Abstract: An improved manganese and/or chromium-promoted catalytic process, catalyst and method of manufacture for heavy hydrocarbon conversion, optionally in the presence of nickel and vanadium on the catalyst and in the feed stock, to produce lighter molecular weight fractions, including lower olefins and higher isobutane than normally produced. This process is based on the discovery that two "magnetic hook" elements, namely manganese and chromium, previously employed as magnetic enhancement agents to facilitate removal of old catalyst, or to selectively retain expensive catalysts, can also themselves function as selective cracking catalysts, particularly when operating on feeds containing significant amounts of nickel and vanadium, and especially where economics require operating with high nickel- and vanadium-contaminated and containing catalysts.

Abstract: Optimized utilization of combinations of fluid catalyst magnetic separator, classifier, and/or attriter can be used to achieve lower catalyst cost, and better catalyst activity and selectivity through control of metal-on-catalyst, particle size and particle size distribution. This process is especially useful when processing high metal-containing feedstocks. This provides a catalyst recovery unit (RCU.TM.) ancillary to an FCC or similar unit.

Abstract: An improved "magnetic hook"-promoted catalytic process, catalyst and method of manufacture for heavy hydrocarbon conversion, optionally in the presence of nickel and vanadium on the catalyst and in the feed stock to produce lighter molecular weight fractions, including more gasoline, lower olefins and higher isobutane than normally produced. This process is based on the discovery that two "magnetic hook" elements, namely manganese and chromium, previously employed as magnetic enhancement agents to facilitate removal of old catalyst, or to selectively retain expensive catalysts, can also themselves function as selective cracking catalysts, particularly when operating on feeds containing significant amounts of nickel and vanadium, and especially where economics require operating with high nickel- and vanadium-contaminated and containing catalysts.

Abstract: Optimized utilization of combinations of fluid catalyst magnetic separator, classifier, and/or attriter can be used to achieve lower catalyst cost, and better catalyst activity and selectivity through control of metal-on-catalyst, particle size and particle size distribution. This process is especially useful when processing high metal-containing feedstocks. This provides a catalyst recovery unit (RCU.TM.) ancillary to an FCC or similar unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved pitch for making readily stabilizable, substantially nonmesophasic carbon fibers. The pitch has a softening point of about 250.degree. C. (480.degree. F.) or above and is produced from an unoxidized thermal petroleum pitch by selectively reducing or eliminating a portion of the low molecular weight materials in a very short period of time so that the tendency to produce mesophase pitch is eliminated or reduced and so that the chemical integrity of the components of the higher molecular weight fractions is preserved as much as possible. Also disclosed is a method of producing carbon fibers therefrom and rovings or mats from such fibers.

Abstract: Coke and metals are removed from a carbo-metallic oil by contacting the carbo-metallic oil in a riser reaction zone with a relatively inert particulate sorbent material in the presence of steam and the resulting coked particulate sorbent material is regenerated in a regeneration zone in the presence of steam and oxygen to remove the carbonaceous deposits by means of oxidation, water gas reaction and carbon gasification. The operating conditions in the riser reaction zone and the regeneration zone are regulated to provide a maximum coke level on the regenerated particulate sorbent of about 0.25 wt. %.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids and vapors from a suspension of the two materials is disclosed. The solids are directed through a conoid element to enhance directional flow and to prevent return of solids to the separation apparatus.

Abstract: A large number of melt blown carbon fibers from petroleum pitch through a multi-orifice die under continuous formation, are fed onto the periphery of a continuously moving endless conveyor surface whose surface speed is matched to the linear velocity of the melt blown carbon fibers to cause the fibers to be deposited in parallel alignment on the conveyor surface and to be maintained in fiber axial alignment to form a non-woven mat of aligned carbon fibers. The speed of the conveyor surface may be slightly less than the linear speed of the fibers to form a loose fiber mat to facilitate subsequent fiber oxidation and carbonization by permitting gas flow through the aligned fiber mat. The endless conveyor may comprise a cylindrical drum whose surface is perforated to facilitate gas flow and oxidation of the carbon fibers subsequent to non-woven mat formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids and vapors from a suspension of the two materials is disclosed. The solids are directed through a conoid element to enhance directional flow and to prevent return of solids to the separation apparatus.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the conversion of a hydrocarbon oil feed having a significant content of vanadium to lighter oil products by contacting the feed under conversion conditions in a conversion zone with a catalyst containing a metal additive to immobilize vanadium compounds. Conversion conditions are such that coke and vanadium are deposited on the catalyst in the conversion zone. Coked catalyst is regenerated in the presence of an oxygen containing gas at a temperature sufficient to remove the coke and regenerated catalyst is recycled to the conversion zone for contact with fresh feed. The metal additive is present on the catalyst in an amount sufficient to immobilize the vanadium compounds in the presence of oxygen containing gas at the catalyst regeneration temperature.

