Abstract: Gasoline compositions containing methylcyclopentadienylmanganesetricarbonyl (hereinafter MCMT) are stabilized against oxidation by the addition of 2-ethylhexanoic acid.

Abstract: A process is provided for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide to form methane (methanation), using certain sulfur-sensitive nickel-alumina catalysts having a relatively low ratio of nickel surface area to nickel mass. It has been found that when such catalysts become deactivated as a result of sulfur poisoning, they can be reactivated to substantially fresh activity by reduction with hydrogen. Other nickel-alumina methanation catalysts having higher nickel surface areas are found to be essentially non-regenerable by hydrogen reduction following sulfur deactivation.

Abstract: In the pressure testing of catalyst-loaded reactors with nitrogen gas at elevated temperatures, it is found that certain types of zeolite catalysts are substantially degraded in activity. The catalysts concerned comprises a Group VIII noble metal in an oxidized state, dispersed on a crystalline hydrogen zeolite, e.g., Y zeolite. It has now been discovered however that if such catalysts are first prereduced with a dilute, non-combustible mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen, damage on subsequent pressure testing with nitrogen is prevented or drastically reduced. Following pressure testing, the catalyst is activated by dehydration in a stream of hydrogen at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Nickel-alumina catalysts having a remarkably high degree of thermal stability, and active for the hydrogenation of carbon oxides (methanation), are prepared by a novel "precipitative-occlusion" method. This method involves digesting a slurry of an alumina hydrate in an aqueous solution of an amino complex of a nickel salt. The digestion is carried out at a temperature sufficiently high to decompose the amino complex and "release" the nickel (II) ions. This results in a gradual precipitation of nickel hydroxide in the pores and interstices formed by the agglomerating particles of alumina hydrate. The coflocculated solids are recovered as by filtration, washed, dried and calcined. The resulting compositions are found, in high temperature reactions such as methanation, to retain their activity for much longer periods of time than do conventional nickel-alumina catalysts prepared by the most widely used prior art technique, viz., coprecipitation.

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: A process is disclosed whereby NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x components contained in stack gases are simultaneously reduced to N.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S, respectively, by passing said stack gases (which also contain steam and usually some oxygen) over bituminous coke at between about 900.degree. and 1600.degree. F.

Abstract: A porous catalytic composite is provided which is effective for the simultaneous conversion of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in engine exhaust gases. The composite comprises at least two physically 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 arsenic from a mineral oil feedstock containing at least 2 ppmw arsenic comprises contacting said feedstock at elevated temperatures with a catalytic absorbent comprising a nickel sulfide and a molybdenum sulfide composited with a refractory oxide, said nickel sulfide and said refractory oxide each being present in relatively large proportions. Under preferred conditions a product oil stream containing less than 2 ppmw arsenic is continuously obtained from said contacting until a weight of arsenic at least equivalent to that of the nickel in the catalytic absorbent has been absorbed thereon.

Abstract: A novel process for the demetallization of petroleum feedstocks comprising contacting a petroleum feedstock at elevated pressures and temperatures, and preferably in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst comprising a manganese component composited with alumina, said catalyst having a surface area in excess of 175 m.sup.2 /gm and having at least 60% of its pore volume in pores having diameters between 50 and 200 A. Preferred catalysts comprise between about 2 and 15 weight-percent manganese. Removal of more than 25%, usually more than 50%, of the organometallic impurities can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved process for educing shale oil having a low arsenic content and for producing hydrogen from oil shale in high yields comprises passing the oil shale upwardly through a gas-heated pyrolysis zone to educe oil therefrom, and then passing the spent, coke-laden shale downwardly through a gasification-combustion zone to produce hydrogen-rich heating gas and/or substantially pure hydrogen for use in catalytic refining of the educed shale oil. Air or oxygen is introduced to the gasification-combustion zone to burn part of the residual coke, thereby heating the spent shale up to gasification temperatures. Steam is injected concurrently with the oxidizing gas in order to gasify unburned coke via the water gas reaction. Improved hydrogen yields and purity and more effective shale retorting are achieved by recycling hot product gas for eduction into admixture with the gasifier product between the gasification and pyrolysis zones, and eliminating recycle to the gasification-combustion zone.

Abstract: Nickel-alumina catalysts having a remarkably high degree of thermal stability, and active for the hydrogenation of carbon oxides (methanation), steam reforming, gasification, etc. are prepared by a novel "precipitative-occlusion" method. This method involves digesting a slurry of an alumina hydrate in an aqueous solution of an ammino complex of a nickel salt. The digestion is carried out at a temperature sufficiently high to decompose the ammino complex and "release" the nickel (II) ions. This results in a gradual precipitation of nickel hydroxide in the pores and interstices formed by the agglomerating particles of alumina hydrate. The coflocculated solids are recovered as by filtration, washed, dried and calcined. The resulting compositions are found, in high temperature reactions such as methanation, to retain their activity for much longer periods of time than do conventional nickel-alumina catalysts prepared by the most widely used prior art technique, viz., coprecipitation.

