Abstract: The present technology provides processes for improving the performance of downstream oil conversion. Thus it provides, among others, processes for improving the yield of liquid hydrocarbons from a thermal conversion process. The processes include contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with an effective amount of sodium metal and an effective amount of exogenous capping agent at a temperature of 250-500° C., to produce a mixture of sodium salts and a converted feedstock. The hydrocarbon feedstock may comprise hydrocarbons with a sulfur content of at least 0.5 wt %, an asphaltene content of at least 1 wt % and micro carbon residue content of at least 5 wt %. The converted feedstock may comprise hydrocarbons with a sulfur content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock, a micro carbon residue content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock and an asphaltene content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: The present technology provides a process comprising: contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with an effective amount of sodium metal and an effective amount of exogenous capping agent at a temperature of 250-500° C., to produce a mixture of sodium salts and a converted feedstock, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock comprises hydrocarbons with a sulfur content of at least 0.5 wt % and an asphaltene content of at least 1 wt %; the sulfur content comprises asphaltenic sulfur and non-asphaltenic sulfur; the converted feedstock comprises hydrocarbon oil with a sulfur content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock and an asphaltene content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock; and the proportion of asphaltenic sulfur to non-asphaltenic sulfur in the converted feedstock is lower than in the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: The present technology provides fibers containing high levels of asphaltene but low levels of sulfur and total metals, starting from highly asphaltenic feeds with significant levels of sulfur and total metals. Thus, the present technology provides fibers comprising at least 30 wt % asphaltenes, less than 1 wt % sulfur and less than 0.1 wt % of total metals based on the weight of the fiber. Further, methods of making such asphaltenic fibers are provided, as well as methods of preparing carbon fibers therefrom.

Abstract: The present technology provides a process that includes heating a first mixture of elemental sulfur and particles comprising an alkali metal sulfide in a liquid hydrocarbon to a temperature of at least 150° C., to provide a sulfur-treated mixture comprising agglomerated particles; and separating the agglomerated particles from the sulfur-treated mixture to provide a desulfurized liquid hydrocarbon and separated solids. This process may be used as part of a suite of processes for desulfurizing liquid hydrocarbons contaminated with organosulfur compounds and other heteroatom-based contaminants. The present technology further provides processes for converting carbon-rich solids (e.g., petroleum coke) into fuels.

Abstract: The present technology provides a process that includes heating a first mixture of elemental sulfur and particles comprising an alkali metal sulfide in a liquid hydrocarbon to a temperature of at least 150° C., to provide a sulfur-treated mixture comprising agglomerated particles; and separating the agglomerated particles from the sulfur-treated mixture to provide a desulfurized liquid hydrocarbon and separated solids. This process may be used as part of a suite of processes for desulfurizing liquid hydrocarbons contaminated with organosulfur compounds and other heteroatom-based contaminants. The present technology further provides processes for converting carbon-rich solids (e.g., petroleum coke) into fuels.