Abstract: A process is provided for removing metal contaminants from used lubricating oil. The used oil is contacted with an aqueous solution of aluminum sulphate and ammonium sulphate at elevated temperature to form compounds of the metal contaminants in an aqueous phase which is phase separable from the oil. An oil product reduced in metal contaminants is thereby produced which is suitable as a cheap fuel or lubricant.

Abstract: Thiol impurities are absorbed and removed from hydrocarbon oils by contacting the oil in the absence of molecular oxygen with a scavenger at a temperature in the range of about 120.degree. to 400.degree. C. The scavenger is a composite having a copper component and an inorganic porous carrier component and having a surface area in the range 20 to 1000 square meters per gram. The contacting must be discontinued when the thiol impurity content of the effluent product exceeds about 0.3 ppm.

Abstract: A method of alkylating an alkylatable hydrocarbon with different alkylating agents, at different reaction temperatures and in a single reaction zone, in which an alkylatable hydrocarbon is contacted with an acid-type catalyst and at different points in an elongated reaction zone, the reaction zone effluent is separated into a hydrocarbon phase and a catalyst recycle phase and the reaction temperatures of the various alkylating agents are maintained at different temperatures by splitting the recycle catalyst phase into an equal number of streams and adjusting the reaction temperatures by adjusting the temperatures of the recycle catalyst phase streams, the relative proportions of the recycle catalyst phase streams or both. A method of starting-up the process and apparatus for conducting the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Catalyst comprising magnesium oxide and aluminum oxide is prepared by dry blending particulate alumina with a dried composite of magnesia impregnated with hydrogenation metals of Group VIB and Group VIII; the catalyst is employed in selective hydrodesulfurization of cracked naphtha.

Abstract: A process for treating a mercaptan-containing sour petroleum distillate is disclosed. A sour petroleum distillate, in admixture with an oxidizing agent, is passed into contact with a catalytic composite in the presence of an alkaline reagent, said catalytic composite comprising a metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and a quaternary ammonium compound impregnated on a solid adsorbent support disposed as a fixed bed in a first treating zone. The effluent from said first zone, in admixture with an oxidizing agent, is then passed into contact with a catalytic composite in the presence of an alkaline reagent, said catalytic composite comprising a metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst impregnated on a solid adsorbent support disposed as a fixed bed in a second treating zone. A petroleum distillate, substantially free of mercaptan sulfur, is recovered from the second treating zone.

Abstract: In the hydrodesulfurization of sulfur-containing heavy hydrocarbon oils, water is injected into the hydrotreating gas and vaporized at a temperature below 450.degree. F. to produce a steam-containing hydrotreating gas which is combined subsequently with the sulfur-containing heavy hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A thermal demetalation and desulfurization process comprising the addition of ammonia and water to heavy crude oils and residuums with minimal coke formation and with decreased viscosity.

Abstract: A desulfurization process wherein a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon material is contacted with a sulfur oxide compound and an amine, a salt of an amine, or mixtures thereof. The contacting converts the sulfur component of the hydrocarbon material to water soluble form thereby allowing the sulfur components to be readily separated by water washing.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon isomerization catalysts comprising typically refractory mineral oxide carrier such as alumina and a halogen element present in combined form, together with, in the free or combined state:a platinum-group metal;second element from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, tungsten and molybdenum; anda metal halide such as AlCl.sub.3.

Abstract: In the hydroprocessing of blends of solvent refined coal and recycle solvent, small pore hydrotreating catalysts cause separation of a solid phase from treating blends containing high concentration of solvent refined coal.

Abstract: A non-stoichiometric vanadium sulfide catalyst utilized in a process for hydrorefining a hydrocarbon feed stock is prepared by (1) contacting vanadium oxide with ammonium sulfide to form an ammonium salt of vanadium sulfide and (2) the salt is neutralized with an acid in a non-oxidative atmosphere to form the vanadium sulfide catalyst. The acid used in the neutralizing step may be sulfuric acid or carbonic acid and the non-oxidative atmosphere may be hydrogen or nitrogen.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for removing trace acidic compounds from liquid hydrocarbons. Traces of acidic compounds, including carboxylic acids, H.sub.2 S, naphthenic acids, et al., are present in most hydrocarbon streams. The presence of these acidic compounds is considered deleterious to accepted product specifications. The trace acidic compounds which interfere are removed via injection of a dilute aqueous alkaline solution into the hydrocarbon stream and passage of this stream through a coalescing bed.

