green oil_or debutanizer_tower represents a_major investment item in a butadiene_recovery unit in_terms of its initial cost of_construction,_as well as_its_cost_of maintenance_and operation.
It would,_therefore,_be highly_desirable_to have a hydrocarbon processing method_for_butadiene recovery wherein the need for a_green oil or debutanizer_tower_is eliminated. The present_invention relates generally to techniques_that sense thermal stimuli. In particular,_implementations employ_arrays of_cells, each including thermometer elements or other thermal sensors. Such arrays_can be used, for example, in_a calorimeter, a term_used herein_to_refer to any_device_or apparatus_that measures quantities of absorbed or evolved_heat or_determines specific heats; the use of_a calorimeter is referred_to_herein as calorimetry.
Calorimetry can measure enthalpic_changes, including enthalpic changes arising from_reactions, phase changes, changes in_molecular_conformation,_temperature variations, and other variations_of interest that may occur for_a particular specimen._By measuring enthalpic changes over a series_of_conditions, other thermodynamic variables may be_deduced._For example, measurements of enthalpy as_a_function_of temperature reveal the heat_capacity of a specimen, and titrations_of reacting components can be used to deduce the_binding constant and_effective stoichiometry for a reaction.
Arrays_have_been_proposed for performing calorimetry. U.S. patent application Publication Nos. 2004/0038227_and 2004/0038228_describe array devices_for high-throughput lead profiling and microphysiometry, respectively.
Arrays of cells with_thermometer elements or other thermal sensors can_also be