Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide material having a rod shape or polyhedral nanostructure includes preparing a first reverse micro-emulsion system comprising an aqueous precipitating agent dispersion and a second reverse micro-emulsion system containing an aqueous metal salt dispersion; combining the micro-emulsions together to initiate a reaction; allowing the reaction to continue to form a product mixture comprising a metal oxide gel and aqueous media; separating the metal oxide gel from the aqueous media; collecting the metal oxide gel; and calcining the metal oxide gel to form the metal oxide material. The metal oxide material corresponds to the chemical formula of La2MxNi1-xO4, Pr2-yAyNiO4, or La2-zDzNiO4, wherein M is copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, aluminum, or platinum; A is lanthanum or neodymium; D is calcium, barium or strontium; x ranges from 0 to 1; y ranges from 0 to 2; and z ranges from 0 to 0.25.

Abstract: A composite catalyst for coal depolymerization, the catalyst includes an agent A and an agent B. The agent A includes an iron salt-based catalyst, and the agent B includes a metal salt-based catalyst different from the iron salt-based catalyst. The agent A and the agent B are alternately added during use.

Abstract: Heavy hydro-carbonaceous materials such as bitumen are upgraded in supercritical water in a continuous-flow reactor system. The present invention provides a reactor arrangement for and a method of converting bitumen and other highly viscous hydrocarbon containing materials into pumpable liquids to enable further processing of such materials while avoiding production of char. The process can be carried out in an underground reactor based on oil well technology. The reactor design and method facilitates mass transfer to dissolve bitumen in heated water and breaks down heavy hydrocarbons by controlling the temperature and pressure in zones within the flowing stream. The reactor may include an embedded electric heater.

Abstract: Preparing solid biomass particles for catalytic conversion includes agitating solid biomass particles and providing a biomass-catalyst mixture to a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass-catalyst mixture includes the solid biomass particles and a catalyst. Agitating solid biomass particles includes flowing a gas to provide a velocity to at least a portion of the solid biomass particles sufficient to reduce their sizes. Co-processing a biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock includes liquefying at least a portion of a biomass-catalyst mixture and co-processing at least a portion of the liquefied biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock in a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass feedstock includes a plurality of solid biomass particles and a catalyst, which is liquefied to produce a liquefied biomass feedstock.

Abstract: A method for biofuel production from high temperature oil-based processing of organic matter, comprising: producing a slurry from organic matter feedstock, water and oil; treating the slurry in a reactor apparatus at increased temperature and pressure; and cooling the slurry and releasing the pressure thereby providing a product comprising the biofuel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. The method comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an up-flow reactor, introducing the feedstock at a location above the entry of the particulate heat carrier, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier for a short time, separating the vapors of the product stream from the particulate heat carrier and liquid and byproduct solid matter, collecting a gaseous and liquid product mixture comprising a mixture of a light fraction and a heavy fraction from the product stream, and using a vacuum tower to separate the light fraction as a substantially bottomless product and the heavy fraction from the product mixture.

Abstract: This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid.

Abstract: This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors, and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid.

Abstract: A process for producing fuel from biomass is disclosed herein. The process includes torrefying biomass material at a temperature between 80° C. and 300° C. to form particulated biomass having a mean average particle size from about 1 ?m to about 1000 ?m. The particulated biomass is mixed with a liquid to form a suspension, wherein the liquid comprises bio-oil, wherein the suspension includes between 1 weight percent to 40 weight percent particulated biomass. The suspension is fed into a hydropyrolysis reactor; and at least a portion of the particulated biomass of the suspension is converted into fuel.

