Abstract: Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal overbases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, barium, strontium, aluminum, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum, overbases and dispersions. Coker feedstocks and visbreaker feeds are particular hydrocarbon feed streams to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.

Abstract: A method for utilizing natural gas condensate as a feedstock for an olefin production plant wherein the feedstock is subjected to vaporization and separation conditions that remove light hydrocarbons from the condensate for thermal cracking in the plant, and leave liquid distillate for separate recovery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for thermally cracking a hydrocarbon feed in an installation comprising a radiant section (6) and a convection section (7), wherein a hydrocarbon feed stock is fed to a feed preheater (1) present in the convection section (7), the heat pick-up of the feed preheater (1) is controlled by regulating the heat exchange capacity of an economiser (9), said economiser (9) being located in the convection section (7) between the feed preheater (1) and the radiant section (6), and wherein the feed heated in the preheater (1) is thereafter cracked in the radiant section. The invention further relates to an installation for cracking a hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: In the process of employing a liquid whole crude oil and/or natural gas condensate in a thermal cracking process that uses a vaporization/mild cracking unit upstream of a thermal cracking furnace, a martensitic steel is employed in the construction of the unit and the unit is subjected to a de-hydrogenation treatment.

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock comprising at least one sulfur-containing compound comprising: heating the feedstock and a peroxide-containing compound, mixing the heated feedstock and peroxide-containing compound with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase which collect as bottoms and removing the liquid phase, separating and cracking the vapor phase, and cooling the product effluent, wherein the oxidized sulfur-containing species are removed as bottoms

Abstract: A method for starting up an olefin production plant without venting gases to the atmosphere wherein an artificial feed is employed in the compression zone of the plant while the furnace and quench zones remain idle, and gases from the compression and refrigeration zones of the plant are recycled to the inlet of the compression zone during startup, after which the furnace and quench zones are started up using natural feed.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for making olefins. In one embodiment, the process comprises producing steam from a process water comprising organic compounds, wherein the process water comprises at least a portion of a product water from a hydrocarbon synthesis process; feeding the steam comprising some organic compounds and a light hydrocarbons feedstream into a steam cracker under cracking promoting conditions so as to crack with said steam some of the light hydrocarbons and some of the organic compounds from the steam to produce a cracker effluent comprising at least one olefin. In some embodiments, the light hydrocarbons feedstream comprises a naphtha cut. In alternate embodiments, the light hydrocarbons feedstream comprises a hydrocarbon fraction derived from a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor. In preferred embodiments, the process water and light hydrocarbons feedstream are at least in part derived from a Fisher-Tropsch synthesis, and the organic compounds comprise oxygenates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the source of fouling in petroleum thermal conversion process units. More particularly, the invention distinguishes whether fouling occurs due to feed entrainment of small feed droplets or vapor phase condensation.

Abstract: A process for feeding or cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstock containing non-volatile hydrocarbons comprising: heating the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, mixing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and varying the amount of the fluid and/or the primary dilution steam stream mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in accordance with at least one selected operating parameter of the process, such as the temperature of the flash stream before entering the flash drum.

Abstract: A process to increase the non-volatile removal efficiency in a flash drum in the steam cracking system. The gas flow from the convection section is converted from mist flow to annular flow before entering the flash drum to increase the removal efficiency. The conversion of gas flow from mist flow to annular flow is accomplished by subjecting the gas flow first to at least one expander and then to bends of various degrees and force the flow to change directions at least once. The change of gas flow from mist to annular helps coalesce fine liquid droplets and thus being removed from the vapor phase.

Abstract: A process for treating hydrocarbon feed in a furnace, the process comprising: (a) heating hydrocarbon feed, (b) adding water to the heated feed, (c) adding dilution steam to the heated feed to form a mixture, (d) heating the resulting mixture and feeding the resulting heated mixture to the furnace, wherein the water in (b) is added in an amount of from at least about 1% to 100% based on water and dilution steam by weight.

