Abstract: A process for producing alcohols by reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising (a) copper; (b) zinc; (c) at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, thorium and mixtures thereof; and (d) at least one element selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal comprising the steps of:(1) contacting coal particles containing ash and iron pyrite mineral matter with a promoting amount of at least one conditioning agent capable of modifying or altering the existing surface characteristics of the pyrite under conditions to effectuate alteration or modification of at least a portion of the contained pyritic sulfur;(2) separating the coal particles from at least a portion of the pyritic sulfur while surface characteristics are altered or modified; and(3) recovering coal particles wherein the coal exhibits reduced sulfur and ash content.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal comprising the steps of: (1) contacting coal particles containing ash and iron pyrite mineral matter with a promoting amount of at least one conditioning agent, said conditioning agent having a ferrous component maintained at a pH of from about 5.5 to 11.0 and being capable of modifying or altering the existing surface characteristics of the pyrite under conditions to effectuate alteration of modification of at least a portion of the contained pyritic sulfur; (2) agglomerating the coal particles while said pyrite surfaces are altered or modified in an aqueous medium with hydrocarbon oil to form coal-hydrocarbon oil agglomerates; (3) separating said coal-hydrocarbon oil agglomerates from pyrite mineral matter and ash to recover coal-hydrocarbon oil agglomerates wherein the coal exhibits reduced sulfur and ash content.

Abstract: A process for the removal of metal poisons such as nickel, iron and/or vanadium from a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst which includes the step of contacting the catalyst with a sulfur-containing compound to convert at least a portion of the metals on the catalyst to a sulfur-containing metal compound. The weight % sulfur on the thus treated catalyst is controlled to about 40-90%, preferably about 40-75%, of the weight % of the total nickel, vanadium and iron on the catalyst. Preferably, the sulfur-containing compound is hydrogen sulfide in admixture with a reducing gas such as hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide. This step facilitates metal removal in subsequent processing steps.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal particles wherein coal particles are treated in an aqueous slurry with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil to form coal-oil aggregates having modified particle size and density characteristics. The coal-oil aggregates are separated from ash and mineral matter in the slurry by gravitational means. Optionally, the coal particles may be treated with a conditioning agent prior to the aggregation step. Recovered coal particles comprise a substantial part of the feed carbon values.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal wherein coal particles are treated in an aqueous slurry with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil to form coal-oil aggregates having modified particle size and density characteristics. The coal-oil aggregates are separated from ash and mineral matter in the slurry by size separation means. Optionally, the coal particles may be treated with a conditioning agent prior to the aggregation step. Recovered coal particles comprise a substantial part of the feed carbon values.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal wherein coal particles are treated in an aqueous slurry with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil to form coal-oil aggregates. The coal-oil aggregates are separated from ash and mineral matter in the slurry by dissolved gas flotation. Optionally, the coal particles may be treated with a conditioning agent prior to the aggregation step. Recovered coal particles comprise a substantial part of the feed carbon values.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous phase oxidation for removing at least a portion of metal contaminants such as nickel, vanadium, iron or copper from a catalyst used in a hydrocarbon conversion process. The aqueous phase oxidation comprises: contacting a sulfided metals contaminated catalyst with an aqueous solution comprising soluble metal nitrate ions and a catalytically effective concentration of nitrite ions. Optionally, the sulfided catalyst which has been oxidized can be further treated with an aqueous oxidative and/or reductive wash. The oxidative wash preferably follows the reductive wash for optimal results.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal wherein coal particles are treated with a conditioning agent in an aqueous slurry prior to agglomeration with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil. After separation of the coal-oil agglomerate from ash and mineral matter remaining in the aqueous slurry, additional oil is added to provide a slurry of coal particles in hydrocarbon oil. Agglomeration of remaining ash and mineral matter is effected by addition of a minor amount of water. After separation of the mineral agglomerate and recovery from the oil slurry, treated coal particles are substantially reduced in ash and sulfur content.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal comprising: treating coal particles in a hydrocarbon oil slurry with minor amounts of a conditioning agent and water to effect agglomeration of ash and pyritic sulfur mineral matter; separating the agglomerates from the slurried coal particles; and recovering coal particles from the hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal comprising the steps of:(1) contacting coal particles containing ash and iron pyrite mineral matter with a promoting amount of at least one conditioning agent capable of modifying or altering the existing surface characteristics of the pyrite under conditions to effectuate alteration or modification of at least a portion of the contained pyritic sulfur;(2) agglomerating the coal particles while said surfaces are altered or modified in an aqueous medium with hydrocarbon oil; and(3) recovering coal hydrocarbon oil agglomerates wherein the coal exhibits reduced sulfur and ash content.