Abstract: An improved gas diffusion electrode composed of a perovskite-type oxide dispersed in a mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic binder polymer. An improved catalyst for use in the electrochemical reduction of oxygen comprising a perovskite-type compound having alpha and beta sites, and having a greater molar ratio of cations at the beta site. A particularly good reduction catalyst is a neodymium calcium manganite. An improved method of dispersing the catalysts with carbon in a reaction layer of the electrode improves performance of the electrode and the oxygen reduction process. This is provided by adding carbon black to an aqueous solution of metal salts before it is heated to a gel and then to a char and then calcined. Optionally, a quantity of the desired oxide catalyst can be premixed with a portion the carbon before adding the carbon to an aqueous solution of the metal salts to be heated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. It utilizes a short residence-time pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that result in a rapid pyrolytic distillation with coke formation. Both physical and chemical changes taking place lead to an overall molecular weight reduction in the liquid product and rejection of certain components with the byproduct coke. The liquid product is upgraded primarily because of its substantially reduced viscosity, increased API gravity, and the content of middle and light distillate fractions. While maximizing the overall liquid yield, the improvements in viscosity and API gravity can render the liquid product suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. It utilizes a short residence-time pyrolytic reactor operating under conditions that result in a rapid pyrolytic distillation with coke formation. Both physical and chemical changes taking place lead to an overall molecular weight reduction in the liquid product and rejection of certain components with the byproduct coke. The liquid product is upgraded primarily because of its substantially reduced viscosity, increased API gravity, and the content of middle and light distillate fractions. While maximizing the overall liquid yield, the improvements in viscosity and API gravity can render the liquid product suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents.

Abstract: An ebullated bed hydroprocessing system, and also a method for upgrading a pre-existing ebullated bed hydroprocessing system, involves introducing a colloidal or molecular catalyst, or a precursor composition capable of forming the colloidal or molecular catalyst, into an ebullated bed reactor. The colloidal or molecular catalyst is formed by intimately mixing a catalyst precursor composition into a heavy oil feedstock and raising the temperature of the feedstock to above the decomposition temperature of the precursor composition to form the colloidal or molecular catalyst in situ. The improved ebullated bed hydroprocessing system includes at least one ebullated bed reactor that employs both a porous supported catalyst and the colloidal or molecular catalyst to catalyze hydroprocessing reactions involving the feedstock and hydrogen. The colloidal or molecular catalyst provides catalyst in what would otherwise constitute catalyst free zones within the ebullated bed hydroprocessing system.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from coal or oil shale is disclosed. The process involves the steps of forming a pulp of finely divided coal or oil shale in a first reaction bed, adding concentrated sulphuric acid to the first reaction bed, controlling the temperature of the first reaction bed to produce a hydrocarbon mixture, and deacidifying the hydrocarbon mixture.

Abstract: A method for converting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to a lower boiling temperature product is described which comprises suspending metal sulfide particles and oxide particles in a reaction zone including hydrogen and the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at hydrocracking conditions. The metal sulfide particles and the oxide particles are introduced into the reaction zone through particle precursor fluids which precipitate upon heating to form the particles. The metal sulfide particles contain sulfidable transition metals. The oxide particles contain oxidisable elements such as magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorous, calcium, scandium, titanium, gallium, germanium, zirconium, cerium, and mixtures thereof and are not hydrogenation catalysts under the reactor conditions. The oxide particles resist being chemically reduced by reducing agents in the reaction zone. Surprisingly, the presence of the oxide particles is associated with a significant reduction of coke production in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for coal liquefaction in which minute particles of coal in intimate contact with a hydrogenation catalyst and hydrogen are reacted for a very short time at a temperature in excess of 400.degree. C. at a pressure of at least 250 psi to yield over 50% liquids with a liquid to gaseous hydrocarbon ratio in excess of 8:1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing a nanometer-sized metal compound. The process comprises forming a reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion system comprising a polar fluid in a non-polar or low-polarity fluid. A first reactant comprising a multi-component, water-soluble metal compound is introduced into the polar fluid in a non-polar or low-polarity fluid. This first reactant can be introduced into the reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion system during formation thereof or subsequent to the formation of the reverse micelle or microemulsion system. The water-soluble metal compound is then reacted in the reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion system to form the nanometer-sized metal compound. The nanometer-sized metal compound is then precipitated from the reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion system.

Abstract: Hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils using solid heterogeneous catalyst and small amounts of oil-miscible compound, like molybdenum naphthenate, improves total pore volume properties of the catalyst.

