Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for isolating conducting polymer precursors by contacting a non-basic heterocyclic nitrogen containing hydrocarbon stream having a boiling point of from 232° C. (450° F.) to 566° C. (1050° F.) with an effective amount of a treating agent selected from the group consisting of alkylene and polyalkylene glycols and glycol ethers and mixtures thereof, having a molecular weight of less than 1000 and 1200, respectively, at conditions effective to maintain the reactants in a liquid phase to produce a first stream enriched in non-basic heterocyclic nitrogen containing hydrocarbon compounds and a second treated stream having a decreased non-basic heterocyclic nitrogen content. Optionally, an effective amount of a mineral acid may be added to the treating agent to enhance the process.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for isolating conducting polymer precursors by contacting a non-basic heterocyclic nitrogen containing hydrocarbon stream having a boiling point of from 232° C. (450° F.) to 566° C. (1050° F.) with an effective amount of a treating agent selected from monohydroxyl alcohols having a density at 25° C. of less than 0.90 g/cm3 and mixtures thereof, at conditions effective to maintain the reactants in a liquid phase to produce a first stream enriched in non-basic heterocyclic nitrogen containing hydrocarbon compounds and a second treated stream having a decreased non-basic heterocyclic nitrogen content. Optionally, an effective amount of mineral acid may be added to the hydrocarbon stream to enhance the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing naphthenic acid content of crude oils and its fractions in the essential absence of oxygen and in the presence of an aqueous base selected from Group IA and IIA hydroxides and ammonium hydroxide and mixtures thereof, a phase transfer agent that is a quaternary onium salt in amounts of from 10−5 to 10−1 at a temperature and pressure effective to produce a treated petroleum feed having a decreased naphthenic acid content and an aqueous phase containing naphthenate salts, phase transfer agent and base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing naphthenic acid content of crude oils and its fractions in the presence of an aqueous base selected from Group IA and IIA hydroxides and ammonium hydroxide and mixtures thereof, a phase transfer agent at a temperature and pressure effective to produce a treated petroleum feed having a decreased naphthenic acid content and an aqueous phase containing naphthenate salts, phase transfer agent and base.

Abstract: This invention relates to reducing the amount of thiols (mercaptans) in petroleum streams, specifically, mercaptans above the five carbon molecular weight range.

Abstract: This invention relates to reducing the amount of thiols (mercaptans) in petroleum streams, specifically, mercaptans above the five carbon molecular weight range.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for preparing a low sulfur motor gasoline utilizing ethanol and caustic extraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing naphthenic acid content of crude oils and its fractions in the essential absence of oxygen and in the presence of an aqueous base selected from Group IA and IIA hydroxides and ammonium hydroxide and mixtures thereof, a phase transfer agent that is a quaternary onium salt in amounts of from 10−5 to 10−1 at a temperature and pressure effective to produce a treated petroleum feed having a decreased naphthenic acid content and an aqueous phase containing naphthenate salts, phase transfer agent and base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to isobutanol and the process for making and using the catalyst. The catalyst is a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % (on a metals basis only) zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium-doped hetaerolite particles containing from about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, from about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc, from about 0.5 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium. The first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a zirconium oxide-like structure have a particle size of at least about 40 .ANG.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for demetallating a petroleum stream by contacting a metals-containing petroleum feed in the presence of a base selected from Group IA and IIA hydroxides and carbonates and ammonium hydroxide and carbonates and mixtures thereof an oxygen containing gas and a phase transfer agent at a temperature of up to 180.degree. C. for a time sufficient to produce a treated petroleum feed having a decreased metals content. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their metals, e.g., Ni and V content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for demetallating a petroleum stream by contacting a metals-containing petroleum feed in the presence of an aqueous base selected from Group IA and IIA hydroxides and carbonates and ammonium hydroxide and carbonate and mixtures thereof, an oxygen containing gas and a phase transfer agent at a temperature of up to 180.degree. C. for a time sufficient to produce a treated petroleum feed having a decreased metals content. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their metals, e.g., Ni and V content.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for decreasing the Conradson carbon content of petroleum streams by forming a mixture of the petroleum stream and an essentially aqueous electrolysis medium, and passing an electric current through the mixture at an anodic voltage and pH sufficient to produce a petroleum fraction having decreased Conradson carbon content. The anodic voltage is from +0.5 to +1.5V vs. SCE. Preferably the pH is acidic. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for electrochemically decreasing the Conradson carbon number of petroleum streams by contacting a Conradson carbon containing petroleum stream and an aqueous electrolysis medium with a low hydrogen overpotential metal cathode at an electric current and pH sufficient to decrease the Conradson carbon of the petroleum stream. The cathode voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE at a pH of from 7 to 14. The cathode material typically is stainless steel, chromium, copper and nickel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to isobutanol and the process for making and using the catalyst. The catalyst is a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % (on a metals basis only) zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium-doped hetaerolite particles containing from about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, from about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc, from about 0.5 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium. The first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a zirconium oxide-like structure have a particle size of at least about 40 .ANG.

Abstract: The invention provides a working electrode for use in an undivided electrochemical cell that is composed of at least one three dimensional accordion pleated sheet member having an open surface area of from zero to 50%. Typically suitable materials include metal mesh and woven fibers. The invention also includes an undivided electrochemical cell, containing the novel working electrode. Finally, the invention includes a method for electrochemically treating a metals-containing hydrocarbon stream in an undivided electrochemical cell by contacting a metals containing hydrocarbon stream with the novel pleated electrode. The invention has broad applicability for treating starting materials that produce electrochemically reversible (redox active) intermediates.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for electrochemically demetallating petroleum streams by contacting a hydrocarbon-soluble metals containing petroleum stream and an aqueous electrolysis medium with a low hydrogen overpotential metal cathode at an electric current and pH sufficient to demetallate the petroleum stream. The cathode voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE at a pH of from 7 to 14. The cathode material typically is stainless steel, chromium, copper and nickel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to isobutanol and the process for making and using the catalyst. The catalyst is a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % (on a metals basis only) zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium-doped hetaerolite particles containing from about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, from about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc, from about 0.5 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium. The first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a zirconium oxide-like structure have a particle size of at least about 40 .ANG.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of decreasing the Conradson carbon content of metal containing petroleum streams by forming a mixture of the Conradson carbon containing petroleum fraction and an aqueous electrolysis medium containing an electron transfer agent, and passing an electric current through the mixture or optionally through the pretreated aqueous electrolysis medium at a voltage, sufficient to decrease the Concarbon content of the stream. The cathodic voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of decreasing the metals content of metal containing petroleum streams by forming a mixture of the petroleum fraction containing those metals and an aqueous electrolysis medium containing electron transfer agent, and passing an electric current through the mixture or through the pretreated aqueous electrolysis medium at a voltage, sufficient to remove the metals such as Ni, V and Fe from the stream (i.e. to produce a petroleum fraction having decreased content of the metals). The cathodic voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their metals, e.g., Ni and V content.

Abstract: The invention relates to lube oil compositions containing a major amount of a lube oil and a minor amount of at least one compound containing a heterometallic tetranuclear preferably cubane, more preferably thiocubane core having 1 to 3 molybdenum atoms and the remainder Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, W, Mn, and Fe. Preferred is Cu. Thiocubane cores are also preferred and these typically have the formula M.sub.4-y Mo.sub.y S.sub.4 L.sub.n Q.sub.z, wherein y is 1 to 3, n is 2 to 6 and z is 0 to 4. Additive concentrates of the compounds as well as the method of making the compositions are disclosed.