Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids are recovered from run-of-mine oil-bearing rock composed primarily of limestone by separating the rock into a low-density fraction and a high-density fraction, contacting the low-density fraction with an organic solvent in an extraction zone thereby extracting the oil from the low-density fraction, and recovering the extracted oil from the organic solvent.

Abstract: A starting pitch for carbon fibers, obtained by mixing (1) a heavy fraction oil boiling at not lower than 200.degree. C. obtained at the time of steam cracking of petroleum with (2) wax and then heat treating the resulting mixture at a specified temperature and pressure thereby to obtain the starting pitch, the thus obtained starting pitch being heat treated to produce a precursor pitch which is melt spun, infusibilized, carbonized or graphitized to obtain the carbon fibers.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon fractions are made free of asphaltenes and/or resins by extraction with a deasphalting solvent in the presence of ultrasonic radiation.

Abstract: Carbonous materials such as subbituminous coal, oil-shale, lignite and peat are converted to liquid and gaseous products by (a) impregnating the material with a water soluble salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron and zinc, (b) precipitating said metal in as its oxide or a form which can be readily converted to its oxide, and (c) pyrolyzing the treated material at a temperature from about 400.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. at short gas residence times and long solids residence times.

Abstract: Arsenic is removed from a hydrocarbon containing arsenic as an impurity; e.g., shale oil, by contact with hydrogen in the presence of a contact material, such as coke, to deposit the arsenic on the contact material. The arsenic deposited on the contact material is subsequently reacted with an iron compound to produce an iron-arsenic compound suitable for disposal.

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

Abstract: A process for removing solids from coal tar for the preparation of a coal tar pitch containing liquid comprising (1) centrifuging the coal tar at a suitable viscosity to separate a large particle size solids fraction from a first liquid fraction containing pitch and small particle size solids, and (2) filtering the large particle size fraction while maintaining the solids fraction at a suitable viscosity to thereby produce a second pitch containing liquid fraction which is substantially free of solids, and a densified readily handleable large particle size solid material. The liquid fractions are useful for making electrodes, needle coke or carbon fibers whereas the densified solid material is readily utilized.

Abstract: Group VIII metals immobilized on an aminated polysaccharide in a highly dispersed state are active catalysts in the hydrogenation of unsaturated organic materials. Chitin and chitosan are preferred supports, with platinum and palladium among the more active Group VIII metals in hydrogenation.

Abstract: A method of producing a pitch or a coke, comprising reacting an aromatic hydrocarbon with anhydrous AlCl.sub.3 and an acid salt of an organic amine which acid salt reduces the activity of the AlCl.sub.3, and is miscible with the AlCl.sub.3 to form a molten eutectic salt mixture reactive with the aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process and a product of the process for preparing a pitch suitable for carbon artifact manufacture features a pitch having a weight content of between 80 and 100 percent toluene insolubles. The pitch is derived from a deasphaltenated middle fraction of a steam cracker tar feedstock. The middle fraction is rich in 2, 3, 4, and 5 polycondensed aromatic rings. The pitch is characterized as being relatively free of impurities and ash.

Abstract: In a process for the re-refinement of used lubricating oil containing fuel fraction, an upgraded fuel fraction is provided by combining fuel fraction with demetallized lubricating oil prior to the hydrotreatment stage.

Abstract: Metallic contaminants, such as selenium, arsenic, iron and sodium are removed from a hydrocarbonaceous fluid feed stream by contacting the feed stream with a gas comprising substantially pure hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2 S) or a mixture of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen (H.sub.2).

Abstract: A hydrogen donor diluent cracking process in which the pitch fraction from the cracking step is heat soaked in the presence of hydrogen donor solvent and then returned to the cracking coil.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of modified pitches and low boiling aromatics and olefins is described. Waste plastic which consists of polymeric chains of olefins is subjected to a thermal treatment in the presence of high boiling aromatics. The modified pitches may be used for the production of carbon articles of high value.

Abstract: Solvent refining of coal is conducted with a blend of coals calculated to maintain the phenols of the steady state recycle solvent within desired limits.

Abstract: A method for reducing the metal contaminant concentration in a petroleum fraction containing an asphaltene component and a metal contaminant is disclosed. The petroleum feedstock is contacted with vapor phase SO.sub.2 or a vapor phase SO.sub.2 precursor at an elevated temperature after which the petroleum fraction is deasphalted. The petroleum fraction is separated into a first fraction relatively lean in the asphaltene component and the metal contaminant and a second phase relatively rich in the asphaltene component and the metal contaminant.

Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbons are oxidized in the presence of an organic surfactant promoter.

Abstract: In a process for producing an essentially ash-free oil stock from a lubricating oil containing ash forming components comprising reacting the oil with an aqueous ammonium salt capable of reacting with the ash-containing components and heating the thus treated oil at a temperature in the range of about 300.degree. C. to about 420.degree. C. to increase the amount of the ash-forming components removed, the improvement comprising not exposing the oil to a temperature greater than 200.degree. C. before the oil is passed into a large volume of the oil already at a temperature in the range of about 300.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved process for removing metals from heavy oils and other hydrocarbon feed streams is disclosed. The process includes adding elemental phosphorus to the hydrocarbon feed stream under suitable demetallizing conditions. It is believed that elemental phosphorus reacts with the metals contained in the hydrocarbon containing feed stream to form oil insoluble compounds that can be removed from the hydrocarbon containing feed stream by any conventional method, such as filtration, centrifugation, or decantation.

Abstract: A process for dewatering petroleum-containing sludges by a two-stage method using finely divided additives and organic flocculants, wherein(a) finely divided additives, such as ash, coal, sand or mixtures of these, in a free-flowing form or as an aqueous suspension, are homogeneously dispersed in the petroleum-containing sludge, in an amount such that the total solids content of the resulting mixture is from 10 to 30% by weight, especially from 12 to 20% by weight,(b) this sludge mixture is treated with an aqueous solution of an organic flocculant, preferably of anionic nature,(c) the greater part of the sludge water is removed by gravity filtration,(d) the pre-dewatered sludge mixture is treated with an aqueous solution of aluminum salts or trivalent iron salts and(e) this mixture is substantially dewatered by pressure filtration, in the course of which the greater part of the petroleum present is also removed.