Abstract: An improved catalyst for use in the hydrodemetallization and hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks and method of making same and, more particularly, an improved catalyst having two distinct phases supported on a refractory support wherein the first phase effectively stores metals removed from the feestock and the second phase exhibits superior catalytic activity for hydrogenation when processing heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: A fluid pump is disclosed having a plunger reciprocating within a working cylinder and a standing intake retention valve. The plunger comprises a stem having affixed to it a plug and a stop, a body being slidably engaged to the cylinder an located on the discharge side of the plug and on the intake side of the stop. Upon the upstroke of the plunger, a plug surface engages with a body seal and therefore pumps the fluid before it. Meanwhile, fluid flows in behind the plunger through the standing intake retention valve. Optionally, a standing discharge retention valve is employed to alleviate the vapor lock condition caused by the combination of counterpressure effect and gases in the fluid. On the downstroke, the plug disengages from the body, allowing fluid to flow noncompressibly past the plunger. Wiper means keep the cylinder surface clean of precipitated solids, so as to prevent abrasion to the sliding exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: A catalyst containing a vanadium passivating agent in the form of anatase crystalline TiO.sub.2.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst for use in the hydrotreatment, hydrodemetallization and hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks containing high metal levels of vanadium, nickel and sulfur comprises the steps of preparing a carrier from a naturally occurring material consisting essentially of magnesium silicate having a sheet-type structure, iron and nickel wherein the carrier is prepared directly from the above naturally occurring material or, in the alternative, it can be prepared from the naturally occurring material in combination with a catalyst component. In the event the carrier for the catalyst is prepared from the above naturally occurring material without the addition of the catalyst component, the carrier can be impregnated with the catalyst component. The resultant catalyst is particularly useful in the treatment of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: A catalyst having a surface concentration as measured by X-Ray Photoelectronic Spectroscopy (XPS) gives values of the Group VIB metal Xs/(Al+X)s of between 4 to 15 where X equals the Group VIB metal and a bulk concentration of between 2.0 to 15.0 wt. % of said Group VIB metal, a surface concentration as measured by X-Ray Photoelectronic Spectroscopy (XPS) gives values of the Group VIII metal Ys/(Al+Y)s of between 2 to 5 where Y equals the Group VIII metal and a bulk concentration of between 1.0 to 4 wt. % of said Group VIII metal, a surface concentration as measured by X-Ray Photoelectronic Spectroscopy (XPS) gives values of phosphorus Ps/(Al+P)s of between 0.1 to 8 and a bulk concentration of between 0.4 to 2 wt. % phosphorus and a surface concentration as measured by X-Ray Photoelectronic Spectroscopy (XPS) gives values of silica SiO.sub.2 /(Al+SiO.sub.2) of between 1 to 10 and a bulk concentration of between 0.1 to 5 wt. % silica and method for preparation of same.

Abstract: A well pumping system operative selectively to pump fluids (1) through the production tube and the annular space between the production tube and the well casing simultaneously (2) through the production tube solely or (3) through the annular space solely, without having to pull the rod string and/or the tube string.

Abstract: A process for the regeneration of a spent catalyst used in the upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks comprises roasting a spent natural iron base catalyst contaminated with carbon, sulfur and vanadium at a temperature of not more than 400.degree. C. in the presence of a carbonate selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, and mixtures thereof so as to eliminate carbon from the catalyst and obtain a roasted product containing iron oxide and water soluble salts of sulfur and vanadium. The roasted product is thereafter water leached so as to dissolve the soluble salts of sulfur and vanadium. The regenerated catalyst is thereafter separated from the leaching liquor so as to obtain a catalyst substantially free of carbon and sulfur.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a process for the production of anode grade coke from a hydrocarbon feed characterized by high levels of sulfurs and metals. The hydrocarbon feed is hydrocracked in a hydrocracking reactor so as to produce an overhead effluent which is fed to a hot separator wherein a light hydrocarbon stream and a slurry hydrocracked product are produced. The hydrocracked product is fed to a separator and mixed with a solvent wherein the solids are separated out from the hydrocracked residual so as to produce a clean hydrocracked residual which is fed to a coking drum and coked so as to leave a mass of green anode grade coke.

