Abstract: A process for the plasma-assisted treatment of coal in which coal is directly converted to heavy hydrocarbons. The first step in the process is direct conversion of coal to aliphatic hydrocarbons under plasma conditions in the presence of light hydrocarbons, such as natural gas. In the second process step, the aliphatic hydrocarbons are upgraded to a liquid fuel. The energy for the process can be provided by radio frequency energy, such as microwave energy, that is powered by a renewable energy source. The process has flexibility to adjust aromatic content in the fuel to match fuel specification requirements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catalyst composition comprises from about 5 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of silica-alumina; from about 30 weight percent to about 90 weight percent alumina; and from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2.0 weight percent of a group VIII metal. In another embodiment, a method for processing hydrocarbons comprises hydro-treating the hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst composition, wherein the catalyst comprises from about 5 weight percent to about 70 weight percent silica-alumina; from about 30 weight percent to about 90 weight percent alumina; and from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2.0 weight percent of a group VIII metal.

Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst is provided. The method comprises reacting a reactive solution comprising at least one alumina precursor, at least one silica precursor, a templating agent, a solvent, a catalytic metal precursor, and a modifier, to form a gel. The method can also include calcining the gel to form a catalyst composition comprising a pore-containing, homogeneous solid mixture which comprises at least one catalytic metal and an inorganic support comprising alumina and silica. The pores of the homogenous solid mixture have an average diameter in a range of about 1 nanometer to about 200 nanometers. A method of upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock to a liquid fuel in the presence of the catalyst composition is also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fuel composition is described, and includes the step of preparing a bio-derived fuel component that contains a mixture of iso-saturated alkanes and normal-saturated alkanes. The method further includes the step of determining if the ratio of iso-saturated alkanes to normal-saturated alkanes is at least about 2.0. If that requirement is met, the bio-derived fuel component is usually combined with a petroleum-derived component, resulting in the fuel composition. Related compositions are also described, in which the weight ratio of iso-saturated alkanes to normal-saturated alkanes is at least about 2.0; and the composition has a freeze point less than about ?50° C.

Abstract: A process for the plasma-assisted treatment of coal in which coal is directly converted to heavy hydrocarbons. The first step in the process is direct conversion of coal to aliphatic hydrocarbons under plasma conditions in the presence of light hydrocarbons, such as natural gas. In the second process step, the aliphatic hydrocarbons are upgraded to a liquid fuel. The energy for the process can be provided by radio frequency energy, such as microwave energy, that is powered by a renewable energy source. The process has flexibility to adjust aromatic content in the fuel to match fuel specification requirements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catalyst composition comprises from about 5 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of silica-alumina; from about 30 weight percent to about 90 weight percent alumina; and from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2.0 weight percent of a group VIII metal. In another embodiment, a method for processing hydrocarbons comprises hydro-treating the hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst composition, wherein the catalyst comprises from about 5 weight percent to about 70 weight percent silica-alumina; from about 30 weight percent to about 90 weight percent alumina; and from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2.0 weight percent of a group VIII metal.