Abstract: A low density aggregate product and method for making the same utilizing coal ash slag resulting from a typical coal gasification system wherein the resulting aggregate product has a lower density than the initial coal ash slag. The coal ash slag is combined with a small amount of a binder and then fired for a predetermined time and temperature to produce the aggregate. Also, by heating the coal ash slag and binder, a gaseous efflux is emitted to form interlaced channels throughout the aggregate which have a characteristic length and diameter.

Abstract: A low density aggregate product and method for making the same utilizing coal ash slag resulting from a typical coal gasification system wherein the resulting aggregate product has a lower density than the initial coal ash slag. The coal ash slag is combined with a small amount of a binder and then fired for a predetermined time and temperature to produce the aggregate. Also, by heating the coal ash slag and binder, a gaseous efflux is emitted to form interlaced channels throughout the aggregate which have a characteristic length and diameter.

Abstract: An economical, efficient process is provided employing coal, particularly subbituminous coal, as a fuel source for the production of distillate fuels, methanol, and methane. A hydroliquefier is operated under severe conditions to provide a high net yield of light distillates which are separated by distillation. The vacuum residue, which is produced above, is transferred as a slurry to a partial oxidation gasifier where synthesis gas is produced as feedstock for methanol or methane synthesis. Gaseous hydrocarbon contaminants are separated and used to generate additional synthesis gas, or to supply other fuel requirements. No net heavy distillates are taken as a product, being used as a fuel or converted to other products.

Abstract: A two-stage hydrodesulfurization process for a 65 to 80 percent desulfurization of a high metal content residuum, such as those obtained from Venezuela, in which the contact solids activity in both stages is maintained at an equilibrium level by constant replacement of the contact solids in both stages. The first stage contains a porous alumina solids contact material activated with at least one promoter oxide selected from Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, TiO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2, which has as its primary purpose the removal of vanadium and nickel from the feed material. However, the treatment of the feed in the first stage was found to improve the second stage performance by a factor greater than the amount of metals removed. The second stage contains a highly active desulfurization catalyst of limited porosity.

Abstract: The maximum conversion and desulfurization of residual petroleum oils having a high content of asphaltenes can be attained by first converting a maximum amount of the asphaltenes contained in these feeds by pretreating the feeds with hydrogen under a selected combination of operating conditions. Conditions of temperature between 700.degree. and 800.degree.F, liquid space velocity between 0.1 and 2.0 V.sub.f /hr/V.sub.r and hydrogen partial pressure between 1200 and 3000 psig, result in a maximum conversion of asphaltenes when 5 to 45 volume percent of the 975.degree.F+ fraction in the feedstock is converted to lower boiling fractions.