Abstract: A catalytic mixture of discrete solid materials and a mercaptan oxidation process for using the catalytic mixture have been developed. The catalytic mixture comprises a metal chelate dispersed on a non-basic solid support and a solid base. The process involves contacting a sour middle distillate hydrocarbon fraction which contains mercaptans with the supported metal chelate and the solid base mixture in the presence of an oxidizing agent and a polar compound. The process is unique in that both the catalyst and the base are discrete solid materials.

Abstract: A catalytic system of physically separate and discrete solid materials and a mercaptan oxidation process for using the catalytic system have been developed. The catalytic system comprises a supported metal chelate dispersed on a non-basic solid support and a solid base. The process involves contacting a sour middle distillate hydrocarbon fraction which contains mercaptans first with the solid base and then, in the presence of an oxidizing agent and a polar compound, with the supported metal chelate. The process is unique in that both the catalyst and the base are solid materials and that the solid base is in a separate fixed bed from the supported metal chelate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving the activity of a catalyst effective in sweetening a hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptans. The process involves adding to the hydrocarbon fraction an effective amount of an aqueous solution comprising ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound.

Abstract: A process for the steam dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons which utilizes a novel catalytic composition is disclosed. The catalyst composite comprises a Group VIII noble metal component, a Group IA or IIA metal component, and a component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium thallium, or mixtures thereof, all on an essentially theta-alumina support having a surface area of from about 50 to 120 m2/g, and an Apparent Bulk Density of 0.5 g/cm3 or more. The process is performed at a water to hydrocarbon molar ratio of 0.25:1 to 10:1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst which is useful in oxidizing mercaptans present in a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The catalyst consists of an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds. The counter ion of the onium compound is halide, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, acetate, citrate and tartrate. The catalyst is used in a liquid-liquid process to sweeten a sour hydrocarbon fraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid-liquid process for treating a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds. A preferred onium compound is a quaternary ammonium compound with an especially preferred compound being a quaternary ammonium halide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid-liquid process for treating a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds. A preferred onium compound is a quaternary ammonium compound with an especially preferred compound being a quaternary ammonium halide. This invention also relates to a catalyst comprising an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide, a metal chelate and an onium compound, for oxidizing mercaptans contained in a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The aqueous solution which is the catalyst can also be used to improve the activity of a fixed bed mercaptan oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The process involves two steps. In one step the mercaptans in the sour hydrocarbon fraction are reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a selective hydrogenolysis catalyst to selectively hydrogenolyse the tertiary mercaptans. In another step, the mercaptans are oxidized by reacting them with an oxidizing agent in the presence of oxidation catalyst and a basic component. The selective hydrogenolysis step and the oxidation step may be carried out in any order, i.e., either hydrogenolysis first followed by oxidation or vice versa.

Abstract: Although high naphthenic acid hydrocarbon feedstocks normally need to be washed with caustic prior to being sweetened in a fixed bed mercaptan-to-disulfide oxidation process to avoid bed plugging, the prewash can be eliminated if aqueous ammonia is used concurrent with and as a part of the sweetening process. Aqueous ammonia injected into a sour hydrocarbon stream prior to the sweetening zone not only eliminates bed plugging, but affords an aqueous phase from which naphthenic acids may be recovered easily and economically. The ammonia also can be recovered for reuse, affording a process with considerably enhanced economic return.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide can be conveniently removed from streams containing up to about 1,000 ppm of H.sub.2 S by reacting the latter with an olefin using a bed of an acidic solid catalyst in a non-oxidative process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide. The reaction can be effected under relatively mild conditions and is very selective for the removal of hydrogen sulfide without being attended by other unwanted reactions such as oligomerization, disproportionation, and skeletal rearrangement. Levels of hydrogen sulfide in the treated product of no more than about 5 ppm can be readily attained using a broad variety of acidic solid catalysts and unsaturated hydrocarbons, especially olefins.

Abstract: Methane is upgraded to aromatic hydrocarbons and other valuable C.sub.3 -plus hydrocarbons by contact with a catalyst comprising gallium and a ZSM-type zeolite incorporated in a phosphorous-containing alumina at relatively low temperature conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving the color and color stability of a hydrocarbon fraction. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction with a selective hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at reaction conditions. This results in the selective hydrogenation of conjugated unsaturates, thereby improving the color and color stability of the hydrocarbon fraction. The process uses small quantities of hydrogen and is run under mild conditions. A preferred selective hydrogenation catalyst is sulfided nickel on an alumina/clay support.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved catalyst for treating a sour hydrocarbon stream. The improvement comprises the use of a dipolar compound which has a positively charged atom and an electronegative group in the same structure. A particularly preferred dipolar compound is ephedrine. The dipolar compounds may be used in conjunction with a metal chelate and a basic solution either in a liquid-liquid process or a fixed bed process with substantially increased performance for oxidizing mercaptans which are found in the sour hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process and catalyst for treating a sour hydrocarbon stream. The improvement comprises the use of a dipolar compound which has a positively charged atom and an electronegative group in the same structure. A particularly preferred dipolar compound is ephedrine. The dipolar compounds may be used in conjunction with a metal chelate and a basic solution either in a liquid-liquid process or a fixed bed process with substantially increased performance for oxidizing mercaptans which are found in the sour hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved liquid/liquid process for oxidizing mercaptans in a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The improvement is the addition of a quaternary ammonium compound to the alkali metal solution which contains a metal chelate such as a metal phthalocyanine. A preferred type of quaternary ammonium compound is a surfactant quaternary ammonium compound. A synergistic effect between the quaternary ammonium compound and the metal chelate is observed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptans. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with a catalytic composite, ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide. There is a synergistic effect between the ammonium hydroxide and the quaternary ammonium hydroxide. Use of ammonium hydroxide instead of an alkaline hydroxide allows the waste stream to be re-used in other parts of the refinery, and allows for easier disposal of the waste stream.

Abstract: A novel catalytic composition is disclosed. Also disclosed is a use for the novel composite. The catalyst composite comprises a Group VIII noble metal component, a Group IA or IIA metal component, and a component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium, or mixtures thereof, all on an alumina support having a low surface area of 120 m.sup.2 /g or less, and an ABD of 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 or more. The novel catalytic composite has particular utility as a hydrocarbon dehydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptans. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with a catalytic composite, ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium salt other than hydroxide. The instant process does not use any strong base nor any alkali hydroxides to sweeten the sour hydrocarbon fraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving the color and color stability of a hydrocarbon fraction. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction with a selective hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at reaction conditions. This results in the selective hydrogenation of conjugated unsaturates, thereby improving the color and color stability of the hydrocarbon fraction. The process uses small quantities of hydrogen and is run under mild conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic composite effective in oxidizing mercaptans contained in a sour petroleum distillate to disulfides. The catalytic composite comprises a metal chelate, an onium compound and optionally an alkali metal hydroxide. The onium compound may be selected from the group consisting of phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds, with phosphonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds preferred. Additionally, metal phthalocyanines are a preferred class of metal chelates. This invention also relates to an improved process for treating a sour petroleum distillate, wherein the improvement comprises using the catalytic composite described above.