Abstract: Spent catalysts from hydrocarbon refining processes, comprising transition metal compounds on aluminum oxide-containing supports, are subjected to an oxidative roasting and are treated with sulfuric acid in a counter-current digester to dissolve metals. Following operations to separate compounds of the various transition metals, a solution containing approximately stoichiometric equivalents of aluminum and sulfate is obtained.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon fuels, especially diesel fuel compositions, contain cyclic aldehyde polymers and orthoesters to reduce particulate emissions therefrom when combusted in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion catalyst containing a Group VIB metal on a porous refractory oxide is prepared by impregnating support particles with a solution containing Group VIB metal components and citric acid, followed by drying and calcining. The catalyst is useful for promoting a number of hydrocarbon conversion reactions, particularly those involving hydrogenative desulfurization, demetallization and denitrogenation.

Abstract: Shale oil produced from arsenic-containing oil shale is treated with an aqueous solution of one or more sulfide materials and separated therefrom, yielding an oil fraction of reduced arsenic content. Preferred sulfide materials include ammonium sulfide and ammonium polysulfide.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an apparatus and method for dividing a flowing multi-phase fluid to provide at least two separate fluid streams wherein each fluid stream has substantially the same ratio of phases. This apparatus and method are especially useful for dividing a fluid having a gaseous and a liquid phase e.g. ammonia, to provide at least two separate fluid streams wherein each fluid stream has about the same weight ratio of liquid phase to gaseous phase. The apparatus includes a fluid inlet chamber in fluid communication with at least two separate fluid outlet chambers through a plurality of fluid conduits. Each of the fluid conduits has a fluid conduit inlet opening communicating with the fluid inlet chamber and a fluid outlet opening communicating with one of the fluid outlet chambers.

Abstract: The permeability of subterranean hydrocarbon-producing reservoirs is increased by introducing therein a mixture containing a tertiary carboxylic acid alkylated amide and a glycol ether in combination with an aqueous solution of an acid and, optionally, including a water-soluble polymer, preferably a nitrogen-containing polymer.

Abstract: The hydrocarbon potential of a source rock comprising hydrocarbons and insoluble organic materials capable of generating hydrocarbons upon pyrolysis or further maturation is analytically determined. In the instant invention, a particular sample of the source rock is slurried with a solvent to extract the hydrocarbons therefrom and provide a first solution for analysis. The extracted sample is again slurried with a solvent and the resulting slurry is heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the insoluble organic material to liquid hydrocarbons. The liquid hydrocarbons dissolve in the solvent to provide a second solution for analysis. The first and second solutions are then analyzed independently for hydrocarbon content.

Abstract: Catalytically active amorphous silicas are prepared by dehydrating a silica hydrogel or precipitate prepared from an acidified aqueous silicate solution containing an amine of pK.sub.a above 10 or a cation containing either a nitrogen or phosphorus silica is catalytically active for, among other chemical reactions, the isomerization of ortho-xylene and the cracking of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising bismuth and vanadium components are highly active and stable, especially in the presence of water vapor, for oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to sulfur or SO.sub.2. Such catalysts have been found to be especially active for the conversion of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur by reaction with oxygen or SO.sub.2.

Abstract: A method for selectively reducing the permeability of the higher permeability zones of a subterranean reservoir having heterogeneous permeability, such permeability reduction occurring a substantial distance away from a well in which there is injected into the reservoir an aqueous solution or solutions of a water-soluble polymer, a material capable under certain conditions of at least partially cross-linking the polymer to form a gelatinous precipitate, and a water-soluble alkaline material in an amount sufficient to maintain the pH of the polymer-containing composition above about 9 until the composition has passed a substantial distance through the reservoir.

Abstract: An aqueous fluoride salt solution and a substantially anhydrous acid precursor are introduced through a well into a high temperature subterranean formation containing siliceous materials. The acid precursor, which is a normally liquid halogenated hydrocarbon having one or two carbon atoms, hydrolyzes in situ to generate a hydrohalic acid which combines with the fluoride salt to acidize the siliceous materials.

Abstract: A method for conducting foam drilling and workover operations in a bore hole penetrating a subterranean reservoir, particularly a high-temperature reservoir such as a geothermal reservoir, employing an aqueous foaming solution of about 0.08 to 1.0 percent by weight of an amphoteric betaine, about 0.02 to 0.4 percent by weight of a salt of a linear aliphatic or alkyl aryl hydrocarbon sulfonate, and, optionally, from 0.03 to 3.5 percent by weight unneutralized ammonia.

Abstract: Residual oils comprising asphaltenes, metal compounds, and refractory sulfur compounds are hydrodesulfurized by contact with a unique type of cobalt-molybdenum-alumina catalyst characterized by certain critical physical properties of surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and by a specific type of active surface area, all resulting from a final calcining step carried out at temperatures between about 1250.degree. and 1400.degree. F for a sufficient time to give a pore size distribution such that at least about 40% of the total pore volume is in pores in the 75-100 angstrom diameter range.

Abstract: Highly active, hydrothermally stable and ammonia-stable Y zeolite compositions are disclosed, which compositions are useful as adsorbents, hydrocarbon conversion catalysts, and as acidic supports for catalytic metals. The stabilized Y zeolite composition is prepared from a sodium Y zeolite by a novel sequence of: (1) partial exchange of ammonium ions for sodium ions, (2) steam calcination under controlled conditions of time, temperature and steam partial pressure, and (3) further ion exchange of ammonium ions for sodium ions to reduce the final Na.sub.2 O content to below about one weight-percent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a particulate multicomponent soil additive, a method of applying that additive to soils to improve the agronomic quality of the same, and methods of producing such multicomponent soil additives. The compositions comprise particle-form combinations of calcium sulfate and a nitrifier selected from urea, ammonium nitrate, and combinations of these, in which the nitrifier particles are coated with a layer of the reaction product of hydrated calcium sulfate and urea, ammonium nitrate, or both. This layer, in turn, contains an additional soil additive such as elemental sulfur or the major and minor plant nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and the like. The particles are produced by reacting the particle-form nitrifier, preferably urea or ammonium nitrate prills, with hydrated calcium sulfate intimately mixed with one or more additional soil additives.

Abstract: A composition and method for drilling a well into a subterranean formation containing a geothermal fluid utilizing a gas-containing aqueous drilling fluid containing both lignite and a salt of a high molecular weight acrylic polymer.