Abstract: A method of converting synthesis gas into Fischer-Tropsch products comprises: (a) charging synthesis gas to a reactor comprising a shell, having an inlet nozzle near one end for receiving synthesis gas and an outlet nozzle near the opposite end for discharging products, with a plurality of heat transfer tubes inside the shell, having associated therewith means to pass heat transfer fluids through the inside of said heat transfer tubes to remove heat, and whereby the outside surfaces of said tubes have a layer of Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, (b) converting exothermically on said catalyst layer at least a portion of said synthesis gas to produce heat and Fischer-Tropsch products, (c) removing heat from said catalyst layer by passage of a heat transfer fluid through the inside of said tubes, and (d) recovering Fischer-Tropsch products from said reactor.

Abstract: Thermal cracking in a riser cracking, closed cyclone, fluidized catalytic cracking process is reduced. A snorkel or flow conduit having an inlet just above the catalyst stripper moves stripper vapor into the closed cyclone. The system preferably operates without a stripper cap, relying on fluid dynamics to isolate stripper vapor from upper parts of the vessel containing the riser outlet. Preferably the snorkel is at least partially supported by, and ideally is inside, the primary cyclone dipleg. Reduced residence time of stripper vapor in the vessel containing the stripper and the closed cyclone system reduces thermal cracking of stripper vapor.

Abstract: Thermal cracking in a riser cracking, closed cyclone, fluidized catalytic cracking process is reduced. A snorkel or flow conduit having an inlet just above the catalyst stripper moves stripper vapor into the closed cyclone. The system preferably operates without a stripper cap, relying on fluid dynamics to isolate stripper vapor from upper parts of the vessel containing the riser outlet. Preferably the snorkel is at least partially supported by, and ideally is inside, the primary cyclone dipleg. Reduced residence time of stripper vapor in the vessel containing the stripper and the closed cyclone system reduces thermal cracking of stripper vapor.

Abstract: A process for fractionating crude pitch by direct contact heating with molten metal is disclosed. The crude pitch, which may contain water, contaminants and/or distillables is heated by direct contact heat exchange with molten metal, preferably maintained as a metal continuous bath, operating at a temperature of 100 to 600° C. The molten metal heating zone is maintained at a temperature and pressure sufficient to vaporize a desired amount of contaminants or volatile material from crude pitch to produce pitch product having a desired softening point. New pitch materials, having a softening point above those achievable by conventional techniques, are also produced.

Abstract: A process for producing pitch from pitch precursors, such as wood tar, coal tar or petroleum fractions is disclosed. Direct contact heat exchange of the pitch precursor with molten metal, preferably maintained as a metal continuous bath, heats the pitch precursor to a temperature sufficient to induce thermal polymerization reactions and produce a pitch product.

Abstract: A process for heating thermally unstable or difficult to heat liquid feeds, e.g., used lubricating oil (ULO) to dehydrate and/or recover distillable components therefrom, is disclosed. The liquid feed is heated by direct contact heat exchange with molten salt, preferably maintained as a bath, operating at a temperature above the boiling point of water and below 600 C. The liquid feed is heated and typically at least partially vaporized in, or above, or by contact with the molten salt to produce a heated liquid. When ULO contaminated with water is the feed, the vapor product of the process will comprise water vapor and/or distillable hydrocarbons. ULO additive decomposition products, such as carbon, may be removed as a solid, semi-solid or liquid residual phase from contact with the molten salt.

Abstract: A process for heating thermally unstable or difficult to heat liquid feeds, e.g., used lubricating oil (ULO) to dehydrate and/or recover distillable components therefrom, is disclosed. The liquid feed is heated by direct contact heat exchange with molten metal, preferably maintained as a bath, operating at a temperature above the boiling point of water and below 600 C. The liquid feed is heated and typically at least partially vaporized in, or above, or by contact with the molten metal to produce a heated liquid. When ULO contaminated with water is the feed, the vapor product of the process will comprise water vapor and/or distillable hydrocarbons. ULO additive decomposition products, such as carbon, may be removed as a solid, semi-solid or liquid residual phase from contact with the molten metal.

Abstract: A process for removing mercury from a feed of coal, heavy oil or other mercury contaminated material is disclosed. The feed is thermally decomposed, preferably within, or above, a molten metal bath under reducing conditions, to produce a vapor product and non-vapor decomposition products, such as carbon, which dissolve in the molten metal bath. Mercury, primarily in the form of elemental metal vapor, is removed with the vapor product, cooled and passed over a mercury adsorbent to recover mercury from the gas. The decomposition products are burned, e.g., by at least periodic oxidation of the molten metal bath. Preferably a HyMelt® reactor, with a bath of molten iron, operating at superatmospheric pressure, thermally decomposes the feed. The process permits efficient mercury removal and recovery from coal using conventional adsorbents, such as activated carbon.