Abstract: A method for thermally cracking Diels-Alder adducts and for altering organic streams containing Diels-Alder adducts using controlled cavitation conditions.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of hydrocarbons that are solid or have a high boiling temperature and may be laden with metals, sulfur or sediments, into liquids (gasolines, gas oil, fuels) with the help of a jet of gas properly superheated between 600 and 800° C. The process comprises preheating of feed 5 in a heater 8 to a temperature below the selected temperature of a reactor 10. This feed is injected by injectors 4 into the empty reactor 10 (i.e., without catalyst.) The feed is treated with a jet of gas or superheated steam from superheater 2 to activate the feed. The activated products in the feed are allowed to stabilize at the selected temperature and at a selected pressure in the reactor and are then run through a series of extractors 13 to separate heavy and light hydrocarbons and to demetallize the feed. Useful products appearing in the form of water/hydrogen emulsions are generally demulsified in emulsion breaker 16 to form water laden with different impurities.

Abstract: A low energy method of pyrolysis of rubber or other hydrocarbon material is provided. The hydrocarbon material is heated while maintaining a vacuum, using a clay catalyst. In an additional embodiment, the temperature of the reaction chamber and corresponding fuel input is varied either over time or spatially within the reaction chamber, to take advantage of the exothermic properties of the reaction. With the method of the present invention, a higher quality solid reaction product can be achieved, as well as a liquid having reduced polyaromatic hydrocarbons and oxidized organic contaminants.

Abstract: A low energy method of pyrolysis of rubber or other hydrocarbon material is provided. The hydrocarbon material is heated while maintaining a vacuum, using a clay catalyst. In an additional embodiment, also under a vacuum and optionally with or without the catalyst, the temperature of the reaction chamber and corresponding fuel input is varied either over time or spatially within the reaction chamber, to take advantage of the exothermic properties of the reaction. With the method of the present invention, an improved solid reaction product can be achieved.

Abstract: A method for processing carbonaceous material in a reactor. Carbonaceous material, such as sawdust, plant residues from forestry or agricultural processes, municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel, is fed into the riser section (10) of a reactor (10-15) in which it is contacted with inorganic particulate material and reactor walls at an elevated temperature essentially in the absence of oxygen in order to convert the carbonaceous material at least mainly into gaseous processed products, whereby a gas phase is obtained, containing fluidization gas and processed products. According to the invention a dense suspension is formed into the riser space (10) of the reactor, containing based on the particle number 7×108 to 3×1011 particles/m3 (about 2×107-1×1010 particles/ft3), and the mass ratio between the particulate matter bringing heat into the reactor and the carbonaceous material is in the range of 1:1 to 10:1.

Abstract: Catalyst for steam cracking reactions consisting of pure mayenite having the general formula: 12CaO.7Al2O3 having an X-ray diffraction spectrum as indicated in Table I, obtained with a preparation process comprising the following steps: dissolution of salts containing calcium and aluminum with water; complexing of the dissolved salts by means of polyfunctional organic hydroxyacids; drying of the solution resulting from the completing in order to obtain a solid precursor product; calcination of the solid precursor product at a temperature ranging from 1300 to 1400° C. for at least two hours.

Abstract: A process for treating hydrocarbon feed in a furnace, the process comprising: (a) heating hydrocarbon feed, (b) adding water to the heated feed, (c) adding dilution steam to the heated feed to form a mixture, (d) heating the resulting mixture and feeding the resulting heated mixture to the furnace, wherein the water in (b) is added in an amount of from at least about 1% to 100% based on water and dilution steam by weight.

Abstract: A process for thermal and, optionally, catalytic upgrading and hydrogenation of hydrocarbons is described, wherein the hydrocarbons (oil) with a lower API grade is passed through one or more reactors connected in parallell or in series, preferably in series, in liquid state where it under pressure and intense agitation at a given temperature is thermally upgraded by increasing API, and that the product is discharged in liquid state, and whereby the agitation is effected by whipping elements, optionally made of a catalytic material acting as a catalyst in upgrading the oil in the reactor.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a residua feedstock using a short vapor contact time thermal process unit comprised of a horizontal moving bed of fluidized hot particles. The residua feedstock is preferably atomized so that the Sauter mean diameter of the residua feedstock entering the reactor is less than about 2500 &mgr;m. One or more horizontally disposed screws is preferably used to fluidize a bed of hot particles.

