Abstract: Various embodiments that pertain to oxygen enrichment are described. Oxygen enrichment is shown to allow for independent control of both reformer residence time and the oxygen-to-carbon ratio during reforming. This allows for much better control over the reformer and for significant gains in reformer through-put without negative impacts to reformer performance. Additionally, the use of oxygen enriched reforming is shown to result in enhanced reformer performance, reduced degradation from catalyst poisons (carbon formation and sulfur) and enhanced fuel cell stack performance due to greatly increased hydrogen concentration in the reformate.

Abstract: A process for converting polycyclic aromatic compounds to monocyclic aromatic compounds includes pyrolyzing a coal feed to produce a coke stream and a coal tar stream. The coal tar stream is cracked, and the cracked coal tar stream is fractionated to produce an aromatic fraction comprising the polycyclic aromatic compounds. The process further includes hydrocracking the aromatic fraction to partially hydrogenate at least a first portion of the aromatic fraction, and to open at least one ring of a second portion of the aromatic fraction to form the monocyclic aromatic compounds from the polycyclic compounds, and recycling the first portion of the aromatic fraction.

Abstract: A cost-effective solution for the disposal of heavy residue bottoms recovered from a slurry hydrocracking process that include solid heterogeneous catalyst particles is provided by their introduction into a membrane wall gasification reactor in the form of a flowable slurry to produce a synthesis gas and, optionally, subjecting the synthesis gas to a water-gas shift reaction to produce a more hydrogen-rich product stream. Process steam and electricity are produced by recovering the sensible heat values from the hot synthesis gas.

Abstract: A multi-stage catalytic process for the direct liquefaction of coal is utilized with a hydrotreater to first liquefy and subsequently treat the product in one integrated process. A fresh hydrogenation catalyst is used to reduce heteroatoms (S, N) from coal liquids in the downstream hydrotreater. This catalyst is then cascaded and re-used in the direct coal liquefaction process, first in the low temperature Stage 1, and then re-used in the high temperature Stage 2. Coal liquid products have very low contaminants and can be readily used to produce gasoline and diesel fuel. Catalyst requirements are substantially lowered utilizing this novel process.

Abstract: Process for removing oxygen-containing organic compounds from mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds, in which a liquid phase (1) containing hydrocarbons and oxygenates is charged to a first column (3), a light fraction is separated as top product (5) by distillation, and that a heavier C4+ fraction is removed from the bottom, the light fraction (5) and a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenates (2) is charged to a second column (7), and separated into a light and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction distillation, and an additional solvent (6) is supplied to the upper part of the second column (7), which dissolves the oxygenates and, the solvent and oxygenates being discharged as bottom product (9) and a hydrocarbon product (8), which is free from oxygenates leaves the top of the column (7). The solvent optionally is wholly or partly regenerated and recirculated to the extractive distillation column.

Abstract: Process for direct coal liquefaction of coal, including: (1) preparing a coal slurry from raw coal; (2) preheating the coal slurry, then feeding it into reaction system to undergo liquefaction reaction; (3) separating reaction products in a separator to form a liquid phase and a gas phase, wherein the liquid phase is fractionated in an atmospheric tower into a light oil fraction and a bottom product; (4) feeding the atmospheric tower bottom product to a vacuum tower to separate into distillate and vacuum residue; (5) mixing the light oil fraction and the distillate to form a mixture, then feeding the mixture to a suspended bed hydrotreating reactor with forced circulation for hydrogenation; (6) fractionating hydrogenation products into oil products and a hydrogen donor recycling solvent. The process can operate long periods, with higher reactor efficiency and utilization factor, increased liquid oil yield and can supply high-quality feedstock for further processing.

