Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of metal contaminants, such as vanadium and nickel, in distillates of a fossil fuel feedstock is disclosed. The method comprises producing a selected distillate fraction and demetallizing this distillate by suitable means, thereby upgrading and making it suitable for use as feed to a catalytic cracker.

Abstract: Monobasic carboxylic acids or salts thereof are used to remove metals, particularly calcium and iron, from hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks. An aqueous solution of the acid is used to extract the metals from the feedstock prior to processing. Acetic acid is the preferred carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Asphaltenes and/or wax and/or water are removed from crude oil by contacting the crude oil with an organic solvent to dissolve the crude oil and precipitate asphaltenes and/or wax and separate the oil and water. Solvent is then separated from the deasphalted and/or dewaxed and/or dehydrated crude oil.Removing asphaltenes, wax and/or water reduces the viscosity of the crude oil and it can then be transported, e.g. by pumping through a pipeline, with less expenditure of energy.

Abstract: Method of producing a baseoil having a reduced coking tendency by removing precursors from the baseoil. Baseoil having reduced coking tendencies which comprises a substantially no coking precursors therein.

Abstract: A process for improving the deasphalting of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a solvent by subjecting the feedstock to shearing alternatively after and/or before the addition of at least a portion of the solvent to the feedstock is disclosed. Alternative means for effecting the shearing and desired ranges of shear are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined process for separating and converting asphaltenes of high molecular weight and high softening point from heavy hydrocarbon material containing asphaltenes by a process that combines a deasphalting method to produce solid asphaltenes and a continuous coking procedure for the solid asphaltenes. The combined process converts the material into more valuable liquid hydrocarbon products of lower molecular weight and coke.

Abstract: Dibasic carboxylic acids or salts thereof are used to remove metals, particularly calcium and iron, from hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks. An aqueous solution of the acid is used to extract the metals from the feedstock prior to processing. Oxalic acid is the preferred compound.

Abstract: Asphaltenes are separated from hydrocarbon oil by bringing the oil into contact with formic acid or a water-soluble organic acid consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and having at least two functional groups.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating an organic material from a composition comprising said organic material intermixed with particulate solids, the process comprising advancing a light hydrocarbon fluid through said particulate solids at an effective rate to drive at least some of said organic material from said particulate solids, adding water to said composition containing particulate solids and residual organic material to produce a second composition, and adding an oxidizing agent to said second composition in an amount sufficient to remove substantially all of the residual organic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a facile method of oil removal from an oil-water emulsion containing suspended solid particulates. In general, the method utilizes a volatile solvent which is liquefied under pressure and forms a two-phase system when in contact with the emulsion.

Abstract: For deasphalting an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon oil, employed is a hydrocarbon solvent of 3-8 carbon atoms, resulting in an asphaltic phase and a solution of deasphalted oil in the solvent. The solvent is then separated from the deasphalted oil, by passing the solution tangentially across an inorganic membrane of pore radii from 2 to 15 nonometers: the obtained filtrate has an increased solvent content and may be recycled. The deasphalted oil is selectively retained on the upstream side of the membrane.

Abstract: A process for deasphalting a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising two stages of precipitation from the feedstock of an asphaltene fraction alone or, alternatively, of a resin fraction along with the asphaltene fraction, by means of a heavy solvent and a light solvent, respectively, is disclosed.In accordance with the process, the heavy solvent and the light solvent both contain, in different proportions, at least one hydrocarbon having 3 carbon atoms and at least one hydrocarbon having at least 5 carbon atoms, the proportion of the hydrocarbon having 3 carbon atoms being higher in the light solvent than in the heavy solvent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the working up of salvage oil, in which the salvage oil is subjected to an extraction under supercritical conditions. The halogen compounds contained in the produced extract are removed by catalytic hydrogenation. The extraction residue is eliminated by deposition or thermal treatment (gasification). In the case of a thermal treatment of the extraction residue, other residues can be simultaneously converted, so that the process is performed without yield of environmentally burdensome residues or by-products. Ethane in particular and/or propane is employed as solvent for the supercritical extraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy oils for use in subsequent hydrocarbon processing. The process is especially suitable for removing metals which are in the form of nickel or vanadium organic compounds and for lowering the Conradson Carbon Residue of the resulting oil. The process includes the steps of diluting the heavy oil with a solvent which completely solvates the oil and subjecting the resulting mixture to an ultrafiltration step using selected membranes.

