Abstract: A large difficult to process hydrocracking feed stream may be processed at lower overall pressure and therefore in a unit of reduced capital cost by first dividing the feed stream into a light fraction and a smaller heavy fraction and then processing these fractions in separate reactors. The heavy fraction will normally contain the more difficult to process species and is processed in a once through reaction zone. The light fraction is processed in a higher conversion reaction zone which also receives the recycle stream produced in the product fractionation/recovery zone. The effluents of the two reaction zones may be charged into a common separator or into different separators to reduce ammonia levels in the recycle reactor.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid distribution method and apparatus utilize a cap assembly for attachment over an opening in a deck tray of a gas-liquid contact apparatus (e.g., catalytic reactor). The cap assembly comprises a riser located over the opening in the deck tray, and providing fluid communication from an upper surface to a lower surface of the deck tray. A cap encompasses an upwardly extending end of the riser. A key feature of the assembly is the provision of a dispersion plate in a lower end of the riser which provides a flow restriction for two phase fluids flowing through the riser to produce a mist flow of the two phases. Preferably, the dispersion plate has a plurality of openings therethrough, at least the outer openings being provided with tabs to disperse the mist flow radially outward.

Abstract: Enhanced recovery of oil from an oil-containing particulate shale sludge is achieved by contacting the sludge with a light hydrocarbon solvent fraction, obtained from the processing of oil derived from the shale, in the presence of water to form an oil-solvent liquid phase which is separated from an aqueous phase containing oil-depleted shale. The oil-solvent liquid phase when introduced into a slurry of product oil and particulate contained within a shale retort provides several advantages, including lowering the viscosity of the product oil and enhanced separation of the product oil from the particulate shale.

Abstract: A two-stage process for staged combustion of crushed retorted particles, especially sulfur and nitrogen-bearing shale, provides maximum heat from combustible materials in shale while emissions of carbon monoxide and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are minimized. In the first stage, combustion is maintained under fluidizing conditions with a substoichiometric amount of oxygen. Off-gases from the first stage are burned in a second-stage combustion zone utilizing an oxygen-containing gas stream controlled to limit emission of carbon monoxide in the flue gas. To minimize production of sulfur oxides, combustion temperature is concurrently maintained below a peak value of 1700.degree. F. by introducing inert gas or recycled decarbonized fines to the first-stage combustion zone to reduce temperature therein.