Abstract: A process to produce pitch, the process comprising the steps of introducing a depressurized effluent to a flash column; separating the depressurized effluent in the flash column to produce a liquid product; introducing the liquid product to a dweller; operating the dweller at a temperature between 350° C. and 500° C., a pressure between 0.1 psig and 10 psig, and a residence time between 30 minutes and 4 hours to produce a pitch stream and a reaction gas stream, wherein the dweller is a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), wherein dehydrogenative polymerization reactions occur in the dweller to produce pitch, wherein the inert gas stream is operable to remove volatile components from the liquid product; removing a pitch stream from the dweller, wherein the pitch stream comprises the pitch; and removing a reaction gas stream, wherein the reaction gas stream comprises the volatile components and nitrogen.

Abstract: Producing mesophase pitch from liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising multi-ring aromatic compounds. In a first stage reactor feed is converted to isotropic pitch product contaminated with mesophase pitch. Contaminated isotropic pitch is charged to a second stage reactor where mesophase formation by self-assembly into spherical crystal clusters produces a mesophase pitch product. Water or steam added to the first stage reactor increases conversion of aromatic liquid feed, increases mesophase contamination of isotropic pitch product and reduces coke formation in the isotropic pitch reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an impregnated pitch from a petroleum-based raw material and to an impregnated pitch produced using the same, and when the method for producing an impregnated pitch according to the present invention is used, it is possible to produce an impregnated pitch having a high carbonization yield (40 wt % or more) and low quinoline insoluble matter (QI, 2% or less) for improving efficiency of an impregnation process from a petroleum-based raw material. Therefore, when an impregnation process is applied to a carbon compact by using the impregnated pitch according to the present invention, it is possible to remarkably reduce micropores inside the carbon compact, and to produce a carbon compact having physical properties such as excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.

Abstract: Methods and systems for slurry hydrocracking with reduced feed bypass and methods for modulating an amount of toluene insoluble material present in a slurry hydrocracking reactor are provided. An exemplary slurry hydrocracking method comprises the steps of: combining a hydrocarbon feed and a slurry hydrocracking catalyst or catalyst precursor to generate a slurry hydrocracking feed; introducing the slurry hydrocracking feed to a slurry hydrocracking reactor under hydrocracking conditions suitable to generate a first product stream; drawing a drag stream from the slurry hydrocracking reactor, the drag stream comprising a hydrocarbon, mesophase material, and solid catalyst particles; separating the drag stream into a first separated stream and a recycle stream, with the first separated stream comprising mesophase material and solid catalyst particles, and the recycle stream comprising the hydrocarbon; and directing the recycle stream into the slurry hydrocracking reactor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making isotropic pitch are disclosed. A tubular reactor operating at high velocity and pressure converts aromatic rich liquid feed to pitch within minutes. Reactor is heated by electric resistance or inductance, a salt or molten metal bath, or fired heater. Reactor effluent flashes and isotropic pitch recovered from the flash drum. Softening point is affected by flash drum pressure or stripping steam. Unconverted feed may be recycled. Process makes little gasoline, simple condensation of flash drum vapor may produce gas oil and gasoline fractions. Isotropic pitch is made in a single step with a coking value of 50 to 55 wt %. Time and temperature in the reactor convert at least 20 wt % of feed and any recycle material present to isotropic pitch. Pressure is preferably above 500 psig, to suppress mesophase formation and produce isotropic pitch with less than 0.5 wt % mesophase.

Abstract: A method of processing light fraction tar includes pre-heating the light fraction tar before directing it through a reactor. The reactor has a top and a bottom and a surface spanning between said top and said bottom. A film of the light fraction tar flows down the surface under the force of gravity and with heated gas blowing thereon. The portion of the film that reaches the bottom of the reactor has improved properties making it more widely useful for carbon products.