Abstract: In the solvent refining of a residual oil, a mixture of refined oil and refining solvent, and a mixture of pitch impurities and refining solvent are introduced into separate zones of a combination tower operated at a pressure of no greater than 100 psig to recover refining solvent from each of the mixtures. The combination tower is preferably A modified crude distillation tower from a preexisting crude unit, whereby idle crude units may be converted to solvent refining.

Abstract: In a deasphalting process wherein the deasphalted oil is separated from the deasphalting solvent, the invention consists of performing said separation in at least two separate steps, differing by their temperatures, and of recovering heat from the deasphalted oil.The oil to be deasphalted (26) passes through an extractor (1), then through heat recuperators (3) and (4). The oil-solvent separation is achieved in two steps (5) and (11), under supercritical conditions, at different temperatures. The process has the particular advantage of saving power since external heat is provided (10) to only part of the charge.

Abstract: Asphaltenes and/or wax and/or water are removed from crude oil by contacting the crude oil with an organic solvent to dissolve the crude oil and precipitate asphaltenes and/or wax and separate the oil and water. Solvent is then separated from the deasphalted and/or dewaxed and/or dehydrated crude oil.Removing asphaltenes, wax and/or water reduces the viscosity of the crude oil and it can then be transported, e.g. by pumping through a pipeline, with less expenditure of energy.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing metals contaminants, particularly calcium compounds, from hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks using aqueous carbonic acids, its salts, or mixtures thereof as the metals extraction agent. The hydrocarbonaceous layer and aqueous layers are then separated and the demetalated hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is removed for further processing.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of metals contaminants, particularly calcium, from hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks. The process comprises mixing the feedstock with an aqueous solution of a metals sequestering agent, particularly hydroxocarboxylic acids, especially citric acid, then salts or mixtures thereof, and separating the aqueous solution containing the metals from the demetalated feedstock.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the demetalation of organically-bound compounds of Group VIII metals, particularly iron, from hydrocarbonaceous feedstock. In the process, an aqueous solution of amino-carboxylic acid, or salts, particularly EDTA, is used to form complexes with the metals and extract them from the feedstock. The aqueous phase containing the complexed metals contaminants is then separated from the hydrocarbonaceous phase.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of metals contaminants, particularly calcium, from hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks. The process comprises mixing the feedstock with an aqueous solution of a metals sequestering agent, particularly amino-carboxylic acids, their salts, or mixtures thereof, more particularly EDTA, and separating the aqueous solution containing the metals from the demetalated feedstock.

Abstract: This process for fractionating solid asphalts is operable under low temperature and pressure conditions.The process consists of treating a suspension of asphalt powder in a surfactant-containing aqueous phase by means of a hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with water and of separating:an hydrocarbon phase containing asphalt of softening point lower than that of the initial asphalt, andan aqueous phase wherein is suspended asphalt of softening point higher than that of the initial asphalt.

Abstract: A method for determining the fouling tendency of an asphaltene containing petroleum stream such as crude oil by the use of thin layer chromatography. The chromatogram of a crude oil formed in the presence of an asphaltene antisolvent which exhibits a fouling tendency developed a distinct, dark ring or disk.

Abstract: The metals content of petroleum feedstocks, particularly those feedstocks comprising maltenes and asphaltenes, is reduced prior to further processing by contacting the feedstock with phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A method for determining the fouling tendency of an asphaltene containing hydrocarbon stream such as crude oil by the use of thin layer chromatography. The chromatogram of a crude oil exhibiting a fouling tendency developed a distinct, dark ring or disk.

