Abstract: A vented cup ballistic separation device and method of use for achieving rapid separation of a suspension of fluidized solid particulate and gasiform material. The vented cup ballistic separation apparatus is useful in a wide variety of vapor-solid contacting devices where rapid separation of solids from vapor is desired e.g. in fluidized catalytic cracking systems. The vented cup ballistic separation apparatus particularly comprises annular chamber about the outer periphery of an open ended riser conduit. The annular chamber is open in the upper end and one or more open end conduits extend outwardly from the annular chamber to provide means for discharging vapors and also for attachment of cyclone separation means if desired. The riser with vented cup or annular chamber preferably terminates within a larger diameter chamber.

Abstract: The invention is directed to steam-cracking in a fluid bed reaction zone, of a charge of hydrocarbons having at least two carbon atoms per molecule.In this process the charge (3) circulates with steam (2) and inert solid particles, heated at a temperature T.sub.1 from 500.degree. to 1,800.degree. C., through at least one enclosure (7). A gas effluent is separated from the particles in the enclosure and fed to a quenching zone (8) opening into said enclosure. Said effluent is circulated with cooling second solid particles which are at a temperature T.sub.2 lower than T.sub.1 and at most equal to 800.degree. C. A steam-cracking effluent is then recovered through line (15).This process can be used in petrochemistry, particularly for producing ethylene and propylene.

Abstract: A fluid coking-gasification process for converting heavy hydrocarbonaceous chargestocks to lower boiling products in which a zeolitic material is use to mitigate slagging in the gasifier, especially when the zeolite material is spent catalytic cracking catalyst. The zeolite material is added either directly into the gasifier on it is mixed with the coke passing from the heating zone to the gasification zone.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated on the discovery that the addition of certain free radical initiators to thermal conversion processes results in increased thermal conversion rate at a given temperature without any substantial increase in the amounts of gaseous products formed. This permits operating the thermal conversion process at lower temperatures than otherwise practical. Indeed, the present invention is especially useful in thermal cracking processes like fluid coking. In this embodiment, a free radical initiator is added, without the addition of a hydrogen donor diluent, to a feedstock which is thermally cracked in a fluidized bed of particulate solids and at lower temperatures than otherwise employed, thereby increased amounts of liquid products are obtained.

Abstract: A process is provided for the pretreatment of heavy oil feeds to demetalate and remove coke precursors. Inert, sorbent material is utilized in a reaction zone to effect the contaminant removal and is cycled to a regeneration zone. The sorbent also adsorbs sulfur oxides produced in a regeneration zone which are then cycled back to the reaction zone, converted to hydrogen sulfide, and removed from the system. The preferred sorbent material is high surface area alumina, having an average surface area in the circulating inventory of greater than 100 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved process and apparatus for the pyrolysis of a heavy hydrocarbon feed utilizing a transfer line reactor wherein pyrolysis reaction temperatures are achieved by contact of the heavy hydrocarbon feed with heated solid particles immediately followed by quenching of the pyrolysis gaseous effluent with cooled solid-particles in the transfer line reactor to maximize ethylene production and minimize the effect of secondary reactions.

Abstract: A process for the detection and measurement of wall coke at a specific location in a fluid bed coker through the measurement of the vibrations of the external shell of the coker at the location.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrocarbon conversion catalyst compositions, such as fluidizable cracking catalyst compositions, containing an anionic clay, e.g. a clay having a hydrotalcite, an ettringite or a hydrocalumite structure, for the conversion of sulphur-containing feedstocks, the anionic clay serving as sulphur oxides binding material. Also disclosed are absorbents containing the anionic clay embedded in a matrix. The absorbents may be used to purify sulphur oxides-containing gases.

Abstract: Acid reacted metakaolin useful for the preparation of catalyst and catalyst support compositions. The compositions may include solid inorganic oxides, such as zeolites, clay and/or inorganic gels. The compositions are spray dried and calcined to obtain highly active, dense, attrition resistant fluid cracking catalysts, or used in the preparation of formed catalyst supports.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting a gaseous or vaporized hydrocarbon feedstock to a product comprising ethylene, acetylene or a mixture thereof.

