Abstract: Dialkylphenylenediamines are used to inhibit oxidation and polymerization of furfural or furfural derivatives. The preferred use of the inhibitor is in the solvent refining of lubricating oils using furfural to extract constituents from the lubricating oils.

Abstract: A method of extracting iron species from a liquid hydrocarbon medium comprising adding to the medium a composition comprised of an aminocarboxylic acid, methoxypropylamine and a solvent selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexanol, cresylic acid, ethylene glycol and hexylene glycol.

Abstract: Turbine oils are produced from a distillate lube fraction by hydrocracking to remove aromatics, catalytically dewaxing, hydrofinishing then treating with an organic peroxide, such as ditertiary butyl peroxide (DTBP) to increase viscosity and reduce cloud point.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of polymeric based fouling deposits normally formed during the caustic washing to hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method comprises adding an effective amount for the purpose of an acetoacetate ester compound to the caustic wash system.

Abstract: High viscosity index, low pour point lubricants are produced by the oligomerization of a wax-derived lubricant fraction. The fraction may be produced from slack wax or de-oiled wax by hydroisomerization over zeolite beta or hydrocracking/isomerization over an amorphous catalyst followed by selective dewaxing, preferably by catalytic dewaxing over a highly shape selective zeolite such as ZSM-23. The preferred peroxides are ditertiary alkyl peroxides such as ditertiary butyl peroxide (DTBP) and are typically used at temperatures of 100.degree.-300.degree. C.

Abstract: Turbine oils are produced from a distillate lube fraction by solvent extraction to remove aromatics, e.g., with furfural, then dewaxing and hydrofinishing to saturate residual aromatics. Treatment with an organic peroxide, such as ditertiary butyl peroxide (DTBP), increases viscosity to compensate for the viscosity loss during the hydrofinishing. Dewaxing may be solvent or catalytic dewaxing or both. Peroxide treatment also reduces cloud point.

Abstract: Methods of scavenging hydrogen halide species from hydrocarbon liquids are disclosed. Preferred scavengers includes allyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and tertiary alcohols such as tert-butyl alcohol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving the Viscosity Index of a hydrocarbon lubricating oil comprising the steps of providing a flow reactor having separate first and second inlet ports for the separate co-injection of lubricating oil and an organic peroxide, charging said lubricating oil and said organic peroxide of said flow reactor through said first and second inlet ports respectively, controlling the relative flowrates of said lubricating oil and organic peroxide reactants together with the total volumetric flowrate through said flow reactor to maintain a flow regime which favors diffusional mixing between said organic peroxide and said lubricating oil, and maintaining said organic peroxide and said lubricating oil under conversion conditions including temperatures of between about 50.degree. and 300.degree. C. and pressure sufficient to maintain said lubricating oil and said organic peroxide substantially in the liquid phase.

Abstract: The salt content of a heavy crude oil is reduced by a method which comprises the steps of(a) mixing 70 to 98% by volume of a heavy crude oil having a viscosity in the range 200 to 250,000 mPa.s at the mixing temperature with 30 to 2% by volume of an aqueous solution of an emulsifying surfactant or an alkali, percentages being expressed as percentages by volume of the total mixture; mixing being effected under low shear conditions in the range 10 to 1,000 reciprocal seconds, in such manner that an HIPR emulsion is formed comprising distorted oil droplets having mean droplet diameters in the range 2 to 50 micron separated by aqueous films,(b) breaking the resulting emulsion, and(c) separating the resulting mixture into a layer of relatively salt-free oil and a layer of relatively salt-enhanced water.Heavy crude oils are desalted by the above method without requiring a hydrocarbon diluent.

Abstract: Certain Mannich reaction products (i.e., alkylated phenol, polyoxyalkylenediamine, and an aldehyde) are used to deactivate iron species already present in hydrocarbon fluids. Left untreated, such iron species lead to decomposition resulting in the formation of gummy, polymer masses in the hydrocarbon liquid.

