Abstract: A process for producing lower average molecular weight products from heavy liquid hydrocarbons is provided comprising contacting the feed material in the presence of a co-catalyst system comprising a molten salt of sodium tetrachloroaluminate (NaAlCl.sub.4) and hydrogen tetrachloroaluminate (HAlCl.sub.4) at a pressure of from about 0.8 to about 140 atm (81 to about 14185 kPa) and a temperature of from about 200.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C.According to the present invention use of the HAlCl.sub.4 as a co-catalyst with NaAlCl.sub.4 results in increased yields of lower average molecular weight products and improved levels of denitrogenation and desulfurization. The elements of the co-catalyst system may be prepared separately and mixed.

Abstract: A process for extracting hydrocarbons from oil shale comprising the steps of subjecting oil shale under superatmospheric pressure in the presence of hydrogen and steam, to low temperature hydrogenating distillation; separating the resulting fluid distillation mixture into liquid and gaseous products; and returning water and hydrogen separated from the fluid distillation mixture to the low temperature distillation; in which:heat is drawn-off from the hot oil shale, after treatment in a low temperature hydrogenating distillation reactor, by the shale being sprayed wtih water whereby saturated steam is produced in decreasing pressure stages;the saturated steam of the pressure stages and water extracted during product separation are fed into the individual stages of a multi-stage compressor driven by a gas turbine, and are then delivered via a steam supply line to the reactor;the gas turbine is fuelled by supplying separated-off gaseous distillation products thereto; andthe exhaust gases of the gas turbine are fe

Abstract: Method of extracting liquid hydrocarbons from oil-containing stone or sand, wherein the oil-containing stone or the oil-containing sand undergoes hydrogenating, low temperature carbonization in a reactor at temperatures of 450.degree. to 520.degree. C. and a pressure of approximately 50 bar through the action of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and steam, and wherein the hydrocarbons are separated from the resulting gaseous, low temperature carbonization mixture. The low temperature carbonization mixture from the reactor is cooled in a first separation stage to a temperature of approximately 350.degree. C. to condense the less volatile hydrocarbons. The separated, liquid phase is fed to a solids separator and placed in contact with a circulating gas of carbon dioxide and a C.sub.6 /C.sub.7 hydrocarbon fraction. The low temperature carbonization mixture containing uncondensed gases and more volatile hydrocarbons are washed in a second separation stage with water and cooled to approximately 250.degree. C.

Abstract: An integrated process is provided for converting methanol, dimethylether or the like to heavy hydrocarbon products, especially distillate range hydrocarbons. In a first stage catalytic process oxygenate feedstock is converted to lower olefins. C.sub.3.sup.+ olefins are selectively sorbed in an interstage sorption fractionator and passed along with gasoline sorbent to a second stage oligomerization reactor. Distillate range hydrocarbons are useful as diesel fuel or the like.

Abstract: Used oil is rerefined utilizing borohydride reducing agents. The borohydride reducing agent contacts the used oil in an aqueous solution, for example. Contact with the borohydride reducing agent may occur before, during or after distillation or evaporation of the used oil. The disclosed method reduces the concentration of carbonyl compounds and metals and reduces the corrosion characteristics of used oil.

Abstract: A process for reducing the molecular weight of hydrocarbons using NaAlCl.sub.4 is provided wherein the hydrogen to carbon ratio of the product slate is approximately the same as the feed material, comprising contacting the feed material with a molten salt of NaAlCl.sub.4 having a ratio of aluminum chloride to sodium chloride of at least 1:1, preferably at a temperature of at least 660.degree. F., and at a pressure above atmospheric, preferably from about 50 psia to about 2000 psia, depending upon the product slate desired. According to the present invention, heavy hydrocarbons are converted to a liquid product slate wherein substantially all of the liquid components exhibit a molecular weight lower than the molecular weight range exhibited by the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: A novel reformed mesophase pitch having a mesophase content MC of between 40 and 100%, a quinoline-insoluble content QI of between 5 and 70 weight % and anisotropic domains forming a continuous phase. The reformed mesophase pitch is obtained by heat-treating a dormant mesophase pitch which comprises dormant anisotropic components which are partially hydrogenated, polycyclic polycondensed ring aromatic hydrocarbons derived from the mesophase of a mesophase pitch by hydrogenation of the mesophase and which are soluble in quinoline. The dormant mesophase pitch is optically isotropic in nature but, upon being subjected to shear forces in one direction, capable of being oriented in said direction. Preferably, the reformed mesophase pitch has a softening point SP in .degree.C. satisfying the following conditions:when 40 .ltoreq.MC<100, ##EQU1## and when MC=100, ##EQU2## The reformed mesophase pitch is useful as precursor materials for carbon fibers.

Abstract: A method for passivating metal contaminants present in a hydrocarbon feedstock which become deposited on cracking catalyst is described. The method is directed at passing the cracking catalyst through a passivation zone having a reducing atmosphere maintained at an elevated temperature. The reducing atmosphere comprises a process reducing gas stream which has been passed through a guard bed adapted to selectively remove an unsaturated hydrocarbon prior to the process reducing gas being added to the passivation zone.