Abstract: A process for producing mesophase pitch from high-temperature coal tar comprises: removing salts and quinoline insoluble fraction from a high-temperature coal tar to obtain a decant oil; using the decant oil as a hydrogenation feedstock, or pre-distilling the decant oil to obtain a residue with a boiling point higher than 230 and formulating the residue into a hydrogenation feedstock; catalytic hydrorefining the hydrogenation feedstock to obtain a hydrofined oil; distilling the hydrofined oil to obtain hydrogenated pitch; and subjecting the hydrogenated pitch to the thermal polymerization to obtain the mesophase pitch. The process has features such as an easily controllable degree of hydrogenation, complete removal of impurities, good raw material flowability, not tending to form the carbon deposition and the coking during the process, and not tending to jam the reactor. The product has a high content of mesophase pitch, a low softening point and a low impurity content.

Abstract: Self-compatible heavy oil streams are produced from converted and/or desulfurized fractions. In a preferred embodiment, an incompatibility stream is added to the converted and/or desulfurized stream to reduce the solubility number of the stream. After using a water wash to remove incompatible material, a lighter fraction is removed from the stream to increase the solubility number.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and handling slurries are provided. The surge drum system for storing a slurry can include a storage vessel having a first end, a second end, and at least one wall surrounding an internal volume between the first and second ends. The system can also include a slurry inlet and a slurry outlet, both in fluid communication with the internal volume. A recirculation inlet can be in fluid communication with the internal volume at the first end of the storage vessel. The system can also include a pump having a suction line in fluid communication with the outlet. A discharge line of the pump can be in fluid communication with an outlet valve and a recirculation valve that can be in fluid communication with the recirculation inlet.

Abstract: A method for purification of uncatalyzed natural fuels in liquid state from metal ions by removing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of natural occurring contaminating porphyrins, metalloporphyrins, chlorins and naturally occurring degradations products of these compounds, such as petroporphyrins, containing said metal ions from the fuels. At least one hemeprotein in apo-form selected from the group consisting of globins, peroxidases, pyrrolases and cytochromes having high affinity for porphyrins is added to the fuels. The hemeprotein is mixed with the fuels in such a way that the porphyrins is bounded to the hemeprotein. The hemeprotein with bound contaminating porphyrins is removed so as to obtain purified fuels. The invention relates also to the use of at least one hemeprotein selected from the group consisting of globins, peroxidases, pyrrolases and cytochromes having high affinity for porphyrins for the purification of uncatalyzed natural fuels in liquid state from metal ions.

Abstract: Method of contacting a hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst that includes one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table and/or one or more compounds of one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table and a support. The support comprises from 0.01 grams to 0.2 gram of silica and from 0.80 grams to 0.99 grams of alumina per gram of support. The catalyst has a surface area of at least 340 m2/g, a pore size distribution with a median pore diameter of at most 100 ?, and at least 80% of its pore volume in pores having a pore diameter of at most 300 ? or the catalyst exhibits one or more peaks between 35 degrees and 70 degrees, and at least one of the peaks has a base width of at least 10 degrees, as determined by x-ray diffraction at 2-theta.

Abstract: A method of producing a crude product from a hydrocarbon feed is provided. A hydrocarbon feed is contacted with a catalyst containing a Col. 6-10 metal or compound thereof to produce the crude product, where the catalyst has a pore size distribution with a median pore diameter ranging from 105 ? to 150 ?, with 60% of the total number of pores in the pore size distribution having a pore diameter within 60 ? of the median pore diameter, with at least 50% of its pore volume in pores having a pore diameter of at most 600 ?, and between 5% and 25% of its pore volume in pores having a pore diameter between 1000 ? and 5000 ?.

