Abstract: The invention describes a method for decreasing the viscosity of crude oils and residuum utilizing a combination of acid and sonic treatment.

Abstract: The method of producing high purity isooctane useful as a gasoline blending component from diisobutylene or isooctane contaminated with minor amounts of oxygenated impurities which comprises converting the impurities at conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to hydrocarbon and water and recovering the purified diisobutylene or isooctane stream.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for decreasing the acidity of a starting acidic crude oil by contacting an acidic crude with an effective excess of ammonia dissolved in said crude to form an ammonia-continuous oil discontinuous phase at a temperature and conditions sufficient to form the corresponding amide of the naphthenic acids. The process is useful in the processing of acidic crudes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the acidity of a petroleum oil containing organic acids comprising treating said petroleum oil containing organic acids with an effective amount of an alcohol at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding ester of said alcohol.

Abstract: The invention is a process for decreasing the acidity of an organic acid containing petroleum oil, comprising contacting said petroleum oil containing organic acids with an effective amount of an alcohol and an effective trace amount of a base selected from Group IA and IIA metal carbonates, hydroxides, phosphates, and mixtures of a hydroxide and phosphate at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding ester of said alcohol.

Abstract: A conversion process of hydrocarbon oils comprises at least a hydrodemercaptanization process, wherein said hydrodemercaptanization process comprises contacting a feedstock with a hydrofining catalyst containing a tungsten oxide and/or a molybdenum oxide, a nickel oxide and a cobalt oxide supported on an alumina under the conditions of hydrodemercaptanization, in which the content of said tungsten oxide and/or molybdenum oxide is from 4 wt % to less than 10 wt %, the nickel oxide content is 1-5 wt %, the cobalt oxide content is 0.01-1 wt % based on the catalyst, and the ratio of total atom number of nickel and cobalt to total atom number of nickel, cobalt, tungsten and/or molybdenum is 0.3-0.9. Said process can be carried out at a lower temperature and a lower H/oil volume ratio.

Abstract: Process for selectively removing oxygenated contaminants from streams prevalently containing hydrocarbons with from 3 to 8 carbon atoms characterized in that it comprises an adsorption step wherein said contaminants are adsorbed by an adsorbent essentially consisting of silica gel at a temperature of between 0 and 150.degree. C. and a pressure of between 1 and 20 atms and a regeneration step for removing the adsorbed substances by thermal treatment in a stream of insert gas carried out at a temperature of between 100 and 200.degree. C.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed a process for extracting organic acids from a starting crude oil comprising the steps of: (a) treating the starting crude oil containing naphthenic acids with an amount of an alkoxylated amine and water under conditions and for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a water-in-oil emulsion of amine salt wherein said alkoxylated amine is selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated amines having the following formulae (A) and (B): ##STR1## where m+n=5 to 50 and R=linear or branched alkyl group of C.sub.8 to C.sub.20.(B) H-(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.y -(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.p -{NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH}.sub.x -(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.z -(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.

Abstract: TAN containing oils, e.g., crudes, are treated by flashing to remove substantially all of the water therefrom, thermally treating the recovered liquid to reduce the naphthenic acid content thereof, and re-combining light gases recovered from the flashing step with the treated liquid.

Abstract: A process for removing essentially naphthenic acids from a crude oil which has not previously been fractionated by distillation, or from which only a naphtha fraction has been distilled. The crude oil is hydrogenated at 1-50 bars and 100-300.degree. C. over a catalyst of the kind used for hydrogenation of atmospheric residue oils. As a catalyst, especially Ni--Mo or Ni--Co deposited on alumina as a carrier material is used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating naphthenic acid containing whole crudes or fraction thereof to reduce or eliminate their acidity by contacting the acidic whole crude or fractions thereof at a suitable temperature typically of less than 200.degree. C. with a neutralizing amount typically from 0.25:1 up to 10:1 of overbased detergent. The process has the additional benefits of reducing materials handling problems associated with emulsion formation in treated crudes.

Abstract: Phosphates can be removed from a hydrocarbon stream by contacting said stream with a ceramic formed of a basic material which is insoluble in the hydrocarbon stream. A ceramic as used in this patent document is a solid solution formed by calcination of a compound. The removal of the organic acid is accomplished at temperatures ranging from 20.degree. C. to 400.degree. C., a preferred temperature is between 200.degree. C. and 370.degree. C. A hydrocarbon stream consists of C.sub.5 + hydrocarbons. The basic material can be made up of one or more alkaline earth oxides, alkaline earth compounds, alkaline metal compounds, group IIIA element compounds, group IVA element compounds, group VIA element compounds. Preferred alkaline earth oxides are sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, aluminum and silicon. The support for the basic material can be made from any inorganic oxide.

