Abstract: A process for removing elemental sulfur from fluids such as refined petroleum products transported through pipelines for the transportation of sour hydrocarbon streams. The fluids are contacted with an aqueous solution containing caustic, an aliphatic mercaptan and optionally a sulfide to produce an aqueous layer containing metal polysulfides and a clear fluid layer having a reduced elemental sulfur level.

Abstract: A process for removing elemental sulfur from fluids such as refined petroleum products transported through pipelines for the transportation of sour hydrocarbon streams. The fluids are contacted with an aqueous solution containing caustic, sulfide and optionally elemental sulfur to produce an aqueous layer containing metal polysulfides and a clear fluid layer having a reduced elemental sulfur level. Organo mercaptans may also be mixed with the fluid to accelerate the removal of elemental sulfur.

Abstract: 1. A process for reducing the sulfur content of petroleum asphaltenes containing sulfur comprising:(1) forming a mixture of petroleum asphaltenes containing sulfur and a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, methanol, carbon dioxide and mixtures thereof;(2) raising the temperature and pressure of the mixture to a temperature and pressure above the critical temperature and pressure of the liquid to convert the liquid to a supercritical fluid;(3) maintaining the mixture above the critical temperature and pressure of the liquid for a time sufficient to effect sulfur reduction;(4) reducing the pressure to a second lower pressure; and(5) recovering petroleum asphaltenes reduced in sulfur.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enhancing the removal of nitrogen and sulfur from oil-shale which process comprises heating the oil-shale with a basic solution comprised of one or more hydroxides of the alkali metal and alkaline-earth metals.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing used lubricating oils is disclosed wherein the oil is dried, treated with finely dispersed sodium metal at elevated temperature, the remaining free or organically bound metal is decomposed by means of an active hydrogen containing compounds, followed by distillation of the oil for recovery.

Abstract: Improved processes for the combined desulfurization and hydroconversion of various sulfur-containing pertroleum oils, and particularly various residua feedstocks, are disclosed. These feedstocks are thus contacted with alkali metals, such as sodium, in the molten state, in a conversion zone maintained at specified conditions such that the feedstocks are both desulfurized and subjected to significant hydroconversion, particularly demonstrated by significant reductions in the 1,050.degree. F+ fraction of these feedstocks, as well as significantly decreased Conradson carbon and increased API gravity. In addition, the deep demetallization and moderate denitrogenation of these feedstocks is also achieved. These important results are obtained by maintaining the conversion zone at temperatures of above 750.degree. F, and in the presence of sufficient added hydrogen to produce a hydrogen pressure in the conversion zone of between about 1500 and 3000 psig.

Abstract: A sulfur-containing naphtha is separated into at least three fractions. Each fraction is desulfurized separately by a different desulfurization method. Subsequently, the desulfurized fractions are recombined. The intermediate boiling point naphtha fraction is desulfurized by an alkali metal desulfurization process, preferably in the presence of added hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for the combined hydrodesulfurization and hydroconversion of certain heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks is disclosed. Specifically, asphaltene-containing feedstocks, such as residua feedstocks, are initially contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst which selectively avoids the conversion of the asphaltene agglomerates and metal-containing compounds therein, so that said feedstock is at least partially desulfurized, and then is contacted with an alkali metal in a conversion zone at elevated temperatures and in the presence of added hydrogen so that said feedstock is both further desulfurized and hydroconverted, preferably so that at least about 50 percent of the 1050.degree.F+ portion of the feedstock is converted to lower boiling products.