Abstract: The catalyzed oxidative coupling of a lower molecular weight alkane to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons which are then oligomerized to form aromatic hydrocarbons is disclosed.

Abstract: The catalyzed oxidative coupling of a lower molecular weight alkane to move valuable, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons is disclosed.

Abstract: The catalyzed oxidative coupling of a lower molecular weight alkane to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons which are then oxidatively dehydrogenated to form unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of bitumen from tar sand comprises slurrying tar sand with about 0.5 to about 4.0 pound of a organic solvent per pound of tar sand, then adding greater than about 0.50 pound water per pound of tar sand, and separating a bitumen rich solvent phase. The method has the advantage of permitting separation of sand from the bitumen rich solvent extract without formation of a stable emulsion.

Abstract: A method for removing solid fines in an extraction of bitumen by (1) extracting bitumen with a mixed solvent comprising at least one solvent with a solubility parameter higher than that of the bitumen and at least one solvent with a solubility parameter lower than that of the bitumen to obtain a bitumen laden solvent mixture and (2) treating the bitumen laden solvent mixture to remove the lower solubility parameter solvent to precipitate undissolved asphaltenic bitumen and solid fines.

Abstract: A process for etherifying phenols comprising reacting phenols at elevated temperature and pressure with a reactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol, ether and mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising a sulfated oxide of a lanthanide series metal selected from the group consisting of the lanthanide series metals and mixtures thereof on a support.

Abstract: A process for etherifying phenols comprising reacting phenols at elevated temperature and pressure with a reactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol, ether and mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising a sulfated oxide of a Group VIB metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo, and mixtures thereof on a support.

Abstract: A process for etherifying phenols comprising reacting phenols at elevated temperature and pressure with a reactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol, ether and mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising a sulfated oxide of a Group IB metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au and mixtures thereof on a support.

Abstract: A method for producing a kerogen concentrate from oil shale comprises treating shale with an aqueous caustic treating solution to produce a shale product of substantially transformed mineral content, and then treating the shale product with an aqueous acid solution to produce a kerogen concentrate. The acid solution extracts minerals from the shale product to lower the ash content of the kerogen concentrate. A spent acid solution containing the extracted minerals can be treated to recover minerals therefrom.

Abstract: A method for converting a lower molecular weight alkane to synthesis gas to higher molecular weight materials comprising (a) passing a reaction mixture comprising the alkane and air at a pressure of from about 1 to about 50 pounds per square inch gauge through an elongated first reactor packed with a bed of refractory particles having three zones: (1) an upstream zone for heating the mixture, (2) a middle zone wherein alkane and oxygen react exothermically to produce hot CO, H.sub.2, and N.sub.2 and (3) a downstream zone for cooling the hot CO, H.sub.2, and N.sub.2 ; and (b) passing cooled CO, H.sub.2, and N.sub.2 to a reactor packed with Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to form higher molecular weight materials.

Abstract: A process for etherifying phenols comprising reacting phenols at elevated temperature and pressure with a reactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol, ether and mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising a sulfated oxide of a Group IIB metal selected from the group consisting of Zn, Cd, Hg and mixtures thereof on a support.

Abstract: A process for etherifying phenols comprising reacting phenols at elevated temperature and pressure with a reactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol, ether and mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising a sulfated oxide of a Group VIIB metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Re, and mixtures thereof on a support.

Abstract: A method for producing a kerogen concentrate from oil shale comprises treating shale with a first aqueous caustic treating solution to produce a shale product of substantially transformed mineral content, and then treating the shale product with an aqueous acid solution to produce a first kerogen concentrate. The acid solution extracts minerals from the shale product to make a low ash content first kerogen concentrate. A spent acid solution containing the extracted minerals can be treated to recover minerals therefrom. The first kerogen concentrate is then treated with a second aqueous caustic treating solution to produce a second kerogen concentrate of lower ash content. The first and second aqueous caustic treating solutions are preferably the same.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering bitumen from a carbonaceous solid feed and for recovering a carbonaceous liquid from a fines-containing carbonaceous liquid feed by extraction of the feed with a solvent of predetermined solvency power, wherein the recovered product has a low fines content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for grinding graphite comprising:(1) forming a mixture of graphite and a graphite grinding aid;(2) grinding the mixture of graphite and graphite grinding aid to reduce the size of the graphite;(3) forming an aqueous slurry of the graphite particles, graphite grinding aid and water;(4) adding an amount of hydrocarbon oil to the aqueous slurry with agitation to form graphite-oil agglomerates;(5) separating the graphite-oil agglomerates from the grinding aid and water; and(6) removing hydrocarbon oil from the graphite-oil agglomerates to provide graphite particles reduced in size.

Abstract: A process for purifying graphite comprising:(1) comminuting graphite containing mineral matter to liberate at least a portion of the graphite particles from the mineral matter;(2) mixing the comminuted graphite particles containing mineral matter with water and hydrocarbon oil to form a fluid slurry;(3) separating a water phase containing mineral matter and a hydrocarbon oil phase containing graphite particles; and(4) separating the graphite particles from the hydrocarbon oil to obtain graphite particles reduced in mineral matter.Depending upon the purity of the graphite desired, steps of the process can be repeated one or more times to provide a progressively purer graphite.

Abstract: A process for the production of an improved grade of needle coke employing as a feedstock selected proportions of a pyrolysis furnace oil together with a hydrodesulfurized blend of a clarified oil and a lubricating oil extract.

Abstract: A process for forming a coal-oil mixture fuel slurry of enhanced stability comprising the steps of: (1) contacting an aqueous slurry of coal particles containing ash and iron pyrite mineral matter with a promoting amount of at least one conditioning agent capable of modifying or altering the existing surface characteristics of the pyrite under conditions to effectuate alteration or modification of at least a portion of ash and the contained pyritic sulfur; (2) agglomerating the coal particles while said pyrite surfaces are altered or modified in an aqueous medium with hydrocarbon oil; (3) separating coal hydrocarbon oil agglomerates from at least a portion of the iron pyrite mineral matter and ash; and (4) mixing the separated coal hydrocarbon oil agglomerates with a quantity of fuel oil to form a coal-oil mixture of enhanced stability.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal comprising the steps of:(1) contacting coal particles containing ash and iron pyrite mineral matter with a promoting amount of at least one conditioning agent capable of modifying or altering the existing surface characteristics of the pyrite under conditions to effectuate alteration or modification of at least a portion of the contained pyritic sulfur;(2) separating the coal particles from at least a portion of the pyritic sulfur while surface characteristics are altered or modified; and(3) recovering coal particles wherein the coal exhibits reduced sulfur and ash content.