Abstract: Process for direct coal liquefaction of coal, including: (1) preparing a coal slurry from raw coal; (2) preheating the coal slurry, then feeding it into reaction system to undergo liquefaction reaction; (3) separating reaction products in a separator to form a liquid phase and a gas phase, wherein the liquid phase is fractionated in an atmospheric tower into a light oil fraction and a bottom product; (4) feeding the atmospheric tower bottom product to a vacuum tower to separate into distillate and vacuum residue; (5) mixing the light oil fraction and the distillate to form a mixture, then feeding the mixture to a suspended bed hydrotreating reactor with forced circulation for hydrogenation; (6) fractionating hydrogenation products into oil products and a hydrogen donor recycling solvent. The process can operate long periods, with higher reactor efficiency and utilization factor, increased liquid oil yield and can supply high-quality feedstock for further processing.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of a hydrocarbon feed includes contacting a major amount of the hydrocarbon feed with hydrogen in a counter-current manner in a first reaction zone under hydrogenation reaction conditions in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in at least a first catalyst bed wherein a liquid effluent exits at a bottom end of the first reaction zone and a hydrogen-containing gaseous effluent exits at a top end of the first reaction zone, and contacting a minor portion of the hydrocarbon feed with said hydrogen-containing gaseous effluent in a co-current manner in a second reaction zone having a catalyst bed positioned to receive the hydrogen-containing effluent of the first reaction zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated continuous haulage apparatus and method designed for use in underground environments. Each mobile bridge carrier (10) contains distance measurement (70) and angular position (74) means for determining the mobile bridge carrier's (10) position and the angular position of attached piggyback conveyors (30). Means for determining the ceiling height (76) are utilized to adjust the height of the piggyback conveyors (30). On each mobile bridge carrier (10), input from the various sensors is received by an electronic controller (80) that calculates the position and orientation of the bridge carrier (10) and attached piggyback conveyors (30). The controller then plans an optimal path of movement for the bridge carrier (10) and computes the rate of movement for each independently operated track assembly on the bridge carrier such that the bridge carrier (10) and piggyback conveyors (30) arrive as close as possible to the planned path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from bituminous tar sand or shale. The process includes treating the tar sand or shale to produce a fluidizable feed, feeding the fluidizable feed to a fluidized bed reactor, and fluidizing and reacting the fluidizable feed in the fluidized bed reactor with substantially only hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous loading, calcining and unloading operations in three triangularly placed reactor tubes that are loaded with oil bearing material from a common feed source.

Abstract: A method for hydro-liquefying coal, the method comprising preheating a slurried mixture of a pulverized coal and a solvent, the preheated mixture being supplied to a plurality of reactors; separating a gaseous content from the products resulting from the reaction; dehydrating the gaseous content and removing a light oil content therefrom, thereby obtaining hydrogen-content gases; and recycling the hydrogen-content gases at least to the first reactor and supplying it to the bottom thereof so that the light oil content in the solvent is stripped.

Abstract: A coal liquefaction process employing a first stage liquefaction step catalyzed by a soluble molybdenum-containing organophosphorodithioate catalyst is disclosed. In some embodiments, two consecutive liquefaction steps employ a molybdenum-containing organophosphorodithioate catalyst operating at a relatively high liquefaction temperature. In other embodiments, a second liquefaction process step operating at a relatively low temperature employs a hydrocracking catalyst to upgrade materials obtained from the first soluble catalyst liquefaction step. In some embodiments, an interstage gas separator removes gases such as carbon dioxide produced in the first liquefaction step from a partially liquefied mixture prior to further liquefying the mixture in the second liquefaction step.

Abstract: In the two stage liquefaction of a carbonaceous solid such as coal wherein coal is liquefied in a first stage in the presence of a liquefaction solvent and the first stage effluent is hydrogenated in the presence of a supported hydrogenation catalyst in a second stage, catalyst which has been previously employed in the second stage and comminuted to a particle size distribution equivalent to 100% passing through U.S. 100 Mesh, is passed to the first stage to improve the overall operation.

Abstract: In a process for producing distillates from coal by a first stage thermal liquefaction followed by a catalytic hydrogenation, liquefaction solvent is added at points spaced over the length of the thermal liquefaction heater.Coal may be co-processed with petroleum oil by adding pre-hydrogenated oil to the first stage or unhydrogenated oil to the second stage.

