Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving fluid cracking catalyst performance by increasing metal contamination incrementally while cracking two different feedstocks that have different concentrations of metal contaminants. The relative amount of metal contamination is controlled by magnetic separation. The incrementally increased cracking catalyst is used in cracking a second feedstock.

Abstract: A subterranean pump of compact design can be inserted into boreholes commonly used for exploratory drill holes to observe subterranean contaminants. The pump operates at the water-oil interface so as to draw off contaminating oil while avoiding the unnecessary pumping of water which would deplete the capacity of the pump. Preferably, the subterranean pump is a jet pump (ejector or educator) which operates on fluids pumped back down-hole by an above ground auxiliary pump. The down-hole pump is maintained at the water-oil interface by floats or other sensors which detect the water-oil interface and operate an electrical hoist or other lifting device to raise and lower the pump in the borehole.

Abstract: A thin elongated metal tube of a diameter less than the diameter of a inlet aperture within the top of a fuel tank and opening upwardly therefrom has a closed lower end inserted within the aperture. The metal tube is supported by a radially enlarged collar on the periphery of the metal tube intermediate of its ends, having a diameter in excess of the diameter of the fuel inlet aperture. Purge gas distribution openings are provided within the lower opposite end of the metal tube to distribute purge gas interiorly of the fuel storage tank. The weight of the distribution nozzle is set to balance axially upward lift forces developed during inert gas pressurization of the tank to prevent overpressurization and rupture of the tank when the gas pressurization of the tank reaches a predetermined level less than that causing rupture of the tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkylation catalyst to form adducts or alkylates of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.9 olefin with a C.sub.4 to C.sub.9 isoparaffin comprising a sulfated mixed oxide of titanium and nickel, wherein the percent by weight of titanium is at least 80%; of nickel is in the range 1-4%; and of sulfur in the range 1-10%. Also disclosed are the appropriate ratios of olefin to isoparaffin and the use of adamantane to increase yields.

Abstract: In an improved molten metal hydrogen generation bath, baffles form a draft tube or chimney-effect near the center of the bath. Flow through the chimney is aided by maintaining a temperature differential favoring convection and, optionally, a differential pressure between the portions of the bath on either side of the baffle-chimney arrangement. Feed is added to the feed zone and oxygen is added to the oxidation zone, emitting H.sub.2 from the feed zone and CO from the oxidation zone. Baffles may be made simply of brick work or high temperature metal and can fit into existing refractory-lined molten metal vessels. Products can be mixed as syngas feed for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Additionally, the Boudouard endothermic reaction (CO.sub.2 +C .fwdarw. 2CO) can be used to control temperatures by injecting CO in place of oxygen.

Abstract: An improved wiped film evaporator (WFE) process for removing low molecular weight species from a hydrocarbyl mixture is disclosed, wherein partial oxidation of a hydrocarbyl mixture precedes the WFE step. Faster rates of distillation are achieved without significant deterioration of hydrocarbyl product properties. Such products can include carbon fiber precursor materials. Similar faster rates are provided by adding higher softening point hydrocarbyl materials with or without prior partial oxidation.

Abstract: Optimized utilization of combinations of fluid catalyst magnetic separator, classifier, and/or attriter can be used to achieve lower catalyst cost, and better catalyst activity and selectivity through control of metal-on-catalyst, particle size and particle size distribution. This process is especially useful when processing high metal-containing feedstocks. This provides a catalyst recovery unit (RCU.TM.) ancillary to an FCC or similar unit.

Abstract: Mid-distillate hydrocarbon fuels, preferably having initial boiling points above 350.degree. F., are separated e.g. by prep-HPLC into non-aromatic and aromatic fractions which are used to set 0% aromatics (the non-aromatics) and 100% aromatics (the aromatics) on an NIR spectrophotometer. From NIR aromatic band absorbances of unknown samples, their percent aromatics is determined using this two-point calibration and the Beer-Lambert equation. Preferred NIR bands of 1650-1700 and 2120-2256 exhibit excel lent correlation with aromatics content.

Abstract: By continuously or intermittently adding amounts of magnetically active moieties, e.g. iron compounds, over time so that the moiety deposits on a catalyst or sorbent in a fluid catalytic cracker or similar circulating hydrocarbon conversion unit, older catalyst, being more magnetic, can be readily separated from catalyst which has been in the system a shorter time. Separation is readily accomplished by passing the catalyst and/or sorbent through a magnetic field and discarding the more magnetic 50% by wt. or more preferably 20% by wt., while recycling the remainder back to the hydrocarbon conversion unit.

Abstract: Method for determining oxygenate content and/or octane of hydrocarbon fuels suitable for automotive vehicles. Selecting nanometer frequencies in the range 1,300 to 1,350 reduces the temperature dependence of calibration equations that predict values representative of both oxygenate content and octane. This can be further improved by using only derivatives of selected temperature-dependent frequencies in addition to those in the 1,300 to 1,350 nanometer range. The selected frequencies preferably primarily correspond to C-H vibrational modes.

