Abstract: Certain hydrocarbon conversion catalysts comprising a Group VIII noble metal in an oxidized state, dispersed on a crystalline hydrogen zeolite, e.g. Y zeolite, are found to suffer a drastic loss in activity upon exposure to nitrogen at elevated temperature. It is now found that this damage can be substantially completely reversed by subjecting the catalyst to oxidation with an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: Carbonates and/or hydroxides of one or more of the Group VIII metals, cobalt and nickel, are reacted with molybdic acid in aqueous suspension to form a slurry of crystalline cobalt and/or nickel molybdate, which slurry is then reacted with gelatinous boehmite alumina, then extruded, dried and calcined. The method eliminates the use of ammoniacal solutions, washing and/or heating steps to remove undesired anions or cations, and requires but a single drying and calcination. The resulting catalysts are found to be very active for the desulfurization and denitrogenation of mineral oils.

Abstract: Highly active cobalt-molybdenum-alumina desulfurization catalysts containing 18-30 weight-percent of MoO.sub.3 are prepared by first comulling boehmite alumina with aqueous ammonium molybdate solution, drying the resulting mixture, then comulling with a soluble cobalt salt and water, thereafter forming the resulting mixture into extrudates, and finally calcining the extrudates under controlled temperature conditions correlated with the molybdenum content of the catalyst so as to preserve adequate surface area and prevent the formation of large crystallites of cobalt molybdate. This method of preparation permits effective utilization of molybdenum in amounts up to about 30 weight-percent MoO.sub.3, a result not obtainable by conventional impregnation techniques.

Abstract: Deactivated Group VIII noble metal-Y zeolite hydrocracking catalysts are reactivated by oxidative combustion to remove coke deposits, followed by treatment with aqueous ammonia to redistribute agglomerated noble metal, followed by calcination in a critical temperature range between about 600.degree. and 850.degree. F. The low-temperature calcination results in reactivated catalysts of improved activity, particularly for hydrocracking feedstocks substantially free of nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: A gasoline dispensing nozzle for discharging gasoline into receiving vessels and for removing vapors therefrom through a vapor removal line is provided with an automatic shut-off device that terminates the delivery of gasoline in the event liquid gasoline flows into said vapor removal line. The shut-off device comprises a sensing orifice disposed at the end of a flexibly mounted tube within said vapor removal line, which tube leads to a passageway extending into the housing of said gasoline nozzle and terminating in a chamber that contains a conventional, diaphragm-operated, trigger mechanism for closing the main nozzle valve. In operation, no matter which way the nozzle is inserted into a gasoline tank fill pipe, the sensing orifice, by gravity, will fall to a position such that, if gasoline flows into said vapor removal line, it must also flood the sensing orifice.

Abstract: Highly active cobalt-molybdenum-alumina desulfurization catalysts containing 18-30 weight-percent of MoO.sub.3 are prepared by first comulling boehmite alumina with aqueous ammonium molybdate solution, drying the resulting mixture, then comulling with a soluble cobalt salt and water, thereafter forming the resulting mixture into extrudates, and finally calcining the extrudates under controlled temperature conditions correlated with the molybdenum content of the catalyst so as to preserve adequate surface area and prevent the formation of large crystallites of cobalt molybdate. This method of preparation permits effective utilization of molybdenum in amounts up to about 30 weight-percent MoO.sub.3, a result not obtainable by conventional impregnation techniques.

Abstract: Heavy mineral oil fractions are selectively hydrocracked to produce mainly middle distillate oils boiling in the 300.degree.-700.degree. F range. Certain novel, highly active and selective catalysts are utilized comprising molybdenum and/or tungsten plus nickel and/or cobalt supported upon certain heterogeneous composites of a silica-alumina cogel or copolymer dispersed in a matrix consisting essentially of alumina gel.

Abstract: Carbonates and/or hydroxides of one or more of the Group VIII metals, cobalt and nickel, are reacted with molybdic acid in aqueous suspension to form a slurry of crystalline cobalt and/or nickel molybdate, which slurry is then reacted with gelatinous boehmite alumina, then extruded, dried and calcined. The method eliminates the use of ammoniacal solutions, washing and/or heating steps to remove undesired anions or cations, and requires but a single drying and calcination.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of H.sub.2 S to SO.sub.2 is a feed gas containing H.sub.2 S is effected by oxidation with air or oxygen at temperatures between 300.degree. and 900.degree. F. The oxidation is conducted in the presence of an extremely stable oxidation catalyst comprising an oxide and/or sulfide of vanadium supported on a non-alkaline porous refractory oxide. The preferred catalyst comprises between 5 and 15 wt.% V.sub.2 O.sub.5 on hydrogen mordenite or alumina. Hydrogen, carbon monoxide and light hydrocarbons present in the feed gas are not oxidized. The invention is especially contemplated for use in treating waste gases from geothermal steam power plants.

Abstract: A multi-catalyst system is provided which is effective for the conversion of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in near stoichiometric engine exhaust gases in a single conversion zone to which no additional air is admitted. The system comprises at least two separate but contiguous components. The first component comprises a porous inert support having dispersed thereon rhodium plus nickel and/or cobalt, and is essentially free of platinum and palladium. The second component comprises a porous inert support having dispersed thereon platinum and/or palladium, with or without nickel and/or cobalt, and is essentially free of rhodium.