Abstract: A phosphorus-containing low alkali metal content zeolitic catalyst made from a clay starting material is provided. The catalyst is obtained by contacting a partially cation exchanged calcined zeolite-containing catalyst with an anion such as a dihydrogen phosphate anion or a dihydrogen phosphite anion and additionally with an ammonium salt other than a salt of an inorganic acid of phosphorus. A hydrocarbon catalytic cracking process utilizing the phosphorus-containing catalyst is also provided.

Abstract: In an improved urea dewaxing process a urea/alcohol slurry chilled to 60.degree. F. to 65.degree. F. is added to a naphthenic distillate chilled to 60.degree. F. to 65.degree. F. to produce a refrigerator oil with improved low temperature properties.

Abstract: A method for passivating metal contaminants present in a hydrocarbon feedstock which become deposited on cracking catalyst is described. The method is directed at passing the cracking catalyst through a passivation zone having a reducing atmosphere maintained at an elevated temperature by the introduction of a process reducing gas. The unsaturated hydrocarbon content of the reducing gas is decreased prior to the introduction of the process reducing gas into the passivation zone to thereby lower the rate of coke formation. In a preferred embodiment process reducing gas is passed through a hydrogenation zone adapted to hydrogenate an unsaturated hydrocarbon present in the process reducing gas prior to the process reducing gas being added to the passivation zone.

Abstract: A process for producing 1,3-butadiene which comprises feeding a fraction comprising C.sub.4 -paraffins and C.sub.4 -olefins as the main components and being free from isobutene, 1,3-butadiene and C.sub.4 -acetylenes to a dehydrogenation or oxidative dehydrogenation step (step A), where the n-butenes contained therein is converted to 1,3-butadiene; feeding the 1,3-butadiene-containing hydrocarbon fraction thus obtained (fraction C) to an extractive distillation column (column B), in which said fraction C is distilled in an atmosphere of a selective solvent while obtaining a fraction comprising C.sub.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating modified ZSM-5 type zeolite catalysts with a vapor phase organophosphorus reagent such as trimethylphosphite or dimethylmethylphosphonate in order to improve the para-selective properties of such catalysts for the conversion of aromatic materials. The modified zeolites so treated are those which contain a minor proportion of a difficultly reducible oxide such as magnesium oxide, calcium oxide and/or phosphorus oxide. Such catalyst compositions can be used in alkylation, transalkylation or disproportionation processes to provide alkylated aromatic product mixtures having exceptionally high concentrations of the para-dialkylbenzene isomer.

Abstract: This invention provides a two-stage visbreaking process for increasing the production of a visbroken hydrocarbon product from heavy oil feedstock, which meets heating oil viscosity specifications with little or no blending with external cutter stocks.The second stage visbreaking is conducted at a relatively high Severity in contact with a fluidized bed of particulate solids.

Abstract: A method of producing agglomerates from a fine iron ore or the like having a wide particle size distribution. A solid fuel is added to the fine ore and the material is formed into pellets or briquettes of a two-layer structure comprising a core portion and a shell portion having different solid fuel contents, and the pellets or briquettes are charged onto a grate of a travelling grate-type furnace including an updraft drying zone, a downdraft drying zone, an ignition zone and a suction burning zone in such a manner that the charge having a higher solid fuel content forms a grate upper layer portion and the charge having a lower solid fuel content forms a grate lower layer portion, thereby firing the pellets or briquettes by the furnace.

Abstract: A method for passivating the adverse catalytic effects of metal contaminants, such as nickel, vanadium and iron, which become deposited on cracking catalyst is disclosed. A passivation promoter comprising elemental tin and/or a tin compound in combination with elemental cadmium and/or a cadmium compound is deposited on the catalyst and the catalyst is passed through a passivation zone having a reducing atmosphere maintained at an elevated temperature to decrease the adverse catalytic effects of the metal contaminants The present method is of particular utility where the residence time of the cracking catalyst in the passivation zone is relatively short.

Abstract: A highly efficient process for producing olefins using intermediate pore size zeolites is disclosed. The use of a specific range of silica:alumina mole ratios (175:1 to about 300:1) at pressure over 30 psia has been found to decrease catalyst deactivation rates for these intermediate pore size catalysts.

Abstract: C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -olefins are prepared by catalytic conversion of methanol and/or dimethyl ether in the presence of a zeolite catalyst at elevated temperatures, by a process in which the catalyst used is a pure borosilicate zeolite which has been tableted or extruded without a binder and treated with hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid. The treatment of the catalyst with hydrofluoric acid is carried out using 0.001-1N HF, and that with hydrochloric acid is carried out using 3-25% strength acid. The time-on-stream of the catalyst is improved.

Abstract: A continuous process for solvent deasphalting asphaltene-containing hydrocarbons which comprises mixing (A) 100 parts by weight of asphaltene-containing hydrocarbons with (B) 0.005-0.5 parts by weight of an amorphous silicon dioxide and/or a silicate compound and also with (C) 5-2000 parts by weight of a solvent such as n-heptane, n-hexane, n-heptane or a mixed n-pentane.n-butanol solvent, to form a mixture which is then allowed to stand still to precipitate and separate the asphaltene therefrom thereby obtaining a deasphalted oil.

Abstract: A method for purifying used oil without the use of hydrogen comprising contacting a demetallized used oil with an acid such as sulfuric acid and an adsorbent such as clay.