Abstract: This invention is directed to middle distillate production (e.g., diesel and kerosene products) by means of a reactor hydroprocessing system using two or more reactors (or a single reactor vessel having two or more stages, each stage containing one or more reaction zones). Hydrocracking is preferably performed in the initial reactor, and hydrotreating (and/or further hydrocracking) is preferably performed in the subsequent reactor vessel or stages within a single vessel. Reaction stages are effectively segregated to avoid recracking of products, to dramatically reduce hydrogen consumption in saturating the bottoms product and to carry out aromatic saturation of middle distillates in a clean low-temperature environment.

Abstract: An integrated distillate hydrocracking process produces one or more fuel products and one or more lube products from a first reaction stage. Heavy fractions from the first stage, which are not recovered as lube products, are cracked to fuels in a second reaction stage. This invention is intended to provide a full range of lube streams, over a wide viscosity range and a wide viscosity index range, from a fuels hydrocracker, in addition to high yields of high quality fuels.

Abstract: In a hydrocracking unit, the flash gases from the high-pressure separator are fed to the bottom of an absorption zone where the entering gases are counter-currently contacted with a lean solvent. The lean solvent absorbs away the contained methane, ethane, propane, butanes and pentanes (C1+) from the contained hydrogen. The overhead gas stream from the absorption zone typically contains hydrogen at a purity of 90 to 98 mol %, or even higher, which is fed to the recycle gas stream to provide hydrogen purity in the range of 96 to 99 mol %, thereby providing an increase in the overall efficiency of the hydroprocessor unit. The process can also be employed with hydrotreating, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodealkylation reactors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for hydroprocessing Fischer-Tropsch products. The embodiments in particular are related to integrated methods for producing liquid fuels from a hydrocarbon stream provided by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. The methods involves separating the Fischer-Tropsch products into a light fraction and a heavy fraction. The light fraction is pre-conditioned to remove contaminants such as CO2 prior to being subjected to hydroprocessing, either separately, or after having been being recombined with the heavy fraction. Any of the hydroprocessing steps may be accomplished in a single reactor.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a finished fuel product from a stabilized product mixture, which is produced from the effluent of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. In the process, a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process is conducted at a site which is remote from the market site where the products from the process are ultimately marketed. The Fischer-Tropsch effluent product is hydroprocessed, and the hydroprocessed effluent separated to remove a C4− fraction and to yield a stabilized product mixture which can be exported to the market site. At the market site, the stabilized product mixture is fractionated into at least one finished fuel product. A heavy fraction may also be recovered at the market site for separation into at least one lubricating oil base stock and then conversion at hydroisomerization conditions to form a lubricating base oil.

Abstract: This invention teaches an improved ebullated-bed reactor hydrotreating/hydrocracking process for treating heavy vacuum gas oil (HVGO) and deasphalted oil (DAO) feeds. The reactor is designed to operate at minimum catalyst bed expansion so as to maximize reactor kinetics and approach plug flow reactor process performance. Further, the invention allows for the production of a uniform product quality and production output that does not substantially vary with time.

Abstract: A process for using a hydrogen sensor in a liquid metal heat exchange loop in a hydrocarbon conversion process with high hydrogen permeation. The hydrogen sensor of the present invention consists essentially of a hollow nickel membrane probe in intimate contact with liquid metal. A vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the hollow nickel membrane probe through which hydrogen permeates, wherein the vacuum chamber is initially evacuated to a vacuum pressure and is in equilibrium with the vacuum chamber. The hydrogen sensor is useful for measuring the partial pressure of the hydrogen in the liquid metal to provide advisory control for the removal of hydrogen from the liquid metal exchange loop to avoid the problem of metal hydride formation and associated plugging problems.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocracking process wherein a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and a liquid recycle stream is contacted with hydrogen in a hydrocracking reaction zone at elevated temperature and pressure to obtain conversion to lower boiling hydrocarbons. A liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream produced from the effluent of the hydrocracking reaction zone is fractionated in a first zone of a divided-wall fractionation zone to produce at least one liquid hydrocarbonaceous product stream and a liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream containing hydrocarbons boiling at a temperature in the boiling range of the feedstock and heavy polynuclear aromatic compounds. At least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream containing heavy polynuclear aromatic compounds is introduced into a second zone of the divided-wall fractionation zone to produce a stream rich in polynuclear aromatic compounds.