Abstract: Slurry hydrocracking a heavy hydrocarbon feed produces a HVGO stream and a pitch stream. At least a portion of the pitch stream is subjected to SDA to prepare a DAO stream low in metals. The DAO is blended with at least a portion of the HVGO stream to provide turbine or marine fuel with acceptable properties for combustion in gas turbines or for marine fuel grades.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a slurry hydrocracking process. The process can include combining one or more hydrocarbons and a slurry hydrocracking catalyst as a feed to a slurry hydrocracking reaction zone, fractionating an effluent from the slurry hydrocracking reaction zone, separating the pitch from at least a portion of the slurry hydrocracking catalyst, and recycling the suspension to the slurry hydrocracking reaction zone. The slurry hydrocracking catalyst may include a support. Fractionating the effluent may provide a light vacuum gas oil, a heavy vacuum gas oil, and a mixture comprising a pitch and the slurry hydrocracking catalyst. Generally, the separated slurry hydrocracking catalyst is comprised in a suspension.

Abstract: A process is disclosed using a dispersion of supercritical fluid and oil to upgrade a hydrocarbon feedstock such as a heavy oil into an upgraded hydrocarbon product or synthetic crude with highly desirable properties such as low sulfur content, low metals content, lower density (higher API), lower viscosity, lower residuum content, etc. The process utilizes a capillary mixer to form the dispersion. The process does not require external supply of hydrogen nor does it use externally supplied catalysts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. A hydrocarbon can be selectively separated to provide one or more finished products and an asphaltenic hydrocarbon using a pretreatment process. The asphaltenic hydrocarbon can be selectively separated to provide a deasphalted oil and one or more asphaltenes. At least a portion of the deasphalted oil can be converted to one or more first products using a first post-treatment process. At least a portion of the one or more asphaltenes can be converted to one or more second products using a second post-treatment process.

Abstract: A contactor/separator is formed from a vessel; an inlet for receiving a vapor/liquid mixture; an inlet for receiving a superheated vapor; a hub located within the vessel, the hub including a plurality of vanes for imparting a centrifugal motion to the vapor/liquid mixture or the superheated vapor; an outlet in a bottom of the vessel for removing liquid; and an outlet for removing vapor from the vessel. A method is also provided for heating and separating liquid and vapor from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock into a contactor/separator: introducing a superheated vapor into the contactor/separator such that it contacts and vaporizes a portion of the feedstock within the contactor/separator; separating unvaporized feedstock from vaporized feedstock in the contactor/separator; removing the vaporized feedstock and the superheated vapor through a first outlet; and removing the unvaporized feedstock through a second outlet.

Abstract: The invention provides a lubricating base oil with a saturated component content of 90% by mass or greater, a proportion of cyclic saturated components of no greater than 40% by mass of the saturated components, a viscosity index of 110 or greater, an aniline point of 106 or greater and an ?-methylene proportion of 14-20% of the total constituent carbons, as well as a lubricating oil composition comprising the lubricating base oil.

Abstract: Embodiments of a nozzle reactor of the type useable to inject a first material feed stock and a second material feed stock to cause interaction between the first material feed stock and second material feed stock are described herein. According to some embodiments, the nozzle reactor may crack residual oil produced by other processing units in a refinery process. Furthermore, nozzle reactors may replace traditional processing units of a refinery process, such as cokers, hydrocrackers and deasphalting units.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of heavy oils comprising sending the heavy oil to hydrotreatment, of the high severity type, in the presence of high concentrations of a suitable hydrogenation catalyst dispersed in slurry phase, effected in a suitable solid accumulation reactor capable of operating stably in the presence of solids deriving from and generated by the feedstock charged, wherein the hydrogen or mixtures thereof is fed at suitable flow-rates and suitably distributed, obtaining the conversion products in vapour phase directly in the reactor.

Abstract: Undesirable gas oil components are selectively cracked or coked in a coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors of traditional coking processes in the coking vessel prior to fractionation. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack or coke these undesirable components that typically have a high propensity to coke. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to control the (1) coke crystalline structure and (2) the quantity and quality of volatile combustible materials (VCMs) in the resulting coke. That is, by varying the quantity and quality of the catalyst, seeding agent, and/or excess reactant the process may affect the quality and quantity of the coke produced, particularly with respect to the crystalline structure (or morphology) of the coke and the quantity & quality of the VCMs in the coke.

