Abstract: A process for the production of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene is disclosed wherein an isopropylation reaction mixture containing isopropylated naphthalenes is subjected to transalkylation with a triisopropylnaphthalene-containing mixture to obtain a mixture containing mono-, di- and tri-isopropylnaphthalenes which is then separated into a first fraction containing monisopropylnaphthalenes, a second fraction containing diisopropylnaphthalenes and a third fraction containing triisopropylnaphthalenes. The first and third fractions are recycled to the above system, while the second fraction is subjected to separation treatments for the recovery of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene. The second fraction from which 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene has been removed is subjected to transalkylation with naphthalene to obtain a monoisopropylnaphthalene-rich mixture which is to be fed to the isopropylation step.

Abstract: An improved method of preparing alumina, including a first stage in which an alumina hydrogel is formed from seed aluminum hydroxide, and a second stage in which the alumina hydrogel is processed for conversion into alumina.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of alumina, including forming an alumina hydrogel from aluminum hydroxide, and processing the alumina hydrogel into alumina. The improvement involves the alumina hydrogel forming step which is connected in the presence of sulfate ion and which comprises providing, in a reaction zone, an aqueous slurry containing seed aluminum hydroxide and having a pH of 6-11, and feeding to the reaction zone an aluminum compound and a pH controlling agent for mixing with the aqueous slurry while maintaining the aqueous slurry at a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C. at feed rates so that the pH of the aqueous slurry is maintained within the range of 6-11 and that 0.2-5 mols/hour of aluminum components, in terms of elemental aluminum, are fed to the reaction zone per mole of the seed aluminum hydroxide originally contained in the aqueous slurry, whereby the seed aluminum hydroxide is caused to grow to the aluminum hydrogel.

Abstract: A catalyst for hydrotreating a heavy hydrocarbon oil containing asphaltenes comprises a porous carrier composed of one or more inorganic oxides of at least one element selected from among those of Groups II, III and IV of the Periodic Table, and at least one catalytic metal component composited with the carrier. The metal of the catalytic metal component is selected from among those of Groups VB, VIB, VIII and IB of the Periodic Table. The catalyst contains about 1 to 30% by weight of such catalytic metal component and has the following pore characteristics with regard to its pores having a diameter of 75 .ANG. or more: an average pore diameter APD of about 180 to 500 .ANG., a total pore volume PV, expressed in cc/g, being equal to or greater than a value X ##EQU1## the volume of pores with a diameter of about 180 to 500 .ANG. being at least about 0.2 cc/g, the volume of pores with a diameter of at least 1,500 .ANG. being not greater than about 0.03 cc/g, and a total surface area being at least about 60 m.

Abstract: A catalyst for hydrotreating a heavy hydrocarbon oil comprises a carrier which is a calcined composite of a mixture of a clay mineral consisting mainly of magnesium silicate having a double-chain structure and a pseudoboehmite which shows a powder X-ray diffraction spectrum obtained by applying a CuK.sub..alpha. ray such that the half value width of the peak on the (020) plane is between about 0.8.degree. and 4.0.degree. and the intensity of said peak is between 1.2 and 8.0 times as high as that at 2.theta.=10.degree.. At least one catalytic metal component is composited with the carrier, the metal of the catalytic metal component being selected from the group consisting of metals belonging to Groups VB, VIB, VIII and IB of the Periodic Table. Disclosed also are a method of preparing such a catalyst, and a process for the hydrotreatment of heavy hydrocarbon oils containing asphaltenes and heavy metals.

Abstract: A catalyst for the hydrotreatment of heavy hydrocarbon oils, which is prepared by supporting more than 2% by weight of VS.sub.x, wherein x represents about 1.1-1.59 in terms of an atomic ratio of S/V, on a substrate composed of a clay mineral which consists of magnesium silicate as a major component and having a double-chain structure and a process for preparing the catalyst are provided. The catalyst is prepared by accumulating the VS.sub.x on the substrate using a heavy hydrocarbon oil which contains particularly large amounts of vanadium and sulfur.

Abstract: A catalyst for hydrotreating a heavy hydrocarbon oil containing asphaltenes comprises a porous carrier composed of one or more inorganic oxides of at least one element selected from among those of Groups II, III and IV of the Periodic Table, and at least one catalytic metal component composited with the carrier. The metal of the catalytic metal component is selected from among those of Groups VB, VIB, VIII and IB of the Periodic Table. The catalyst contains about 1 to 30% by weight of such catalytic metal component and has the following pore characteristics with regard to its pores having a diameter of 75 .ANG. or more: an average pore diameter APD of about 180 to 500 .ANG., a total pore volume PV, expressed in cc/g, being equal to or greater than a value X ##EQU1## the volume of pores with a diameter of about 180 to 500 .ANG. being at least about 0.2 cc/g, the volume of pores with a diameter of at least 1,500 .ANG. being not greater than about 0.03 cc/g, and a total surface area being at least about 60 m.

Abstract: A catalyst for hydrotreating a heavy hydrocarbon oil comprises a carrier which is a calcined composite of a mixture of a clay mineral consisting mainly of magnesium silicate having a double-chain structure and a pseudoboehmite which shows a powder X-ray diffraction spectrum obtained by applying a CuK.sub..alpha. ray such that the half value width of the peak on the (020) plane is between about 0.8.degree. and 4.0.degree. and the intensity of said peak is between 1.2 and 8.0 times as high as that at 2.theta.=10.degree.. At least one catalytic metal component is composited with the carrier, the metal of the catalytic metal component being selected from the group consisting of metals belonging to Groups VB, VIB, VIII and IB of the Periodic Table. Disclosed also are a method of preparing such a catalyst, and a process for the hydrotreatment of heavy hydrocarbon oils containing asphaltenes and heavy metals.

Abstract: A catalyst for the hydrotreatment of heavy hydrocarbon oils, which is prepared by supporting more than 2% by weight of VS.sub.x, wherein x represents about 1.1-1.59 in terms of an atomic ratio of S/V, on a substrate composed of a clay mineral which consists of magnesium silicate as a major component and having a double-chain structure and a process for preparing the catalyst are provided. The catalyst is prepared by accumulating the VS.sub.x on the substrate using a heavy hydrocarbon oil which contains particularly large amounts of vanadium and sulfur.