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: A method of producing reduced iron and light oil from iron ore and heavy oil which comprises a thermal cracking step of subjecting heavy oil to thermal cracking while retaining iron ore particles in a fluidized state to produce light oil and simultaneously to deposit coke as by-product on the surface of the iron ore particles; a gasification step of putting the coke-deposited ore in contact with an oxidizing gas including steam and oxygen in a fluidized state to react the coke with the gas thereby to produce a reducing gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide and of heating the coke-deposited ore upward of a reduction temperature of iron ore by partial oxidization of the coke; and a reduction step of reducing the coke-deposited iron ore in a fluidized state by the reducing gas to produce reduced iron. When the gasification step is performed by an oxidizing gas containing a majority of steam and up to 15 vol. %, based on the steam, of oxygen at 800.degree.-1000.degree. C. under a pressure of 0-10 kg/cm.sup.

Abstract: In an ebullated bed process, a residual hydrocarbon oil and a hydrogen containing gas is passed upwardly through an ebullated bed of catalyst in a hydrocracking zone at a temperature in the range of 650.degree. F. to 950.degree. F. and pressure of 1000 psia to 5000 psia. FCCU catalyst fines are added to the ebullated bed in an amount of 15 wt % to 21 wt % of total catalyst comprising hydrocracking catalyst and fines. A hydrocracked oil is recovered characterized by having a reduced sediment content.

Abstract: A hydrocarbonaceous feed, such as petroleum vacuum distillation bottoms, is upgraded by a combination coking and catalytic slurry hydroconversion process wherein a bottoms fraction from coking is passed through a microfiltration system to remove coke fines, the filtrate passed to a slurry hydroconversion zone, and the bottoms fraction from the slurry hydroconversion zone is also passed through a microfiltration system to remove catalyst particles.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the detection and measurement of wall coke at a specific location in a fluid bed coker through the measurement of the vibrations of the external shell of the coker at that location.

Abstract: In a first condensation stage (which is on the rising current end of the low-temperature carbonization drum and the equipment for which is integrated) quenching is done with a cooled low-temperature carbonization oil fraction containing solids. Simultaneously the whole discharge opening placed on the rising current end in the base region of the low-temperature carbonization drum for the volatile components of the low-temperature carbonization process is continuously scrubbed clean with the low-temperature carbonization oil fraction containing solids. Additionally, the volatile and liquid components are also drawn off simultaneously.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for catalytic cracking in a reaction zone operated with a fluid or a moving bed is disclosed, wherein the charge is subjected to at least one pretreatment.According to the invention, at least a portion of said charge, as vapor 40, and at least a part of the catalyst particles 6, circulate at least in one enclosure 1, wherein at least said portion of charge, on the one hand, and said solid particles (of low catalytic activity), distinct from the catalyst particles, on the other hand, are contacted, said solid particles and said charge flowing, as a whole, in the same direction, either downwardly or upwardly in said enclosure 1, at a temperature substantially equal to the temperature prevailing at the inlet of the reaction zone. After stirring of the solid particles with the charge, the latter, free of the major part of the residual products, is separated at 27 from the solid particles and fed with the catalyst particles to the reaction zone 8.

Abstract: An improved hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed of the type employing circulating solids between a reactor (contactor) and regenerator (combustor). The entire process is in the dilute phase and is characterized by all the catalyst passing through the cyclones and never returning to a dense bed in either the reactor or regenerator.

Abstract: The invention relates to carrying out thermal cracking of hydrocarbons, or other thermal conversions of organic substances in a reactor, for which a suitable reaction time is extremely short, e.g. of the order of milliseconds. Particulate solids are used as heat carrier and as feed an organic substance is used in the form of a gas which may contain some liquid; the hot particulate solids are introduced at low or no velocity into contact with the gas, which is at substantially higher velocity; the solids accelerate in passing through the reactor but the reaction is terminated substantially before the solids attain the velocity of the product gas. Contact times are short so that the solids do not accelerate to erosive speeds. The velocity differential enhances the heat transfer rate which makes short reaction times feasible.