Abstract: An oil characteristic improvement process and device therefor including methodology whereby the specific gravity and viscosity of heavy oil feedstock is reduced. The process includes the steps of forming a mixture of the heavy oil feedstock and one or more organic reagents having a terminal hydroxyl group and heating the mixture from 300.degree. F. to 750.degree. F. in a reactor vessel while simultaneously exposing the mixture to a ferrous metal. In connection with this process, the present invention is also directed to a tubular reactor vessel, the inner walls of which include ferrous metal, the inner diameter and length of the tubular vessel being chosen such that the flow rate of the heavy oil through the vessel is such that the residence time within the vessel ranges from 600 to 6000 seconds, the heat flux through the walls of the vessel is less than 20,000 BTU/hr/sq.ft.

Abstract: A process for the thermal conversion of various fossil organic materials such as heavy crude oils, heavy petroleum fractions or refining residues, is described. According to the invention, the charge is subjected to thermal processing in the presence of a minor proportion of at least one radical-generating monooxygenated compound, containing at least one heteroelement selected from sulfur, and nitrogen and in which the oxygen is borne by said heteroelement. The conversion is improved with a composition comprising a hydrogen donor diluent and this monooxygenated compound in a weight ratio of 0.2:1 to 400:1. The invention is useful in the petroleum industry and the coal industry and particularly in the process of hydrovisbreaking.

Abstract: A hydrofining process (preferably hydrovisbreaking process) comprises contacting a substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, which contains Ramsbottom carbon residue and materials boiling in excess of about 1000.degree. F. at atmospheric conditions, with a free hydrogen-containing gas and a catalyst composition comprising at least one catechol compound of molybdenum. Preferably the catechol compound of molybdenum is prepared by reaction of a compound comprising molybdenum and oxygen with a catechol compound under non-reducing conditions.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the foaming tendency of hydrocarbons, particularly lube basestocks, is disclosed. The method comprises passing the hydrocarbon through an adsorption zone having an adsorbent, preferably a basic adsorbent therein. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises passing the hydrocarbon feedstock through a regenerable multi-bed adsorption zone. The foaming tendency of the hydrocarbon exiting from the bed in service is monitored. The flow to each particular bed in service is discontinued and the bed regenerated when the foaming tendency of the hydrocarbon exiting from each particular bed exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A process for removing suspended solids particularly difficultly filterable inorganic solids from an oil obtained as a refinery process bottom fraction from both steam and catalytic cracking units (e.g. catalytic cracker bottoms) or from coal conversion processes (e.g. coal tar) by adding to the oil an agglomerating agent comprising an oxyalkylated phenol formaldehyde resin glycol ester whereby said solids are clustered together into readily filterable agglomerates.

Abstract: Spent boron trifluoride catalyst is removed from organic liquids by contacting the liquid with polyvinyl alcohol. For example, boron trifluoride catalyst is removed from 1-olefin oligomer product by passing the liquid oligomer through a bed of granular polyvinyl alcohol. The boron trifluoride is recovered from the polyvinyl alcohol and is recycled for use as a catalyst.

Abstract: Boron trifluoride is removed from coordination compounds contaminating organic liquids by contacting the contaminated liquid with silica. For example, boron trifluoride is removed from a boron trifluoride-n-butanol coordination compound contaminating a 1-olefin oligomer product by passing the contaminated liquid oligomer through a bed of silica.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing hydrocarbon-soluble anionic surfactants from gasoline or kerosene boiling range hydrocarbons. The method comprises (a) contacting a hydrocarbon mixture containing surfactants with a lower alcohol which is miscible with the hydrocarbon mixture to extract the surfactants; (b) contacting the mixture with water or caustic solution to extract the lower alcohol and surfactants from the hydrocarbon mixture; (c) separating the water or caustic solution from the hydrocarbons; and (d) removing the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Boron trifluoride contaminant is removed from organic liquids by contacting the contaminated liquid with polyvinyl alcohol. For example, boron trifluoride catalyst is removed from 1-olefin oligomer product by passing the liquid oligomer through a bed of granular polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feed for use in a catalytic conversion process that utilizes a zeolite catalyst, and that contains a catalytically deleterious impurity, is refined by contact with a zeolitic sorbent. The invention is applicable to dewaxing, with an example illustrating reduction by 100.degree. F. of the initial equilibrium (lineout) temperature by the method of this invention. Other reactions include conversions of aromatic hydrocarbons such as alkylation, isomerization and disproportionation.

