Abstract: A method of removing a catalyst used for catalytic reactions of hydrocarbons from a reaction system for exchange or otherwise comprising treating the catalyst with water or a mineral oil in the presence of a surface active substance or both a surface active substance and a chelating agent to wet the catalyst. This method ensures a safe and simple removal of the catalyst without involving dust scattering, spontaneous combustion or generation of sulfur dioxide gas.

Abstract: Phosphate and phosphite mono- and di-esters and thioesters in small amounts function as antifoulant additives in overhead vacuum distilled gas oils employed as feedstocks in hydrodesulfurizing wherein such feedstocks are subjected to elevated temperatures of from about 200.degree. to 700.degree. F and which are prone under such processing to produce material that deposits and accumulates upon the surfaces of hydrodesulfurization catalysts and also equipment, such as heat transfer surfaces and the like. Such additives not only inhibit and suppress fouling but also reduce fouling in previously fouled such systems.

Abstract: Low bulk density alumina consisting essentially of pseudoboehmite can be produced by forming aqueous solutions of sodium aluminate and aluminium sulphate having concentrations within defined ranges, controlling the rate of introduction of the sodium aluminate solution into a body of the aluminium sulphate solution and agitation of the mixture such that a substantial proportion of hydrous alumina precipitates under acidic conditions, controlling the temperature of the mixture, and controlling the length of time of alkaline ageing. The hydrous alumina is then filtered, preferably water washed, and then dried. The low bulk density alumina is useful as a catalyst base, particularly for hydrodesulphurization catalysts.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for the preparation of insulating oil having good oxidation stability, electric characteristics and resistance to copper corrosion which comprises subjecting a distillate (stock) within a temperature range from 250.degree. to 400.degree. C. in terms of the boiling point at atmospheric pressure to solvent refining to a desulfurization from 30 to 75% by weight to give a raffinate, said distillate having been obtained either by distillation at atmospheric pressure of a paraffin- or mixture-base crude oil and/or by distillation under reduced pressure of a residual oil from the atmospheric pressure distillation, subjecting said raffinate to hydrogenating refining to a desulfurization from 40 to 90% by weight and subjecting the refined product to solvent dewaxing, and if necessary, subsequently subjecting the dewaxed product to clay treatment to a sulfur content of the final product from 0.1 to 0.35% by weight.

Abstract: Sulfur and metal contaminants, such as nickel, vanadium and iron, are removed from hydrocarbon feedstocks, by contacting the feedstocks at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component and a support material comprised of phosphorus oxide and alumina. The hydrogenation component includes a Group VIB and/or Group VIII metal of the Periodic Table, particularly molybdenum or tungsten and cobalt or nickel. The presence of phosphorus oxide in the catalyst composition has been found to impart increased catalytic activity for demetallization of metal-contaminated hydrocarbon feedstocks such as heavy petroleum crudes and residua.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of a hydrocarbonaceous black oil, wherein the terminal heating of the black oil before conversion is performed by the admixture of said black oil with a gas comprising steam and having a temperature greater than the hydrocarbon conversion temperature.

Abstract: Methods of starting up and shutting down reactors used in hydrocracking and hydrodesulfurization of black oils. The reactor is flushed with a heavy vacuum gas oil between the circulation of the black oil feed stream and the lighter hydrocarbon stream used during the low temperature portion of the operations.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock, such as a residum from atmospheric or vacuum distillation columns containing large quantities of sulfur is combined with a hydroconversion catalyst having a nominal particle size of less than 10 microns to form a suspension. The resulting suspension and a hydrogen-containing gas are fed upwardly through a contact zone in plug-flow at an elevated temperature and pressure and at a weight hourly space velocity of between 200 and 50,000 kg. of oil per kg. of catalyst per hour. The resulting product containing the catalyst suspended therein is continuously withdrawn from the contact zone. The normally gaseous materials are separated from the liquid product having a substantially reduced sulfur content. The catalyst is carried through the entire process suspended in liquid in a single pass without the necessity of recycling or regeneration and remains in the desulfurized product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining an early detection and warning of a dangerous temperature excursion in a process using one or more hydrocarbon hydroprocessing reactors operating under otherwise ordinary hydroprocessing conditions. The warning is obtained by monitoring the specific gravity and/or methane content of the light gas fraction of the reactor effluent product stream. Pursuant to the warning, one or more suitable quenching means are employed to control the excursion.

Abstract: In producing low sulfur fuel oil by the ebullated bed hydroconversion of petroleum residue, the resulting heavy vacuum bottoms sulfur-containing residue material is utilized to produce hydrogen. The residue material from the hydroconversion operation is gasified to provide a fuel gas, which is then used to fire a steam-methane reformer. The chemical requirements for hydrogen production are met by feeding a portion of light gaseous products from the hydroconversion step to the catalytic side of the steam-methane reformer. A low sulfur fuel oil distillate product is recovered from the reactor effluent streams and can be further hydrotreated as desired. Thus, all hydrogen required in the H-Oil reactor for hydroconversion and desulfurization is ultimately produced from the residual oil feed material, by using the heavy product residue material to produce a fuel gas and converting the light hydrocarbons to hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a hydrocarbon fraction by contacting the hydrocarbon fraction with a dense-water-containing fluid at a temperature in the range of from about 600.degree.F. to about 900.degree.F. in the absence of externally supplied hydrogen and of pretreatment of the hydrocarbon fraction and in the presence of a sulfur-resistant catalyst.

Abstract: In a method for catalytic hydrodesulfurization of a heavy petroleum hydrocarbon oil in a reactor composed of a cylindrical pressure vessel and a cylindrical inner pipe, in which hydrogen gas, oil liquid and solid catalyst particles are concurrently present and the catalyst particles are fluidized and recycled in the reactor without flowing out of the reactor, an improvement for the prevention of the catalyst's efflux is achieved by the provision of a bubble-collecting plate and at least two catalyst particlescatching plates above the inner pipe in the reactor.