Abstract: The present invention relates to enhanced process for converting certain ethers, such as sec-butyl ether and isopropyl ether to their corresponding reaction products in the presence of water. This may be accomplished by adding a rate enhancing surfactant, such as an anionic or cationic surfactant to a mixture of the ether and water, preferably least about 10.sup.-5 molar surfactant. Under those conditions the reaction shows an increase in reaction rate over the rate of the process wherein surfactant is not used.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the aqueous conversion and upgrading of organic resource materials carried out by contacting organic resource materials selected from the group consisting of coal, shale, coal liquids, shale oil, and bitumen with liquid water in the absence of externally supplied hydrogen or reducing agents, controlling the temperature in the range from above about 200.degree. C. to below the critical temperature of water to maintain water in a liquid phase, wherein the pressure is the corresponding vapor pressure (autogenous pressure) of the system, for a time sufficient to effect the conversion and upgrading process. Additionally, the contacting may be conducted in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a brine catalyst, clay catalyst and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for upgrading bitumen asphaltenes obtained from tar sands to hydrocarbons which comprises contacting the bitumen with a deasphalting solvent to yield a deasphalted oil and a residual solid asphaltene, separating the residual solid asphaltene from the deasphalted oil and treating the solid asphaltene fraction with superheated water containing a soluble carbonate salt at temperatures of from 300.degree. to 425.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for dehydrochlorinating polyvinylchloride polymers to remove about 30 wt % chlorine therefrom by heating the starting materials PVC and deoxygenated liquid water, preferably neutral liquid water at temperatures from about 200.degree. C. up to the critical temperature of water at autogenous pressure to maintain the water as a liquid phase. The process has utility in recycling by enabling PVC to be dechlorinated specifically by a means that does not release chlorine gas.

Abstract: A process for upgrading bitumen asphaltenes obtained from tar sands to hydrocarbons which comprises contacting the bitumen with a deasphalting solvent to yield a deasphalted oil and a residual solid asphaltene, separating the residual solid asphaltene from the deasphalted oil and treating the solid asphaltene fraction with superheated water at temperatures of from 300.degree. to 425.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for depolymerizing polyacrylonitrile into water soluble by-products, including ammonia and lower molecular weight carbonaceous materials by contacting the starting materials, polyacrylonitrile, and neutral, hot liquid water at a temperature from about 200.degree. C. up to the critical temperature of water at autogenous pressure. The present invention has utility as a means for degrading polyacrylonitrile without producing toxic hydrogen cyanide as a by-product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for depolymerizing and dehalogenating rubber materials by heating the rubber materials with neutral liquid water at temperatures from about 200.degree. C. up to the critical temperature of water at autogenous pressure. The process has utility in degrading rubber materials, and further does not release hydrogen halogen into a gas phase.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for pretreating coal preliminary to a primary liquefaction or hydroconversion block. In the process, a coal feed, slurried in a solvent, is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a chemical promoter at an elevated temperature and pressure. The promoter enhances the depolymerization and hydrogenation of the coal during pretreatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a simplified process for converting ethers into their corresponding alcohols comprising forming an aqueous mixture of the ether and at least about 50% by weight water and heating the mixture under autogeneous pressure at a temperature of from about 250.degree. to 450.degree. C., more preferably from about 250.degree. C. up to the critical temperature of water which is about 374.degree. C. Heating is continued for a period of time sufficient to convert at least about 20% by weight of the ether, usually from about 5 up to about 120 minutes, depending on temperature and the amount of water present, and the identity of the starting ether feedstock.The process may be characterized as an aquathermolysis reaction wherein the reaction proceeds in water primarily through ionic routes rather than through free radical routes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing entrained mineral matter particles from shale-oil by contacting the shale-oil with an aqueous ammonium or phosphonium salt solution having a pH of about 0.5 to 8 and at a temperature from about 0.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing mineral matter from Rundle oil-shale by contacting the oil-shale with (a) an ammonium salt solution and (b) an organic solvent, at a temperature from about 0.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. for a time which is sufficient to substantially separate at least about 80 wt. % of the carbonate mineral matter from the oil-shale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for beneficiating oil-shale wherein the oil-shale is treated in a first stage with an aqueous ammonium salt solution and in a second stage and optionally a third stage in the presence of a solution containing ammonium ions/ammonia, or both. The pH of the first stage is from about 5 to 9, and the pH of the second and third stages are from about 0.5 to 5 or about 9 to 12 with the proviso that the pH of the second and third stage is not in the same range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for beneficiating coal by contacting the coal with (a) an ammonium salt solution and (b) an organic solvent, at a temperature from about 0.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing mineral matter from oil-shale which method comprises contacting the oil-shale with (a) an ammonium salt solution, and (b) a nonionic surfactant at a temperature from about 0.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. for a time which is sufficient to substantially separate at least about 80 wt. % of the carbonate mineral matter of the oil-shale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing mineral matter from oil-shale by contacting the oil-shale with (a) an ammonium salt solution and (b) an organic solvent, at a temperature from about 0.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. for a time which is sufficient to substantially separate at least about 80 wt. % of the carbonate mineral matter from the oil-shale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for beneficiating oil-shale wherein the oil-shale is treated with an aqueous ammonium salt solution at a temperature from about 0.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting organic material of oil-shale to predominantly liquids. The oil-shale is first heated to a temperature from about 360.degree. C. to 475.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere. The resulting liquids and gases are collected and the residue is extracted with a microemulsion capable of extracting organic material from the heat treated oil-shale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting organic material of oil-shale to predominantly liquids. The oil-shale is first heated to a temperature from about 360.degree. C. to 475.degree. C. in an anionic atmosphere. The resulting liquids and gases are collected and the residue is extracted with a microemulsion capable of extracting organic material from the heat treated oil-shale.

Abstract: Alkylates are prepared by selectively alkylating light paraffinic hydrocarbons with lower olefins at alkylation conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising (a) one or more Lewis acids of the formula MX.sub.n where M is selected from the Group IIIA, V or VIB elements of the Periodic Table, X is a halogen, n is the ratio of halogen atoms to atoms of M and varies from 1-8, and (b) a hydrogen halide.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide is employed as a stripping agent in the regeneration of a deactivated or partially deactivated alkylation catalyst containing fluorosulfuric acid, thereby eliminating undesirable reactions that occur between the acid component of said catalyst and the hydrocarbon stripping agents normally employed in conventional fluorosulfuric acid regeneration processes.