Abstract: A process for the solvent deasphalting of asphaltene-containing hydrocarbons which comprising mixing asphaltene-containing hydrocarbons with a metal compound such as aluminum carbonates or titanium (IV) oxide and also with a solvent such as n-heptane, n-hexane, n-heptane or a mixed n-pentane.n-butanol solvent, to form a mixture which is then allowed to stand still to precipitate and separate the asphaltene therefrom thereby obtaining a deasphalted oil.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of deasphalted oil is described. The method comprises passing a hydrocarbon feedstock into a first distillation zone wherein the feedstock is separated into a first distillate and a first residuum. First residuum is passed to a second distillation zone wherein the fraction is separated into a second distillate and a second residuum. Second distillate and residuum are passed to a deasphalting zone and contacted with a solvent to produce a deasphalted oil. This method may produce increased quantities of acceptable quality deasphalted oil where the deasphalting zone is rate-limiting.

Abstract: The process described uses a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbon solvent and an organophosphorous compound to extract metals from metal containing oils. Preferably, the extraction is performed above the critical conditions of the solvent.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed a method and apparatus whereby all petroleums and/or related materials, including natural materials (such as, petroleum gas, crude oils, bitumens, crude oils from oil sands and oil shales, tars from sands, etc.), fraction or fractions derived from said natural materials, and refinery streams and products, are refined and separated to remove their asphaltic constituents (asphaltenes, resins, etc.) and/or nonhydrocarbon constituents (metals, heteroatoms, etc.), by contacting said petroleums and/or said related materials with added asphaltenes, precipitating said constituents together with said added asphaltenes, and then separating the mixture of the resultant precipitates and said added asphaltenes to recover an oil (and/or gas) having a reduced concentration of said constituents.

Abstract: A process for the solvent deasphalting of asphaltene-containing hydrocarbons which comprising mixing asphaltene-containing hydrocarbons with a metal compound such as aluminum sulfate or titanium (IV) oxide and also with a solvent such as n-heptane, n-hexane, n-heptane or a mixed n-pentane.n-butanol solvent, to form a mixture which is then allowed to stand still to precipitate and separate the asphaltene therefrom thereby obtaining a deasphalted oil.

Abstract: A continuous process for solvent deasphalting asphaltene-containing hydrocarbons which comprises mixing (A) 100 parts by weight of asphaltene-containing hydrocarbons with (B) 0.005-0.5 parts by weight of an amorphous silicon dioxide and/or a silicate compound and also with (C) 5-2000 parts by weight of a solvent such as n-heptane, n-hexane, n-heptane or a mixed n-pentane.n-butanol solvent, to form a mixture which is then allowed to stand still to precipitate and separate the asphaltene therefrom thereby obtaining a deasphalted oil.

Abstract: A method of separating a process material comprising oils, resins and asphaltenes into at least three fractions. The process material is mixed in a mixing zone with a solvent selected from the group consisting of paraffinic hydrocarbons having between about 3 and about 8 carbon atoms. The process material-solvent mixture is introduced into a first separation zone to form an asphaltene-rich first heavy fraction and a resin-rich intermediate fraction, separated by a first liquid-liquid interface, and to form a first light fraction, rich in solvent and oils, separated from the intermediate fraction by a second liquid-liquid interface.The first heavy fraction and the intermediate fraction are withdrawn from the first separation zone. The first light fraction is introduced into a second separation zone to separate a second heavy fraction, rich in oils, and a second light fraction, rich in solvent.

Abstract: A process for the separate recovery of oil and asphaltene/polar components from oil and asphaltene/polar bearing sand-containing material includes cooling the material to a temperature at which the material behaves as a solid, crushing the material at such a temperature to produce relatively coarse particles containing a major proportion of the sand and oil and relatively fine particles containing a major proportion of the asphaltenes and polars, and mechanically separating the relatively coarse particles from the relatively fine particles at such a temperature. The relatively coarse particles are treated to recover oil, and the relatively fine particles are treated to recover asphaltenes and polars. Similar processes are desirable for the treatment of heavy crude oil which may or may not contain sand.

Abstract: Process for reducing the viscosity of a highly viscous hydrocarbon charge containing 10-30% b.w. of constituents distilling above 375.degree. C., said treatment comprising hydrovisbreaking said charge to such an extent as to convert 10 to 30% of the 375.degree. C..sup.+ fraction to a 375.degree. C..sup.- fraction, fractionating the hydrovisbreaked product to separate a fraction comprising at least 90% of the constituents boiling below 375.degree. C. from a distillation residue, deasphalting said distillation residue and admixing at least a portion of the deasphalted distillation residue with at least a portion of said fraction comprising at least 90% of the constituents boiling below 375.degree. C.

