Abstract: Improved catalytic process for carrying out heavy hydrocarbon conversion in the presence of metal on the catalyst and in the feedstock, by catalytic cracking such heavy carbometallic oils to lighter molecular weight fractions. The discovery of a ferro/superparamagnetic component of older catalyst, which when present, can be employed to achieve enhanced magnetic separation of aged catalyst. This invention utilizes this property to enhance separation of more magnetically active, older, less catalytically active and selective, higher metals-containing catalyst particulates from less magnetically active, lower metal containing particulates. The more catalytically active and selective catalysts fractions, are then recycled back to the process.

Abstract: A process for treating oil-contaminated debris or like material in particular material to be washed such as mill scale, which is produced in industrial processes, as well as a plant and an apparatus for carrying out the process, are to be improved in such a way as to permit oil to be removed from the industrial material to be washed, in particular mill scale. For that purpose it is proposed that the oil-contaminated material, in particular the mill scale, be introduced into a washing drum and there washed in counter-flow mode in a washing lye with a pH-value of from 12 to 14, preferably 10 to 14, with the material to be washed being lifted at the wall of the drum by means of support surfaces. The washing lye is preferably mixed with about 2% of caustic soda and/or washing is at about 50.degree. C. or a higher temperature.