Abstract: Used oil is treated in a reactor to remove contaminants. The reactor comprises a rotating vessel housed within a heating chamber. The inside of the vessel is indirectly heated by conduction through the vessel walls. The vessel contains a permanently resident charge of non-ablating, coarse granular solids. Within the vessel, the oil is vaporized and pyrolysed, producing a hydrocarbon vapor. Coke is formed as a byproduct. Contaminants, such as metals and halides become associated with the coke. The coarse granular solids scour and comminute the coke to form fine solids. The fine solids are separated from the coarse solids and are removed from the vessel. The hydrocarbon vapors are separated from any fine solids and are routed to a vapor condensation system for producing a substantially contaminant-free product oil. The contaminant-rich solids are collected for disposal.

Abstract: Method for improving the yield of lighter components in heat-refining process of petroleum heavy oil, and additive used in the method. The heat-treatment in a heating unit is effected in the presence of at least one compound (I) having at least one mercapto alkylthio group: HS--C.sub.m H.sub.2m --S--, in which "m" is an integer of 2 to 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of petroleum coke for the manufacture of carbonaceous anodes for the aluminum smelting industry. The inclusion of Group 4 and/or Group 13 metal compounds as additives to the petroleum coker feedstock diminish the oxidizing tendencies of the metal impurities inherent in the petroleum coke.

Abstract: Crystalline materials having increased mechanical strength and improved chemical properties are provided by incorporating carbonate by contact treatment with carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) to modify the alkaline earth oxide morphology. Alkaline earth-containing particulate solids are stabilized in the crystalline oxide structure, preferrably with dense phase or supercritical CO.sub.2. Typical industrial applications include particulate contact solids, catalysts, binders and monolithic structures.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon catalytic cracking process in which, a substantial portion of the hydrocarbons is pulverized and placed in contact with a specific contact zone, which is composed of: a mixing chamber having a maximum section S.sub.2, the upper part of which is fed with a heated regenerated catalyst through an upper opening delimiting a catalyst-flow section S.sub.1, and a descending-flow reaction area, in which the solid-gas mixture emanating from the mixing chamber is poured through an intermediate opening having a section S.sub.3 located in the lower part of said chamber. The ratios S.sub.2 /S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 /S.sub.3 have values of between 1.5 and 8.

Abstract: A residual oil feedstock comprises carbon residue measured according to ASTM D-4530. The feedstock is admixed with water/steam in an amount of 10 wt % to 30 wt % and optionally a hydrogen donor, such as methane and/or gas oil derived from recycle. The resulting admixture is subjected to delayed coking reaction conditions. The process yields hydrocarbon liquids in an increased amount. Coke make and gas make are thereby reduced.

Abstract: Aqueous sulfur and caustic component-containing waste streams are disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner employing a process featuring integrated coking and gasification operations.

Abstract: A process for the production of gaseous olefins which involves introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock stream into a high temperature thermal cracking zone to produce a high temperature cracked product stream, quenching the cracked product stream to stop the cracking reactions, injecting at least one HDD (hydrogen donor diluent) into the cracked product stream at or downstream of the point at which the reaction is quenched, recovering normally gaseous olefins from the cracked product stream, and recovering a liquid product stream containing a diminished asphaltene content.

Abstract: A molten salt process vessel for treatment of hazardous materials such as explosive or propellant waste, employing a tall, thin vessel with sufficient height that salt splash from the molten salt at the bottom of the vessel can be controlled and hard salt deposits are prevented from forming on the walls which restrict the gas outlet. The vessel, e.g. of cylindrical shape, has an increased height to diameter ratio in the range of about 7:1 to about 12:1, to give additional clearance. As an additional feature the vessel diameter can also be adjusted to create a "necked-down" region just below the gas outlet duct adjacent the top of the vessel to increase product gas velocity of the gas containing entrained salt particles, to prevent sticking of such particles to the vessel walls and restricting the gas outlet duct.