Abstract: A fluid coking process is provided in which a stream of heavy oil product, which typically is recycled to the coking zone, is first subjected to solvent separation to separate it into a high Conradson carbon product and a lower Conradson carbon product and, thereafter, at least a portion of the lower Conradson carbon product is recovered and the high Conradson carbon product is recycled to the coking zone.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock may be selectively separated into its various fractions by contact with a mixture of specified polar and nonpolar solvents at a temperature so as to form a two-phase system, separating the first extract and raffinate phases so obtained, cooling the raffinate (nonpolar) phase so that three phases form, and separating the three phases. The three phases obtained consist of the polar solvent containing low molecular weight polars, the nonpolar solvent containing the saturates and aromatics, and an asphaltene-containing phase. The asphaltene-containing phase may be further washed to yield an asphalt with a higher microcarbon residue than the non-washed asphalt.

Abstract: The recovery of hydrocarbon values from high metals content feeds can be carried out more efficiently via supercritical extraction with recycle of a portion of the asphalt product and proper control of the use of countercurrent solvent flow to said extraction.

Abstract: A process for producing a pitch which can be utilized as a raw material for producing carbon fibers is disclosed. The process involves distilling a petroleum heavy residual oil under reduced pressure to produce a reduced pressure distillation residual oil or a reduced pressure distillate oil. The distillation residual oil is subjected to a solvent deasphaltening treatment to produce a solvent deasphaltened oil. The solvent deasphaltened oil or the reduced pressure distillate oil is subjected to solvent extraction to obtain a solvent extraction component. The solvent extraction component is thermally modified to produce the pitch. The pitch can be utilized in a melt-spinning process in order to produce carbon fibers having desirable characteristics.

Abstract: In the preparation of a heavy oil with a low Ramsbottom Carbon Test (RCT) from a long residue by a two-stage process comprising catalytic hydrotreatment followed by solvent deasphalting and recycle of the asphalt to the first stage the catalytic hydrotreatment for RCT reduction in the first stage is carried out at such a severity that the C.sub.4.sup.- gas production per percent RCT reduction is kept between defined limits.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a heavy oil with a low Ramsbottom Carbon Test (RCT) from a long residue by (a) catalytic hydrotreatment for RCT reduction at such severity that the C.sub.4.sup.- gas production per percentage RCT reduction is kept between defined limits, followed by (b) solvent deasphalting of the (vacuum or atmospheric) distillation residue of the hydrotreated product.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a heavy viscous hydrocarbon, for example, rendering a heavy viscous crude pipelinable, includes visbreaking, distillation and solvent extraction steps. A heavy viscous hydrocarbon is fed through the visbreaker which forms a feed to the distillation step. A heavier fraction from distillation is fed to a solvent extraction unit which produces a fraction which contains resin. At least a portion of the resin containing fraction separated in the solvent extraction unit is recycled and combined with the feed which is to be subject to visbreaking so that the total yield of products, residual and gas-free, is increased. The recycled resin reduces the tendency of the asphaltenes to separate from the oil and thereby reduces the tendency to lay down coke in the visbreaker; this allows higher conversion to upgraded liquid products.

Abstract: A process for multi-solvent extraction is provided wherein polarity gradients induced by distillation are utilized for the extraction of petroleum residua and other heavy oils whereby a high quality maltenic fraction and a lower quality asphaltenic fraction are obtained.

Abstract: A process for the purification of liquefied coal is disclosed, employing a polarity gradient for fractionation. Maltenic and asphaltenic fractions are isolated. Integration of the fractionation process with additional processes such as distillation, partial oxidation, and catalytic hydrotreating is also disclosed.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon fractions are made free of asphaltenes and/or resins by extraction with a deasphalting solvent in the presence of ultrasonic radiation.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for yielding a thermally cracked, demetallated and partially denitrogenated fuel product suitable for upgrading. Coal and highly paraffinic, non-thermally cracked, non-aromatic petroleum residua are combined and heated under controlled conditions to effect the separation of unconverted solids from the resulting liquid effluent. The effluent is then cooled in order to separate out the highly aromatic and polar asphaltenic compounds.

