Abstract: A method whereby the potential of coal having a sodium content high enough to foul coal burning equipment is significantly reduced. The method comprises selectively crushing the coal and separating it according to particle size into low and high potential fouling fractions and recovering a sodium containing coal having a low potential for fouling coal-burning equipment.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and selenium contaminants from a hydrocarbonaceous fluid, such as a synthetic crude oil and fractions thereof, is disclosed. In the disclosed method, the hydrocarbonaceous fluid, containing the contaminant is subjected to a heat treating step for a period of time sufficient to form a precipitate. The thus treated hydrocarbonaceous fluid can then be separated from the precipitate to recover a hydrocarbonaceous fluid having a reduced contaminant content.

Abstract: Method of removing a contaminant, such as arsenic or selenium, from a synthetic hydrocarbonaceous fluid comprising providing a guard bed having a plurality of sections, a first section having from about 10 to about 75 percent of its volume occupied by a contaminant-removing material comprising, alone or on a carrier, either iron, cobalt, nickel, oxides or sulfides of these metals, or combinations thereof; the remainder being inert material. A second section of the guard bed has a major portion of its volume occupied by the contaminant-removing material. The feed oil, in the presence of hydrogen is contacted with the particles in the respective sections of the guard bed.

Abstract: A method of removing a catalyst-poisoning contaminant, such as arsenic or selenium, from a hydrocarbonaceous fluid, such as a synthetic crude, characterized by a multi-step process as follows. First, at least two guard beds are prepared from a plurality of particles of material that is either iron, cobalt, nickel, oxides, or sulfides of these metals or mixtures thereof. Next, the synthetic crude oil is admixed with hydrogen at a superatmospheric pressure of at least 500 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) and flowed past the particles serially through the guard beds, contacting the particles in the first bed at a temperature in the range of from about 300.degree. to about 550.degree.F and contacting the particles in the second and subsequent guard beds at a temperature greater than said first bed and greater than 550.degree. and up to about 850.degree.F. Some reduction in the concentration of the contaminant is effected in the first, low temperature guard bed.