Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock reactivity for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.

Abstract: A process comprises providing a catalyst comprising a support, a microwave absorption material, and a catalytically active phase; heating the catalyst with a source of microwave energy which is absorbed by said microwave absorption material to increase the temperature of the catalyst to a desired temperature; and contacting said heated catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock for upgrading same.

Abstract: A process comprises providing a catalyst comprising a support, a microwave absorption material, and a catalytically active phase; heating the catalyst with a source of microwave energy which is absorbed by said microwave absorption material to increase the temperature of the catalyst to a desired temperature; and contacting said heated catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock for upgrading same.

Abstract: A down hole hydroconversion process improves the viscosity, API gravity, and distillate proportions of heavy crude oils by employing a hydrogen donor, methane and steam down hole wherein the mineral formation down hole acts as a catalyst for the hydroconversion process.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst for conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons, discloses the steps of: forming a mixture of a manganese aqueous solution and an oxidative agent aqueous solution in an inorganic oxide support material; varying a pH value of the mixture between acidic and basic values to obtain a precipitate of manganese oxide; drying the manganese oxide precipitate; impregnating the dried manganese oxide precipitate with a promoter to obtain an impregnated solid; drying the impregnated solid; and calcining the impregnated solid until a surface atomic ratio of promoter to manganese is at least 5. The catalyst so acquired may be contacted with a methane gas to obtain stable conversion values over extended reaction times.

Abstract: Process obtains improved viscosity and improved distillates proportion in heavy hydrocarbons, as heavy crude oil, by providing a feedstock of heavy hydrocarbons containing a water content of greater than or equal to 1% with respect to the weight of the hydrocarbons and reacting said hydrocarbons with a gas containing methane under pressure and at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst for conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons, discloses the steps of forming a mixture of a manganese aqueous solution and an oxidative agent aqueous solution in an inorganic oxide support material; varying a pH value of the mixture between acidic and basic values to obtain a precipitate of manganese oxide; drying the manganese oxide precipitate; impregnating the dried manganese oxide precipitate with a promoter to obtain an impregnated solid; drying the impregnated solid; and calcining the impregnated solid until a surface atomic ratio of promoter to manganese is at least 5. The catalyst so acquired may be contacted with a methane gas to obtain stable conversion values over extended reaction times.