Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to reduce the aromatics content and increase the oxygen content of a key component of gasoline blends. A naphtha feedstock having a boiling range usually suitable as catalytic-reforming feed is processed by selective isoparaffin synthesis to yield lower-molecular weight hydrocarbons including a high yield of isobutane. A portion of the isobutane is processed to yield an ether component by dehydrogenation to yield isobutene followed by etherification. Part of the isobutane and isobutene are alkylated to produce an alkylate component. The synthesis light naphtha may be upgraded by isomerization. The heavier portion of the synthesis naphtha is processed in a reformer. A gasoline component containing oxygen as ether and having a reduced aromatics content and increased volumetric yield relative to reformate of the same octane number is blended from the net products of the above processing steps.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocracking process which comprises: (a) contacting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock having a propensity to form heavy polynuclear aromatic compounds and a liquid recycle stream in a hydrocracking zone to convert a substantial portion of the hydrocarbonaceous components in the feedstock to lower boiling products; (b) recovering a hydrocarbon effluent from the hydrocracking zone and partially condensing the hydrocarbon effluent from the hydrocracking zone and separating the same into a lower boiling hydrocarbon product stream and an unconverted hydrocarbon stream having at least a portion boiling above about 400.degree. F. (204.degree. C.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising lithium, titanium, and a promoter selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tin and antimony, wherein the atomic ratio of lithium to titanium is above about 1.8:1.

Abstract: In the desalting of crude oil, water-insoluble solids such as rust, iron sulfide, silt, clay, drilling mud components, etc., contained in the crude accumulate in an interfacial emulsion layer or cuff between the desalted crude and water phases. The major portion of this cuff is recycled to the crude feed and the remainder is mixed with a light diluent oil to break the emulsion and then settled to separate the crude and the water. The water-insoluble solids separate with the water. The separated oil phase may be combined with the desalted crude.

Abstract: Mesophase pitch containing quinoline soluble mesophase is produced from a pitch having a specific aromatic hydrogen content with a short heat treatment time without conducting any special treatment such as extraction.

Abstract: A pitch suitable for carbon artifact manufacture, such as the manufacture of carbon fibers, is obtained by heat-soaking an asphaltene fraction of a heavy aromatic feedstock at a temperature of about 380.degree.-440.degree. C. for about 1-500 minutes.

Abstract: A novel reformed mesophase pitch having a mesophase content MC of between 40 and 100%, a quinoline-insoluble content QI of between 5 and 70 weight % and anisotropic domains forming a continuous phase. The reformed mesophase pitch is obtained by heat-treating a dormant mesophase pitch which comprises dormant anisotropic components which are partially hydrogenated, polycyclic polycondensed ring aromatic hydrocarbons derived from the mesophase of a mesophase pitch by hydrogenation of the mesophase and which are soluble in quinoline. The dormant mesophase pitch is optically isotropic in nature but, upon being subjected to shear forces in one direction, capable of being oriented in said direction. Preferably, the reformed mesophase pitch has a softening point SP in .degree.C. satisfying the following conditions:when 40 .ltoreq.MC<100, ##EQU1## and when MC=100, ##EQU2## The reformed mesophase pitch is useful as precursor materials for carbon fibers.

Abstract: A process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptan which comprises reacting mercaptan contained in the hydrocarbon fraction with an oxidizing agent by contacting the hydrocarbon fraction and the oxidizing agent with a supported metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and anhydrous ammonia in the absence of an aqueous phase.

Abstract: A spinnable precursor from petroleum pitch is obtained by subjecting a distillable oil removed carbonaceous residue of petroleum origin to solvent extraction and thereafter heat treating the extracted solvent insoluble fraction under reduced pressure.