Abstract: Systems and methods for contacting a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that include a crude product are described. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The one or more catalysts may include one or more vanadium catalysts. Methods and compositions of the one or more vanadium catalysts are described. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed. In some embodiments, hydrogen is generated.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (i) a chelating aminocarboxylic acid-C8-C22 amine complex; (ii) a C15-C21 bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amide; and (iii) a C15-C44 imidazoline compound.

Abstract: Methods and systems for contacting a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that include a crude product are described. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed. The produced crude product may include sulfur, residue, Micro-Carbon Residue, C5 asphaltenes, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A binder pitch material includes a petroleum pitch and asphalt fraction obtained from petroleum crude oil and has a significantly lower polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition than a coal tar pitch having a like softening point. The pitch material is useful as a binder material for various applications such as clay pigeons.

Abstract: A fiber reaction process whereby reactive components contained in immiscible streams are brought into contact to effect chemical reactions and separations. The conduit reactor utilized contains wettable fibers onto which one stream is substantially constrained and a second stream is flowed over to continuously create a new interface there between to efficiently bring about contact of the reactive species and thus promote reactions thereof or extractions thereby. Co-solvents and phase transfer catalysts may be employed to facilitate the process.

Abstract: A binder pitch material includes a petroleum pitch and asphalt fraction obtained from petroleum crude oil and has a significantly lower polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition than a coal tar pitch having a like softening point. The pitch material is useful as a binder material for various applications such as clay pigeons.

Abstract: A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.

Abstract: A method of blending delayed coker feedstocks to produce a coke that is easier to remove from a coker drum. A first feedstock is selected having less than about 250 wppm dispersed metals content and greater than about 5.24 API gravity. A second delayed coker feedstock is blended with said first resid feedstock so that the total dispersed metals content of the blend will be greater than about 250 wppm and the API gravity will be less than about 5.24.

Abstract: A process for fractionating crude pitch by direct contact heating with molten metal is disclosed. The crude pitch, which may contain water, contaminants and/or distillables is heated by direct contact heat exchange with molten metal, preferably maintained as a metal continuous bath, operating at a temperature of 100 to 600° C. The molten metal heating zone is maintained at a temperature and pressure sufficient to vaporize a desired amount of contaminants or volatile material from crude pitch to produce pitch product having a desired softening point. New pitch materials, having a softening point above those achievable by conventional techniques, are also produced.

Abstract: A process for producing pitch from pitch precursors, such as wood tar, coal tar or petroleum fractions is disclosed. Direct contact heat exchange of the pitch precursor with molten metal, preferably maintained as a metal continuous bath, heats the pitch precursor to a temperature sufficient to induce thermal polymerization reactions and produce a pitch product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a way to increase the softening point of heavier hydrocarbons in a relatively low cost and low pressure process using superheated steam to i) increase the carbon yield of the heavier hydrocarbons, while simultaneously ii) removing volatile components with a steam stripping process.

Abstract: A method of making the saturated aircraft brake preform using a coal tar pitch having a softening point in the range of about 160° C. to 240° C. Also, a product having natural rubber in the formulation and the method of making the product using a coal tar pitch having a softening point in the range of about 140° C. to 200° C. A mesophase pitch is formed from quinoline insoluble free coal tar pitch distillate from a high efficiency evaporative distillation process.

Abstract: Described are methods that utilize high efficiency evaporative distillation to make a high softening point coal tar pitch, a quinoline insoluble-free and ash-free coal tar pitch having a desired softening point, and a mesophase coal tar pitch. Each of the methods uses a feed coal tar pitch having a softening point in the range of 70° C. to 160° C. The methods may be carried out using appropriate conventional distillation equipment, a wiped film evaporator, or a thin film evaporator.

Abstract: An improved process for deasphalting a residua feedstock by use of a short vapor residence time process unit comprised of a horizontal moving bed of fluidized and/or stirred hot particles. The vapor phase product stream from said process unit is passed to a soaker drum where a high boiling fraction is separated and recycled to the process unit after undergoing reactions causing molecular weight growth. This reactive recycle using the soaker drum results in substantially improved qualities of the liquid products compared with what is achieved by once-through residua deasphalting process alternatives.

