Abstract: Natural gas components are converted to unsaturated hydrocarbons and hydrogen, as by a one-step process. The reaction products comprise a mixture containing hydrogen, acetylene, ethylene, propylene, C.sub.4 species, aromatics, hydrogen chloride, etc. Acetylene and ethylene are separated from this mixture as main products; and hydrogen chloride is converted to chlorine for recycle.

Abstract: A method for reducing the nitrogen content of shale oil is disclosed. The method comprises distilling shale oil to form a distillate containing lighter shale oil compounds and a residue containing heavier compounds. Nitrogen-containing compounds are extracted from the distillate to form a first nitrogen-lean raffinate and a first nitrogen-rich extract. Nitrogen-containing compounds are also extracted from the residue to form a second nitrogen-lean raffinate and a second nitrogen-rich extract. The second nitrogen-lean raffinate is hydro-treated to further reduce its nitrogen content.

Abstract: A process for producing light aromatics, intermediate coal liquids, tar acids, and heavy hydrocarbons from pyrolytic vapors produced by the pyrolysis of coal is described herein. Such pyrolytic vapors are contacted with a quench liquid which comprises a hydrogen donor solvent to condense the pyrolytic vapors and form a liquid mixture which comprises pyrolytic condensate. The liquid mixture is separated by vacuum flashing into a vapor containing tar acids and a liquid mixture containing the quench liquid and condensate remainder. This liquid mixture is then heated to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen donor solvent to the condensate remainder. The hydrogenated liquid mixture is then separated into a heavy hydrocarbon stream and a solvent mixture which contains the spent and unused hydrogen donor solvent.The vapor produced by the vacuum flashing is then condensed and separated into a liquid stream containing tar acids, and a tar acid raffinate.

Abstract: Pyrolytic vapors, produced by the pyrolysis of coal, are contacted with a quench liquid which comprises a hydrogen donor solvent to condense the pyrolytic vapors and form a liquid mixture which comprises pyrolytic condensate. The liquid mixture is separated by vacuum flashing into a vapor containing tar acids and a liquid mixture containing the quench liquid and condensate remainder. This liquid mixture is then heated to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen donor solvent to the condensate remainder. The hydrogenated liquid mixture is then separated into a heavy hydrocarbon stream and a solvent mixture which contains the spent and unused hydrogen donor solvent.The vapor produced by the vacuum flashing is then condensed and separated into a liquid stream containing tar acids, and a tar acid raffinate.