Abstract: Oxygenate impurities are removed from an organic chemical feed or stream by treatment with an aqueous reducing agent and aqueous base, accompanied by separation. An aqueous solution of reducing agent and an aqueous solution of base are typically introduced sequentially into the organic chemical stream, where they may react with any oxygenate impurities present. The reaction products of the oxygenate impurities and aqueous reducing agent and aqueous base are water soluble, and are typically removed in sequential fashion via any suitable separation means. For example, oxygenate impurities such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and methyl formate may be removed from a propylene stream by treating the stream sequentially with aqueous sodium bisulfite and aqueous sodium hydroxide, accompanied by separation of the oxygenate impurity reaction products in coalescers.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for decreasing the acidity of a starting calcium containing, non-acid treated acidic crude oil by adding such an acidic crude oil to an effective amount of an aqueous base solution at conditions of pH and temperature sufficient to form an unstable emulsion of the acidic crude oil in the aqueous base solution; and breaking the emulsion to form a phase containing treated crude oil having a decreased acidity and aqueous phase residual containing base and neutralized acids. The invention has utility in crude oil processing.

Abstract: A method for upgrading an oil stream containing naphthenic acid and sulfur contaminants is described. In this method, an oil stream with naphthenic acid and sulfur contaminants is upgraded by the following steps. First, the oil stream is mixed with an alkaline earth metal oxide in an amount effective to convert substantially all of the naphthenic acid contaminants to non-acidic compounds and alkaline earth metal carbonate and also to convert substantially all of the sulfur contaminants to alkaline earth metal sulfide. Then, the mixture is heated under a pressure sufficient to prevent vaporization of the mixture to a temperature sufficient and for a time sufficient to react the naphthenic acid contaminants with the alkaline earth oxide to form the corresponding non-acidic compounds and alkaline earth carbonates. In the meantime, substantially all of the sulfur contaminants react with the alkaline earth oxide to form the alkaline earth sulfide.

Abstract: The viscosity of hydrocarbon feeds in reduced from crudes or crude by thermal treatment.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing process includes two hydroprocessing reaction stages, both of which produce a liquid and a vapor effluent, and a liquid-vapor contacting stage. The first stage vapor effluent contains impurities, such as heteroatom compounds, which are removed from the vapor by contact with processed liquid effluent derived from one or both reaction stages and, optionally, also liquid recovered from processed vapor. The first and contact stage liquid effluents are passed into the second stage to finish the hydoprocessing. The contact and second stage vapor effluents are cooled to recover additional hydroprocessed product liquid.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for extracting organic acids including naphthenic acids, heavy metals, and sulfur from a starting crude oil comprising the steps of:(a) treating the starting crude oil containing organic acids, heavy metals, and sulfur with an amount of an ethoxylated amine and water under conditions and for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a water-in-oil emulsion of amine salt wherein said ethoxylated amine has the following formula: ##STR1## where m=1 to 10 and R=C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 hydrocarbon; (b) separating said emulsion of step (a) into a plurality of layers, wherein one of such layers contains a treated crude oil having decreased amounts of organic acids, heavy metals and sulfur;(c) recovering said layer of step (b) containing said treated crude oil having decreased amounts of organic acids, heavy metal and sulfur and layers containing water and ethoxylated amine salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the acidity of a petroleum oil containing organic acids comprising treating said petroleum oil containing organic acids with an effective amount of an alcohol at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding ester of said alcohol and wherein said treatment is conducted in the presence of a metal carboxylate.

Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon oil feed to reduce total acid number (TAN) and increase API gravity employs a catalyst which includes one or more metals of non-noble Group VIII of the periodic table (e.g., iron, cobalt and nickel), and at least one metal selected from Group VIB (e.g., chromium, tungsten and molybdenum) on a phosphorus treated carbon support, the phosphorus treated carbon support being comprised of phosphorus bound to the carbon surface predominantly as polyphosphate species characterized by peaks between -5 and -30 ppm in the solid-state magic angle spinning .sup.31 P nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. The process includes blending the catalyst with the hydrocarbon oil feed to form a slurry which is then treated with hydrogen at moderate temperature and pressure in, for example, a tubular reactor. Deposit formation is minimized or avoided.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for reducing the amount of carboxylic acids in petroleum feeds comprising the steps of (a) adding to said petroleum feed a catalytic agent comprising an oil soluble or oil dispersible compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII metals, wherein the amount of metal in said petroleum feed is at least about 5 wppm, (b) heating said petroleum feed with said catalytic agent in a reactor at a temperature of about 400 to about 800.degree. F. (about 204.44 to about 426.67.degree. C.) and a pressure of about atmospheric to about 1000 psig (about 6996.33 kPa) in the substantial absence of hydrogen, and (c) sweeping the reactor containing said petroleum feed and said catalytic agent with an inert gas to maintain the combined water and carbon dioxide partial pressure below about 50 psia (344.75 kPa).

