Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide replaces a portion of the water required to suppress the formation of carbon in gas phase catalytic reforming and hydrocracking of hydrocarbons, particularly aromatics. Hydrogen is present to prevent carbon formation from the aromatic hydrocarbons. The support used for the catalyst is a gamma alumina, delta alumina, theta alumina or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Sulfur is produced by contacting, in a catalytic selective oxidation zone, a feed gas comprising an acid gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide in admixture with about 70 to 130 percent of the stoichiometric amount of oxygen required for conversion of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur and a recycle gas which is a portion of the gas resulting from condensing sulfur from the effluent of the catalytic selective oxidation zone with a catalyst selectively capable of oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide substantially without formation of sulfur trioxide to form a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and sulfur at a temperature between the kindling temperature of the catalyst and about 850.degree. F. Formed sulfur is condensed from the effluent gas stream and a portion of the substantially sulfur-free effluent returned as recycle gas.

Abstract: Flue gases as generated in the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel are extracted while at a high temperature, e.g. 2000.degree. to 3800.degree. F, and mixed with a fuel and converted in the presence of an oxidant such as air and/or steam to a thermally generated gas stream enriched in hydrogen and/or its equivalent carbon monoxide. Conversion efficiencies based on the hydrocarbon feed in excess of 100% are achievable.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon products from viscous tar sands are recovered by continuously injecting a hot solvent containing relatively large amounts of aromatics into the formation. Alternatively, steam and solvent are cyclically and continuously injected into the formation to recover the values. The last stimulation is by steam so that solvent is recovered. A third alternative is to continuously inject a mixture of steam and solvent vapors and liquid into the formation. In all cases, the solvent, except perhaps for startup, is produced at the site, as in a conventional topping unit, which alternatively is combined with a conventional visbreaking or reforming unit to increase the volume and/or aromaticity of the solvent produced.