Abstract: Production of nickel/silica hydrogenation catalyst precursors by heating a slurry of particulate silica, e.g. kieselguhr, in an aqueous nickel ammine carbonate solution for a total period of at least 200 minutes at a pH above 7.5, followed by filtration, washing, drying, and optionally calcination.

Abstract: This invention involves heat integration of a solvent deasphalting process with a gasification process and an improved process for separating a resin phase from a solvent solution comprising a solvent, deasphalted oil (DAO) and resin. This improved process comprises heating the solvent solution so as to precipitate the resin from the solvent solution, and then separating the resin and some solvent from the solvent solution. This will produce a resin product and a mixture comprising the DAO and the remaining solvent. The DAO/solvent mixture is then boiled so as to vaporize a fraction of the solvent, with waste heat from a gasification unit providing the heat source for the boiling. The vaporized solvent is removed from the DAO/solvent mixture leaving a resin-free DAO product that contains any unvaporized solvent. The vaporized solvent is used for heating the aforementioned solvent solution and preheating the resin-free DAO/solvent mixture.

Abstract: Novel amine-chelate complexes are useful in significantly reducing the viscosity of heavy crude oils, facilitating the recovery and transportation of such heavy crude oils. The amine-chelate complexes are formed by heating together an organic amine with a chelating agent.

Abstract: The catalyst comprises a mixture of hydrocracked residual asphaltene and metal-doped coke. The catalyst is produced by mixing an oil-soluble metal compound catalyst precursor (e.g. Mo or Ni soap) with heavy oil containing asphaltene and hydrocracking the mixture, producing solid coke as a byproduct. The residual asphaltene fraction in the hydrocracked oil is then precipitated, for example with n-pentane. The mixture of solid coke and precipitated asphaltene is separated and used as the catalyst for hydrocracking a new batch of non-hydrocracked oil. The coke and asphaltene mixture provides as effective a catalyst as the original metal soap catalyst precursor. The coke and asphaltene mixture recovered from a second stage of coke and asphaltene mixture catalysed hydrocracking of heavy oil is still an effective catalyst and can be used again without significant loss in catalytic activity.

Abstract: A process for upgrading petroleum residua to more valuable products by visbreaking or otherwise thermally cracking a petroleum residuum to produce a thermally cracked bottoms stream, vacuum distilling at least a portion of the thermally cracked bottoms stream to produce a vacuum distilled thermally cracked pitch, blending a portion of the pitch with a hydrocarbon residuum that is not a vacuum distilled thermally cracked pitch to produce a delayed coker feed component, producing a delayed coker heater charge having a recycle ratio, by weight, of less than about 1.27:1, and introducing the coker heater charge into a delayed coker.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for producing a metals containing anisotropic pitch product suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. Soluble-aromatic, organometallic compounds are added to a carbonaceous feedstock substantially free of mesophase pitch and the resulting composition is heat soaked preferably with gas sparge to produce a metals containing mesophase pitch.

Abstract: A process for preparing nitrogen-containing isotropic pitch, comprising the steps of mixing a petroleum heavy oil, a nitrating reagent and water to prepare a homogeneous dispersion, thereby contacting the petroleum heavy oil with the nitrating reagent in the homogeneous dispersion state to prepare a crude nitrated heavy oil, and subjecting the crude nitrated heavy oil to refining, thermal polymerization and vacuum distillation. According to the process of the invention, a petroleum heavy oil containing a large amount of light oil components and being liquid at ordinary temperature, from which pitch has been hardly prepared conventionally, is used as a starting material for preparing pitch, and there can be obtained nitrogen-containing isotropic pitch of homogeneity and high quality having a desired softening point of from a low softening point to a high softening point, though such pitch was unable to be obtained so far.

