Abstract: Nucleation enhancement and/or growth rate improvement of mesophase in pitch compositions derived from hydrocarbon feedstocks can be achieved by: reacting in a reaction zone a blend comprising an isotropic feed and a seeding agent, to produce a reacted pitch having a mesophase content of about 10 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the reacted pitch, and a softening point (Tsp) below 400° C.; wherein the seeding agent is about 50 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the blend; wherein the seeding agent has a mesophase content of about 0.01 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the seeding agent.

Abstract: Identification of aromatic interactions, e.g. ?-interactions, of mesophase formation, and methods related thereto, including the use of fluorescent light and optical imaging and/or detection schemes for the identification of ?-interactions of mesophase formation, and methods related thereto. Methods include interacting fluorescent light with a pitch composition; receiving fluorescent light emissions from the pitch composition; and detecting the onset of mesophase formation upon detecting a normalized fluorescence intensity (I/I0) of the fluorescent light emissions in the range of about 0.4 to about 0.7 at a wavelength in the range of about 430 nm to about 470 nm for an exposure of about 1.5 seconds.

Abstract: Pitch compositions may be obtained by subjecting one or more crude oils to steam cracking. Processes for producing pitch compositions suitable for spinning into fibers from steam cracking of crude oils may comprise: steam cracking of one or more crude oils in a steam cracking zone to produce a first effluent comprising a heavy oil mixture comprising a steam cracker tar, a second effluent comprising a mixture of gaseous products and liquid products, and a third effluent comprising one or more bottoms products; pretreating and heat treating the first, second and/or third effluent to produce a pitch composition having a mesophase content from 0 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the pitch product, an MCR in the range of about 40 wt % to about 95 wt %, and a softening point Tsp in the range of about 50° C. to about 400° C.

Abstract: Pitch compositions suitable for spinning may comprise: a pitch having a softening point (SP) below 400° C. and is capable of achieving a radial Hencky strain prior to break of about 0.7 to about 10, at spinning temperature (Ts) ranging from about SP?30° C. to about SP+80° C. Methods for producing a carbon fiber from a pitch composition at a temperature within a spinning temperature (Ts) range may comprise determining a temperature range wherein the maximum radial Hencky strain (?R) lies above a minimum process radial Hencky strain, and wherein the minimum process radial Hencky strain is within a range of about 0.7 to about 10. The spinning temperature (Ts) range may be determined by measuring a maximum radial Hencky strain (?R) prior to break at a series of different temperatures and strain rates. Carbon fiber composites may comprise of the said carbon fiber.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the morphology of coke produced during delayed coking. The morphology control is achieved in part by introducing elemental sulfur into the coker feedstock prior to coking. The elemental sulfur can be introduced into the feed under conditions so that the sulfur is well-dispersed within the feed for a sufficient period of time. This can allow for relatively even reaction of sulfur with components throughout the feed, resulting in a relatively small, uniform domain size distribution for the coke produced during delayed coking. This coke can correspond to shot coke. By producing coke with a small and relatively uniform domain size distribution, the risk of uneven heating within the coke can be reduced or minimized.