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, relates to a particular method for the preparation of a hydrocracking catalyst, using a high iron content bauxite as a basis. This bauxite is ground and screened to a specific size and mixed with up to three types of additives: a promoter additive of the P, Mo, Co, Ni, W type, optionally a hardener additive of the phosphoric acid type, and optionally a lubricant and pore-generating additive of the polyvinyl-alcohol, polyethylene-glycol, starch type. The additives are blended with the bauxite before, or during the extrusion of the blend for the formation of pellets. The pellets are subjected to drying and calcination under controlled conditions for their activation.The obtained catalyst offers a good mechanical strength, a high content in macropores and a high activity, specifically for the hydrocracking of heavy Venezuelan crudes or residues.

Abstract: The particulate solid is maintained in a bed in contact with a liquid within a high pressure vessel. The particulate solid is supported in the vessel in a cone-like configuration. A discharge tube is provided communicating with the particulate solid running from the bottom of the cone externally of said vessel and pressure on the supported particulate is produced to discharge said particulate out of said vessel via the discharge tube.

Abstract: In a subsurface positive displacement pump used in the petroleum industry for pumping crudes characterized by a high degree of suspended solid particles, a ball check valve comprising a valve ball and a valve seat assembly wherein the valve seat assembly comprises a hollow cylindrical body defining an orifice through which pumped fluid passes, the hollow cylindrical body being provided with a recess on the surface facing the valve ball in the region defining the orifice wherein an insert which forms the actual valve seat for the ball valve is secured in the recess. The insert is formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the material from which the cylindrical body is formed and the material from which the valve ball is formed is characterized by a high resiliency, a modulus of elasticity of between 0.1.times.10.sup.6 psi to 15.times.10.sup.6 psi and a hardness greater than that of the hollow cylindrical body.

Abstract: Hydrocracking and separating process for upgrading unconverted residuals so as to increase liquid yields while at the same time decrease fouling of the hydrocracking reactor upon recycling of the upgraded residual to the hydrocracker. The unconverted residual from the hydrocracking unit is treated in a separation stage with a light hydrocarbon solvent so as to remove the polynuclear hydrocarbons from the residual prior to recycling.

Abstract: A catalyst for the hydrotreatment of heavy crudes and their residues, and a method of preparing same, is disclosed, which has significant simultaneous hydrodemetallizing and hydrodesulfurizing activity. The catalyst is prepared by successively impregnating an extruded refractory support with a Group VIb and a Group VIII metal, calcining the pellet thus produced, and presulfurizing same. Pore volume of the catalyst ranges between 0.50 and 1.2 ml/g, total surface area ranges between 120 and 140 m.sup.2 /g, at least 60% of said pore volume consists of pores having diameters greater than 100 .ANG., and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy signal band strength ratios are as follows: I(Me VIb)/I(refractory metal) is between 5 and 8, and I(Me VIII)/I(refractory metal) is between 1 and 5.

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, relates to a particular method for the preparation of a hydrocracking catalyst, using a high iron content bauxite as a basis. This bauxite is ground and screened to a specific size and mixed with up to three types of additives: a promoter additive of the P, Mo, Co, Ni, W type, optionally a hardener additive of the phosphoric acid type, and optionally a lubricant and pore-generating additive of the polyvinyl-alcohol, polyethylene-glycol, starch type. The additives are blended with the bauxite before, or during the extrusion of the blend for the formation of pellets. The pellets are subjected to drying and calcination under controlled conditions for their activation.The obtained catalyst offers a good mechanical strength, a high content in macropores and a high activity, specifically for the hydrocracking of heavy Venezuelan crudes or residues.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks which are characterized by high molecular weight, low reactivity and high metal contents comprising feeding the feedstock to a hydrodemetallization zone where the feedstock is contacted with hydrogen and a catalyst capable of demetallizing organometallic complexes of high molecular weight and cracking resistance, thereafter removing the effluent from the demetallization zone and feeding same to the thermal cracking zone where the effluent is contacted with hydrogen and thereafter feeding the product from the cracking zone to a hydrocarbon conversion zone where the product is contacted with hydrogen and a catalyst capable of cracking molecules of high cracking resistance.