Abstract: An improved process for the hydroconversion of coal, wherein coal is slurried in an organic solvent and subjected to pretreatment with carbon monoxide, followed by separation of a solvent-soluble phase comprising hydrocarbon material from the coal, and subsequently hydroconverting the extracted material in a hydroconversion reactor. The extracted material consists of a relatively hydrogen-rich material which is readily hydroconverted to valuable liquid products in high yield. The coal residue is relatively hydrogen deficient material which can be gasified to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide for the hydroconversion and pretreatment stages, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for obtaining liquids and gases from carbonaceous material, such as coal. The carbonaceous material is first treated with a gasification catalyst, and optionally a hydrogenation catalyst, and hydropyrolyzed for an effective residence time, below the critical temperature at which methane begins to rapidly form, to make liquid products. The resulting char is gasified in the presence of steam at a temperature from about 500.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved process for the hydroconversion of coal comprising pretreating coal in an aqueous carbon monoxide-containing environment, followed by extracting a soluble hydrocarbon material from the coal, and subsequently hydroconverting the extracted material in a hydroconversion reactor. The extracted material consists of a relatively hydrogen-rich material which is readily converted to valuable liquid products in high yield. The residue from the extraction stage is relatively hydrogen deficient material which can be gasified to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide for the hydroconversion and pretreatment stages, respectively.

Abstract: A process of concurrently dedusting and upgrading particulate laden raw, whole retort oil is provided which comprises the steps of: retorting solid hydrocarbon-containing material such as oil shale to liberate an effluent stream of dust laden hydrocarbons; injecting the dust-laden retort effluent product stream into a catalytic hydrotreater; agitating the product stream in the hydrotreater to constantly maintain the particulates in suspension within the oil; catalytically hydrotreating the agitated product stream in the presence of a hydroprocessing gas at a pressure of from 500 to 3000 psi, a temperature of from 650.degree. to 850.degree. F. and a space velocity of from 0.1 to 6.0 hr.sup.-1, whereby the suspended particulates are agglomerated to facilitate solid-liquid separation and substantial amounts of sulfur and nitrogen contaminants are simultaneously removed from the resulting ungraded oil; and mechanically separating the agglomerated particulates from the upgraded whole oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the reprocessing of carbon containing wastes by pretreating the same thermally in the presence or absence of hydrogen, followed by hydrogenation of the pretreated material at elevated temperature and at least 200 bar hydrogen pressure.

Abstract: Pyrolyzate oil is made amendable to hydrotreatment without substantial coking problems by means of pre-treatment with hydrogen at temperatures in the range of 250.degree. to 300.degree. C.

Abstract: Procedure for hydrogenation of coal by means of liquid phase and fixed-bed catalyst hydrogenation whereby the head products of the high-temperature separator are led directly, and together with the entire high-pressure circuit gas, over a reactor with a rigidly installed catalyst; are separated from the exhaust products of this reactor by partial condensation of the cycle oil required for producing the coal paste and withdrawn from an intermediate separator; and are led again, together with the entire high-pressure circuit gas, over an additional reactor with a fixed-bed catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenolysis of a coal liquid bottom containing benzene-insoluble components and having a boiling point of at least 420.degree. C., which comprises:(a) hydrogenating the coal liquid bottom at a temperature of not higher than 350.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst comprising an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal and a metal of Group VI A of the Periodic Table to reduce the content of the benzene-insoluble components in the fraction having a boiling point of at least 420.degree. C., to a level of not higher than 10% by weight, and then(b) subjecting the product to hydrogenolysis at a temperature of higher than 350.degree. C. and not higher than 450.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal of Group VI A of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: A starting slurry composed of raw brown coal and a solvent is heated and pressurized, subjected to gas-liquid separation and dehydration and then to hydrogenation/liquefaction. The CO.sub.2 -containing gas produced in the preheating/dehydration step and/or a CO.sub.2 -containing gas supplied from outside the system is blown into the slurry in the above-mentioned preheating/dehydration step, whereby carbonate-forming metal components in the brown coal are converted to the carbonates thereof in advance. In this manner, the hydrogenation/liquefaction efficiency is improved, and stabilized long-term continuous operation is attained.