Abstract: A method for updating a concentrate of tar sands bitumen containing fine mineral matter and optionally coarse mineral matter in which solvent-diluted bitumen is contacted for a short time in a riser with hot attrition-resistant substantially catalytically inert acid-resistant fluidizable particles, causing a selective vaporization of the lighter high hydrogen content components of the bitumen. The preferred particles are composed of silica-alumina, most preferably a mixture of mullite and crystalline silica or mullite, crystalline silica and an acid-resistant form of alumina. A portion of the heavier asphaltenes and most of the components which contain metals, sulfur and nitrogen remain on the attrition-resistant fluidizable particles. Fine mineral matter in the bitumen feed also deposits on the fluidized particles instead of being carried over with the vaporized hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: A fluid coking process is provided in which a fresh carbonaceous feed is coked in a transfer line first coking zone positioned in a fluidized bed second coking zone. A heavy oil coker product is recycled to the fluidized bed second coking zone maintained at a lower temperature than the first coking zone. This process permits low severity coking of the fresh carbonceous feed and higher severity coking of the recycle oil, thereby minimizing conversion to coke and gas and increasing yield of normally liquid products.

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon with hot particulate solids wherein a curtain of hot particulate solids is delivered to a thermal reactor through peripheral openings and hydrocarbon feed is delivered to the reactor through the curtain of hot particulate solids at an angle.

Abstract: Asbestos-containing hazardous waste materials are known causes of cancer and other serious diseases. By the subject process, asbestos-containing wastes are rendered harmless by altering the physical form of the fibers, by (i) melting the asbestos, and by (ii) incorporating the molten asbestos into the slag phase produced by the partial oxidation of ash-containing liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel and/or solid carbonaceous fuel. Further, gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 +CO e.g. synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas, are simultaneously produced.

Abstract: A method for upgrading a concentrate of tar sands bitumen containing colloidal clay in which solvent-diluted bitumen is contacted for a short time in a riser with hot attrition-resistant substantially catalytically inert fluidizable microspheres, causing a selective vaporization of the lighter high hydrogen content components of the bitumen. A portion of the heavier asphaltenes and most of the components which contain metals, sulfur and nitrogen remain on the attrition-resistant microspheres. Colloidal clay in the bitumen feed also deposits on the microspheres instead of being carried over with the vaporized hydrocarbon product. The contact material, with deposit, is passed to a burner provided with high velocity air jets which attrites the colloidal clay away from the microspheres and the material removed by attrition is recovered. The heated microspheres are reintroduced into the riser for further contact with incoming diluted bitumen charge.

Abstract: A process for the production of anode grade coke from a hydrocarbon feed characterized by high levels of sulfur and metals comprises subjecting a vacuum resid to a fluidized bed coking process so as to produce gas, distillates, coke and a residual bottom stream, filtering the residual stream so as to remove solids and thereafter coking the filtered stream.

Abstract: Poisoning of a cracking catalyst by contaminant metals such as nickel, vanadium and iron during fluid catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon charge stock containing the contaminant metals is suppressed by depositing minor amounts of a bismuth-containing passivating agent on the catalyst, desirably, a weight ratio of bismuth to nickel equivalents (nickel+0.2 vanadium+0.1 iron) of about 0.01:1 to about 1:1. The passivating agent can also comprise mixtures of compounds of bismuth and antimony, bismuth and tin.

