Abstract: Process for the purification of an ionic electrolyte comprising at least one alkali metal salt, the process having at least one stage in which particles of at least one calcium salt are brought into contact. The process makes it possible to obtain electrolytes characterized in particular by a particularly low water content. The corresponding electrochemical generators which incorporate the electrolyte as constituent component are characterized by a noteworthy stability and are particularly safe.

Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.

Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. The deoiling zone can comprise a membrane that is rapidly displaced in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via membrane filtration. In one embodiment, filtration sedimentation is used for the separation of the heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.

Abstract: A method of making a sulphided ion exchange resin from an ion exchange resin containing primary or secondary amino group comprises passing a non-aqueous liquid, e.g. a hydrocarbon, feedstock containing elemental sulphur or organic, or inorganic, di-or poly-sulphides through a bed of an ion exchange resin containing primary or secondary amino groups, and so unsulphided ion exchange resins containing primary or secondary amine groups may be used to remove such elemental sulphur or sulphur compounds from liquid, e.g. hydrocarbon, feedstocks. The sulphided ion exchange resins may be used to remove elemental mercury or organic mercury compounds from liquid, e.g. hydrocarbon, streams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making an asphalt product having an enhanced flash point and lower volatility, comprising vacuum distilling a blend of a high boiling petroleum fraction having an initial boiling point of at least 270° C. and a crude to produce a product asphalt having a flash of from 265° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: A method for the adsorptive purification of vegetable and/or mineral oils and fats works with a multi-stage counter flow process. At least a part of the solid phase leaving the first separating stage is mixed in batches or continuously with a part of the purified oil or fat leaving the last separating stage. The mash thereby obtained is fed to a subsequent filter.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of aromatic nitrogen-containing compounds from an oily substance is disclosed which comprises extracting an oily substance containing aromatic nitrogen-containing compounds with a solvent containing water and a lower alkanol.

Abstract: A coal-based heavy oil is refined so as to remove quinoline insolubles and provide a hydrocarbon product suitable for making carbon stocks by heating to remove the volatile components which have boiling points ranging from the initial boiling point of the heavy oil to up to at least 200.degree. C. and at most 270.degree. C., thereby leaving a residual coal-based heavy oil, the residual coal-based heavy oil is mixed with a ketone-type solvent having a boiling point less than 200.degree. C. to form an insoluble precipitate (including quinoline insolubles) and a supernatent, the supernatent is treated to recover the ketone-type solvent, and the remaining hydrocarbon mixture is easily processed by vacuum distillation to produce a hydrocarbon product suitable for making carbon stocks.