Abstract: A process for removing asphaltenes present in cat cracker bottoms is disclosed. Basically, the process requires removal of at least a portion of the polynuclear aromatic oils present in the cat cracker bottom, for example, by vacuum stripping, whereby the asphaltenes are thereafter capable of being extracted from the so-treated cat cracker bottom. Heat soaking of the asphaltene-free cat cracker bottom results in a pitch particularly suitable for carbon artifact manufacture.

Abstract: Basic asphaltenes are selectively removed from asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon feeds by contacting the feed with a transition metal oxide solid acid catalyst which selectively adsorbs the basic asphaltenes. The catalyst will comprise a catalytic metal component selected from the group consisting essentially of oxides of (a) tungsten, niobium, and mixtures thereof and (b) mixtures of (a) with tantalum, hafnium, chromium, titanium, zirconium and mixtures thereof, supported on an inorganic refractory oxide support such as alumina. Asphalt-laden catalyst is separated from the feed, the asphaltenes adsorbed thereon are cracked off in the presence of steam and the catalyst is regenerated and recycled back to the adsorption zone.

Abstract: Basic asphaltenes are selectively removed from asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon feeds by contacting the feed with a transition metal oxide solid acid catalyst exhibiting Bronsted acidity. The catalyst selectively adsorbs the basic asphaltenes. The catalysts will comprise a catalytic metal component selected from the group consisting essentially of oxides of (a) tungsten, niobium and mixtures thereof and (b) mixtures of (a) with tantalum, hafnium, chromium, titanium, zirconium and mixtures thereof, supported on pyrogenic alumina. Asphalt-laden catalyst is separated from the feed, the asphaltenes adsorbed thereon are cracked off in the presence of steam and the catalyst is regenerated and recycled back to the adsorption zone.

Abstract: The invention is an energy-efficient improvement in a continuous deasphalting process in which a mixture of viscous hydrocarbon oils with resins and/or asphaltenes is contacted with a quantity of pure or mixed hydrocarbon solvents including, but not limited to, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, isomers thereof, and unsaturated hydrocarbons of similar molecular weights, in order to separate a primary extract phase comprising high viscosity oil, resins and/or asphaltenes, and solvent. The primary raffinate phase is further contacted with an additional quantity of solvent comprising similar components to those in the primary solvent (but not necessarily identical thereto) to separate a secondary extract phase comprising high viscosity oil and solvent, and a secondary raffinate phase comprising resins and/or asphaltenes and solvent. The contacting step may be repeated as often as desired to make additional extract phases which are recovered separately.

Abstract: Basic asphaltenes are selectively removed from asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon feeds by contacting the feed with a solid acid, such as a solid acid cracking catalyst, which selectively adsorbs the basic asphaltenes present in the feed. The adsorption is carried out at a temperature below about 575.degree. F. to avoid cracking the asphaltenes in the adsorption zone. The basic asphaltene-containing catalyst is then separated from the feed, the basic asphaltenes are cracked off the catalyst, the catalyst is regenerated by suitable techniques such as air burning and then recycled back to the adsorption zone. The basic asphaltene-reduced feed is sent to further processing.

Abstract: Process for deasphalting an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon charge wherein said charge, admixed with a first fraction of light paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent, is passed through an elongate zone inclined by 2.degree. to 15.degree. to a horizontal line while a second fraction of light paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent is introduced at one or more points of the lower half of said elongate zone, downwardly in an angle from 10.degree. to 80.degree. with the main axis thereof oriented in the direction of flow of the mixture, and wherein the upper phase of deasphalted oil and the lower asphalt phase are separately withdrawn, the light hydrocarbon being separated from each of these phases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of a hydrocarbon charge by high temperature ultrafiltration, said process comprising the steps of circulating said charge in a module comprising at least one mineral ultrafiltration barrier coated with a sensitive mineral layer of at least one metal oxide and of operating at a temperature higher than 100.degree. C. The barrier, which preferably has a ceramic or metallic support, is coated with a sensitive layer selected from the group comprising titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide, aluminium oxide, spinel MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, silica. The invention is applicable to the regeneration of a waste oil and to the reduction of the rate of asphaltenes in a hydrocarbon charge.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a heavy oil with a low Ramsbottom Carbon Test (RCT) from a short residue by (a) catalytic hydrotreatment for RCT reduction at such severity that the C.sub.4.sup.- gas production per percentage RCT reduction is kept between defined limits, followed by (b) solvent deasphalting of the (vacuum or atmospheric) distillation residue of the hydrotreated product.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a heavy oil with a low Ramsbottom Carbon Test (RCT) from an asphalt by (a) catalytic hydrotreatment for RCT reduction at such severity that the C.sub.4.sup.- gas producton per percentage RCT reduction is kept between defined limits, followed by (b) solvent deasphalting of the (vacuum or atmospheric) distillation residue of the hydrotreated product.