Abstract: Manufacture of o-benzyltoluenes by reaction of a benzyl halide of formula ##STR1## with a compound of formula ##STR2## at 50.degree. to 250.degree. C., one of R and R.sup.1 being methyl and the other H or methyl, and adding the compound II to a mixture of III with a small amount of iron or iron compound.

Abstract: A multiple-stage process for the conversion of a heavy hydrocarbonaceous charge stock, contaminated by the inclusion of sulfurous and nitrogenous compounds, into lower-boiling hydrocarbon products. Fresh feed and hydrogen are introduced into a catalytic hydrorefining reaction zone to convert the contaminants into ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Hydrorefined product effluent is admixed with the effluent from a catalytic hydrocracking reaction zone, and separated into various product streams. Hydrocarbons boiling above the predetermined end boiling point of the desired end product and hydrogen are introduced into the catalytic hydrocracking reaction zone for conversion to lower-boiling hydrocarbons. Hydrocracked effluent is admixed with the hydrorefined effluent as aforesaid.

Abstract: Vanadium and nickel levels in petroleum feeds are decreased by oxidation of the feed prior to the usual processing or upgrading steps. An organic peroxyacid is used in the oxidation. The reduction in vanadium and nickel levels results in increased lifetime of catalysts used in subsequent processing steps such as in hydrodesulfurization or catalytic cracking.

Abstract: A non-stoichiometric vanadium sulfide catalyst utilized in a hydrocarbon hydrorefining process is prepared by contacting a sulfur-bearing gas, such as H.sub.2 S, into an alkali metal hydroxide solution containing vanadium oxide to form a soluble alkali metal vanadium sulfide. The vanadium sulfide is precipitated from the soluble alkali metal vanadium sulfide with an acid, such as sulfuric acid or carbonic acid.

Abstract: Tars and hydrocarbon oils containing water are dehydrated in a thermally efficient and environmentally acceptable manner. The tars or hydrocarbon oils are heated externally to any holding vessel to a temperature equivalent to at least 100.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure and are sprayed into a holding vessel to enhance the separation of water from the tars or hydrocarbon oils. Then the water in the vapor state is removed from the holding vessel and scrubbed to remove any noxious chemicals.

Abstract: An improved isoparaffin/olefin HF alkylation process designed to function absent the commonly-utilized acid regenerator. Polymer products, formed during the alkylation reaction, are recovered with the normally liquid alkylate product, substantially free from HF, without effecting degradation in the product quality. In addition to enhanced economic considerations stemming from a reduction in equipment costs, the operational stability of the process is significantly improved.

Abstract: A process is provided for the desulfurization of residual oil by(a) separating the residual oil into a first and a second fraction;(b) reacting the first fraction with hydrogen over a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a first reaction zone at hydrodesulfurization conditions such that a liquid effluent of lower sulfur content than the residual oil is obtained;(c) combining the hydrodesulfurization liquid effluent with the second residual oil fraction; and(d) reacting the resultant mixture over a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalyst in a second reaction zone at hydrogen transfer conditions.This process provides for desulfurization of residual oils at lower hydrogen consumptions than conventional processes.

Abstract: In an acid catalyzed alkylation system, a prefractionated reactor hydrocarbon effluent bottoms stream, substantially free of HF, is passed to a propane concentrator in order to provide for a more concentrated and desirable feed for the depropanizer. Due to the highly concentrated propane stream fed to the depropanizer, the size of the depropanizer can be much smaller thereby saving in energy. Hot overhead vapor from the isostripper is also passed in an indirect heat exchange relationship with various feed streams and fractionators in order to supply heat for the preheating of the feed streams and the reboiling of the fractionators. The bottoms fraction of the isostripper can also be passed in an indirect heat exchange relationship with various feed streams and fractionators. The alkylation process, therefore, maximizes the use of available waste heat and reduces the pressure and utilities on the depropanizer thereby saving greatly on energy costs.