Abstract: A hydroconversion process for converting a heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to lower boiling products, which process involves the use of a sulfided catalyst concentrate which is prepared in a continuous plug-flow mode. The heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is reacted with said catalyst concentrate in the presence of hydrogen at hydroconversion conditions.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of solid carbonaceous materials, such as coal, to liquid products using one or more polyoxoanions selected from those represented by:[(C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1).sub.4 N].sub.a M.sub.b O.sub.c H.sub.d, where n=1 to 8, a=2 to 6, b=2 to 12, c=7 and M is a metal selected from Groups VB and VIB of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hard acids and soft bases used to decompose coal in which finely divided coal particles are contacted with a hard acid in the presence of a soft base at temperatures of from 0.degree. to 100.degree. C., said hard acid being characterized by a heat of reaction with dimethylsulfide of from 10 kcal/mol to 30 kcal/mol and said soft base being characterized by a heat of reaction with boron trifluoride of from 10 kcal/mol to 17 kcal/mol, followed by extracting the decomposed coal to remove said hard acid and soft base wherein the improvement comprises performing said extraction at a temperature of about 0.degree. to about 50.degree. C. using dimethylsulfide as the extraction solvent, and wherein following said dimethylcarbonate extraction, said decomposed coal is extracted with water at a temperature of from about 60.degree. to 275.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention involves the liquid phase hydroconversion of hydrocarbon charges containing heavy fractions, and more particularly their deep conversion, in which the charge is contacted with a dispersed catalyst in the presence of a polyaromatic additive. The catalyst is a sulfide of a hydrogenating metal (such as molybdenum, nickel or cobalt) generated in situ from a precursor. The additive has at least three aromatic cycles, has a boiling point exceeding 300.degree. C., and is added at a rate of 5 to 60% by weight based on the charge. Synergism between the catalyst and the additive makes it possible to reduce the catalyst quantity and/or improve the conversion and quality of the products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic process for converting a carbonaceous material to a liquid product. More specifically, this invention relates to a process for hydroconverting coal in a hydroconverting zone to liquid hydrocarbon products in the presence of a catalyst prepared in situ, with the catalyst being added to a mixture of coal and solvent as an oil soluble metal compound. An increased quantity of liquid product is achieved by incorporating a hydrocracking zone into the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic process for converting a solid carbonaceous material, such as coal, to a liquid product in the presence of hydrogen. More particularly, this invention relates to a coal liquefaction process wherein a mixture of coal, bottoms, solvent and a sulfiding agent is subjected to liquefaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst precursor. This catalyst or catalyst precursor is comprised of a thermally decomposable compound of Groups IIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, and VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements such as molybdenum.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a staged process for producing liquids from coal or similar carbonaceous feeds combining a pretreatment stage and a liquefaction stage. In the process, the feed is reacted with carbon monoxide and water at an elevated temperature and pressure. The so pretreated coal is sent to a liquefaction reactor, wherein the coal is reacted at a somewhat higher temperature in the presence of hydrogen and catalyst to produce valuable liquid fuels or feedstocks.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for coal liquefaction in which minute particles of coal in intimate contact with a hydrogenation catalyst and hydrogen arc reacted for a very short time at a temperature in excess of 400.degree. C. at a pressure of at least 1500 psi to yield over 50% liquids with a liquid to gaseous hydrocarbon ratio in excess of 8:1.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing coal to hydrocarbon oils wherein coal is depolymerized at low temperatures by contacting finely divided coal with a hard acid and soft base. The depolymerized coal is then hydroprocessed to hydrocarbon oils by forming a mixture with a coal conversion catalyst or precursor thereof, and hydroprocessing the mixture at temperatures of from 250.degree. to 550.degree. C. and hydrogen partial pressures of from 2100 to 35000 kPa.

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: This invention is directed to a process for pretreating coal preliminary to a primary liquefaction or hydroconversion block. In the process, a coal feed, slurried in a solvent, is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a chemical promoter at an elevated temperature and pressure. The promoter enhances the depolymerization and hydrogenation of the coal during pretreatment.

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: 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: An improved hydroconversion process for carbonaceous materials wherein a dihydrocarbyl substituted dithiocarbamate of a metal selected from any one of Groups IV-B, V-A, VI-A, VII-B, and VIII-A of the Periodic Table of Elements or a mixture thereof is used as a catalyst precursor. The improved process is effective for both normally solid and normally liquid carbonaceous materials and for carbonaceous materials which are either solid or liquid at the conversion conditions. The hydroconversion will be accomplished at a temperature within the range from about 500.degree. to about 900.degree. F., at a total pressure within the range from about 500 to 7000 psig and at a hydrogen partial pressure within the range from about 400 to about 5000 psig.