Abstract: In the preparation of a heavy oil with a low Ramsbottom Carbon Test (RCT) from a short residue by a two-stage process comprising catalytic hydrotreatment followed by solvent deasphalting and recycle of the asphalt to the first stage, the catalytic hydrotreatment for RCT reduction in the first stage is carried out at such severity that the C.sub.4.sup.- production per percent RCT reduction is kept between defined limits.

Abstract: In the preparation of a heavy oil with a low Ramsbottom Carbon Test (RCT) from a precipitation asphalt by a two-stage process comprising catalytic hydrotreatment followed by solvent deasphalting and recycle of the separated asphalt to the first stage, the catalytic hydrotreatment for RCT reduction in the first stage is carried out at such severity that the C.sub.4.sup.- gas production per percent RCT reduction is kept between defined limits.

Abstract: An asphaltene-containing residual hydrocarbon oil is deasphalted by means of a light hydrocarbon solvent. Heating of the resultant asphaltic phase for solvent removal is effected by heat exchange with the deasphalted oil previously subjected to sufficient heating in a furnace heated by flame. Fouling of the plant is thus avoided.

Abstract: Visbreaking a mixture of petroleum residuum, coal and catalytic cracking catalyst under conditions severe enough to effect conversion but not so severe as to produce substantial quantities of coke produces a range of products including gaseous olefins and gasoline distillate. The solids recovered from the visbreaking operation can be processed to produce a synthesis gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of an asphaltene-containing, hydrocarbonaceous black oil in a catalytic slurry reaction zone wherein an admixture of converted hydrocarbonaceous oil and deasphalter solvent is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon oil to motor fuel products.The heavy hydrocarbon oil is admixed with a metal halide catalyst and a solvent component under supercritical conditions to form (1) a dense-gas solvent phase which contains refined hydrocarbon crackate, and which is substantially free of metal halide catalyst content; and (2) a residual asphaltic phase.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of an asphaltene-containing, hydrocarbonaceous black oil in a catalytic slurry reaction zone wherein an admixture of converted hydrocarbonaceous oil and unconverted asphaltenes is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated process for upgrading a combination of crude petroleum residua, refractory bottoms from catalytic cracking operations, and coal to gasoline and middle distillate products.The process involves dense-gas solvent extraction under supercritical conditions, cracking, and hydroconversion stages.

Abstract: An asphalt containing petroleum oil is deasphalted and extracted by contacting the oil with a solvent maintained at its critical temperature and pressure. With the solvent at its critical temperature and pressure, extraction of the valuable hydrocarbon oils present in the asphaltic feedstock is effected by way of vapor-liquid phase separation which serves to decompose the metal complexes present in the feedstock, thus reducing the metal content of the extracted hydrocarbon oil. Examples of solvents employed in the process of the invention include C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 cuts of typical refinery streams, benzene, toluene, ethylene glycols and the like. In one process embodiment, promoters or catalyst are employed to further reduce the metal content of the extracted hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: An asphalt-containing mineral oil can be deasphalted at temperatures above about 80.degree. C. with methanol serving as the deasphalting solvent. Two liquid phases are produced, an asphalt-rich phase and a methanol-rich phase. By cooling the methanol-rich phase to a temperature below 80.degree. C., two additional liquid phases are produced, an oil-rich phase and a methanol-rich phase.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine particle size bituminous material in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, fine particle size bituminous material and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a steam stripper through an inlet horn that imparts a centrifugal motion to the stream. The inlet horn contains a plurality of corrugated vanes which utilize the centrifugal motion to create turbulence in the stream within the inlet horn.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method of extractive purification of prcts of crude oil processing, especially of residues, of heavy ends, extracts and used oils, from tars of asphaltenes and other compounds.The process is conducted employing an extraction solvent and an additional substance having a limited miscibility with the extraction solvent. The substance constituting the additional solvent is appropriate for rapid obtaining of a distinct limit of phase separation.