Abstract: A process for producing high-quality pitches comprising atomizing a preheated feed material of carbonaceous tar and/or pitch, forming an aerosol, contacting the aerosol in a reaction vessel with a flowing, non-reactive gas atmosphere for less than about 10 seconds at a gas temperature of about 1400.degree. F. to about 2000.degree. F., and separating and recovering a liquid fraction of the liquid formed in the reaction vessel which remains in a liquid phase up to a distillation temperature of about 750.degree. F.

Abstract: The process of the invention comprises:a) heating at least one low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbon in the presence of a Lewis acid under conditions sufficient to produce a pitch of desired composition and properties;b) recovering a pitch of desired composition and properties.The process of the invention may be used to produce pitch which can be used in roofing and binder applications.

Abstract: The improved composition for use in the production of composite carbon materials comprises a mesophase pitch containing at least 80% of an optical anisotropic phase and having a softening point of no higher than 250.degree. C., and sulfur present in an amount of 6-35 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said mesophase pitch. Said composition may be heated together with an aggregate and subsequently shaped to yield a composite carbon material. The improved process for producing a composite carbon material comprises impregnating an aggregate with said composition as it is melted, shaping the mixture in a temperature range of 150.degree.-350.degree. C, and then carbonizing the shaped part.

Abstract: Commercially attractive continuous processes for the preparation of mesophase pitches for manufacturing high-performance carbon fibers are disclosed. One feature resides in that conversion of a pitch into a mesophase pitch is conducted continuously by using a unique continuous dispersion-heat-treating apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed bonding pitch for electrodes, having a softening point C.I.A. comprised between 80.degree. C. and 150.degree. C., a concentration of quinoline-insoluble substances higher or equal to 4% by weight, a concentration of .alpha.+.beta. resins comprised between 28 and 40% by weight, and a fixed carbon content determined according to the standard ISO 6998, at least equal to 51% by weight, is characterized by a vitreous transition domain .DELTA.Tg, determined by differential calorimetric analysis, at the most equal to 50.degree. C. In order to produce such a pitch, a pitch having a content of quinoline-insoluble substances lower than 4% by weight is subjected to a treatment by waves having a frequency between 0.9 and 300 GHz. Such treatment makes possible the increase of the carbon content of the pitch while preserving a good affinity to the coke and significantly decreasing its vitreous transitional domain.

Abstract: A fiber made of pitch is disclosed. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the fiber has a percent elongation of about 2 percent or greater. This fiber is made by melt spinning an optically isotropic pitch to form a fiber typically in the range of about 5 to about 50 microns diameter, treating the fiber with an oxidizing atmosphere, subsequently removing a certain portion of the oxidant thereby reducing the weight of the fiber, with the optional post-treatment step of repetitively stretching in the elastic range short of breakage to increase the percent elongation.

Abstract: A process for the production of high quality petroleum tar pitch for use as a binder in the manufacture of electrodes for the aluminum and steel industries from a highly aromatic feed comprises fractionating the feed in an oxygen-free environment under controlled conditions so as to obtain a specific quality petroleum tar pitch.

Abstract: A carbon fluoride comprising carbon atoms and fluorine atoms and having a structure in which layers containing fluorinated condensed cyclohexane rings are stacked to form a packing structure, the atomic ratio of fluorine to carbon atoms being 0.5 to 1.8, the carbon fluoride exhibiting a powder X-ray diffraction pattern in which there are peaks respectively at about 13.degree. (2.theta.) and at about 40.degree. (2.theta.) and no peak on the low side of diffraction angle relative to 13.degree. (2.theta.) and exhibiting a spectrum of electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis in which there are peaks respectively due to a monofluorocarbon group and due to a difluorocarbon group, the intensity ratio of the peak due to the difluorocarbon group to the peak due to the monofluorocarbon group being 0.15 to 1.5. The carbon fluoride has a unique property that it is capable of forming a film by vacuum deposition. The carbon fluoride may be produced by the direct fluorination of a pitch or meso-carbon microbeads.