Abstract: In a process for the co-processing of waste rubber and carbonaceous material to form a useful liquid product, the rubber and the carbonaceous material are combined and heated to the depolymerization temperature of the rubber in the presence of a source of hydrogen. The depolymerized rubber acts as a liquefying solvent for the carbonaceous material while a beneficial catalytic effect is obtained from the carbon black released on depolymerization the reinforced rubber. The reaction is carried out at liquefaction conditions of 380.degree.-600.degree. C. and 70-280 atmospheres hydrogen pressure. The resulting liquid is separated from residual solids and further processed such as by distillation or solvent extraction to provide a carbonaceous liquid useful for fuels and other purposes.

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: In a coal liquefaction process an aqueous slurry of coal is prepared containing a dissolved liquefaction catalyst. A small quantity of oil is added to the slurry and then coal-oil agglomerates are prepared by agitation of the slurry at atmospheric pressure. The resulting mixture is drained of excess water and dried at atmospheric pressure leaving catalyst deposited on the agglomerates. The agglomerates then are fed to an extrusion device where they are formed into a continuous ribbon of extrudate and fed into a hydrogenation reactor at elevated pressure and temperature. The catalytic hydrogenation converts the extrudate primarily to liquid hydrocarbons in the reactor. The liquid drained in recovering the agglomerates is recycled.

Abstract: A two-stage catalytic hydroconversion process using a large-pore catalyst in the first stage reactor and a small-pore catalyst in the second stage reactor in the two-stage process for hydroconversion of coal or petroleum asphaltene feed materials to produce distillate liquid fuels. The large-pore catalyst is characterized by having pore diameters larger than 1000.ANG. occupying a major portion of the catalyst total pore volume of 0.2 to 1.0 cc/gm, and the small-pore catalyst is characterized by having pore diameters smaller than 1000.ANG. occupying a major portion of the catalyst total pore volume.

Abstract: An improved process for hydroconverting carbonaceous material wherein the hydroconversion is accomplished in the presence of a sulfide of tin or tin and at least one metal selected from the Group of metals consisting of the Groups IV-B, V-A, VI-A, VII-A and Group VIII-A metals of the Periodic Table of the Elements and in the presence of iodine. The tin and any other metal may be added directly as the sulfide or as a soluble precursor that will either decompose or be converted to the sulfide. The iodine may be added directly as iodine, hydrogen iodine or as a precursor which will decompose to yield either iodine or hydrogen iodide. The hydroconversion is also accomplished in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for hydroconverting of coal in which a hydrocarbon-dispersible chromium compound is mixed with a hydrocarbonaceous material, in the absence of coal, to form a high metals-containing catalyst precursor concentrate which is heated in the presence of a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas to form a solid chromium-containing catalyst. A portion of the concentrate containing the catalyst is introduced into a diluent to which coal is added or in which coal is present. The resulting mixture is subjected to hydroconversion conditions to convert the coal to a hydrocarbonaceous oil product.

Abstract: A coal pyrolysis technique or process is described in which particulate coal is pyrolyzed in the presence of about 5 to 21 wt. % of a calcium compound selected from calcium oxide, calcined (hydrate) dolomite, or calcined calcium hydrate to produce a high quality hydrocarbon liquid and a combustible product gas which are characterized by low sulfur content. The pyrolysis is achieved by heating the coal-calcium compound mixture at a relatively slow rate at a temperature of about 450.degree. to 700.degree. C. over a duration of about 10 to 60 minutes in a fixed or moving bed reactor. The gas exhibits an increased yield in hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons and a reduction in H.sub.2 S over gas obtainable by pyrolyzing cola without the calcium compound. The liquid product obtained is of a sufficient quality to permit its use directly as a fuel and has a reduced sulfur and oxygen content which inhibits polymerization during storage.