Abstract: A gas impermeable vessel carrying a molten metal bath within the vessel bottom includes a downwardly directed baffle from a top wall of the vessel, which penetrates the bath to separate the vessel into a burner feed chamber and an outlet chamber with gas spaces above the level of the molten metal bath. A burner having a combustion chamber receiving an oxidant under pressure and fuel gas and pitch, combusts the pitch and passes the products of combustion at high velocity through a nozzle which opens directly or indirectly to the gas space above in the burner feed chamber such that a stream of carbon soot impinges against the surface of the molten metal bath and penetrates the same, thereby dissolving the carbon soot and disassociating gases such as carbon monoxide in the molten metal. Water may be supplied to the stream to effect disassociation of the hydrogen content in the molten metal.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparation of custom blended fuels is disclosed. A bar code on a fuel tank or vehicle, such as an automobile, is scanned by a bar code reader operatively associated with a fuel dispensing means to convey information about a fuel required or desired to a computer controlled customized blender associated with the fuel dispensing means. Multiple fuel components, such as gasoline and replenishable fuel components such as methanol and ethanol may be custom mixed at the point of purchase. Preferably an octane analyzer and other fuel property analyzers, such as RVP analyzers, are associated with individual component or blended gasoline streams.

Abstract: An asphalt based sealer for driveways and the like is disclosed. The material uses a blend of solvent deasphalted (SDA) asphalt blended with a cutter stock as the binder or sealer base. Driveway sealer (an emulsion of clay, water and binder) made with this binder has acceptable durability and can be essentially free of coal tar pitch, greatly reducing the toxicity and odor of the sealer.

Abstract: Used Motor Oil is re-refined by direct injection of a superheated, non-hydrogenating recycle vapor. The process operates at low pressures, preferably from atmospheric—10 atmospheres absolute. Preferably a significant amount of the energy required to vapor used motor oil is supplied in the form of increased sensible heat of a recycle vapor stream. Direct injection of superheated vapor reduces or eliminates fouling which can occur when indirect heat exchange is used to supply the heat needed to vaporize used motor oil.

Abstract: A process for the direct contact heating and vaporization of UMO is disclosed. A superheated, but condensable, vapor heats and vaporizes distillable liquid hydrocarbons from a waste motor oil stream, producing an overhead vapor fraction of injected superheated vapor and vaporized boiling range components. This material is cooled and partially condensed to produce lube boiling range liquid hydrocarbons and a vapor phase, which is condensed to produce a recycle liquid phase. Recycle liquid is pumped and then heated to produce superheated vapor for recycle to contact the UMO.

Abstract: An NIR sampling system designed to provide a stable gasoline sample stream to an NIR analyzer. Preferred design elements include a temperature-controlled stream moving through an inverted coalesce whereby gas bubbles are removed through an overhead stream. Elevated pressure is used to reduce degassing as well. Two or more prototype fuels can be injected to calibrate the instrument over a range and prove accuracy before and/or after analysis of a sample.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for loading organic chemical liquids in a transporting vessel are described. The invention provides for selective transfer of vapor released during loading to a vapor control system or to vent. A vapor control logic system which controls flow direction of vapor captured from a transporting vessel being loaded, either to a vapor control system, or to vent in the environment, is described.

Abstract: A 40 petroleum pitch is disclosed. A high melting point petroleum pitch is blended with a high boiling normally liquid petroleum derived hydrocarbon stream to form a mixture having a softening point of 35-45 C. as a partial or complete replacement for coal tar pitch used in driveway sealer and other sealer applications. Driveway sealer (an emulsion of clay, water and binder) made with A 40 has excellent durability and can have a greatly reduced amount of, or be essentially free of, coal tar pitch, greatly reducing the toxicity and odor of the sealer.

Abstract: A better asphalt based sealer for driveways and the like is disclosed. The material uses as a hybrid sealer base or binder comprising a blend of pitch, asphaltic material and cut-back oil as a partial or complete replacement for pure coal tar materials. Driveway sealer (an emulsion of clay, water and binder) made with this hybrid binder has significantly better durability and color than like materials made with a binder of asphalt and cut-back oil. The hybrid binder has less odor and fewer toxins than a binder made of pure coal tar material.

Abstract: A high coking value pitch with a relatively low softening point is disclosed. A pitch is distilled or thermally processed to produce an intermediate pitch with an increased coking value and relatively high softening point, then blended with a cutter solvent of a liquid hydrocarbon stream to form a product pitch. The process may be used to increase the coking value of either petroleum or coal tar pitch. Preferably the cutter solvent is methylnaphthalene, or a highly aromatic, low viscosity oil or similar aromatic rich stream having a substantially lower boiling point than the intermediate pitch product.