Abstract: Catalyst particles are presulfided in a treatment zone separate from a hydroconversion reaction zone. The presulfided catalyst is then added to a substantially packed bed of catalyst in the hydroconversion reaction zone at reaction pressure, so that the reactor is not shut down to replace catalyst. The presulfiding process is particularly beneficial for use in moving bed reactors for heavy oil conversion.

Abstract: This invention is directed to middle distillate production (e.g., diesel and kerosene products) by means of a reactor hydroprocessing system using two or more reactors (or a single reactor vessel having two or more stages, each stage containing one or more reaction zones). Hydrocracking is preferably performed in the initial reactor, and hydrotreating (and/or further hydrocracking) is preferably performed in the subsequent reactor vessel or stages within a single vessel. Reaction stages are effectively segregated to avoid recracking of products, to dramatically reduce hydrogen consumption in saturating the bottoms product and to carry out aromatic saturation of middle distillates in a clean low-temperature environment.

Abstract: A VGO stream is hydrocracking in a hydrocracking reaction zone within an integrated hydroconversion process. Effluent from the hydrocracking reaction zone is combined with a light aromatic-containing feed stream, and the blended stream hydrotreated in a hydrotreating reaction zone. The hydrocracked effluent serves as a heat sink for the hydrotreating reaction zone. The integrated reaction system provides a single hydrogen supply and recirculation system for use in two reaction systems.

Abstract: A process for hydrocracking heavy, high aromatic content feeds, such as cycle oil, using a catalyst composition containing a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation component, such as a noble metal, and an acidic solid component including a Group IVB metal oxide modified with an oxyanion of a Group VIB metal.

Abstract: A process for hydrocracking heavy hydrocarbon feeds using a catalyst composition containing a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation component, such as a noble metal, and an acidic solid component including a Group IVB metal oxide modified with an oxyanion of a Group VIB metal. The hydrocracking product has high isoparaffin to normal paraffin ratios and with minimal ethane and methane byproducts at high conversions. The hydrocracking step is useful in processes for producing high quality lubricating oil basestocks, along with naphtha and distillate products.

Abstract: Methods for producing fuel distillates used as raw material in the production of fuel for engines or jet engines. The invention involves mixing residual petroleum raw material (oil fuel, tar) with sapropelite and with a fraction of thermo-cracking or hydro-cracking hydrogenated products having a boiling point of between 300 and 400° C. in an amount of between 1 and 5% relative to the weight of the residual petroleum raw material. The mixture is heated, homogenized at least twice in a dispersing agent at a temperature of between 85 and 105° C., and submitted to a thermo-cracking or hydro-cracking process. The fuel distillates (petrol, diesel fuel and gas oil) are then separated from the thermo- or hydro-cracking products. The invention thus pertains to the production of petroleum fuels and may be used in the oil-conversion industry.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocracking process wherein a denitrification and desulfurization reaction zone effluent is heat-exchanged with a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream and introduced into a hydrocracking zone. The resulting effluent from the hydrocracking zone is passed directly without cooling into a hot, high-pressure stripper utilizing a hot, hydrogen-rich gaseous stream at least a portion of which is heated during the heat exchange with the denitrification and desulfurization reaction zone effluent. The stripper overhead is partially condensed to produce a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream and a liquid stream containing hydrocracked hydrocarbon compounds. At least a portion of the stripper bottoms is recycled to the denitrification and desulfurization reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a fluid stream containing at least hydrogen and hydrocarbons. The process uses a hydrocarbon-selective membrane to reduce the concentration of hydrocarbons and contaminants in the hydrogen stream recycled to the hydroprocessing reactor. The membrane can operate in the presence of hydrogen sulfide. The process also provides the opportunity for increased NGL recovery from the hydrocarbon-enriched membrane permeate stream.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for providing improved contaminant removal and hydrogen recovery in hydrogenation reactors, particularly in refineries and petrochemical plants. The improved contaminant removal is achieved by selective purging, by passing gases in the hydrogenation reactor recycle loop or purge stream across membranes selective in favor of the contaminant over hydrogen.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing process includes a cocurrent flow liquid reaction stage, a countercurrent flow liquid reaction stage and a vapor reaction stage in which feed components are catalytically hydroprocessed by reacting with hydrogen. Both liquid stages both produce a liquid and a vapor effluent, with the cocurrent stage liquid effluent the feed for the countercurrent stage and the countercurrent stage liquid effluent the hydroprocessed product liquid. Both liquid stage vapor effluents are combined and catalytically reacted with hydrogen in a vapor reaction stage, to form a hydroprocessed vapor. This vapor is cooled to condense and recover a portion of the hydroprocessed hydrocarbonaceous vapor components as additional product liquid. The uncondensed vapor is rich in hydrogen and is cleaned up if necessary, to remove contaminants, and then recycled back into the cocurrent stage as hydrogen-containing treat gas.