Abstract: A novel process for the low-temperature depolymerization and liquefaction of coal wherein the coal is subjected to sequential processing steps for the cleavage of different types of intercluster lnikages during each processing step. A metal chloride catalyst is intercalated in finely crushed coal and the coal is partially depolymerized under mild hydrotreating conditions during the first processing step. In the second processing step the product from the first step is subjected to base-catalyzed depolymerization with an alcoholic solution of an alkali hydroxide, yielding an almost fully depolymerized coal, which is then hydroprocessed with a sulfided cobalt molybdenum catalyst in a third processing step to obtain a hydrocarbon oil as the final product.

Abstract: Slurry hydroconversion processes utilizing an aqueous solution of phosphomolybdic acid as catalyst precursor, which is subsequently converted to a solid molybdenum-containing catalyst, are improved when the catalyst precursor aqueous solution comprises a specified concentration of molybdenum derived from the phosphomolybdic acid. The improved hydroconversion processes and the improved method of preparing the catalyst are provided.

Abstract: Hydroconversion processes for converting oil, coal or mixtures thereof are provided utilizing a catalyst prepared by first forming an aqueous solution of phosphomolybdic acid and phosphoric acid at a specified ratio of atoms of P/Mo, and subsequently adding this solution to a hydrocarbon material, followed by heating in the presence of H.sub.2 and/or H.sub.2 S to form a solid molybdenum and phosphorus-containing catalyst.

Abstract: Improved catalysts for catalytic solvent refining or hydroliquefaction of non-anthracitic coal at elevated temperatures under hydrogen pressure in a hydrogen donor solvent comprise a combination of zinc or copper, or a compound thereof, and a Group VI or non-ferrous Group VIII metal, or a compound thereof.

Abstract: A coal liquefaction process comprising reacting coal with a hydrocarbonaceous solvent at coal liquefaction conditions in the presence of an oil shale residue catalyst comprising organic and inorganic fractions. The oil shale residue catalyst is derived by heating an oil shale in the presence of an inert gas with respect to the oil shale at a temperature of 500.degree.-825.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating carbonaceous materials is disclosed. The carbonaceous material is contacted with steam and with empirical hydrates of alkali metal hydrosulfides, monosulfides, or polysulfides. The process hydrocracks, hydrogenates, denitrogenates, demetallizes, and desulfurizes. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen sulfide is co-fed to the reaction zone.

Abstract: An improved hydroconversion process for carbonaceous materials wherein an ammonium or hydrocarbyl substituted ammonium salt of a metal-sulfur analog of cubane having an anion with a core structure of M.sub.4 S.sub.4 is used as a catalyst precursor. In the general formula, M may be the same or a different metal having hydrogenation catalytic activity when used as a sulfide and capable of occupying one or more vertices in a cubane structure. The metal may also have the capability of bridging one or more such structures. The improved process is effective for both normally solid and normally liquid carbonaceous materials and for carbonaceous materials which are either solid or liquid at the conversion conditions. The hydroconversion will be accomplished at a temperature within the range from about 500.degree. to about 900.degree. F., at a total pressure within the range from about 500 to about 7000 psig and at a hydrogen partial pressure within the range from about 400 to about 5000 psig.

Abstract: An improved coking process for normally solid carbonaceous materials wherein the yield of liquid product from the coker is increased by adding ammonia or an ammonia precursor to the coker. The invention is particularly useful in a process wherein coal liquefaction bottoms are coked to produce both a liquid and a gaseous product. Broadly, ammonia or an ammonia precursor is added to the coker ranging from about 1 to about 60 weight percent based on normally solid carbonaceous material and is preferably added in an amount from about 2 to about 15 weight percent.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of high boiling saturated organic materials is described. The method comprises contacting said high boiling organic materials at a temperature of at least about 300.degree. C. and at a reaction pressure of at least about 2000 psi with an aqueous acidic medium containing at least one olefin, and a halogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a hydrogen halide, a compound which can form a halide or a hydrogen halide in the aqueous acidic medium under the process conditions, or mixtures thereof whereby the high boiling organic material and aqueous acidic medium form a substantially single phase system. Optionally the process can be conducted in a reducing atmosphere. The process of the invention is useful for producing and recovering fuel range liquids from petroleum, coal, oil shale, shale oil, tar sand solids, bitumen and heavy hydrocarbon oils such as crude oil distillation residues which contain little or no carbon-carbon unsaturation.