Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids an gas, particularly gas to be processed in LNG plants, are treated to remove mercury by contacting them with free bismuth or tin or a mixture of these on silica, alumina, or other type of non-reactive base. The sorbent is prepared by milling together the oxide of bismuth or tin and the silica or alumina base and subsequently reducing the oxide in a heated reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: Mixtures of polynitrate esters and selected amines are effective in improving the cetane number of diesel and alcohol fuels.

Abstract: The separation of para-xylene from a mixture of C.sub.8 aromatic isomers in a zeolite adsorption process is improved by use of water as the desorbent. Increased desorption efficiency is obtained by the addition to the water of small amounts of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alcohol, an anionic surfactant, an alkali solution or a mixture thereofs. Separation of water from the para-xylene product and raffinate is accomplished by phase separation.

Abstract: Sulfur-impregnated activated carbon which has become spent by the absorption of mercury is made non hazardous for disposal purposes such as by burying. The spent carbon is at least partially combusted in a fluidized combustion zone. The solid residue is substantially reduced in mercury content. Combustion gases are cooled and condensed mercury is collected from the cooler.

Abstract: A diffusion flame reactor for cracking hydrocarbon gas has an oxygen-deficient zone in the center of the flame or in the center of an array of flames. Propane, n-octane, iso-octane and decalin are cracked to ethylene, acetylene, propylene, butenes, and butadienes which are withdrawn from the flame.

Abstract: A process is provided wherein dissolved salts are selectively extracted from aqueous saline media by contacting the aqueous media with a solvent comprising a water insoluble organic diluent such as kerosene and a surfactant capable of effecting a preferntial transfer of solubilized salts in the aqueous media into the non-aqueous phase.

Abstract: A method for pyrophoric particle protection of carbonaceous material particularly low rank coals where the material is simultaneously coated with a treating agent and cooled by a fluidizing gas.

Abstract: The burning characteristics of a relatively hydrogen deficient fuel are improved by physically mixing with, but not dissolving in, the fuel a light hydrogen rich vapor, such as hydrogen and/or methane, ethane, etc.

Abstract: A method and composition for controlling dust occurring in the production, handling, transport and storing of coal which includes applying such as by spraying an aqueous solution of a gelatinized starch. The solution, which contains from about 5 to about 50% by weight of gelatinized starch, is sprayed at selected locations to prevent and/or inhibit the formation of dust. The invention also includes the use of naturally-occurring dust control derivatives such as tall oil and rosin.

Abstract: Decreasing the viscosity of and improving the atomizing and burning characteristics of a hydrogen deficient fuel by dissolving a light, hydrogen rich hydrocarbon in the fuel.

Abstract: A method of upgrading residual oil includes cracking the residual oil at a severity which is between visbreaking and coking to produce a light cracked product and a heavy bottom product. The heavy bottom product is mixed with diluents and additives which improves the flow characteristics to produce a pumpable fuel.

Abstract: SO.sub.x emission control from a catalytic cracking regenerator unit is improved by using a SO.sub.x transfer catalyst which has improved SO.sub.x adsorption capacity and which consists essentially of cerium or cerium and lanthanum or comprises cerium and/or lanthanum and alumina wherein cerium comprises at least about 1 wt. %.

Abstract: Coal and residual oil are simultaneously processed in a reactor with a combustion zone at the bottom and a fluidized bed on top of it. The residual oil is injected into heat exchange relationship with the top of the fluidized bed where it is cracked with heat generated by the combustion.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for upgrading heavy hydrocarbon oil by thermal treatment which in one preferred embodiment involves heating a petroleum residuum type of heavy oil feedstock at a temperature of 450.degree.-550.degree. C. and a pressure of 10-200 psi for a period of about 0.1-1 hour to convert at least 60 weight percent of the heavy oil to gasoline and gas oil range products, and additionally providing a residual tar fraction which has a fusion temperature below about 160.degree. C.About 1-10 weight percent of solid carbonaceous fines are incorporated in the feedstock to suppress the deposition of coke in the thermal treatment zone.

Abstract: Coking of residual oil and devolatization/partial gasification and desulfurization of solid particulate fuel are carried out in a single reactor. The particulate fuel is burned in a combustion zone in the bottom of the reactor. A bed of particulate fuel is fluidized above the combustion zone with gases rising from the combustion zone. The fluidized bed is maintained at a temperature which cokes the residual oil and volatizes the particulate fuel. A high temperature, low velocity zone is maintained between the combustion zone and the fluidized bed for calcination and desulfurization of the solid fuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oil to stable heating oil products which involves improving visbreaker performance via optimum operational severity for individual heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstocks and subsequently blending the respective visbroken effluents to provide one or more heating fuels or gas oil streams.

Abstract: This invention provides a two-stage visbreaking process for increasing the production of a visbroken hydrocarbon product from heavy oil feedstock, which meets heating oil viscosity specifications with little or no blending with external cutter stocks.The second stage visbreaking is conducted at a relatively high Severity in contact with a fluidized bed of particulate solids.

Abstract: A process for demetallation and desulfurization of resids by visbreaking an admixture of resids, particulate solids, and steam and/or hydrogen, and then subjecting the visbroken mixture to high temperature settling and separating to provide a first vapor product, a liquid product, and a recycled underflow solids stream. The process further comprises coking the liquid product to produce a second vapor product and coke and then distilling the combined first and second vapor products to yield a plurality of demetallized and desulfurized liquid hydrocarbon products. A fraction of the recycled underflow from the settler/separator is removed as a purge stream and burned for recovery of heat and metals. If hydrogen is used in the visbreaking step, the first vapor product is condensed to separate the hydrogen for recycling.

Abstract: The present invention provides two-stage and three-stage fluidized bed process embodiments for burning carbonaceous solids for the generation of heat to produce motive fluids for application in combined cycle power plant systems.The finely-divided refractory solids employed in the fluidized beds may contain sorbent material to neutralize noxious gas constituents and yield a clean flue gas for venting.

Abstract: In the combustion of high sulfur coal, SO.sub.x emission is reduced by pyrolizing the coal in a reducing atmosphere to form char and convert the sulfur compounds to combustible gases including H.sub.2 S. The H.sub.2 S is reacted with the coal and the char to produce ash containing sulfur which is easily removed from the combustion process. A three zone furnace includes a zone in which the coal is pyrolized in a reducing atmosphere to convert the sulfur compounds to combustible gas which reacts with the coal and char.