Abstract: A process for upgrading petroleum feedstocks boiling in the distillate plus range, which feedstocks, when cracked, result in unexpected high yields of olefins. The feedstock is hydroprocessed in at least one reaction zone countercurrent to the flow of a hydrogen-containing treat gas. The hydroprocessed feedstock is then subjected to thermal cracking in a steam cracker or to catalytic cracking in a fluid catalytic cracking process. The resulting product slate will contain an increase in olefins compared with the same feedstock, but processed in by a conventional co-current hydroprocessing process.

Abstract: A process for hydrocracking a heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock, a substantial portion of which boils above 524.degree. C. is described which includes the steps of: (a) passing a slurry feed of a mixture of heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock and from about 0.01-4.0% by weight (based on fresh feedstock) of coke-inhibiting additive particles upwardly through a confined vertical hydrocracking zone, the hydrocracking zone being maintained at a temperature between about 350.degree. and 600.degree. C. a pressure of at least 3.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrocracking process using a catalyst comprising a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation component, such as a noble metal, and an acidic solid component comprising a Group IVB metal oxide modified with an oxyanion of a Group VIB metal. An example of this catalyst is zirconia, modified with tungstate and platinum. This catalyst is used to selectively hydrocrack naphtha range hydrocarbons to reduce the endpoint of reformulated gasolines.

Abstract: A process is described for controlling the size of additive or catalyst particles mixed with heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock containing asphaltenes and metals and being subjected to hydrotreating. A slurry feed of a mixture of the heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock and coke-inhibiting additive particles or catalyst particles is passed upwardly through a confined vertical hydrotreating zone in the presence of hydrogen gas, while removing from the top of the hydrotreating zone a mixed effluent containing a gaseous phase comprising hydrogen and vaporous hydrocarbon and a liquid phase comprising heavy hydrocarbon. The mixed effluent is passed through a separation vessel, while withdrawing from the top of the separator a gaseous stream comprising hydrogen and vaporous hydrocarbons and withdrawing from the bottom of the separator a liquid stream comprising heavy hydrocarbons and particles of coke-inhibiting additive or catalyst.

Abstract: A process for metals passivation of metals-contaminated equilibrium catalyst (ECat) used in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) process is disclosed. Repeated treatment of a slip stream of ECat in a high-strength magnetic field, preferably a magnetic catalyst separator, changes the properties of the ECat, promoting growth of relatively large crystals or deposits of metal deposits on ECat which are less catalytically poisonous. Magnetic conditioning permits an increase in metals levels on ECat from, e.g., 3000 to 4000 ppm, without increasing hydrogen and/or coke make. Metals passivation by magnetic conditioning can also be used to concentrate feed metals on the oldest catalyst in the unit. This allows magnetic separation of the oldest catalyst in the unit after 1-6 months of magnetic conditioning, even though feed metals levels are otherwise insufficient to permit effective magnetic catalyst separation.

Abstract: A method for thermo-mechanical cracking and hydrogenation of chemical substances such as hydrocarbons in liquid or solid form, waxes, carbonates, lime, oil-shale, oil-sand, oily residue from refineries and crude tank bottoms, plast and the like. The cracking and the hydrogenating of the substances in the presence of hydrogen releasing chemicals as water is performed in a mechanical established fluidized bed (8) of fine grained solids where the mechanical action in the fluidized bed (8) generates the heat participating in the cracking in addition to the mechanical action to the substances whereby the cracking in the cavitating micro bubbles and the hydrogenation takes place in the reactor (1) with an overall temperature and pressure lower than by conventional cracking and/or hydrogenation processes.