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for reducing the amount of carboxylic acids in petroleum feeds comprising the steps of (a) adding to said petroleum feed a catalytic agent comprising an oil soluble or oil dispersible compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII metals, wherein the amount of metal in said petroleum feed is at least about 5 wppm, (b) heating said petroleum feed with said catalytic agent in a reactor at a temperature of about 400 to about 800.degree. F. (about 204.44 to about 426.67.degree. C.), under a hydrogen pressure of 15 psig to 1000 psig (204.75 to 6996.33 kPa), and (c) sweeping the reactor containing said petroleum feed and said catalytic agent with hydrogen-containing gas at a rate sufficient to maintain the combined water and carbon dioxide partial pressure below about 50 psia (about 344.75 kPa).

Abstract: A process for reducing the total acid number of an acidic crude by treating the crude with hydrogen treat gas in the presence of a hydrotreating catalyst wherein the treat gas also contains hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing lower molecular weight naphthenic acids from an acidic crude by treating the crude with a small pore hydrotreating catalyst at temperatures of from about 200.degree. to 370.degree. C. Removing these lower molecular weight naphthenic acids reduces the corrosive nature of acidic crudes.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for reducing organic acids in petroleum feeds containing organic acids comprising: (a) thermally treating a petroleum feed containing organic acids in a thermal reaction zone comprising a plurality of stages in series, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to decompose at least a portion of said organic acids while sweeping said plurality of stages with an inert gas, to produce a volatile organic acid containing hydrocarbon fraction and a non-volatile hydrocarbon fraction; (b) treating said volatile hydrocarbon fraction to neutralize at least a portion of said organic acids therein and to produce a treated volatile hydrocarbon fraction; (c) collecting said non-volatile hydrocarbon fraction from said thermal reaction zone; and (d) blending said treated volatile hydrocarbon fraction of step (b) with said collected non-volatile hydrocarbon fraction.

Abstract: A process for reducing the acidity of acidic crude oils by contacting the crude oil with a hydrotreating catalyst in the absence of hydrogen.

Abstract: Petroleum acids, e.g., naphthenic acids, are removed from crudes or crude fractions by thermal treatment.

Abstract: This process for the desulfurization and denitration of light oil is effected by extraction with an organic solvent containing nitrogen. The invention also relates to light oil desulfurized and denitrated by said process as well as an organic solvent containing nitrogen for the extraction. The solvent is selected from among, for example, hetrocyclic compounds containing nitrogen, such as pyrrolidones, imidazolidinones, pyrimidinones and pyridinium salts, and acid amides. The combination of the process of this invention with any ordinary process for hydrodesulfurization enables the production of light oil having a sulfur content not exceeding 0.01% by weight. Light oil still containing benzothiophenone and dibenzothiophenone derivatives after hydrodesulfurization can be easily desulfurized to yield a desulfurized product not having any undesirable color, or any offensive smell. Also, the extraction of nitrogen compounds and aromatic compound from light oil is effected by the same process.

Abstract: The daylight stability, foaming characteristics, color, engine performance test behavior, oxygenates content, and thermal stability of wax isomerate oils and/or hydrocarbon synthesis liquid products are improved by the process of contacting the aforesaid wax isomerate oil and/or hydrocarbon synthesis liquid products with a silica adsorbent, said silica adsorbent being characterized by possessing a pore size of at least about 100 .ANG., preferably at least about 125 .ANG., most preferably at least about 150 .ANG., an alkali/alkaline earth ion concentration, excluding sodium, of greater than about 125 ppm, an iron content of less than about 40 ppm and a zirconium content of less than about 130 ppm.

Abstract: Sulfonated alkylphenol is added to crude oil at 5 to 200 ppm to inhibit naphthenic acid corrosion of ferrous metal process piping and equipment in contact with the crude oil at naphthenic acid corrosion conditions. There are disclosed corrosion-inhibited hydrocarbon fluids, an improvement in hot hydrocarbon processing with sulfonated alkylphenol, a method for inhibiting naphthenic acid corrosion therewith, and a method for catalytically processing hydrocarbons with sulfonated alkylphenol to avoid catalyst poisoning by iron compounds.

