Abstract: A process for producing an alkanesulfonic acid is described, which comprises causing sulfur dioxide and oxygen to act on a saturated hydrocarbon under illumination with light in a substantially water-free reaction system, wherein photo-sulfoxidation of the saturated hydrocarbon is performed as a reaction mixture in the reaction system is held in contact with sodium sulfite.

Abstract: A process for fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy oils and production of hydrogen is described, comprising contacting steam and heavy oils with fluidized catalyst particles containing reduced iron at high temperatures, wherein a fluidized bed is formed such that the catalyst particles are fed from the bottom and withdrawn from the top of the fluidized bed and the fluidized bed is provided with a means for retarding the mixing rate of the catalyst particles in the vertical direction, to thereby generate a temperature difference between zones of the fluidized bed above and below said means, and use the upper zone for cracking of heavy oils and the lower zone for production of hydrogen. Catalyst particles withdrawn from the fluidized bed may be regenerated and recycled. Thus, light oils and hydrogen can be produced in high yields.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously cracking a heavy hydrocarbons to form light oil and producing hydrogen is described, which comprises (1) a first step wherein steam and heavy hydrocarbons are simultaneously contacted with a catalyst in a reduced state, containing iron in the form of iron oxide, to produce hydrogen, cracked gases and cracked light oils, to convert the reduced-state catalyst into an oxidized-state catalyst, and to deposit coke on the catalyst, (2) a second step wherein the oxidized-state catalyst with coke deposited thereon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas to partially combust the coke on the catalyst, to convert the oxidized-state catalyst into a reduced-state catalyst, and to fix a sulfur compound contained in the coke as iron sulfide with a part of the reduced-state catalyst; and (3) a third step wherein catalyst obtained from the second step, the major portion of the catalyst being recycled between the first step and second step, is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at a tempera

Abstract: A process for simultaneously cracking heavy hydrocarbons to form light oil and producing hydrogen is described, which comprises (1) a first step wherein steam and heavy hydrocarbons are simultaneously contacted with a catalyst in a reduced state, containing iron in the form of iron oxide, to produce hydrogen, cracked gases and cracked light oils, to convert the reduced-state catalyst into an oxidized-state catalyst, and to deposit coke on the catalyst, (2) a second step wherein the oxidized-state catalyst with coke deposited thereon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas to partially combust the coke on the catalyst, to convert the oxidized-state catalyst into a reduced-state catalyst, and to fix a sulfur compound contained in the coke as iron sulfide with a part of the reduced-state catalyst; and (3) a third step wherein catalyst obtained from the first step, the major portion of the catalyst being recycled between the first step and second step, is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperatur

Abstract: A process is described for cracking a heavy hydrocarbon to form a light oil and for producing hydrogen by the use of a catalyst containing at least 30 wt % Fe which comprises a first step wherein steam and heavy hydrocarbon are simultaneously contacted with the catalyst in a reduced state to produce hydrogen, cracked gases, and a cracked light oil, to oxidize the reduced-state catalyst, and to deposit coke on the catalyst; and a second step wherein the oxidized-state catalyst on which said coke is deposited is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas insufficient for achieving complete combustion of the coke, to thereby partially combust the coke and regenerate the catalyst to a reduced state.

Abstract: A catalyst is described for use in a process for oxidizing and/or cracking a heavy hydrocarbon under fluidizing conditions in the presence of the catalyst, including simultaneously or subsequently reducing iron oxides in said catalyst and then reacting the reduced oxidation-state iron with steam to produce hydrogen, said catalyst consisting essentially of from 30 to 60 wt % Fe, 0.1 to 10 wt % Ni, and 10 wt % or less SiO.sub.2, and having a specific surface area of from 0.1 to 30 m.sup.2 /g and an apparent specific gravity of from 2.5 to 4.0.

Abstract: A process for processing a sulfur-containing heavy oil, which comprises:in a first zone, catalytically cracking a sulfur-containing heavy oil in the presence of fluidized catalyst particles containing about 30 to 60 wt % Fe to thereby convert the heavy oil to a light oil, deposit sulfur-containing coke on the catalyst particles, and partially fixing the decomposed sulfur compounds with the reduced iron contained in the catalyst particles as iron sulfide;in a second zone, contacting the catalyst from the first zone with an oxygen containing gas in an amount less than that theoretically required to thereby partially combust the coke on the catalyst, reduce the iron in the catalyst, and fix the sulfur compounds contained in the coke as iron sulfide; andin a third zone, contacting the reduced catalyst from the second zone with steam in a fluidized manner to produce hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide and to convert the reduced iron and iron sulfide in the catalyst to iron oxides, with the iron oxide-containing catalyst

Abstract: A process for producing a cracked distillate and hydrogen from a heavy oil which comprises cracking the heavy oil in the presence of laterite or a laterite-containing catalyst while simultaneously depositing coke on said laterite or laterite-containing catalysts, reducing the laterite or laterite-containing catalyst on which the coke is deposited, and forming a hydrogen-rich gas by contacting the reduced laterite or laterite-containing catalyst with steam.

Abstract: A catalyst suitable for cracking heavy oils can be obtained by baking nickel-containing ore at a temperature between about 850.degree. C and about 1200.degree. C.