Abstract: Economies in capital cost and operation of a hydrocarbon refining unit for desulfurization of diesel fuel are provided by a heat exchange sequence which eliminates the need for a fired heater on the product fractionation zone. The feed to the fractionation zone is heat exchanged twice against both the effluent bottoms stream of the fractionation zone and the reaction zone effluent stream.

Abstract: A process for upgrading petroleum feedstocks boiling in the distillate plus range, which feedstocks, when cracked, result in unexpected high yields of olefins. The feedstock is hydroprocessed in at least one reaction zone countercurrent to the flow of a hydrogen-containing treat gas. The hydroprocessed feedstock is then subjected to thermal cracking in a steam cracker or to catalytic cracking in a fluid catalytic cracking process. The resulting product slate will contain an increase in olefins compared with the same feedstock, but processed in by a conventional co-current hydroprocessing process.

Abstract: Heavy crude oil containing at least 1% by weight water is hydrotreated and upgraded while being produced downhole in a production well. During production the heavy crude oil containing water is subjected to sonic energy at a low frequency of 400 Hz to 10 kHz downhole in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst that causes the water in the crude oil to react and form hydrogen which then hydrotreats and upgrades the heavy crude oil during production. In another embodiment, if the heavy crude oil does not contain water, the hydrogen may be formed in-situ by contacting the heavy crude oil downhole with a chemical compound comprising ammonia, hydrazine and formic acid that in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst and sonic energy causes the chemical compound to react and form hydrogen which then hydrotreats the heavy crude oil during production. Suitable catalysts include nickel on zinc dust, platinum on carbon and palladium on carbon, preferably nickel on zinc dust.

Abstract: A method for lowering the viscosity and specific gravity of a heavy hydrocarbon to render it pipelineable is disclosed. The method comprises adding a vanadium and nickel containing coke fly ash to the heavy hydrocarbon; reacting the heavy hydrocarbon in the presence of the fly ash with a molecular hydrogen containing gas under hydroconversion conditions for a time sufficient to lower the viscosity of the hydrocarbon in the range of about 20 to 60 centipoise at 40.degree. C. and to lower the specific gravity in the range of from about 0.925 to about 0.940 at 15.degree. C., whereby the heavy hydrocarbon is rendered pipelineable.

Abstract: A process for hydrocracking a heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock, a substantial portion of which boils above 524.degree. C. is described which includes the steps of: (a) passing a slurry feed of a mixture of heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock and from about 0.01-4.0% by weight (based on fresh feedstock) of coke-inhibiting additive particles upwardly through a confined vertical hydrocracking zone, the hydrocracking zone being maintained at a temperature between about 350.degree. and 600.degree. C. a pressure of at least 3.

Abstract: In a process for thermally cracking a low-quality feed stock containing a considerable proportion of heavy fractions such as high-boiling fractions, and evaporation residual oil, and a system used therefor, in which the low-quality feed stock is withdrawn from the preheater of the thermal cracking furnace to separate and remove a required proportion of said heavy fractions and thereafter returned to subject the feed stock to further preheating and thermal cracking. The low-quality feed stock thermally cracked has a predetermined proportion of the heavy fractions removed, and coking in the thermal cracking system at various lines is avoided from occurring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for cracking waste polymers in a fluidized bed reactor to produce vaporous products comprising primary products which can be further processed, eg in a steam cracker to produce olefins, characterized in that the vaporous products are treated to generate a primary product substantially free of a high molecular weight tail having molecular weights >700 prior to further processing. The removal of the high molecular weight tail minimizes fouling and prolongs the lifetime of the reactors used for further processing.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting a heavy hydrocarbon oil into light hydrocarbon fuels by thermal cracking or hydrocracking, which comprises adding to about 100 parts by weight of the heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock (A) about 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of a substance (B) which is a hydrogenated oil obtained by aromatic ring hydrogenation of about 430.degree.-600.degree. C. thermal-treated or cracked petroleum feedstock product oil boiling higher than about 200.degree. C. to hydrogenate abot 20 to 90% of the aromatic rings present.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for hydrogenating treatment of a heavy hydrocarbon oil comprising the successive steps of (1) hydrogenating-demetalizing treatment, (2) hydrocracking treatment and (3) hydrodesulfurizing-hydrodenitrifying treatment in the presence of respective catalysts which process comprises employing in the hydrodesulfurizing-hydrodenitrifying treatment, a catalyst having a pore size distribution restricted to a specific range as measured by nitrogen release method. According to the above-mentioned process, a product oil with a low sulfur content can be obtained in high cracking efficiency from a heavy hydrocarbon oil without equipment trouble due to sludge formation.