Abstract: An improved method for deasphalting and demetallizing heavy oils, where the improvement is a counterflow washing step which increases the yield of the product oil. A heavy oil feedstream is contacted in a countercurrent manner with a solvent in a multi-stage extraction zone and a resulting light phase stream is heated and passed into a settling zone. A second light phase stream comprised of the product deasphalted and demetallized oil and solvent is separated from a contaminant-laden heavy phase in the settling zone. The contaminant-laden heavy phase, which is termed a resin phase, contains an equilibrium amount of DMO and solvent. DMO-enriched solvent is displaced from the resin stream by means of a counterflow washing process using pure solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for reducing the pour point of a crude oil by adding a pour-point depressant selected from the group consisting of raw bitumen and hydrotreated bitumen to form a blend possessing a relatively lower pour point.

Abstract: Process for deasphalting a hydrocarbon charge by means of a deasphalting solvent.The charge (1) is introduced, at 100.degree.-200.degree. C., in admixture with a deasphalting solvent (3and 4), into a settler (7). The deasphalted oil (24) is separated from the solvent (23). Asphalt (9) is washed in a column and then separated from the washing liquid (21).

Abstract: A carbonaceous material such as coal is conditioned by contact with a supercritical fluid prior to physical beneficiation. The solid feed material is contacted with an organic supercritical fluid such as cyclohexane or methanol at temperatures slightly above the critical temperature and pressures of 1 to 4 times the critical pressure. A minor solute fraction is extracted into critical phase and separated from the solid residuum. The residuum is then processed by physical separation such as by froth flotation or specific gravity separation to recover a substantial fraction thereof with reduced ash content. The solute in supercritical phase can be released by pressure reduction and recombined with the low-ash, carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A feed is subjected to deasphalting to separately recover oil, resin and pitch. The resin fraction is upgraded to valuable product, for example, by hydrogenation or visbreaking, and heavier components from the upgrading are recycled to the deasphalting for removing pitchlike components prior to being recycled to the upgrading step.

Abstract: A delayed coking process and a solvent deasphalting process are combined so that an asphalt mix of asphalt and solvent from the solvent deasphalting process is sent as feedstock to the delayed coking process to form coke and intermediate hydrocarbon vapor and liquid products. The vaporization of the solvent in a delayed coker heater assists the flow of the asphalt mix through the heater, and a portion of the asphalt mix is directed to a delayed coking fractionator so that the flow of solvent through the delayed coking heater can be adjusted by varying the relative amounts of asphalt mix sent to the delayed coker heater and to the fractionator. A deasphalted oil mix of deasphalted oil and solvent from the solvent deasphalting process is heated by hotter fluid products from a fractionator in the delayed coking process, and makeup solvent to a solvent deasphalting section is heated by vapors in the fractionator overhead.

Abstract: A method of fractionating a mixture containing high boiling carbonaceous material and normally solid mineral matter includes processing with a plurality of different supercritical solvents. The mixture is treated with a first solvent of high critical temperature and solvent capacity to extract a large fraction as solute. The solute is released as liquid from solvent and successively treated with other supercritical solvents of different critical values to extract fractions of differing properties. Fractionation can be supplemented by solute reflux over a temperature gradient, pressure let down in steps and extractions at varying temperature and pressure values.

Abstract: A process in fuels production for increasing the yield of deasphalted oil production from upgraded residua and improving deasphalter operability involving mixing the upgraded residua with an aromatics solubilizing aid to prevent the formation of an immiscible third phase during deasphalting.

Abstract: A process of preparing a donor solvent for coal liquefaction. Liquefied coal is distilled to separate the coal into a fraction having a boiling point less than about 350.degree. F. and a residue having a boiling point greater than about 350.degree. F. The residue from the distillation is deasphalted in a first solvent capable of substantially extracting from the residue a first oil comprising lower molecular weight compounds and saturated compounds. The residue from the first deasphalting step is then deasphalted in a second solvent capable of substantially extracting from the residue a second oil comprising concentrated aromatic and heterocyclic compounds and leaving in the residue asphaltenes and ash. The second oil can be used as a donor solvent. The second oil extracted in the second deasphalting step is preferably partially hydrogenated prior to use as a donor solvent for the liquefaction of coal.