Abstract: An improved method for deasphalting residua or heavy oils comprises the use of at least two solvents in an extraction column to establish a liquid polarity gradient within it.

Abstract: An energy efficient process for separating a hydrocarbonaceous material into various fractions. The hydrocarbonaceous material is admixed with a solvent and the mixture is introduced into a first separation zone maintained at an elevated first temperature and pressure. The feed mixture separates into a first light phase comprising solvent and at least a portion of the lightest hydrocarbonaceous material and a first heavy phase comprising the remainder of the hydrocarbonaceous material and some solvent. The first heavy phase is introduced into a second separation zone maintained at a second temperature level above the first temperature level and at an elevated pressure. The first heavy phase separates into a second light phase comprising solvent and a second heavy phase comprising at least a portion of the hydrocarbonaceous material. The separated hydrocarbonaceous material fractions are recovered.

Abstract: A process for effecting a deep cut in a heavy hydrocarbon material without a decrease in the quality of the extracted oil caused by the presence of undesirable entrained resinous bodies and organometallic compounds. The heavy hydrocarbon material is contacted with a solvent in a first separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the feed into a first light phase and a first heavy phase comprising asphaltenes and some solvent. The first light phase is introduced into a second separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the first light phase into a second light phase comprising oils and solvent and a second heavy phase comprising resins and some solvent. A portion of the second heavy phase is withdrawn and introduced into an upper portion of the second separation zone to countercurrently contact the second light phase.

Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. The fluid-like phase of bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure and introduced into a steam stripper. The solvent vaporizes upon pressure reduction and a mist of fine bituminous material particles forms and becomes dispersed in the vaporized solvent. The vaporized solvent and associated mist is separated from the bituminous material in the stripper and is withdrawn from the steam stripper and introduced into a condenser. The solvent and steam from the stripper condense, a substantial portion of the mist of entrained particles solidifies and an emulsion of water and fluid-like bituminous material from the mist forms. The liquid stream is withdrawn from the condenser and introduced into a separator.

Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction without carry-over of bituminous material. The fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve and introduced into a steam stripper. The pressure reduction vaporizes part of the solvent and also disperses a mist of fine bituminous particles in the solvent. The solvent and mist are withdrawn from the steam stripper and introduced into a separation zone wherein they are caused to flow countercurrently to another stream of fluid-like bituminous material. The fluid-like bituminous material contacts the solvent and scrubs the fine bituminous material particles therefrom. The solvent is withdrawn and recovered. The fluid-like stream containing the bituminous particles can be recycled until the concentration is such that additional particles are not separated from the solvent after which a portion is bled off and fresh fluid-like material is added.

Abstract: Isotropic carbonaceous pitches are fluxed with an organic liquid thereby providing a fluid pitch which has substantially all of the quinoline insoluble material suspended in the pitch and which quinoline insoluble material is readily separable from the fluid pitch by filtration, centrifugation and the like. Thereafter the pitch is treated with an anti-solvent so as to precipitate at least a substantial portion of the pitch free of the quinoline insoluble solids.

Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine bituminous material particles in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, mist and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a static mixer. The static mixer intimately mixes the mist with the fluid-like material and causes the mist to recombine with the fluid-like material from which it was formed. The resulting stream is introduced into a steam stripper to separate the solvent remaining in the bituminous material. The vaporized solvent and steam are withdrawn from the stripper substantially free of entrained bituminous material and condensed.

Abstract: Whole crude and bottoms fractions from distillation of petroleum are upgraded by high temperature, short time contact with a fluidizable solid of essentially inert character to deposit high boiling components of the charge on the solid whereby Conradson Carbon values, salt content and metal content are reduced. The upgraded hydrocarbon fraction may be supplied to fractionator, in which case the high temperatue contactor serves as a heater, e.g. crude heater for crude distillation, in addition to improving quality of the fractions derived by distillation. For charge stocks boiling above about 500.degree.-650.degree. F., the upgrading process yields a product suitable for charge to catalytic cracking in that Conradson Carbon, salts and metals are reduced to levels tolerable in catalytic cracking.

Abstract: Quinoline-insoluble components are separated from coal tar pitch by treating the coal tar pitch which has a softening point of greater than 60.degree. C. (according to the method of Kraemer-Sarnow) with a solvent mixture comprising at least one solvent with paraffinic characteristics and at least one tar solvent, wherein the treatment is carried out at a temperature in the range of 200.degree. to 270.degree. C.