Abstract: A heavy hydrocarbon oil, a substantial portion of which boils above 524.degree. C., is subjected to hydrocracking with a fractionated heavy oil recycle stream containing active additive particles. In the process, a slurry feed of (1) fresh heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock and a heavy hydrocarbon recycle and (2) from about 0.01-4% by weight (based on fresh feedstock) of iron sulphate additive particles having sizes less than 45 .mu.m, is passed upwardly through a confined vertical hydrocracking zone. A mixed effluent is removed from the top of the hydrocracking zone, which is then passed through a hot separator vessel. From the bottom of the separator is withdrawn a liquid heavy hydrocarbon stream comprising heavy hydrocarbons and particles of the iron sulphate additive converted mainly to an iron sulphide phase. This separated liquid heavy hydrocarbon stream is fractionated to obtain a heavy oil which boils above 450.degree. C., containing the additive particles.

Abstract: Thermal treatment of heavy petroleum resid in the presence of moderate amounts of light aromatics or paraffins produces more liquid product at the expense of gas and coke than when treated alone under identical conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydrocarbon conversion processes using novel molecular sieve compositions as the catalyst. These molecular sieves contain chromium in the framework structure along with aluminum and silicon. The process of preparing the chromium-containing molecular sieves involves contacting a starting molecular sieve with a solution or slurry of a fluoro salt of chromium under effective process conditions to provide for aluminum extraction and substitution of chromium.

Abstract: A process for producing a hydrocarbon product using a catalyst prepared from an ultra-stable Y-type zeolite having a silica/alumina ratio from about 27 to about 33 with the free acid sites passivated using a basic nitrogen-containing compound. The hydrocarbon product shows improved selectivity for jet fuel.

Abstract: A method for upgrading a petroleum material comprises charging the material into a vessel having a cylindrical wall, then heating the cylindrical wall. The petroleum material adjacent the wall is heated to a temperature sufficient to form a layer of carbon on the wall, and volatile material generated at the wall during the carbon formation passes through the bulk of the petroleum material thermally cracking it to form smaller molecules and simultaneously desulfurizing same.

Abstract: In a process for upgrading heavy asphaltenic oil, a feed slurry of a heavy asphaltenic oil and less than 10 ppm of molybdenum, e.g. molybdenum naphthenate, is contacted with a hydrogen-rich gas in a hydroconversion zone at hydrocracking conditions to convert at least a portion of said heavy oil to lower boiling products. This is achieved with minimum coke formation under moderate processing conditions.

Abstract: A process is provided for hydrocracking a heavy oil bitumen and chemically related feedstock. The process comprises reacting said feedstock with a gaseous superacid in the presence of hydrogen with or without the use of a hydrogen transfer agent to thereby yield lower boiling point distillates.

Abstract: A lube hydrocracking process uses a catalyst which is based on an ultra-large pore crystalline material. The crystalline material exhibits unusually large pores of at least 13 .ANG. diameter and a high sorption capacity demonstrated by its benzene adsorption capacity of greater than about 15 grams benzene/100 grams at 50 torr and 25.degree. C. The crystalline material is characterized by an X-ray diffraction pattern with at least one d-spacing greater than about 18 .ANG. and in a particularly preferred form, a hexagonal arrangement of pores of at least 13 .ANG. diameter which can be indexed with a d.sub.100 value greater than about 18 .ANG.. The hydrocracking catalysts based on these materials are capable of producing hydrocracked lube products of good viscosity index in high yields without the use of fluorine or other promoters.

