Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for electrochemically demetallating petroleum streams by contacting a hydrocarbon-soluble metals containing petroleum stream and an aqueous electrolysis medium with a low hydrogen overpotential metal cathode at an electric current and pH sufficient to demetallate the petroleum stream. The cathode voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE at a pH of from 7 to 14. The cathode material typically is stainless steel, chromium, copper and nickel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to isobutanol and the process for making and using the catalyst. The catalyst is a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % (on a metals basis only) zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium-doped hetaerolite particles containing from about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, from about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc, from about 0.5 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium. The first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a zirconium oxide-like structure have a particle size of at least about 40 .ANG.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of decreasing the Conradson carbon content of metal containing petroleum streams by forming a mixture of the Conradson carbon containing petroleum fraction and an aqueous electrolysis medium containing an electron transfer agent, and passing an electric current through the mixture or optionally through the pretreated aqueous electrolysis medium at a voltage, sufficient to decrease the Concarbon content of the stream. The cathodic voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of decreasing the metals content of metal containing petroleum streams by forming a mixture of the petroleum fraction containing those metals and an aqueous electrolysis medium containing electron transfer agent, and passing an electric current through the mixture or through the pretreated aqueous electrolysis medium at a voltage, sufficient to remove the metals such as Ni, V and Fe from the stream (i.e. to produce a petroleum fraction having decreased content of the metals). The cathodic voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their metals, e.g., Ni and V content.

Abstract: The invention relates to lube oil compositions containing a major amount of a lube oil and a minor amount of at least one compound containing a heterometallic tetranuclear preferably cubane, more preferably thiocubane core having 1 to 3 molybdenum atoms and the remainder Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, W, Mn, and Fe. Preferred is Cu. Thiocubane cores are also preferred and these typically have the formula M.sub.4-y Mo.sub.y S.sub.4 L.sub.n Q.sub.z, wherein y is 1 to 3, n is 2 to 6 and z is 0 to 4. Additive concentrates of the compounds as well as the method of making the compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a method for demetallating petroleum streams by subjecting a hydrocarbon soluble metals-containing petroleum stream and an aqueous electrolysis medium to a sufficient anodic potential at a pH sufficient to produce a treated petroleum stream having a decreased metals content. The invention is useful for enhancing the value of petroleum streams that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their content of metals, particularly Ni and V.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to isobutanol and the process for making and using the catalyst. The catalyst is a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % (on a metals basis only) zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium-doped hetaerolite particles containing from about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, from about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc, from about 0.5 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium. The first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a zirconium oxide-like structure have a particle size of at least about 40 .ANG.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to isobutanol. The catalyst is a noble metal supported on at least a first phase having poorly crystalline manganese and zinc doped zirconium oxide phase containing about 71 to about 91 atomic % zirconium, about 10 to about 16 atomic % manganese and about 4 to about 8 atomic % zinc and a second phase of irregularly shaped hetaerolite-like crystals containing about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc and zero to about 5 atomic % zirconium embedded in the first phase. The catalyst is useful in making isobutanol.