Abstract: A desirably upgraded charge stock for catalytic cracking containing a relatively large proportion of heavy hydrocarbons boiling above about 800.degree. F., is produced by first subjecting a raw feedstock boiling predominantly above 600.degree. F. and containing a substantial proportion of material boiling above 800.degree. F., to catalytic hydrofining followed by catalytic hydrocracking at high pressures in the presence of a Group VIB and/or Group VIII metal-promoted, crystalline zeolite hydrocracking catalyst. The hydrocracking catalyst and conditions are chosen so as to achieve selective conversion of material boiling between about 600.degree. and 800.degree. F. to lower boiling materials with a relatively minor conversion of the 800.degree. F+ material. The resulting product boiling above 400.degree. F is rich in 800.degree. F+ material, and constitutes an excellent catalytic cracking charge stock.

Abstract: Arsenic containing fuel compositions are disclosed that will, upon combustion, leave an ash that retains substantial proportions of said arsenic, thereby reducing its dissemination into the atmosphere. This result is obtained by adding to the fuel small amounts of a Mg, Ba, Zn, or Ni component. Also disclosed are certain fuel compositions containing both Mg and Zn additives that produce an ash containing arsenic in an essentially insoluble form.

Abstract: A method for the rejuvenation of an automobile emission control catalyst poisoned with deposited compounds of lead and/or phosphorus is disclosed, said method comprising (a) initially extracting some of the poison compounds from the catalyst with a select aqueous ammonium or acetate salt (preferably ammonium acetate) solution; (b) exposing the catalyst to a reducing atmosphere at 300.degree. to 700.degree. C., and finally (c) removing at least a portion of the poison compounds by a second extraction with a select aqueous ammonium or acetate salt solution. Catalysts contemplated for rejuvenation herein include those comprising nickel, palladium, rhodium, platinum, or combinations thereof as active components on bases of alumina or aluminum borate.

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: Certain crystalline aluminum borate catalyst supports containing about 8-25 weight-percent of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 are found to provide unusually stable and active catalysts for high-temperature chemical conversions, particularly exhaust gas conversion, when prepared by precalcining shaped composites of alumina and boria at temperatures between about 1250.degree. and 2600.degree. F, prior to the addition thereto of active metal or metals. Calcination at below 1250.degree. F is found to yield amorphous catalysts of inferior activity, while at temperatures above 2600.degree. F drastic reductions in surface area may occur.

Abstract: Crushed oil shale is subjected to eduction in a solids-upflow or -downflow retort in contact with a preheated counter-currently flowing eduction gas comprising a recycled portion of the retort make gases. The problem of shale particle agglomeration is avoided by correlating the eduction gas flow rate and temperature so as to insure that the 750.degree.-850.degree. F shale temperature interval in the retort is maintained at a level sufficiently high in the retort that the total shale, or "rock" pressure bearing down on said interval is insufficient to bring about agglomeration. It is found that the problem of agglomeration is critical to the 750.degree.-850.degree. F temperature range, and that there is a definite correlation between the oil assay of the raw shale and the permissible rock pressure which the shale particles in this temperature range can withstand without undergoing agglomeration. Provision is made for shifting the 750.degree.-850.degree. F zone upwardly or downwardly in the retort.

Abstract: Certain crystalline aluminum borate catalyst supports containing about 8-25 weight-percent of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 are found to provide unusually stable and active catalysts for high-temperature chemical conversions, particularly exhaust gas conversion, when prepared by precalcining shaped composites of alumina and boria at temperatures between about 1250.degree. and 2600.degree.F, prior to the addition thereto of active metal or metals. Calcination at below 1250.degree. F is found to yield amorphous catalysts of inferior activity, while at temperatures above 2600.degree. F drastic reductions in surface area may occur.

Abstract: Spent oil shale from retorting operations, containing water-soluble alkaline oxides such as calcium oxide is subjected to a recarbonation process in order to reduce its alkalinity and thereby prevent ecological damage to plant and aquatic animal life which could result from alkaline leachings derived rom rain or snowfall on open dumps of such spent shale. For economic reasons, a rapid recarbonation is necessary, and such is achieved herein by wetting the spent shale with water containing dissolved carbonate and/or bicarbonate salts, and contacting the so wetted spent shale with an atmosphere comprising a substantial partial pressure of carbon dioxide for a period of time ranging between about 10 minutes and two hours.

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.