Abstract: An improved method for detoxifying waste materials contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method achieves dehalogenation of such halogenated hydrocarbons in a manner as efficient as previous methods, but at a considerably lower cost. The economic advantages of the present invention arise from the use of lower temperatures and/or smaller quantities of reagents, which in turn are made possible by the discovery of a surprisingly superior reagent, 2-methoxyethanol.

Abstract: Although high naphthenic acid hydrocarbon feedstocks normally need to be washed with caustic prior to being sweetened in a fixed bed mercaptan-to-disulfide oxidation process to avoid bed plugging, the prewash can be eliminated if aqueous ammonia is used concurrent with and as a part of the sweetening process. Aqueous ammonia injected into a sour hydrocarbon stream prior to the sweetening zone not only eliminates bed plugging, but affords an aqueous phase from which naphthenic acids may be recovered easily and economically. The ammonia also can be recovered for reuse, affording a process with considerably enhanced economic return.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving the color and color stability of a hydrocarbon fraction. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction with a selective hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at reaction conditions. This results in the selective hydrogenation of conjugated unsaturates, thereby improving the color and color stability of the hydrocarbon fraction. The process uses small quantities of hydrogen and is run under mild conditions. A preferred selective hydrogenation catalyst is sulfided nickel on an alumina/clay support.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving the color and color stability of a hydrocarbon fraction. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction with a selective hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at reaction conditions. This results in the selective hydrogenation of conjugated unsaturates, thereby improving the color and color stability of the hydrocarbon fraction. The process uses small quantities of hydrogen and is run under mild conditions.

Abstract: A phenolic polymerization inhibitor is recovered from a styrene distillation residue containing the phenolic polymerization inhibitor by a method which comprises extracting the inhibitor from the styrene distillation residue with an oxygen-containing organic solvent having not more than 6 carbon atoms, adding an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent to the oxygen-containing organic solvent phase consequently obtained, and subjecting the resultant mixture to distillation thereby separating the mixture into a solution of the phenolic polymerization inhibitor in the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent and the oxygen-containing organic solvent. The recovered solution is put to use as a polymerization inhibitor either in the unmodified form or in a form separated from the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the destruction of waste, like biologically difficult to degrade halogen-, nitrogen-, sulphur-, and/or oxygen containing compounds by thermal hydrogenolysis. The waste materials are heated together with an excess hydrogen and/or hydrogen donor during 1 to 10 sec. to a temperature between 700.degree.-1220.degree. C., followed by quenching the gaseous effluent of the reaction and separating it in a hydrocarbon and hydrogen containing phase and a hydrogen halogenide(s) nitrogen-, sulphur-, and/or oxygen containing compounds containing phase.Preferably the hydrogenolysis is performed in two steps, first during 1-10 sec. at 700.degree.-900.degree. C. and second during 1-10 sec. at 850.degree.-1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of separating a hot hydrocarbonaceous stream having a temperature above the dew point of water and comprising hydrogen, vaporous hydrocarbonaceous compounds and an acidic inorganic compound which method comprises: (a) contacting the hot hydrocarbonaceous stream at a temperature above the dew point of water in a contacting zone with an aqueous alkaline solution in an amount sufficient to simultaneously neutralize the acidic inorganic compound and to cool the hot hydrocarbonaceous stream to a temperature below the dew point of water to produce a flowing stream comprising a hydrogen-rich gas, a liquid hydrocarbonaceous phase and an aqueous solution containing inorganic neutralization products; and (b) introducing the flowing stream produced in step (a) into a separation zone to gravitationally produce an aqueous phase containing inorganic neutralization products, a hydrogen-rich gaseous phase and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid phase.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds from a petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof which comprises first treating the petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof rich in basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds in a two-phase extraction zone with an extractant consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of a lower carboxylic acid, preferably having between 1 and 15 carbon atoms. The extractant complexes the basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds to produce a stream of petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof having a smaller content of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds and a stream comprising the lower carboxylic acid extractant with an increased quantity of basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. The petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof possessing a reduced quantity of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds is hydrotreated in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrotreating catalyst to further remove the basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: Mixtures of C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 n-paraffins with paraffinsulphonic acids having the same number of carbon atoms, water and sulphuric acid, and obtained by sulphoxidation of said paraffins with SO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 in the presence of water and UV radiation are stripped of their excess SO.sub.2 and decanted to separate most of the paraffins, and obtain a residual mixture. The residual mixture is dehydrated according to the invention until a two-phase system forms or at least until the mixture becomes turbid, and the dehydrated mixture either as such or after separating the heavier phase consisting of water and sulphuric acid is extracted with supercritical CO.sub.2, which removes with it the n-paraffins, these being reused in the sulphoxidation process.

