Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for avoiding the clumping of dry fibers having diameters and lengths in certain ranges during blending of such fibers into a dry or wet particulate material. The process comprises distributing fibers in a vaporous medium, and transporting fluidized fibers to a mixing zone containing a dry or wet particulate material. Concurrently with stirring and blending of the particulate material with fluidized fibers, the fluidized fibers having been separated at least partially from a fluidized vapor are gradually introduced into the mixing zone. This process avoids the phenomena of "balling" that otherwise occurs with certain fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved pitch for making readily stabilizable, substantially nonmesophasic carbon fibers. The pitch has a softening point of about 250.degree. C. (480.degree. F.) or above and is produced from an unoxidized thermal petroleum pitch by selectively reducing or eliminating a portion of the low molecular weight materials in a very short period of time so that the tendency to produce mesophase pitch is eliminated or reduced and so that the chemical integrity of the components of the higher molecular weight fractions is preserved as much as possible. Also disclosed is a method of producing carbon fibers therefrom and rovings or mats from such fibers.

Abstract: An intake system comprising a conduit with a valve means which permits only passage of air in one direction overcomes liquid solidification problems associated with transporting liquid sulfur so long as the length of the conduit is sufficient that the free end within the container is below the surface of the transported liquid.

Abstract: A method for removing furfural-derived coke from metallic surfaces by heating in an oxygen-containing gas, such as air, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to change the crush strength of the furfural coke to a point which will permit easy removal of such coke, without such an evolution of heat that the metallurgical properties of said metal surfaces are undesirably changed.

Abstract: A method for removing furfural-derived coke from metallic surfaces by heating in an oxygen-containing gas, such as air, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to change the crush strength of the furfural coke to a point which will permit easy removal of such coke, without such an evolution of heat that the metallurgical properties of said metal surfaces are undesirably changed.

Abstract: A process for upgrading topped crude oils and residual portions comprising material boiling above 552.degree. C. (1025.degree. F.) by the combination of partial demetallizing and decarbonizing of the residual oil before effecting zeolite catalytic cracking thereof is described in conjunction with a product separation process, a combined hydrocarbon gas product concentration section and the use of parallel arranged CO boilers to produce sulfur free flue gas and steam. Steam generated by the combination operation effectively reduces the energy requirement of the combustion process.

Abstract: A method performable during operation of a fire heater for cleaning the fire heater tubes without significant adverse wear on the fire box of the fire heater or fire heater tubes to restore the heat transmission thereof. The method comprising: Impacting during the operation of fire heater tube exterior surfaces having a Burnell Hardness number of about 160-240, an abrasive particle speed of at least 625 feet per second, with said abrasive particles having a density of about 120-300 pounds per cubic foot and a particle diameter of about 0.04-2.80 millimeters.

Abstract: Commercial catalysts are prepared combining the various ingredients into a catalytic binder system which has been freed of sodium so that the catalyst ingredients can be preferably spray dried and used in Fluid Catalytic Cracking or Reduced Crude Conversion hydrocarbon conversion operations without subsequent washing or drying. Catalysts can even be prepared on site, e.g., in spray drier operations performed in the FCC/RCC refenerator. Low-sodium slurries of any or all of the following ingredients can be employed in the manufacture: zeolites, clays, sols, carbon blacks, sacrificial sieves, acid matrix substances, and getters.

Abstract: A process for economically converting carbo-metallic oils to lighter products. The carbo-metallic oils contain 650.degree. F.+ material which is characterized by a carbon residue on pyrolysis of at least about 1 and a Nickel Equivalents of heavy metals content of at least about 4 parts per million. This process comprises flowing the carbo-metallic oil together with particulate cracking catalyst through a progressive flow type reactor having an elongated reaction chamber, which is at least in part vertical or inclined, for a predetermined vapor riser residence time in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 seconds, at a temperature of about 900.degree. to about 1400.degree. F., and under a pressure of about 10 to about 50 pounds per square inch absolute sufficient for causing a conversion per pass in the range of about 40% to 90% while producing coke in amounts in the range of about 6 to about 14% by weight based on fresh feed, and laying down coke on the catalyst in amounts in the range of about 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids and vapors from a suspension of the two materials is disclosed. The solids are directed through a conoid element to enhance directional flow and to prevent return of solids to the separation apparatus.

Abstract: Water reducible coating compositions comprising: an oxidized slack wax, paraffin wax or petrolatum; a low molecular weight polyethylene, polybutene, or polypropylene; naphthenic or paraffinic oil; a salt of a sulfonic acid, a nitrate, a nitrite, a borate or an amine soap of a fatty acid; a mixture of mineral spirits and ethylene glycol monopropyl ether; an unsaturated fatty acid (preferably oleic acid) and a fugitive amine (preferably 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol); and water are disclosed which provides improved corrosion resistant coatings for ferrous alloys.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids and vapors from a suspension of the two materials is disclosed. The solids are directed through a conoid element to enhance directional flow and to prevent return of solids to the separation apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and method from making coal water slurries containing carbon black. A composition disclosed comprises: 65 to 85% by weight coal particulates; 0.2 to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of dry coal, of carbon black, and optionally 0.2 to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the dry coal, of a dispersant.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the conversion of a hydrocarbon oil feed having a significant content of vanadium to lighter oil products by contacting the feed under conversion conditions in a conversion zone with a catalyst containing a metal additive to immobilize vanadium compounds. Conversion conditions are such that coke and vanadium are deposited on the catalyst in the conversion zone. Coked catalyst is regenerated in the presence of an oxygen containing gas at a temperature sufficient to remove the coke and regenerated catalyst is recycled to the conversion zone for contact with fresh feed. The metal additive is present on the catalyst in an amount sufficient to immobilize the vanadium compounds in the presence of oxygen containing gas at the catalyst regeneration temperature.

Abstract: An H-Coal Process hydrogenation operation and catalyst life is substantially improved when using colloidal particles of catalyst comprising a colloidal matrix of silica, alumina, titania and combinations thereof coated with hydrogenating components selected from cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, tungsten and combinations thereof. The colloidal catalyst activity may be altered by alkaline promoters, other metals and acidic promoters.

Abstract: During use in hydrocarbon conversion processes, sorbents, e.g. for carbon and metals, and catalysts become contaminated with metals, e.g. heavy metals such as vanadium, nickel and sodium. Leaching of heavy metals can be sharply reduced prior to disposal of such spent particulate materials by treatment with alkaline earth metal compound, e.g. lime, calcium fluoride, calcium sulfate, and barium chloride. Surprisingly, calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate are relatively ineffective.

Abstract: An improved ballistic separation device results from surrounding the downstream end of a progressive flow reactor or riser reactor with a concentric conduit that is in fluid communication with a cyclone separator and optionally in fluid communication with dipleg take-offs. The device may also include a bevelled lip or projection at the axial opening of the progressive flow reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an insert which surrounds the vapor outlet of a modified cyclone that lessens the tendency for carbonaceous deposits to form within the cyclone when separating mixtures of particulate and conversion products from high Conradson carbon feedstocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particulates from vapors comprising: a disengaging chamber, a progressive flow reactor, a means for effecting flow of a gas-solid stream, and a take-off conduit which further includes providing a hole through the progressive flow reactor to permit upstream of the take-off conduit a pathway for vapors from within the disengaging chamber to pass into the progressive flow reactor. Specific limitations as to the size of the opening through the progressive flow reactor in relationship to the effective diameter of the progressive flow reactor, and the opening of the take-off conduit are disclosed.