Abstract: Improved noncatalytic nonreactive alumina-silica solid for removing carbonaceous and metallic contaminants including nickel and vanadium from hydrocarbon feedstock by short term, high temperature contact comprises mullite and crystalline silica. In the decarbonizing and demetallizing process, impurities are deposited on the particles of the solid and the major portion of the feedstock is vaporized. After burning carbonaceous deposit from the particles, the hot particles containing nickel and vanadium are recycled into contact with incoming charges of contaminated feedstock. Periodically metals are removed from coke-depleted particles by extraction with a mineral acid at elevated temperature without dissolving or otherwise destroying the alumina-silica particles. The particles are then reintroduced into the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the thermal cracking of heavy oils, which comprises a thermal cracking step of contacting a heavy oil with a fine powder of a porous material fluidized by a fluidizing gas to mainly obtain a light oil and a regenerating step of gasifying and removing coke adhering to the fine powder taken out from the thermal cracking step while fluidizing the fine powder by a molecular oxygen-containing gas and a steam-containing gas, the fine powder being circulated between the two steps, wherein fine spherical particles having a pore volume of 0.2 to 1.5 cm.sup.3 /g, a specific surface area of 5 to 1500 m.sup.2 /g, an average pore size of 10 to 10,000 .ANG. and a weight average size of 0.025 to 0.25 mm, in which these properties are stably maintained at the temperature adopted for the thermal cracking, are used as the fine powder, and a hydrogen gas is made present at the thermal cracking step, the partial pressure of hydrogen is maintained at about 0.5 to about 5 Kg/cm.sup.

Abstract: A coal pyrolysis technique or process is described in which particulate coal is pyrolyzed in the presence of about 5 to 21 wt. % of a calcium compound selected from calcium oxide, calcined (hydrate) dolomite, or calcined calcium hydrate to produce a high quality hydrocarbon liquid and a combustible product gas which are characterized by low sulfur content. The pyrolysis is achieved by heating the coal-calcium compound mixture at a relatively slow rate at a temperature of about 450.degree. to 700.degree. C. over a duration of about 10 to 60 minutes in a fixed or moving bed reactor. The gas exhibits an increased yield in hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons and a reduction in H.sub.2 S over gas obtainable by pyrolyzing cola without the calcium compound. The liquid product obtained is of a sufficient quality to permit its use directly as a fuel and has a reduced sulfur and oxygen content which inhibits polymerization during storage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved hydroconversion process for the hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks containing asphaltenes, metals, and sulfur compounds which process minimizes the production of carbonaceous insoluble solids and catalyst attrition rates. The process is characterized by the use of a catalyst which has about 0.1 to about 0.3 cc/gm of its pore volume in pores having diameters greater than 1,200.ANG. and no more than 0.1 cc/gm of its pore volume in pores having diameters greater than 4,000.ANG..

Abstract: A strontium colloid system is introduced into a hydrocarbon conversion process to suppress the harmful effects of one or more metal contaminants in the hydrocarbon feedstock on the active component(s) of the catalyst used in said process. The strontium compound in the colloid system reacts with or traps the metal contaminants before they contact the active component(s) of said catalyst, thereby reducing catalyst deactivation, coke make and hydrogen production relative to that obtained had said compound been introduced into the process in non-colloid form. In a preferred embodiment, the strontium colloid system is introduced into the reaction zone of said process and, preferably, with at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock to said process.

Abstract: A process for converting liquid or semi-liquid hydrocarbon charges to lighter fractions comprises a first step (a) heating droplets jets of the charge introduced into a pyrolysis chamber by surrounding them with parallel jets of hot solid particles, of relatively large size, of a heat carrier material, not substantially in contact with the droplet jets, so as to maintain a temperature of 700.degree.-1600.degree. C., and introducing a gas so as to obtain a pressure from 1 to 150 bars. A second step involves (b) separating the gaseous fraction from the solid particles. Thereafter (c) at least a portion of the solid particles are heated and fed back to step (a). The gaseous fraction is (d) cooled by means of a cold gas so as to recover light hydrocarbons therefrom.