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: 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: Inhibiting coke formation on heat transfer surfaces used to heat or cool a petroleum feedstock at coke-forming conditions. The heat transfer surfaces are treated with an effective amount of S,S,S-trihydrocarbyl phosphorotrithioate to inhibit coke formation on the heat transfer surfaces. The phosphorotrithioate is essentially free from contributing to corrosion and from producing catalyst-impairing by-products.

Abstract: A process for disposing of filter media is provided, which process comprises (a) mixing a filter media with a hydrocarbonaceous mixing stream to form a media-hydrocarbon mixture and (b) feeding said media-hydrocarbon mixture to a coking vessel. Preferred coking vessels include delayed cokers, fluidized cokers, and coke calciners. An apparatus for disposing of filter media is provided, which apparatus comprises (a) a coking vessel; (b) a mixer to mix the filter media with a hydrocarbonaeous mixing fluid to form a media- hydrocarbonaeous fluid mixture; and, (c) a feed means to feed the media-hydrocarbonaeous fluid mixture to the coking vessel. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a size reduction means to reduce the size of the filter media to form a media staple comprising fiber clusters having a desired shape and size.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for upgrading a hydrocarbonaceous material to a product having a lower boiling point than the initial boiling point of said hydrocarbonaceous material and/or a higher boiling point than the final boiling point of said hydrocarbonaceous material, the process comprising heating a feed composition comprising said hydrocarbonaceous material in an enclosed space in the absence of externally supplied water or hydrogen at a temperature in the range of about 750.degree. F. to about 1300.degree. F. and a pressure sufficient to maintain the specific gravity of the contents of said enclosed space in the range of about 0.05 to about 1.5 for an effective period of time to yield said product, said feed composition being characterized by the absence of aromatic compounds with boiling points at atmospheric pressure below about 350.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for making a light hydrocarbonaceous liquid in a delayed coker comprising:(A) providing a hydrocarbonaceous feed to the coke drum and heating the feed to a temperature of about 800.degree. F. to about 1200.degree. F. to provide an intermediate product; and(B) introducing said intermediate product into the coke drum, operating the coke drum to convert the intermediate product to a final comprising light liquid and coke, and separating the light liquid from the coke;step (A) being conducted in combination with either step (A) (i) or step (A) (ii);Step (A) (i) comprising maintaining the feed during step (A) in an enclosed space and subjecting the feed to a pressure that is at least about 500 psig and is sufficient to maintain the specific gravity of the contents of the enclosed space at least about 0.

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 feedstock comprising 10 to 15 wt % used motor oil is subjected to delayed coking to yield coke and distillate fractions.

Abstract: A process for the production of gaseous olefins which involves introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock stream into a high temperature thermal cracking zone to produce a high temperature cracked product stream, quenching the cracked product stream to stop the cracking reactions, injecting at least one HDD (hydrogen donor diluent) into the cracked product stream at or downstream of the point at which the reaction is quenched, recovering normally gaseous olefins from the cracked product stream, and recovering a liquid product stream containing a diminished asphaltene content.

Abstract: A nonair-blown low sulfur petroleum residual oil is combined with super finely divided particles of calcined premium coke, and the combination is subjected to delayed coking to produce isotropic coke containing reduced sulfur and having a low CTE ratio.

Abstract: A non air-blown low sulfur heavy aromatic mineral oil which does not produce acceptable isotropic coke when subjected to delayed coking is combined with an inorganic additive which promotes pyrolysis and which vaporizes during calcining and the combination is subjected to delayed coking to produce isotropic coke having a low CTE ratio. The isotropic coke is further processed (including calcination) to produce graphite logs used in nuclear reactors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for pyrolytically cracking a hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is contacted with water prior to cracking. While the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is being contacted with water, both the feedstock and the water are heated by indirect heat exchange with at least one process stream containing waste heat. Consequently, a portion of the water vaporizes and combines with the hydrocarbon vapor feedstock. The hydrocarbon vapor feedstock is subsequently cracked in the presence of the vaporized water.

