Abstract: Novel methods and compositions for coating target surfaces with non-entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes are disclosed. In one aspect, the methods and compositions of the invention comprise dispersion of non-entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes in solvent, and application of the non-entangled multi-wall carbon nanotube/solvent mixture to a surface by spraying. In another aspect, the methods and compositions of the invention comprise dispersion of non-entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes in solvent, and applying the nanotube/solvent mixture to a suitable matrix by spraying to form a surface coating which is substantially contiguous with the surface of the matrix. The compositions of the invention are substantially free of metal oxides and sulfur, and do not require harsh oxidative treatments.

Abstract: A process is described for the manufacture of activated carbon in the form of a powder, as granules or as extrudates. The process includes treating a biomass feedstock, such as woods, coconut shells, fruit pits, peats, lignites and all ranks of coal with a processing agent and an activation agent. The processing agent may be a natural or synthetic monomer, oligomer, polymer or mixtures thereof capable of interacting or co-polymerizing with the biomass feedstock. The activation agent may be, for example, phosphoric acid, zinc chloride or mixtures thereof. A high surface area, high hardness extruded activated carbon may be produced by this process. The activated carbon is generally characterized by a BET surface area between 600-2500 m.sup.2 /g, a mesopore surface area between 80-900 m.sup.2 /g and for extruded or granular carbons, a Takeda hardness of between 10-50%.

Abstract: A process for producing enhanced quality adsorbent carbons and environmentally acceptable materials for energy production from coal includes an initial step of physically cleaning the coal to remove organic sulfur and mineral tailings. Next, a coal slurry of feedstock and water is prepared. Phosphoric acid is then mixed into the water of the coal slurry to provide by volume 15-85% and more preferably 50-85% phosphoric acid. The slurry is then heated and held in a temperature range between 85.degree. and 230.degree. C. for a period of at least five minutes to allow the phosphoric acid to penetrate deeply into the coal. Then the coal slurry is carbonized at a temperature of between 200.degree.-700.degree. C. for at least five to sixty minutes. The processing produces unique products including a low ash content, low sulfur content carbon solid, a tar with a sulfur content of less than 0.05% of the original feedstock and a gas product having a hydrogen to methane ratio of at least 4:1.

Abstract: Catalytic hydroconversion of a relatively heavy hydrocarbon residual fraction is effected by adding a thermally decomposable metal compound to the oil, along with an acidic catalyst solid to the oil, and passing the mixture to a hydroconversion zone containing hydrogen at an elevated temperature. Preferred metals are cobalt and molybdenum. Preferred solids are large pore zeolites, silica/alumina, clays and surface activated metal oxides.

Abstract: A process for producing a wide slate of fuel products from coal is provided by integrating a methanol-to-gasoline conversion process with coal liquefaction and coal gasification. The coal liquefaction comprises contacting the coal with a solvent under supercritical conditions whereby a dense-gas phase solvent extracts from the coal a hydrogen-rich extract which can be upgraded to produce a distillate stream. The remaining coal is gasified under oxidation conditions to produce a synthesis gas which is converted to methanol. The methanol is converted to gasoline by contact with a zeolite catalyst. Solvent for coal extraction is process derived from the upgraded distillate fraction or gasoline fraction of the methanol-to-gasoline conversion.

Abstract: Coal is processed by liquefying the coal with a hydrogen-donor solvent under a short-contact-time liquefaction, separating the coal liquid effluent into liquid phases of distinct polarity and an undissolved coal residue, upgrading a portion of the liquid phase, gasifying the residue and high polarity coal liquid to produce a synthesis gas which is used to form methanol. The methanol is catalytically converted to gasoline products. Solvents for liquefaction and effluent separation can be derived from the upgraded liquid phase, methanol and gasoline products. Hydrogen for liquefaction, methanol synthesis and upgrading is derived from the synthesis gas.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for yielding a thermally cracked, demetallated and partially denitrogenated fuel product suitable for upgrading. Coal and highly paraffinic, non-thermally cracked, non-aromatic petroleum residua are combined and heated under controlled conditions to effect the separation of unconverted solids from the resulting liquid effluent. The effluent is then cooled in order to separate out the highly aromatic and polar asphaltenic compounds.

Abstract: A process for continuously or semi-continuously producing and collecting highly oriented graphite crystals by diffusing carbon atoms through a heated Group VIII metal artifact such that they precipitate as graphite on a surface of the artifact. Diffusion of carbon atoms through the artifact is driven by maintaining a temperature differential across the artifact.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen donor for hydrogen donor diluent cracking is provided by extraction with naphtha from the cracked product and hydrogenation by hydrogen transfer from a lower boiling hydrogen donor such as tetralin.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated process for upgrading a combination of crude petroleum residua, refractory bottoms from catalytic cracking operations, and coal to gasoline and middle distillate products.The process involves dense-gas solvent extraction under supercritical conditions, cracking, and hydroconversion stages.

Abstract: A method is described to improve a coal liquefaction process by the use of a recycle solvent comprised of two fractions: the first, a lower boiling fraction, is obtained by an atmospheric distillation and is subsequently hydrotreated to enrich its hydrogen donor capacity; the second is a higher boiling fraction that is enriched in desirable hydrogen transfer agents by a solvent extraction process. The combined recycle solvent thus obtained is more efficient in transferring gas phase H.sub.2 to the coal and enables other significant process improvements.

Abstract: A process for the liquefaction of solid carbonaceous material, e.g., coal in the presence of hydrogen under pressure in the absence of heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst using a hydrogen transfer solvent which is the fraction extracted from coal derived liquids by a process derived naphtha extractant containing less than 20 weight percent of aromatics. Coal derived liquids are extracted with naphtha and recycled as a slurry medium for the carbonaceous material.

Abstract: Heavy liquid hydrocarbon oil, such as petroleum derived tars, predominantly boiling over 425.degree. C., are upgraded to products boiling below 425.degree. C., without substantial formation of insoluble char, by heating the heavy oil with hydrogen and a hydrogen transfer solvent in the absence of hydrogenation catalyst at temperatures of about 320.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and a pressure of 20 to 180 bar for 3 to 30 minutes. The hydrogen transfer solvents are polycyclic compounds free of carbonyl groups, e.g., pyrene, and have a polarographic reduction potential which is less negative than phenanthrene and equal to or more negative than azapyrene.