Abstract: A practically isothermal temperature distribution of the reactor contents is obtained, especially for high temperature and pressurized hydrogenation reactors operating in the sump-phase by a hydrogenation gas passing over the outer region of the reaction chamber, so that the hydrogenation gas cools the reaction in the chamber. Additionally, the reaction heat which is extracted by the hydrogenation gas is used to heat the reaction components at a stage in the hydrogenation process. The major portion of the reaction heat is used to heat charges, preferably for the reactors, which charges contain no appreciable amounts of solid material. These charges, preferably comprising hydrogenation gas, preferably pass through a jacket space between the reaction chambers and the external portion of the reactors, which external portions preferably make contact with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for the production of reformer feed and heating or diesel oil from coal which comprises introducing a pulverized coal-oil slurry together with a hydrogenation gas into a liquid-phase hydrogenation stage; remoping solids-containing residue from the discharge from the liquid phase hydrogenation stage, cooling the resulting residue-free volatile coal-oil fraction from the discharge and, if necessary, removing a slurry oil fraction therefrom before feeding the volatile coal-oil fraction to a gas-phase hydrogenation stage; introducing fresh hydrogen which is substantially free of contaminants into the gas-phase hydrogenation stage together with the volatile coal-oil fraction, the fresh hydrogen introduced into the gas-phase hydrogenation stage constituting the entire amount of hydrogen required for the process; and utilizing the waste-gas from the gas-phase hydrogenation as the hydrogenation gas for the liquid-phase hydrogenation.

Abstract: An improved process for thermal solvent refining or hydroliquefaction of non-anthracitic coal at elevated temperatures under hydrogen pressure in a hydrogen donor solvent comprises pretreating the coal with a binary mixture of an aromatic hydrocarbon and an aliphatic alcohol at a temperature below 300.degree. C. before the hydroliquefaction step. This treatment generally increases both conversion of coal and yields of oil.

Abstract: A coal liquefaction system is disclosed with a novel preasphaltene recycle from a supercritical extraction unit to the slurry mix tank wherein the recycle stream contains at least 90% preasphaltenes (benzene insoluble, pyridine soluble organics) with other residual materials such as unconverted coal and ash. This subject process results in the production of asphaltene materials which can be subjected to hydrotreating to acquire a substitute for No. 6 fuel oil. The preasphaltene-predominant recycle reduces the hydrogen consumption for a process where asphaltene material is being sought.

Abstract: An improved process for liquefying solid carbonaceous materials wherein the solid carbonaceous material is slurried with a suitable solvent and then subjected to liquefaction at elevated temperature and pressure to produce a normally gaseous product, a normally liquid product and a normally solid product. The normally liquid product is further separated into a naphtha boiling range product, a solvent boiling range product and a vacuum gas-oil boiling range product. At least a portion of the solvent boiling-range product and the vacuum gas-oil boiling range product are then combined and passed to a hydrotreater where the mixture is hydrotreated at relatively severe hydrotreating conditions and the liquid product from the hydrotreater then passed to a catalytic cracker. In the catalytic cracker, the hydrotreater effluent is converted partially to a naphtha boiling range product and to a solvent boiling range product.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, during hydrogenation by means of sump phase hydrogenation followed by gas-phase hydrogenation, the high boiling fractions are separated from the lower boiling vapor fractions, after leaving the hot precipitation head, by partial condensation in an intermediate precipitator with the result that the gas-phase reactor has a better service life and optimum reaction conditions can be provided. The improved process results in an improved quality of solvent for the sump phase hydrogenation.

Abstract: Moisture- and ash-free coking coal is micronized and admixed with a recycle oil, whereafter it is rapidly hydrogenated and one portion of the residue of the fractional distillation of the hydrogenation product is sent to hydrotreating, together with hydrogen. Conventional catalysts can be used both for the hydrogenation and the hydrotreating.A gaseous fraction, consisting of water vapor, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and C1-C4 hydrocarbon is obtained along with gasoline.Gasoil can be obtained together with gasoline.