Abstract: A natural active stable catalyst for use in the hydrodemetallization (HDM) and the hydroconversion (HC) of heavy crudes and residues and, in particular, a method for the preparation of the catalyst from natural clay and a process for the treatment of heavy crudes and residues with the catalyst. The catalyst is free of hydrogenating metals of Groups VIB and VIII of the Periodic Table and comprises primarily iron, silica and alumina derived from the composition of the natural clay. The catalyst possesses a surface area of between 20 to 100 m.sup.2 /g, a total pore volume of between 0.20 to 0.90 cc/g, where 50 to 100% of the total pore volume contains pores of diameter greater than 400 .ANG.. The catalyst has a ratio I(Fe)/I(Si+Al) of between 0.2 to 0.9 as determined by XPS.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in the mild hydrocracking (MHC) of heavy vacuum gas oils to produce middle distillates and a method for the preparation of the catalyst and a process for treating the heavy vacuum gas oils with the catalyst. The catalyst comprises molybdenum, nickel and phosphorus supported on gamma alumina. The catalyst of the invention possesses a P/Mo+Ni ratio between 0.7 and 1.1, which endows it with a high capacity for hydrodesulfurization (HDS), hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) and hydroconversion of the fraction which can be distilled at 370.degree. C.+ to middle distillates, when the catalyst is used under MHC conditions, that is, T=variable, P=750 psig, LHSV=0.70 m.sup.3 /m.sup.3 h and the ratio H.sub.2 /VGO=300 Nm.sup.3 /m.sup.3. The new catalyst can operate for more than 26 months, maintaining a consistent conversion of 20% and achieving the sulfur and nitrogen requirements in the product obtained.

Abstract: Heavy crudes or vacuum residues are treated in a thermal hydroconversion process in the presence of a metal catalyst from Groups IVb, Vb, VIb, VIIb and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements and water. Fresh catalyst is introduced into the process as a soluble, metallic catalyst precursor which is then decomposed while feedstock admixed with water is preheated to a temperature of at least about 230.degree. C. but no more than about 420.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for upgrading feedstocks containing not less than about 200 ppm metals, an API gravity of less than about 20.degree., a Conradson Carbon of more than about 8%, by hydroconversion with hydrogen in the presence of a naturally occurring inorganic material as a catalyst. The invention further provides, inter alia, subsequently fractionating the hydroconverted product and solvent deasphalting the distillation bottoms and optionally hydrodesulfurizing atmospheric distillates and the mix of vacuum gas oils and deasphalted oils separately. When a heavy crude of 12.degree. API, 10% Conradson Carbon, 3.2% sulfur and 350 ppm metals is fed to this process, more than 90% (v/v) of a synthetic crude of 25.degree.API, 0.17% sulfur and only 13.8% (v/v) 950.degree. F.+ fraction may be obtained.

Abstract: A catalyst for the hydrotreatment of heavy crudes and their residues, and a method of preparing same, is disclosed, which has significant simultaneous hydrodemetallizing and hydrodesulfurizing activity. The catalyst is prepared by successively impregnating an extruded refractory support with a Group VIb and a Group VIII metal, calcining the pellet thus produced, and presulfurizing same. Pore volume of the catalyst ranges between 0.50 and 1.2 ml/g, total surface area ranges between 120 and 400 m.sup.2 /g, at least 60% of said pore volume consists of pores having diameters greater than 100 .ANG., and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy signal band strength ratios are as follows: I(Me VIb)/I(refractory metal) is between 5 and 8, and I(Me VIII)/I(refractory metal) is between 1 and 5.