Abstract: A process for removing vanadium and nickel deactivants from contaminated hydrodesulfurization catalysts comprising Group VIB and/or VIII active components on refractory oxide supports comprising contacting said catalysts with an aqueous solution of (1) oxalic acid and (2) at least one inorganic component selected from the class consisting of nitric acid and water-soluble nitrate salts. The removal of vanadium and nickel contaminants from the surface of a deactivated catalyst by the process of the invention substantially rejuvenates the catalyst for hydrodesulfurization purposes, provided such removal is accomplished prior to burning off any coke that may also be present on said catalysts.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of H.sub.2 S to SO.sub.2 in a feed gas containing H.sub.2 S is effected by oxidation with air or oxygen at temperatures between 300.degree. and 900.degree. F. The oxidation is conducted in the presence of an extremely stable oxidation catalyst comprising an oxide and/or sulfide of vanadium supported on a non-alkaline porous refractory oxide. The preferred catalyst comprises between 5 and 15 wt.% V.sub.2 O.sub.5 on hydrogen mordenite or alumina. Hydrogen, carbon monoxide and light hydrocarbons present in the feed gas are not oxidized. The invention is especially contemplated for use in treating waste gases from geothermal steam power plants.

Abstract: An extrusion die having a plurality of orifices arranged therein so that the number of orifices per unit area in the plane of the external die face is larger near the periphery of the die face than near the center thereof provides for the extrusion of material through all the die orifices at a relatively uniform linear velocity.

Abstract: In gas-solids contacting processes involving the transfer of granular solids from a high-temperature, non-oxidizing treating zone through an enclosed conduit to a combustion zone, the transfer of gases between the treating zone and the combustion zone is prevented by using a novel steam sealing technique which avoids the use of mechanical sealing means and differential pressure controllers. Steam is injected into the system between the two contacting zones, and by the use of flow rate controllers and a pressure controller, a portion of such steam is forced at all times to flow through the combustion zone, while another portion thereof is withdrawn from the transfer conduit in admixture with a portion of net off-gas from the treating zone. The control system is particularly adapted for use in oil shale retorting, wherein coke on the retorted shale is burned in a combustion zone.

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: Oil-soluble nickel, cobalt, or copper-containing additives are blended with a hydrocarbon feedstock containing arsenic, and the resulting solution is heated to at least 300.degree. F to convert a large proportion of the arsenic to forms removable by conventional filtration or desalting techniques. Preferably, the feedstock-additive solution is heated to at least 500.degree. F and is then distilled so as to produce one or more distillate fractions consisting of components that boil at atmospheric pressure at temperatures in the range 400.degree.-900.degree. F; such distillate fractions will contain arsenic in a concentration less that 20% of that of the feedstock.

Abstract: A system is provided for delivering any of two or more liquids from their respective storage tanks into a tank truck or the like while avoiding contamination of the liquid being delivered with any significant amount of a previously delivered liquid. Means are provided for collecting vapor from the tank truck and for minimizing evaporation losses of the liquid being delivered.

Abstract: High grade, low-sulfur needle coke is produced from heavy high-sulfur aromatic mineral oil feedstocks by a sequence of (1) fractionating the feedstock into a minor heavy fraction, and a major lighter fraction, (2) subjecting the lighter fraction to mild hydrofining, (3) blending the heavy fraction separated in step (1) with the heavy fraction of hydrofined oil from step (2), (4) subjecting the resulting blend to delayed thermal coking, and preferably (5) recycling to the coking step heavy coker gas oil recovered from the coker effluent. If desired, the aromaticity of the heavy hydrofined oil from step (2) can be increased by subjecting the same to thermal cracking prior to step (3).

Abstract: A method is provided for retorting oil shale whereby full utilization of the heat energy available in the retorted shale and maximum desulfurization of the flue gas released to the atmosphere are simultaneously effected. Basically, the process comprises passing a crushed shale feed upwardly through preheating and retorting zones in a retort vessel wherein eduction of shale oil and product gases is achieved by direct heat exchange with a preheated, recycled portion of said product gases passed countercurrently to the shale feed, and then passing the retorted shale downwardly through combustion and cooling zones. Complete combustion of coke on the retorted shale in the combustion zone not only results in full utilization of the potential heat energy stored within the retorted shale but also in the production of gaseous sulfur components (mostly SO.sub.2) that chemically react with the alkaline components of the shale. Concurrent flow of gas and retorted shale in the combustion zone at temperatures between 900.

Abstract: The dissolving and/or dispersing of relatively large proportions of reclaimed rubber into molten paving asphalts is facilitated by incorporating into the asphalt a minor proportion of a highly aromatic, high-boiling, high-flash-point mineral oil. The resulting mixtures can be held at temperatures above 300.degree. F for substantial periods of time without becoming too viscous for convenient handling, thereby facilitating the application thereof to roadways. The rubberized asphalt mixtures are particularly useful in the form of stress absorbing membrane interlayers between old, damaged pavement surfaces and an overlayer of new asphalt concrete, for providing chip-seal coatings over old pavement, as crack fillers in Portland Cement concrete or asphalt concrete pavements, and bridge deck waterproofing membranes.