Abstract: Ash-containing raw coal is converted to a liquid fuel product by contacting the coal with hydrogen and an OHP-enriched solvent containing OHP and THP in a ratio of OHP/THP greater than 0.4, wherein the OHP is present in an amount of at least 5 weight percent of the solvent, to produce a liquid stream and a coal minerals stream, and recycling at least a portion of the coal minerals stream.A portion of the liquid stream (64) is catalytically hydrogenated (68), preferably with a tungsten-containing catalyst, to increase the ratio of OHP/THP to a value greater than 0.4 or preferably greater than l. The OHP-enriched liquid stream solvent is passed as solvent to a mixing zone (11) where it is admixed with raw coal (10) and recycled coal minerals (38), admixed with hydrogen (58) and passed to a preheater (20) and dissolver (24).

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed from a fluid stream by contacting the fluid stream which contains hydrogen sulfide with an absorbing composition comprising zinc, titanium and at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, rhenium, and compounds thereof. If organic sulfur compounds are present in the fluid stream, the absorbing composition acts as a hydrodesulfurization catalyst to convert the sulfur in the organic sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide which is subsequently removed from the fluid stream by the absorbing composition. If olefin contaminants are present in the fluid stream, the absorbing composition acts as hydrogenation catalyst to hydrogenate the olefin contaminants to paraffins.

Abstract: The OHP content of an OHP- and THP-containing solvent is enriched by contacting the solvent with hydrogen in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising Group VIB and Group VIII metals under conditions to increase the OHP/THP ratio in the solvent to a level greater than 0.4 and preferably greater than 1. The preferred catalyst contains tungsten where it is desired to provide an OHP/THP ratio greater than 1 in the OHP-enriched solvent, and also contains titanium to improve the hydrogen selectivity of the catalyst so as to enhance the preservation of aromatics in the hydrogenated solvent. The OHP-enriched solvent provides increased solvation of coal and improved yields of liquid fuel product in a coal liquefaction process which utilizes the solvent.

Abstract: Heavy liquid hydrocarbon oil, such as petroleum derived tars, predominantly boiling over 425.degree. C., are upgraded to products boiling below 425.degree. C., without substantial formation of insoluble char, by heating the heavy oil with hydrogen and a hydrogen transfer solvent in the absence of hydrogenation catalyst at temperatures of about 320.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and a pressure of 20 to 180 bar for 3 to 30 minutes. The hydrogen transfer solvents are polycyclic compounds free of carbonyl groups, e.g., pyrene, and have a polarographic reduction potential which is less negative than phenanthrene and equal to or more negative than azapyrene.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon stream to remove nitrogen and sulfur which process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon stream comprising a stream selected from petroleum distillate, tar sands distillate, and shale oil, with hydrogen and a catalyst comprising a porous refractory inorganic oxide and deposited thereon hydrogenation components comprising chromium, molybdenum and at least one Group VIII metal, said catalyst having a pore volume distribution comprising 20-50% of pore volume in pores with diameters of 0-50 Angstrom units, 30-70% of pore volume in pores with diameters of 50-100 Angstrom units, 0-20% of pore volume in pores with diameters of 100-150 Angstrom units, and 0-10% of pore volume in pores with diameters greater than 150 Angstrom units.

Abstract: Water containing combustible sludges are dried with the multiple effect use of the heat required by adding recycled cool high boiling oil and heating the mixture by direct contact with steam produced as later described. Then the oil sludge mixture has water separated off which is possible, since water has been added by the direct condensation of steam in the heating of the mixture plus any extra original water in the sludge that can be removed by a centrifuge. The mixture is heated again by adding hot oil and then the mixture has water evaporated off by reducing the pressure. This steam produced is used for the direct steam heating mentioned above. Then water vapor is evaporated off again by reducing the pressure again and this water vapor is condensed by a water cooled condenser. In this way water vapor is evaporated off with the double use of heat. By indirect heat exchange of separated warm water with oil plus dried solids being heated sensible heat losses are kept small.

Abstract: A process for converting mixtures of C.sub.6 to C.sub.30 n-paraffin and n-paraffin by-products to substantially pure n-paraffin which comprises catalytically hydrogenating the mixture at a temperature of from about 600.degree. to 750.degree.F. in the presence of a Group VIII metal on alumina catalyst, and from about 10 to 5,000 parts per million of nitrogen present as ammonia or an organonitrogen compound. The catalyst can additionally contain a Group VIB or VIIB metal.

Abstract: A raffinate product of residual oil solvent extraction is upgraded in a fluid zeolite catalyst cracking operation in the presence of one or more low molecular weight carbon-hydrogen fragment contributors. Gas oil products of atmospheric and vacuum distillation may be simultaneously converted by admixture with the raffinate charge. In addition the process is enhanced by the addition of straight run naphtha product of distillation with the raffinate charge.