Abstract: A process for the removal of metal poisons such as nickel, iron and/or vanadium from a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst which includes the step of contacting the catalyst with a reductive wash medium comprising an aqueous, preferably saturated, solution of SO.sub.2 to remove at least a portion of the metal poisons. The vanadium and nickel metals may be recovered from the resultant used wash solution for possible metallurgical use. The SO.sub.2 reductively washed catalyst may also be subjected to a subsequent oxidative wash such as hydrogen peroxide wash prior to its return to the hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: An improved demetallization process is disclosed comprising high pressure aqueous phase oxidation of a catalyst contaminated with a metal such as nickel, vanadium, copper and/or iron. The metal-contaminated catalyst can be oxidized in an aqueous phase at high pressure either before regeneration or subsequent to regeneration. Optionally, an oxidative and reductive wash can also be employed.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur content of coal comprising the steps of:(1) contacting coal particles with(i) a silicate selected from the group consisting of alkali metal silicates, alkaline earth metal silicates and mixtures thereof, and(ii) a promoter material capable of oxidizing or reducing equilibrium sulfur reaction products formed by the contacting to non-equilibrium reaction productsin an aqueous medium to reduce the sulfur content of coal; and(2) recovering coal particles of reduced sulfur content.

Abstract: An improved catalytic cracking process wherein partial demetallization of a cracking catalyst is employed. The demetallization process involves contacting the catalyst with alternate reductive and oxidative aqueous washes. A preferred oxidative wash medium comprises an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. The vanadium and nickel metals may be recovered from used wash solutions for metallurgical use.

Abstract: In a catalytic cracking process wherein the cracking catalyst is poisoned and contaminated by metal present in the feedstock, an improved process for the removal of such metal poisons as nickel, iron and/or vanadium is employed which comprises contacting a regenerated and sulfided catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas in a defined temperature range of from about 525.degree. F. to about 725.degree. F. and washing at least a portion of the metal poisons from the catalyst. A preferred wash solution is a reductive wash medium comprising a saturated, aqueous solution of SO.sub.2. The vanadium and nickel metals may be recovered from the resultant used wash solution for possible metallurgical use. The washed catalyst may also be subjected to subsequent oxidative washes such as a hydrogen peroxide wash prior to its return to the catalytic cracking process.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur content of coal comprising the steps of:(1) contacting coal particles with an aqueous solution of compositions selected from the group comprising alkali metal and alkaline earth metal sulfites and bisulfites to reduce the sulfur content of the coal; and(2) recovering coal particles of reduced sulfur content.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur content of coal comprising the steps of:(1) contacting coal particles with a silicate selected from the group consisting of alkali metal silicates, alkaline earth metal silicates and mixtures thereof in an aqueous medium to reduce the sulfur content of the coal; and(2) recovering coal particles of reduced sulfur content.

Abstract: A process for the removal of metal poisons such as nickel, iron and/or vanadium from a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst which includes the steps of contacting a regenerated sulfided catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas in a defined temperature range of from about 525.degree. F. to about 725.degree. F. and washing at least a portion of the metal poisons from the catalyst. A preferred wash solution is a reductive wash medium comprising a saturated, aqueous solution of SO.sub.2. The vanadium and nickel metals may be recovered from the resultant used wash solution for possible metallurgical use. The washed catalyst may also be subjected to subsequent oxidative washes such as a hydrogen peroxide wash prior to its return to the hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: A process for the removal of metal poisons such as nickel, iron and/or vanadium from a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst which includes the steps of contacting the catalyst with both a reductive wash and a subsequent oxidative wash to remove at least a portion of the metal poisons from the catalyst. A preferred oxidative wash medium comprises an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. The vanadium and nickel metals may be recovered from the resultant used wash solutions for possible metallurgical use.