Abstract: An improvement in the production of low mineral content fuel by coal liquefaction processes which yield as a primary product a mixture of liquid and solids a part of which are suspended in the liquid whereby the separation of the suspended solids is facilitated by the addition of an effective amount of a suitable chelating agent to the mixture. The chelating agent is optionally added as a solution of the chelating agent in a suitable solvent and desirably is present in an amount from about 100 to about 150% of the stoichiometric amount required to react with the suspended solids in the mixture.

Abstract: An improvement in the solvent extraction of nonhydrocarbons from a synfuel liquid, e.g., shale oil, involves that the extract from the extractor, rather than being recycled directly back to the extractor, is first hydrotreated. A further improvement involves that a portion of the hydrotreated extract is fractionated and a light fraction is returned to the extractor. Use of the hydrotreated extract as recycle increases the efficiency of the extractor. A still further improvement involves the use as a selective solvent of one of the following: dialkylformamide, aldehydomorpholine, keto-morpholine, morpholine or an aliphatic aromatic ketone. These preferred solvents have the advantage of providing a clear interface between the extract and raffinate in the extractor. Removal of the nonhydrocarbons permits production of more hydrocarbons having enhanced utility as a jet fuel from a synfuel liquid than otherwise would be possible.

Abstract: Oxygen compounds are removed, e.g., by solvent extraction, from a shale oil prior to its hydrogenation. As a result, the amount of hydrogen consumed during subsequent hydrogenation to achieve a given level of nitrogen for the shale oil is less than that which would occur if the oxygen compounds were not removed from the shale oil. Removal of the nitrogen is necessary to avoid adverse effects on subsequent shale oil processing steps such as catalytic cracking.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing the nitrogen content of shale oil by selectively removing therefrom nitrogen-containing compounds. The nitrogen content of shale oil is reduced by a process comprising lowering the viscosity of the shale oil and then contacting the shale oil with a sufficient amount of a solvent which is selective toward the nitrogen-containing compounds present in the shale oil. The selective solvent is selected from the group consisting of organic acids, and substituted organic acids, particularly acetic, formic and trichloroacetic acids and mixtures thereof. The selective solvent system containing the nitrogen-containing compounds is separated from the reduced nitrogen content shale oil raffinate.

Abstract: The compound methyl 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl ether having the formula ##STR1##

Abstract: A gaseous stream (such as a "sour" natural gas stream) composed chiefly of a normally gaseous light hydrocarbon or alkane, such as methane, ethane, propane, or mixtures thereof, containing undesirable constituents, impurities or contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, water vapor, nitrogen and helium, is mixed with a polar organic liquid, such as methanol, or an aqueous solution of said liquid, such as an aqueous solution of methanol. The resulting mixture is cooled and liquefied and the resulting two-phase liquid mixture (comprising a light phase rich in the desired light hydrocarbon and an impurities-rich heavy phase of said polar organic liquid) is extracted with said polar organic liquid to recover said light hydrocarbon in the liquefied state, e.g. as liquefied, "sweet" natural gas.

Abstract: Dienes are separated from organic mixtures comprising diene and alkene having one double bond by contacting the mixture against one side of a membrane which is a halogenated polymer of ethylene and withdrawing at the other side a vaporous mixture having increased diene concentration. Exemplary of the organic mixtures is a mixture of butadiene and butene. Exemplary of the membranes are polyvinylchloride and tetrafluoroethylene/ethylene copolymer.