Abstract: A method of feeding a mixture of fluidized solids, such as cracking catalyst, and a fluidized feed material to be contacted therewith, such as a hydrocarbon feedstock to be cracked, into a contacting zone. In another aspect, method and apparatus useful in starting up a catalytic cracking unit are disclosed.

Abstract: Process for the production of gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 +CO e.g. synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas by the partial oxidation of a vanadium-containing liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel, solid carbonaceous fuel, or mixtures thereof in a free-flow vertical refractory lined gas generator. The feed mixture to the gas generator comprises (i) a vanadium-containing fuel; (ii) supplemental iron-containing ash fusion temperature reducing agent; and (iii) at least a portion of the remainder of the iron-containing slag after separation of an enriched vanadium-containing coarse slag fraction. The coarse slag fraction has a decreased Fe/V weight ratio and is formed by depositing a portion of the slag entrained in the hot raw effluent gas stream from the partial oxidation reaction zone on the walls of a slag separation chamber located between the bottom discharge outlet in the reaction zone and the effluent gas quench tank located at the bottom of the gas generator.

Abstract: An improved heat balanced hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed of the type employing circulating solids between a riser reactor (contactor) and regenerator (combustor). The ratio of circulating solid to hydrocarbon feed (C/O or cat-oil ratio) is increased by: directly cooling a portion of hot freshly regenerated contact material; passing a portion of hot regenerated material into the steam stripper; cooling hot regenerated contact material and charging it to the riser downstream of charging uncooled hot regenerated material which charging hydrocarbon feed to the bese of the riser along with lift gas or steam; or lifting hot regenerated contact material by a carbonizable lift gas into the riser before contacting it with hydrocarbon feed which is injected higher in the riser.

Abstract: A fluid feeding apparatus for feeding a fluid to a point beyond the apparatus, wherein a hollow member is provided having an interior surface which defines a chamber having a first fluid therein. The interior surface tapers toward the chamber axis from an open end of the member to an interior surface boundary axially opposite the open end of the member. A second fluid is injected into the chamber generally toward the opening formed at the open end.

Abstract: An improved process for thermal cracking of a heavy oil comprising a step of thermal cracking of the heavy oil in contact with a fluidized bed of heated fine particles and a step of gasification of the coke which has deposited on the fine particles used in the thermal cracking, which gasification is conducted on the fine particles withdrawn from the thermal cracking step by contacting the particles with gas containing molecular oxygen while the particles are fluidized by the gas, the steps being practiced while the fine particles are circulated therebetween is disclosed. The improvement comprises a use of fine particles of a porous material, and conducting the gasification under specified conditions and so as to produce a product gas which is highly reducing.

Abstract: An improvement to a process for thermal cracking a heavy hydrocarbon oil comprising (1) a thermal cracking step of the heavy oil which is in contact with a fluidized bed of heated fine particles as a source of the heat required for the thermal cracking and (2) a regeneration step of the fine particles which are withdrawn from the thermal cracking step and on which coke formed during the thermal cracking has deposited, the steps (1) and (2) being practiced while the fine particles are circulated therebetween, is disclosed. The improvement comprises a use as the fine particles of microspheres of a porous material, division of the regeneration step into a gasification section and a combustion section, and restriction in the operation conditions, and an optional temperature control by controlling generation of steam in a cooling means which is installed in the combustion section and whose coolant is water to generate the steam.

Abstract: A process for producing olefins and gasoline from residual oil by thermally cracking a side cut fraction from a fractionation tower, quenching the cracked product with residual oil, producing coke from a portion of the quenched product and using a portion of the coke to provide reaction heat for the thermal cracking.