Abstract: Mid-distillate hydrocarbon fuels, preferably having initial boiling points above 350.degree. F., are separated e.g. by prep-HPLC into non-aromatic and aromatic fractions which are used to set 0% aromatics (the non-aromatics) and 100% aromatics (the aromatics) on an NIR spectrophotometer. From NIR aromatic band absorbances of unknown samples, their percent aromatics is determined using this two-point calibration and the Beer-Lambert equation. Preferred NIR bands of 1650-1700 and 2120-2256 exhibit excellent correlation with aromatics content. Also similar techniques measure sulfur through correlation with the benzothiophenic band and its overtones and combination bands, or possibly directly.

Abstract: Certain selected wavelengths in the near infrared spectra permit analysis of weight percent, volume percent, or even mole percent of each component, e.g. PIANO (paraffin, isoparaffin, aromatic, napthenes, and olefins), octane (preferably research, motor or pump), and percent of various hydrocarbons, e.g. alpha olefins. Analysis can be nearly continuous analysis on-line or at-line, as well as batch analysis, e.g. in a quality control laboratory. Preferably the NIR data is converted to a second derivative of the spectra and multiple linear regression performed to model the individual PIANO concentrations, and to predict physical properties of fuel blending components, e.g. research octane of reformate, etc.

Abstract: Certain selected wavelengths in the near infrared spectra permit analysis of weight percent, volume percent, or even mole percent of each component, e.g. PIANO (paraffin, isoparaffin, aromatic, napthenes, and olefins), octane (preferably research, motor or pump), and percent of various hydrocarbons, e.g. alpha olefins. Analysis can be nearly continuous analysis on-line or at-line, as well as batch analysis, e.g. in a quality control laboratory. Preferably the NIR data is converted to a second derivative of the spectra and multiple linear regression performed to model the individual PIANO concentrations, and to predict physical properties of fuel blending components, e.g. research octane of reformate, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkylation catalyst to form adducts or alkylates of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.9 olefin with a C.sub.4 to C.sub.9 isoparaffin comprising a sulfated mixed oxide of titanium and nickel, wherein the percent by weight of titanium is at least 80%; of nickel is in the range 1-4%; and of sulfur in the range 1-10%. Also disclosed are the appropriate ratios of olefin to isoparaffin and the use of adamantane to increase yields.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved catalytic process for carrying out heavy hydrocarbon conversion, usually, but not necessarily, in the presence of nickel and vanadium on the catalyst and in the feedstock, by catalytic cracking gas oils and heavy carbometallic oils to lighter molecular weight fractions. The process is facilitated by the continuous addition of one or more heavy rare earth additives, including gadolinum, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, and thulium, all having exceptionally high paramagnetic properties, which as they accumulate on aged catalyst, are used to achieve enhanced magnetic separation of aged catalyst. These additives are unusual in that they not only act dramatically as magnetic hooks to assist in removing old, nickel and vanadium poisoned catalyst, but also act to achieve increased activity and improve selectivity of the remaining catalyst, and of equal importance, tend to resist catalyst deactivation.

Abstract: There are provided improved processes for the manufacture of enriched pitches, carbon fiber precursors, carbon fibers, and graphite fibers. The improvement comprises employing an elevated wiped-film evaporator in a wiped-film evaporator system comprising the wiped-film evaporator and a means for recovering enriched pitch, such as a positive displacement pump, to form an enriched pitch from catalytic pitch and regulating the operating conditions of the wiped-film evaporator system to provide the desired enriched pitch. The wiped-film evaporator is located a specific distance above the means for recovering enriched pitch. The vertical distance between the outlet of the wiped-film evaporator and the inlet of the means for recovering enriched pitch is within the range of about 10 feet to about 40 feet, preferably about 20 feet to about 40 feet.

Abstract: Carbon fiber mats are embedded in a coating by first rolling on a coating of e.g. epoxy on the floor or wall, then applying sheets of fine carbon fibers, (optionally) removing the carbon fiber which is not adherent after the coating has dried, then applying one or more additional top coats of coating to additionally embed the carbon fibers. The result is an electrically conductive floor and/or wall coating system useful in antistatic rooms such as clean rooms, operating rooms, etc. Coatings can be solvent based or waterborne urethanes, epoxies, alkyds, polyethylenes, acrylics, vinyls, vinyl acetates, esters, polyesters, sulfones, polysulfones, silicones, polysilicones and others. The preferred mats are carbon fiber "veils" or "paper" generally having a density of about 0.75 oz./square yard.

Abstract: Closed loop sampling system using quick-connects dramatically reduces emission of sampled hydrocarbons and other fluids to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A calibrated spectrometer can indirectly determine a physical or chemical property of a sample based upon spectral responses measured by the spectrometer with respect to the particular sample. This invention is directed to a method for calibrating or recalibrating a first spectrometer in light of a second spectrometer, or itself, respectively. The calibration employs a unique selection and manipulation of spectral data obtained from both the first and the second instrument. The recalibration employs a unique selection and manipulation of spectral data from the same first instrument, that is obtained both before and after the need for recalibration arises.

Abstract: By continuously or intermittently adding amounts of magnetically active moieties, e.g. iron compounds, over time so that the moiety deposits on a catalyst or sorbent in a fluid catalytic cracker or similar circulating hydrocarbon conversion unit, older catalyst, being more magnetic, can be readily separated from catalyst which has been in the system a shorter time. Separation is readily accomplished by passing the catalyst and/or sorbent through a magnetic field and discarding the more magnetic 50% by wt. or more preferably 20% by wt., while recycling the remainder back to the hydrocarbon conversion unit.