Abstract: The process gives highly pure cyclopentadiene and methylcyclopentadiene from a cracked gasoline fraction. The merit of the process is that cyclopentadiene and methylcyclopentadiene are recovered by adding a simple distillation system to a conventional cracked gasoline treating plant without altering the plant and operating conditions thereof. An internal reflux stream is withdrawn from the stripping section of a BTX column of a conventional cracked gasoline treating plant, and is sent to a depolymerization-distillation column operated at a bottom temperature of 160.degree.-230.degree. C. The overhead stream of the column is sent to a cyclopentadiene column operated at a bottom temperature of 160.degree.-230.degree. C. Cyclopentadiene is recovered from the overhead of the column, and the bottom stream is sent to methylcyclopentadiene column operated at a bottom temperature of 170.degree.-210.degree. C. Methylcyclopentadiene is recovered from the overhead of the column.

Abstract: A method of producing granular or lumpy hard raw materials for activated carbon with a high yield by reacting a petroleum heavy material, such as a petroleum heavy oil or heavy residue, with a sulfonating agent in a reaction solvent thereby converting the petroleum heavy material into a carbonized material.