Abstract: This invention is an integrated process for removing nickel and vanadium metalloporphyrinic compounds from oils which contain them and regenerating the solvent used to extract those metal compounds. The process involves the extraction of those compounds using certain solvents which are not miscible with the oils involved and which preferably are defined using variables known as three-dimensional solubility parameters. The solvents are regenerated for recycle to the extraction step. The most preferred solvents which meet the disclosed criteria are ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, ethylene trithiocarbonate and dimethylsulfone. The process is particularly suitable for removing the nickel and vanadium compounds from heavier oils such as crude oils and the so-called gas oils obtained during the early stages of the refining process.

Abstract: Pitch free from quinoline insoluble components is prepared by heat-treating coal tar or coal tar pitch in the absence or in the presence of carbonaceous particles and centrifuging at a high temperature the reaction product resulting from the heat treatment or a mixture of the reaction product from the heat treatment and coal tar-type light or middle oil.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous de-emulsification and de-asphalting of heavy oil/water emulsions containing asphaltics enables de-asphalted oil, asphaltics and emulsion water to be separately recovered. A heavy oil/water emulsion is mixed with a solvent to cause the emulsion to be broken with consequent dissolution of oil by the solvent and coalescence of emulsion water and asphaltics as fast settling particles, the solvent comprising a light C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 paraffinic composition and the weight of solvent being from about 2 to about 5 times the weight of heavy oil. The water/asphaltic particles are separated from the bulk of the oil/solvent phase and are fed into a water bath to produce relatively large stable asphaltic agglomerates with exclusion of emulsion water. The asphaltic agglomerates are removed from the hot water bath, and de-asphalted oil is recovered from the oil/solvent phase.

Abstract: A major portion, preferably a substantial portion, of the coke precursors may be removed from atmospheric and vacuum resids having a Conradson carbon residue of at least about 10 wt. % by selectively removing the components of said feedstock which have an overall Hildebrand solubility parameter greater than 9.0 and a complexing solubility parameter greater than 1.3, such that there results a coke precursor rich fraction containing components having the requisite solubility parameters and a coke precursor depleted fraction. Each fraction may then be processed separately. Segregation of coke precursors by removing the components having the requisite solubility parameters also results in an enhanced yield of useable liquid hydrocarbons relative to that obtained using conventional separation processes.

Abstract: This invention is a process for removing nickel and vanadium metalloporphyrinic compounds from oils which contain them. The process involves the extraction of those compounds using certain solvents which are not miscible with the oils involved and which are defined using variables known as three-dimensional solubility parameters. The most preferred solvents which meet the disclosed criteria are ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, ethylene trithiocarbonate and dimethylsulfone. The solvents are particularly useful in removing the nickel and vanadium compounds from heavier oils such as crude oils and the so-called gas oils obtained during the early stages of the refining process.

Abstract: A method for the liquefaction of coal under coal liquefaction conditions in the presence of manganese nodules in combination with an improved coal liquefaction solvent. Liquid yields are increased when the solvent, containing substantially only polycondensed aromatic systems or components that possess polargraphic reduction potentials equal to or greater than about -2.4 volts, is utilized in the reaction. During the reaction the polycondensed aromatic compounds, in the presence of manganese, are selectively and rapidly hydrogenated leading to increased liquefaction of coal.

Abstract: A process for increasing the production of Bright Stock oil in a lube oil process scheme. Aromatic extract oil, after being separated from the extraction solvent, is recycled back to the deasphalter unit and combined with a vacuum residuum in 10-20 LV %, based on the total deasphalter feed, prior to deasphalting. After deasphalting and aromatics extraction the absolute yield of raffinate is increased.

Abstract: Solvent refining of a residual oil is accomplished with a refining solvent containing methanol and propanol, preferably isopropanol. The solvent produces high yields of a high quality refined oil, as well as a pumpable pitch fraction.

Abstract: Heavy oil derived from coal is diluted with organic solvent to a content of less than 10 weight percent of toluene-insoluble material. The mixture is then mixed with a non-aromatic solvent in a ratio of 1:3 to 5:1. With slow stirring of the heavy phase at a temperature of between 50.degree. and 200.degree. C., this mixture is separated into a pumpable TI-poor and a pumpable TI-rich fraction under the action of gravity, with a settling-surface load of up to 1 metric ton/m.sup.2 hour. No .beta.-resins are precipitated from these fluid fractions. No tacky, rubber-like sediment is formed from the TI-rich fraction. The fractions are distillatively separated from the solvents, which can be reused. The TI-poor fraction can be used, for example, as a carbon-black oil component or can be processed further to an impregnating agent for carbon shapes. Binders for carbon shapes or cokes are obtained from the TI-rich fraction.