Abstract: A process for producing high quality lubricants by the hydrocracking and hydroisomerization of petroleum waxes uses a catalyst which is based on an ultra-large pore crystalline material. The crystalline material exhibits unusually large pores of at least 13 .ANG. diameter and a high sorption capacity demonstrated by its benzene adsorption capacity of greater than about 15 grams benzene/100 grams at 50 torr and 25.degree. C. The crystalline material is characterized by an X-ray diffraction pattern with at least one d-spacing greater than about 18 .ANG. and in a particularly preferred form, a hexagonal arrangement of pores of at least 13 .ANG. diameter which can be indexed with a d.sub.100 value greater than about 18 .ANG.. The hydrocracking catalysts based on these materials are capable of producing lube products with a high VI of at least 120 and usually higher, values of 135 and higher e.g. 143.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock which process included separating the feedstock in the presence of hydrogen at elevated temperature and a partial hydrogen pressure greater than 50 bar into a high boiling fraction and a low boiling fraction and subjecting at least part of the low boiling fraction substantially boiling in the gasoline range to a hydrotreating step under substantially the same conditions as prevailing in the separation step, and recovering from the hydrotreating step a product substantially boiling in the gasoline range and being of improved quality.

Abstract: An improved method of controlling catalyst inventory in the reactor of an ebullated bed process has been discovered. Pressure differentials are measured to calculate a catalyst inventory characterization factor. This factor is calculated by means of a new algorithm. Aged catalyst is withdrawn and fresh catalyst added in an amount to reestablish the value of the factor. The catalyst to oil ratio is maintained despite changes in bed ebullation, gas and liquid holdups, oil residence time and conversion.

Abstract: In an ebullated bed process, a nominal 1000.degree. F.+ boiling point vacuum residuum is hydrotreated at a first temperature of 750.degree. F. to 875.degree. F. and total pressure of 1900 psig to 3000 psig. Hydrogen partial pressure is controlled by changing total reactor pressure in the range of 1700 psig to 2300 psig to achieve a selected yield of 650.degree. F.- boiling material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring chemical and/or physical reaction sequences by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and comprises a reaction path (1), a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (2) and at least one reaction chamber (10) which is located in the reaction path, wherein means are provided for feeding at least the reaction product from the reaction chamber (10) to the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (2). According to the invention, at least reaction chamber (10) and its reagent supply and discharge lines (5 to 7) are mounted, by means of a mounting angle (29), on the same head housing (9) on the latter's end which projects from the spectrometer magnet bore, in the stray field of the spectrometer magnet.

Abstract: An improved process for vaporizing a crude petroleum feedstock, preferably one boiling in the vacuum gas oil range or higher, prior to thermal cracking to olefins, wherein such feedstock is preheated, in one or more stages, in the convection section of a tubular steam cracking furnace, characterized by conducting the preheating in the presence of a small amount of hydrogen, preferably at a hydrogen/feed ratio of from about 0.01 to about 0.15 wt. %, so as to inhibit coke formation.

Abstract: Low value hydrocarbons can be upgraded by contact with the products formed during irradiation of a hydrogen donor using microwave energy in the presence of at least one plasma initiator.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of a hydrogenated distillable hydrocarbonaceous product from a temperature-sensitive hydrocarbonaceous stream containing a non-distillable component by the utilization of a hot hydrogen flash zone and a secondary separation zone to achieve a high yield of hydrogenated distillable hydrocarbonaceous product.

Abstract: Several procedures are provided herein which reduce the viscosity and density of heavy oils to make them amenable for transportation by pipeline from the field to refineries for further processing. The procedure involves contacting a water emulsion of a heavy oil with carbon monoxide at a pressure range and a temperature range such that a water gas shift reaction takes place to convert the steam and carbon monoxide to hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Simultaneously, a thermal rearrangement takes place, thereby reducing the viscosity and density of the oil without any significant thermal cracking. Under one scheme, at a low temperature range, e.g. below about 400.degree. C., there is substantailly no cracking and minimal molecular changes. Under another scheme, at a higher temperature range, e.g. up to about 460.degree. C., significant cracking and molecular changes take place.