Abstract: A large number of melt blown carbon fibers from petroleum pitch through a multi-orifice die under continuous formation, are fed onto the periphery of a continuously moving endless conveyor surface whose surface speed is matched to the linear velocity of the melt blown carbon fibers to cause the fibers to be deposited in parallel alignment on the conveyor surface and to be maintained in fiber axial alignment to form a non-woven mat of aligned carbon fibers. The speed of the conveyor surface may be slightly less than the linear speed of the fibers to form a loose fiber mat to facilitate subsequent fiber oxidation and carbonization by permitting gas flow through the aligned fiber mat. The endless conveyor may comprise a cylindrical drum whose surface is perforated to facilitate gas flow and oxidation of the carbon fibers subsequent to non-woven mat formation.

Abstract: In a reduced crude conversion the catalyst is regenerated with mixture of oxygen-enriched gas and H.sub.2 O either as steam or preferably as water to provide additional expansion and facilitate fluidization, while converting coke on catalyst to CO and H.sub.2 with minimum CO.sub.2 formation. The CO can be combined with hydrogen to produce methane, methanol or Fischer-Tropsch liquid hydrocarbons or can be passed through the reduced crude conversion operation as lift gas, or as cooling medium or subjected to water-gas shift to produce additional H.sub.2.

Abstract: An H-Coal Process hydrogenation operation and catalyst life is substantially improved when using colloidal particles of catalyst comprising a colloidal matrix of silica, alumina, titania and combinations thereof coated with hydrogenating components selected from cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, tungsten and combinations thereof. The colloidal catalyst activity may be altered by alkaline promoters, other metals and acidic promoters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst, a method for its preparation, and a process for its use in the production of high octane gasoline and/or other valuable liquid hydrocarbon products from carbo-metallic oils contaminated with heavy metals and coke precursors. The catalyst is prepared from a shapable composition containing reticulated carbon black particles which are subsequently removed by burning, as in a catalyst regenerator, to provide large feeder pores in a shaped catalyst structure. The catalyst and process conditions for its use facilitate conversion of the contaminated oils to lighter products at catalytic sites within the catalyst structure which may contain zeolitic materials.

Abstract: Commercial catalysts are prepared combining the various ingredients into a catalytic binder system which has been freed of sodium so that the catalyst ingredients can be preferably spray dried and used in Fluid Catalytic Cracking or Reduced Crude Conversion hydrocarbon conversion operations without subsequent washing or drying. Catalysts can even be prepared on site, e.g., in spray drier operations performed in the FCC/RCC regenerator. Low-sodium slurries of any or all of the following ingredients can be employed in the manufacture: zeolites, clays, sols, carbon blacks, sacrificial sieves, acid matrix substances, and getters.

Abstract: In a reduced crude conversion the catalyst is regenerated with mixture of oxygen-enriched gas and H.sub.2 O either as steam or preferably as water to provide additional expansion and facilitate fluidization, while converting coke on catalyst to CO and H.sub.2 with minimum CO.sub.2 formation. The CO can be combined with hydrogen to produce methane, methanol or Fischer-Tropsch liquid hydrocarbons or can be passed through the reduced crude conversion operation as lift gas, or as cooling medium or subjected to water-gas shift to produce addition H.sub.2.

Abstract: A catalyst nominally containing zeolite, clay and silica-alumina gel. The zeolite is preferably partially exchanged with high La/Ce ratio solution in a wetting step. The catayst and processes for its manufacture and use are disclosed. The catalyst is excellent for processing heavy oils, generally produces higher LCO/slurry oil ratio and has high metals tolerance.

Abstract: An aromatic gasoline component is prepared in a multi-step petroleum refining process starting with a heavy carbometallic petroleum fraction which is catalytically cracked to yield a light catalytic cycle oil which, in turn, is mildly hydrogenated to produce a partially saturated bicyclic hydrocarbon fraction which itself is catalytically cracked to yield a monoaromatic hydrocarbon fraction from which is recovered a gasoline product. The bicyclic hydrocarbons are converted to monoaromatics by selective partial saturation and ring scission.

Abstract: A catalyst nominally containing zeolite, clay and silica-alumina gel is disclosed. The zeolite is preferably partially exchanged with high La/Ce ratio solution in a wetting step. The catalyst and processes for its manufacture and use are disclosed. The catalyst is excellent for processing heavy oils, generally produces higher LCO/slurry oil ratio and has high metals tolerance.

Abstract: By continuously or intermittently adding amounts of magnetically active moieties, e.g. iron compounds, over time so that the moiety deposits on a catalyst or sorbent in a fluid catalytic cracker or similar circulating hydrocarbon conversion unit, older catalyst, being more magnetic, can be readily separated from catalyst which has been in the system a shorter time. Separation is readily accomplished by passing the catalyst and/or sorbent through a magnetic field and discarding the more magnetic 50% by wt. or more preferably 20% by wt., while recycling the remainder back to the hydrocarbon conversion unit.