Abstract: A fluid-contacting process wherein fluid is contacted with convex and polylobal particles, the contacting stopped, a mixture of the particles formed and subsequently separated by screening. Also disclosed is a catalytic conversion process wherein a reaction is carried out in the presence of convex and polylobal catalysts, the reacting stopped, the catalysts withdrawn as a physical mixture from which one of the catalysts is separated, regenerated and returned to the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting leaks in fluid processing systems using sulfur hexafluoride as a tracer. Leak detection can be carried out with the processing system continuing in operation by using the apparatus according to the method of the invention, so that shutting down any part of the processing system in order to check for leakage can be avoided.

Abstract: A petroleum distillate feed is upgraded and a substantial C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 olefin product fraction produced by contacting the feed with ZSM-5 type zeolite at (1) a temperature in the 500.degree.-800.degree. F. range, (2) a pressure below about 13 atmospheres gauge, and (3) an LHSV in the 0.1-15 V/V/Hr range, and fractionating the effluent product stream.

Abstract: A multiple zone catalytic reforming process in which the C.sub.5 + yield or the catalyst run length in all reaction zones downstream of the first is increased by maintaining less than 1 weight percent coke on the catalyst in the first reaction zone by adjusting the frequency of regeneration or replacement.

Abstract: A fixed-bed catalytic reforming process in which on-stream operation is begun with the catalyst retention volume in the first reactor less than 99% full and additional catalyst is added to said reactor while on-stream.

Abstract: In an apparatus for contacting fluid with subdivided contact material, such as a radial-flow catalytic reactor, means having a substantially horizontal surface is attached to a lower portion of a vertically movable member within the reactor, the member being selected from center pipes and particle-retaining screens. The weight of contact material on the means restrains upward movement of the member during temperature cycling, and thus prevents problems caused by the upward movement.

Abstract: Control method and apparatus for optimizing the operation of a natural draft combustion zone through which a conduit containing a process fluid to be heated passes, by decreasing the supply of combustion air until one or more of the following predetermined limiting conditions is reached: maximum CO in the flue gas, minimum O.sub.2 in flue gas, minimum draft in the combustion zone, maximum temperature of the outer surface of said conduit, and increase in the rate of fuel addition above a minimum amount. When a limiting condition is reached, the supply of combustion air is increased until the limiting condition is no longer present, and the cycle then repeated.

Abstract: A combination of a retorting process with a granular filtration zone whereby finely divided solids are removed from hydrocarbonaceous vapors. Raw hydrocarbon-containing particles such as shale are retorted by contacting them with heat carrier particles, and the resulting hydrocarbonaceous vapors withdrawn from the retort are contaminated with entrained, finely divided solids. These solids are removed from the hydrocarbonaceous vapors by passing the contaminated vapors at substantially the retorting temperature transversely through a downwardly moving bed of solid contact material maintained at approximately retorting temperature. The solid contact material is selected from retorted solids, heat carrier particles and mixtures of them. The mixture of finely divided solids and contact material withdrawn from the granular filtration may be returned to the process.

Abstract: Production of motor gasoline and a BTX-enriched reformate by fractionating a naphtha feedstock into a mid-boiling BTX-precursor fraction, a relatively high-boiling fraction and a relatively low-boiling fraction; catalytically reforming the BTX-precursor fraction in a first reforming zone; combining the relatively high-boiling and low-boiling fractions and catalytically reforming the combined fractions in a second reforming zone.

Abstract: A lube oil blend process and composition are provided. In the process a raffinate lube oil stock having a superior sunlight stability is produced by contacting a gas oil with a suitable solvent under solvent-extracting conditions. The blend is produced by admixing raffinate and raw hydrocrackate lube oil stock. The blend contains, in parts by volume, for each 100 parts of the raffinate an amount of the hydrocrackate stock in the range from about 10 to 45 parts. The resulting blend exhibits a sunlight stability at least equivalent to that of the raffinate stock.

Abstract: A method for separating a first liquid from a mixture with a second liquid or particulate solid by a series of froth flotation and froth separation stages is improved by recycling a portion of the mixture recovered upstream of the last flotation stage to an initial or an intermediate stage further upstream from the point where the recycled liquid is obtained.

Abstract: A product useful as a pour point depressant which comprises the asphaltene component of a thermally treated shale oil is disclosed, as is a process for making it, a method for using it and a concentrate and a composition containing it.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing a bisulfite salt from an aqueous solution by chemisorbing the salt onto a macroreticular organic compound containing carbonyl functional groups and regenerating the compound.

Abstract: A straight-run naphtha is fractionated at about 66.degree. C., which is just below the boiling point of methylcyclopentane. The 66.degree. C.+ fraction is reformed, and at least a portion of the reformate combined with the 66.degree. C.- fraction and reacted under aromatization conditions over a ZSM-5-type catalyst to form a C.sub.5 + product rich in aromatics. The C.sub.5 + aromaticized product and the remaining reformate can be either sent for BTX recovery or used as a high-octane component of a gasoline blending pool.

Abstract: A combination process for reducing the soluble arsenic content of shale oil comprising thermally dearsenating the shale oil to make an aged shale oil, coking at least a portion of the aged shale oil, and catalytically hydroprocessing at least a portion of the coker distillate to produce a shale oil product having a low soluble arsenic content.

Abstract: A straight-run naphtha is fractionated into a light naphtha fraction and a heavy naptha fraction containing methylcyclopentane and heavier hydrocarbons. The heavy fraction is reformed and the C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 paraffin portion of the reformate combined with the light naphtha fraction for isomerization. The heavy reformate is converted over a ZSM-5-type catalyst to produce a product enriched in aromatics which may be sent for BTX recovery or to a gasoline pool as a high-octane gasoline blending stock.

Abstract: Oil shale retort effluent having a temperature of at least 650.degree. F. (343.degree. C.) is cooled, if necessary, to within the range from 600.degree.-800.degree. F. (316.degree.-427.degree. C.), separated into a liquid phase and a vapor phase, and the liquid phase is maintained within that range for 1 to 120 minutes to form a liquid product having a pour point less than 40.degree. F. (4.4.degree. C.). When the effluent contains at least one contaminant selected from soluble iron and soluble arsenic and is withdrawn from the retort at a temperature of at least 300.degree. F. (149.degree. C.), maintaining the liquid phase at a temperature from 300.degree.-800.degree. F. (149.degree.-427.degree. C.) will cause formation of (1) a precipitate containing iron, arsenic or both and (2) a liquid product having a reduced contaminant content.

Abstract: The pour point of a high-pour-point shale oil is lowered by mixing it with a low-pour-point whole shale oil. Both the method and the resulting composition are claimed.

Abstract: A petroleum distillate feed is upgraded and a substantial C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 olefin product fraction produced by contacting the feed with H-ZSM-5 zeolite at (1) a temperature in the 500.degree.-800.degree. F. range, (2) a pressure below about 13 atmospheres gauge, and (3) an LHSV in the 0.1-15 V/V/Hr range, and fractionating the effluent product stream.

Abstract: Middle distillate oil is produced with a minimum production of lighter hydrocarbons by (1) contacting hydrogen gas and a heavy distillate oil containing nitrogenous hydrocarbons with a catalyst in a first reaction zone under selected conditions, and (2) contacting hydrogen gas and at least a portion of the resulting effluent from the first zone with a catalyst in a second reaction zone under selected conditions. In each zone the catalyst is a composite of an amorphous silica-alumina carrier and a hydrogenation component wherein the silica and hydrogenation component are highly dispersed.