Abstract: The invention involves visbreaking heavy oil under mild conditions in a vertical vessel containing a vertical elongate ring spaced inwardly from the vessel wall to form an outer open-ended annular chamber and an inner open-ended soak chamber. Heavy oil at 220.degree.-600.degree. F. is fed to top of annular chamber. A mixture of visbroken residuum and heavy oil at 730.degree.-800.degree. F. is fed to top of soak chamber. There is heat transfer through the ring from the soak liquid to the annulus liquid to assist in maintaining mild temperature in the soak chamber. The two streams mix in the base of the vessel whereby the visbreaking reaction is quenched. Part of the product is recycled and heated to provide the feed to the soak chamber.

Abstract: Carbonates, oxides, carbides or fluorides of alkaline earth metals are added to coal tar pitches before coking. After the coking, which is preferably carried out by the delayed coking process, this produces coal tar pitch cokes or coal tar pitch needle cokes which have no irreversible expansion or a strongly reduced irreversible expansion upon heating in the temperature range of 1400.degree. to 2000.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons in an emulsion through dense phase processing. The process involves subjecting a feed of oil in an immiscible solvent emulsion to supercritical conditions to facilitate separation of the heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons with greater value and more uses.

Abstract: The process produces carbon bodies from coal tar pitch coke which have a strongly reduced or no irreversible thermal expansion in the temperature range of 1400.degree. to 2000.degree. C. Before shaping, a sulphonate, carboxylate or phenolate of an alkaline earth metal which is at least partially soluble in the binder is added to the mixing constituents which consist of particulate coke and a cokable binder as raw materials. After the mixing, shaping and firing, bodies are obtained which have only slight puffing upon graphitization.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for upgrading a hydrocarbonaceous material having an initial boiling point of at least about 625.degree. F. to a product having a lower boiling point than the initial boiling point of said hydrocarbonaceous material and/or a higher boiling point than the final boiling point of said hydrocarbonaceous material, the process comprising heating a mixture comprising said hydrocarbonaceous material and at least one organic solvent in an enclosed space in the absence of externally supplied water or hydrogen at a temperature in the range of about 750.degree. F. to about 1300.degree. F. and a pressure in excess of about 1200 psig for an effective period of time to yield said product, said pressure being sufficient to maintain the specific gravity of the contents of said enclosed space in the range of about 0.05 to about 1.

Abstract: The severity of visbreaking of an oil is increased without increasing the instability of the product by incorporating into the feedstock a catalyst preferably supported on a porous substrate. The catalyst is the elemental form or compound of an element selected from the group consisting of selenium, tellurium and sulfur.

Abstract: A fluid coking-gasification process for converting heavy hydrocarbonaceous chargestocks to lower boiling products in which a zeolitic material is use to mitigate slagging in the gasifier, especially when the zeolite material is spent catalytic cracking catalyst. The zeolite material is added either directly into the gasifier on it is mixed with the coke passing from the heating zone to the gasification zone.

Abstract: Premium coke having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and containing reduced fluff coke is obtained by subjecting an aromatic mineral oil to reduced temperature delayed coking, thereafter converting uncoked oil in the coke drum to coke under delayed coking conditions by continuing coking in the presence of a aromatic mineral oil capable forming coke admixed with a non-coking material circulated through the coke drum as a heating fluid. After termination of the heating fluid, the coke in the coke drum is subjected to a heat soak in the presence of a non-coking material at an elevated temperature preferably above the delayed coking conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated on the discovery that the addition of certain free radical initiators to thermal conversion processes results in increased thermal conversion rate at a given temperature without any substantial increase in the amounts of gaseous products formed. This permits operating the thermal conversion process at lower temperatures than otherwise practical. Indeed, the present invention is especially useful in thermal cracking processes like fluid coking. In this embodiment, a free radical initiator is added, without the addition of a hydrogen donor diluent, to a feedstock which is thermally cracked in a fluidized bed of particulate solids and at lower temperatures than otherwise employed, thereby increased amounts of liquid products are obtained.