Abstract: A method of neutralizing the organic acidity in petroleum and petroleum fractions to produce a neutralization number less than 1.0 whereby they are rendered suitable as lube oil feed stocks which comprises treating said heavy gas oils with a neutralizing amount of monoethanolamine to form an amine salt with the organic acids and then heating the thus-neutralized petroleum or petroleum fraction at a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the amine salts to amides.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is described whereby a sour hydrocarbon distillate stream is treated in two oxidation zones within the same reaction vessel to oxidize mercaptans. The initial treatment is in the presence of a fiber bundle and the subsequent treatment over a bed of supported oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises (a) alumina, (b) zinc titanate, (c) at least one compound of molybdenum, (d) at least one compound of at least one of nickel and cobalt, and (e) at least one compound of rhenium. This catalyst composition is used for hydrotreating a liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, which contains organic compounds of sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen under such conditions as to obtain a product having reduced levels of sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen. Preferably the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream contains cycloalkanes, which are at least partially reformed to aromatic compounds.

Abstract: Process for extracting naphthenic acids from petroleum distillates having ASTM acid numbers of at least 0.2. The process uses a solvent system comprising liquid alkanols, water, and ammonia in certain critical ratios, which facilitates the selective extraction of naphthenic acids and easy separation of the solvent and extract from the extracted petroleum distillates.

Abstract: A process for reducing the molecular weight of hydrocarbons using NaAlCl.sub.4 is provided wherein the hydrogen to carbon ratio of the liquid product slate is approximately the same as the feed material. The process comprises contacting the feed material with a molten salt of NaAlCl.sub.4 having substantially no excess aluminum chloride or sodium chloride, preferably at a temperature of at least 660.degree. F., and at a pressure above atmospheric, preferably from about 50 psia to about 2000 psia, depending upon the product slate desired. According to the present invention, heavy hydrocarbons are converted to a liquid product slate wherein the product slate has an average molecular weight substantially lower than the average molecular weight of the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering phenols from phenol-containing streams having at least a sufficient amount of water. The stream is contacted with a metal composition comprised of one or more oxides and/or hydroxides of metals capable of forming a metal phenate with the phenols of the stream. The resulting metal phenates are separated from the stream and are treated with steam at a temperature from about 250.degree. C. to about 450.degree. C., thereby producing phenols, and hydroxides of the metals of the phenate.

Abstract: Choline has been shown to be an improved sweetener for petroleum fuels, particularly gasoline. It is also capable of reducing the sulfur content of these fuels.

Abstract: A method of neutralizing the organic acidity in heavy gas oils to produce a neutralization number less than 1.0 whereby they are rendered suitable as lube oil feed stocks which comprises treating said heavy gas oils with a neutralizing amount of monoethanolamine to form an amine salt with the organic acids and then heating the thus-neutralized heavy gas oil at a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the amine salts to amides.

Abstract: Phenolic compounds are removed from a hydrocarbon oil by contacting the oil with manganese nodules at suitable conditions of contact time, temperature, and pressure.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the concentration of basic nitrogen compounds in hydrocarbonaceous feedstock fluids used in the refining industry by providing a solid particulate carbonaceous adsorbent/fuel material such as coal having active basic nitrogen complexing sites on the surface thereof and the coal with a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock containing basic nitrogen compounds to facilitate attraction of the basic nitrogen compounds to the complexing sites and the formation of complexes thereof on the surface of the coal. The adsorbent coal material and the complexes formed thereon are from the feedstock fluid to provide a hydrocarbonaceous fluid of reduced basic nitrogen compound concentration. The coal can then be used as fuel for boilers and the like.

Abstract: A process for producing lower average molecular weight products from heavy liquid hydrocarbons is provided comprising contacting the feed material in the presence of a co-catalyst system comprising a molten salt of sodium tetrachloroaluminate (NaAlCl.sub.4) and hydrogen tetrachloroaluminate (HAlCl.sub.4) at a pressure of from about 0.8 to about 140 atm (81 to about 14185 kPa) and a temperature of from about 200.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C.According to the present invention use of the HAlCl.sub.4 as a co-catalyst with NaAlCl.sub.4 results in increased yields of lower average molecular weight products and improved levels of denitrogenation and desulfurization. The elements of the co-catalyst system may be prepared separately and mixed.