Abstract: Nucleation enhancement and/or growth rate improvement of mesophase in pitch compositions derived from hydrocarbon feedstocks can be achieved by: reacting in a reaction zone a blend comprising an isotropic feed and a seeding agent, to produce a reacted pitch having a mesophase content of about 10 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the reacted pitch, and a softening point (Tsp) below 400° C.; wherein the seeding agent is about 50 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the blend; wherein the seeding agent has a mesophase content of about 0.01 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the seeding agent.

Abstract: Pitch compositions may be obtained by subjecting one or more crude oils to steam cracking. Processes for producing pitch compositions suitable for spinning into fibers from steam cracking of crude oils may comprise: steam cracking of one or more crude oils in a steam cracking zone to produce a first effluent comprising a heavy oil mixture comprising a steam cracker tar, a second effluent comprising a mixture of gaseous products and liquid products, and a third effluent comprising one or more bottoms products; pretreating and heat treating the first, second and/or third effluent to produce a pitch composition having a mesophase content from 0 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the pitch product, an MCR in the range of about 40 wt % to about 95 wt %, and a softening point Tsp in the range of about 50° C. to about 400° C.

Abstract: A pitch composition suitable for spinning may comprise: a pitch having a softening point temperature (Tsp) of 400° C. or less, and an oxidation onset temperature (OOT) at least 10° C. below the Tsp at a ramp rate of 10° C./min. A carbon fiber may comprise: a carbon fiber produced from a pitch composition, wherein the pitch composition comprises: a pitch having a softening point temperature (Tsp) of 400° C. or less, and an oxidation onset temperature (OOT) at least 10° C. below the Tsp at a ramp rate of 10° C./min.

Abstract: Pitch compositions suitable for spinning may comprise: a pitch having a softening point (SP) below 400° C. and is capable of achieving a radial Hencky strain prior to break of about 0.7 to about 10, at spinning temperature (Ts) ranging from about SP?30° C. to about SP+80° C. Methods for producing a carbon fiber from a pitch composition at a temperature within a spinning temperature (Ts) range may comprise determining a temperature range wherein the maximum radial Hencky strain (?R) lies above a minimum process radial Hencky strain, and wherein the minimum process radial Hencky strain is within a range of about 0.7 to about 10. The spinning temperature (Ts) range may be determined by measuring a maximum radial Hencky strain (?R) prior to break at a series of different temperatures and strain rates. Carbon fiber composites may comprise of the said carbon fiber.

Abstract: Sulfur-crosslinked olefins, particularly sulfur-crosslinked heavy hydrocarbon products having one or more sulfur-crosslinked olefin moieties, may undergo pyrolysis to form sulfur-doped porous carbon having high BET surface area values. Pyrolysis to form the sulfur-doped porous carbon may be particularly efficacious in the presence of a hydroxide base. BET surface areas up to 2000 m2/g or even higher may be obtained. Such sulfur-doped porous carbon may be prepared by combining a heavy hydrocarbon product with sulfur, heating to a first temperature state to form a liquefied reaction mixture containing a sulfur-crosslinked heavy hydrocarbon, homogeneously mixing a hydroxide base with the liquefied reaction mixture, and pyrolyzing the sulfur-crosslinked heavy hydrocarbon to form sulfur-doped porous carbon.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the morphology of coke produced during delayed coking. The morphology control is achieved in part by introducing elemental sulfur into the coker feedstock prior to coking. The elemental sulfur can be introduced into the feed under conditions so that the sulfur is well-dispersed within the feed for a sufficient period of time. This can allow for relatively even reaction of sulfur with components throughout the feed, resulting in a relatively small, uniform domain size distribution for the coke produced during delayed coking. This coke can correspond to shot coke. By producing coke with a small and relatively uniform domain size distribution, the risk of uneven heating within the coke can be reduced or minimized.

Abstract: Sulfur-crosslinked olefins, particularly sulfur-crosslinked heavy hydrocarbon products having one or more sulfur-crosslinked olefin moieties, may undergo pyrolysis to form sulfur-doped porous carbon having high BET surface area values. Pyrolysis to form the sulfur-doped porous carbon may be particularly efficacious in the presence of a hydroxide base. BET surface areas up to 2000 m2/g or even higher may be obtained. Such sulfur-doped porous carbon may be prepared by combining a heavy hydrocarbon product with sulfur, heating to a first temperature state to form a liquefied reaction mixture containing a sulfur-crosslinked heavy hydrocarbon, homogeneously mixing a hydroxide base with the liquefied reaction mixture, and pyrolyzing the sulfur-crosslinked heavy hydrocarbon to form sulfur-doped porous carbon.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing or minimizing the temperature dependence of a pitch feed or fraction for use in carbon fiber production, such as a mesophase pitch feed or fraction or an isotropic pitch feed or fraction. A pitch sample can be characterized to determine a characteristic temperature and a characteristic viscosity for the sample. One or more solvent extraction processes can also be performed on the pitch and/or the extract and raffinate fractions formed by the solvent extraction(s). The resulting raffinate and extract fractions are then used to form a modified pitch fraction with a T0 value that is lower than the T0 value of the original pitch. The modified pitch fraction can optionally also have a different ?inf value relative to the original pitch.

Abstract: A process of making a catalyst and the catalyst composition made by that process comprising a multinuclear metal compound of the formula Ma(PCy3)b(H)c(CO)d(OR)e(H2O)f with molar ratios a:b:c:d:e:f, wherein a is in the range from 2 to 2000, b is in the range from 0 to 4000, c is in the range from 0 to 6000 and d is in the range from 0 to 2000, e is in the range from 1 to 2000, and f is in the range from 0 to 100; wherein PCy3 indicates tricyclohexylphosphine, H indicates hydride, R is an alkyl group determined by the alcohol utilized and H2O is water from the reaction; and a is at least twice w. A method of making one or more 2,5-dimethylhexenes is described. A method of making p-xylene using one or more 2,5-dimethylhexenes is also described.

Abstract: A method of making one or more 2,5-dimethylhexenes is described. The method includes reacting isobutene with isobutanol in the presence of a platinum group metal catalyst to form one or more 2,5-dimethylhexenes. A method of making p-xylene using one or more 2,5-dimethylhexenes is also described. The p-xylene can be made from totally renewable sources, if desired.