Abstract: The sulphur emissive capability, on combustion, of coke which is formed during upgrading of sulphur-containing heavy crude oils, including oil sands bitumen, and residua, is decreased by the addition of calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide, in particulate form, to the heavy crude oil prior to coking, and uniformly dispersing the same therein. The presence of the calcium compound leads to an increased yield of liquid distillates from the coking process under the coking conditions. For calcium carbonate, the Ca:S ratio is about 1:5 to 1:1 and the coking temperature is about 400.degree. to 500.degree. C. For calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide, the Ca:S ratio is about 1:3 to 1:1 and the coking temperature is about 450.degree. to about 500.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ebullated bed process for the hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks containing asphaltenes, metals, and sulfur compounds. The disclosed process is characterized by the use of a catalyst comprising a relatively small amount of cobalt, i.e., 0.4 to 0.8 wt. % incorporated with a high macropore volume Group VIB metal containing catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved multi-stage process for the hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks containing asphaltenes, metals and sulfur compounds. The process is characterized by the use of a relatively inexpensive demetallation catalyst in a first reaction zone comprising a Group VIB and/or a Group VIII metal deposed on a high macropore volume inorganic support followed by the use of a desulfurization catalyst in a second reaction zone comprising a Group VIB and a Group VIII metal on a high macropore volume inorganic oxide support.

Abstract: An improved process for shale oil dearsenation comprises coking a retorted hale oil stream following by contacting the liquid coker product with water. Water washing is preferably carried out under ambient conditions to achieve a reduction to less than 3 ppm w soluble arsenic.

Abstract: A process for upgrading petroleum residuums by hydrogen diluent donor visbreaking employs coking of a higher boiling fraction of the visbreaker effluent wherein the hydrogen donor is also supplied to the coker feed either by excess feed to the visbreaker or by mixing a portion with the coker feed. Controlling the quantity of hydrogen donor in the visbreaker and coker feed proportionally controls the quantity of coke produced.

Abstract: A fluid coking process is provided in which the fluidizing and stripping gas is introduced as a plurality of streams in the proximity of flow deflecting means positioned in the stripping portion of the coking reactor such as to provide a specified superficial gas velocity in the stripping portion.

Abstract: A process for pretreating residual oil by thermal regenerative vaporizing and pretreatment at short residence times and catalytically cracking the pretreated effluent from the thermal regenerative pretreatment process.

Abstract: A system is provided for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solids such as oil shale, tar sands or coal. The process includes preheating finely divided solids prior to introduction to a low residence time tubular reactor where a portion of the hydrocarbon is removed from the solids. The solids are then separated from the hydrocarbon product, stripped of residual hydrocarbons then transferred to a gasifier to burn the remaining entrapped hydrocarbon to serve as the heat source for the process.

Abstract: Coke or coke and hydrogen production may increase when the Asphalt Residual Treating (ART) Process for removing metallic and carbonaceous contaminants from hydrocarbons is operated with feed stock containing impurities that result in the deposition on the solid particulate contact material of acidic metallic compounds such as heavy metal chlorides. Coke or coke and hydrogen production is reduced by charging ammonia or other fugitive basic nitrogen compounds to the system after burning coke from the circulating inventory of catalytically inert contact material and prior to selectively vaporizing incoming charge of feed stock in the presence of the hot regenerated contact material.

Abstract: A combination process is described for upgrading residual oils and high boiling portions thereof comprising metal contaminants and high boiling Conradson carbon forming compounds comprising a thermal visbreaking operation with fluidizable inert solids followed by a fluidized zeolite catalytic cracking operation processing demetallized products of the visbreaking operation, regenerating solid particulate of each operation under conditions to provide CO rich flue gases relied upon to generate steam used in each of the fluidized solids conversion operation and downstream product separation arrangements, separating the wet gas product stream of each operation in a common product recovery arrangement and processing the high boiling feed product of visbreaking comprising up to 100 ppm Ni+V metal contaminant over a recycled crystalline zeolite cracking catalyst distributed in a sorbent matrix material comprising a high level of Ni+V metal contaminant.

Abstract: An electrically resistive flocculating agent is added to electrically conductive solid fines recovered from an electrofiltration zone. The dry flocculated solid fines including the flocculating agent are recycled to the electrofiltration zone in which a gaseous mixture containing fines is contacted with an electrically enhanced mass of solid contact particles.