Abstract: A process for separating substantially dry asphaltenes of high softening point from heavy hydrocarbon material comprising:(a) admixing heavy hydrocarbon material containing asphaltenes with a solution of deasphalted oil and an aliphatic hydrocarbon precipitant in a first mixing zone to form a mixture and precipitate asphaltenes;(b) in a first separation zone the mixture from step (a) into (i) a first solution of deasphalted oil and precipitant and (ii) a slurry of solid asphaltene particles in a solution of precipitant and desasphalted oil;(c) separating the first solution of step (b) to obtain said precipitant and the deasphalted oil almost free of asphaltenes;(d) introducing the slurry of asphaltenes of step (b) into a second mixing zone and washing the slurry with a volume of fresh precipitant to remove deasphalted oil;(e) introducing the mixture from the second mixing zone into a second separation zone that comprises a centrifugal decanter to separate a liquid phase from a highly concentrated slurry of so

Abstract: This invention deals with a method for deasphalting heavy oils by mixing the oil with a completely miscible solvent at a low treat ratio and then subjecting the resulting one phase mixture to a gaseous antisolvent, such as carbon dioxide, to separate the mixture into two phases. The upper phase contains the majority of the miscible solvent and the product oil containing a significantly lower CCN then did the feedstock.

Abstract: The upgrading of heavy, high-metals content oils is optimized when certain solvent mixing and countercurrent flow techniques and/or certain solvent/feed ratios and/or certain extractor internals and extraction residence times are employed.

Abstract: Liquid-liquid extraction processes employing a liquid solvent are enhanced through the utilization of a subsequent supercritical fluid extraction process performed on the liquid extract from the liquid-liquid process. The second, supercritical solvent is used in the supercritical fluid extraction process step. The extract from the supercritical fluid extraction process is further processed to separate the supercritical solvent and the liquid solvent, both of which are returned in a closed cycle flow to the supercritical fluid extraction vessel and the liquid-liquid reaction vessel respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of hydrocarbon oils from other heavier oils such as vacuum residua and, more particularly, to an improved process for deasphalting petroleum oils containing those asphalts. In one aspect of the invention, the process treats a solvent which has contacted the heavy oil with a gaseous antisolvent to separate effectively and usually without distillation, the solvent from the extracted oil. The deasphalted oil product typically will have low metals contaminants and enhanced MCR. Utilities or energy requirements for the process may be improved over prior art processes.

Abstract: The acceptability of residual oil as a gas turbine fuel is greatly enhanced in a two step process which significantly decreases the vanadium content of the residual fuel. In the process, the residual oil is first broken down into an oil phase and asphaltene phase by either conventional or supercritical extraction. In this step, the majority of vanadium remains in the asphaltene phase. The vanadium is then removed from the asphaltenes by a supercritical solvent extraction process in which the vanadium free asphaltene phase is then re-dissolved in the oil for use as a gas turbine fuel. This fuel possesses significantly lower vanadium content, and thus permits gas turbine operation for greater periods of time without maintenance.

Abstract: .[.In a hydrogenation operation employing an ebullated catalytic bed, recycle is recovered from the hydrogenated product with at least 25%, by volume, of the recycle boiling above 950.degree. F. The recycle is cooled to a temperature of from 350.degree. to 600.degree. F. to separate coke precursors, prior to recycle to the hydrogenation. Higher conversion levels can be achieved by effecting recycle in such manner..]..Iadd.Disclosed is a hydrogenation process using at least one fluidized catalytic stage and a recycle material of heavy hydrogenated effluent. The heavy effluent material is cooled to a temperature within 350.degree.-600.degree. F. to separate toluene and heptane insoluble coke precursors prior to recycle. This separation may be enhanced by the use of centrifugation, filtration or a bed of particulate material (e.g. calcined coke). .Iaddend.