Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidation system for reducing the VOC content of asphalt vapors.

Abstract: The invention is the integration of a process of gasifying asphaltenes in a gasification zone by partial oxidation and the process of asphaltene extraction with a solvent. The integration allows low level heat from the gasification reaction to be utilized in the recovery of solvent that was used to extract asphaltenes from an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon material. Asphaltenes are extracted from an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon material by mixing a solvent in quantities sufficient to precipitate at least a fraction of the asphaltenes. The precipitated asphaltenes are then gasified in a gasification zone to synthesis gas. The gasification process is very exothermic. The low level heat in the synthesis gas, either directly, or via an intermediate step of low pressure steam, is used to remove and recover the solvent from the deasphalted hydrocarbon material and from the asphaltenes prior to gasification.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a high-softening-point pitch rich in mesopores having a softening point measured by temperature gradient method of 150° C. or higher, a weight loss by heating up to 300° C. of 5 wt. % or less and mesopores of 100 mm3/g or greater, in terms of minute pore volume calculated by the Dollimore-Heal method, and a process for making carbonaceous materials carrying metal thereon are disclosed. The high-softening-point pitch rich in mesopores can easily provide carbonaceous material carrying metal thereon by using no oxidizing agent such as nitric acid, and, therefore, the high-softening-point pitch rich in mesopores is especially suitable for the production of carbonaceous materials carrying metal thereon or highly crystalline graphitized carbonaceous materials in a short heating time.

Abstract: A method for pretreating and re-refining used oil that requires only moderate heat and only one re-refining step. The pretreatment involves mixing the used oil with a basic solution and optionally a phase transfer catalyst. The phase transfer catalyst aids the chemical reaction which allows removal of impurities in used oil. The basic solution preferably includes more than one base. The used oil, basic solution and phase transfer catalyst are mixed under low heat. The pretreated oil is then mixed with liquid propane in a non-turbulent manner, such as by use of a globe valve or orbit valve. The mixture of used oil and liquid propane are then placed into an extraction vessel and impurities are allowed to settle out of the oil and propane mixture. Heavy fraction may be removed from the extraction vessel. Preferably, a second vessel called a settling vessel will be used to cause further settling of impurities out of the used oil. Light fraction is produced which may be re-refined to produce base oil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing water slurry of SDA asphaltene by dispersing residue resulting from solvent deasphalting of petroleum vacuum residue produced in refineries, which has low viscosity even at a high solid concentration and is stable for a long period of time, in industrial scale under stable operation. The method comprises a grinding step of grinding the SDA asphaltene with water in a grinding apparatus in the presence of a dispersing agent, followed by a stabilizing step of stirring the resulting slurry to stabilize it. In the grinding step a suitable amount of a thickener such as carboxymethyl cellulose is added. Grinding is preferably carried out at a temperature not higher than 80.degree. C. Jacketed ball mills are conveniently used. In the stabilizing step a stabilizer such as Attapulgus clay is added after stirring the slurry to decrease viscosity thereof and stirring is continued.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for improving the separation of resins and asphaltenes from each other and a base residuum during alkane deasphalting by adding a phase separation accelerator to the residuum. The phase separation accelerators include alkyl and alkylaryl alkoxylates, alkylaryl sulfonates, and hetero-atom punctuated fatty polymers.

Abstract: A method for producing a process oil is provided in which an aromatic extract oil is added to a paraffinic rich feed to provide a blended feed. The blended feed is then extracted with an aromatic extraction solvent to yield a raffinate which subsequently is hydrotreated to provide a process oil.

Abstract: A process for the biological treatment of bitumen froth tailings produced from a tar sands treatment and bitumen froth extraction process is disclosed. In this process bitumen froth tailings, containing native hydrocarbon metabolizing microorganisms, are mixed with a growth media to form an inoculum which is then incubated under isothermal conditions for an amount of time to produce a mixed bacterial culture containing bioliquor and a water product containing a reduced amount of asphaltenes as well as solids such as clays and sands. The bioliquor produced in this process is then utilized in the initial tar sands conditioning process from which bitumen froth is produced as well as in the initial tar sands mining process via bioliquor injection directly into the tar sands formation. Because the mixed bacterial culture is made up of a number of hydrocarbon metabolizing microorganisms, the bioliquor is also used in the degradation of the asphaltenes.

Abstract: An asphalt composition is provided which contains i) an asphalt component containing solvent-deasphalted bottoms, ii) a rerefined lube bottoms fraction, iii) an optional fluxing component, and iv) an optional vacuum bottoms component. The invention further relates to a method of preparing the asphalt composition and a paving composition containing same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously removing oil from oil-bearing solids such as tar sands, vegetables or other solid materials using a solvent is provided. By providing a pressure differential between the exterior and interior of an oil extraction chamber, substantially oil free solids may be removed from the oil extraction chamber through a solids extraction channel without removing any substantial volume of solvent through the solids extraction channel.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of bitumen from bitumen froth generated from tar sands is disclosed. In this process, bitumen froth is extracted from tar sands using a water process without requiring the use of caustic soda. The froth is treated in a counter-current decantation circuit with a paraffinic solvent to remove precipitated asphaltenes, water, and solids from the bitumen froth. A dilute bitumen product is produced having final water and solids contents of about 0.01 to about 1% by weight. This renders the dilute bitumen product amenable to direct hydrocracking. The process provides an alternative route to the conventional process of utilizing centrifuges to separate bitumen from precipitated asphaltenes, water, and solids and thus avoids the high capital and operating costs associated with the conventional bitumen froth treatment by centrifugation. The invention utilizes bitumen froth produced from a water process in which the use of caustic soda is not required.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for producing a unique metals-containing anisotropic pitch suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. Soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds are added to a carbonaceous feedstock which is substantially free of mesophase pitch and the resulting composition is heat soaked to produce an isotropic pitch product containing mesogens and soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds. Next, the pitch product is solvent fractionated to separate mesogens which contain metals from the organometallic compounds. The metals-containing mesogens are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause fusion to produce a metals-containing mesophase pitch.In another method, the carbonaceous feedstock is heat soaked to produce an isotropic pitch product containing mesogens and high molecular weight, soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds are added to the mesogen containing isotropic pitch product prior to solvent fractionation.

Abstract: A method for producing a process oil is provided in which an aromatic extract oil is added to a napthenic rich feed. The combined feed is then hydrotreated in a first hydrotreating stage to convert at least a portion of sulfur and nitrogen in the feed to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. After stripping the feed is subjected to a second hydrotreating stage to provide a process oil.

Abstract: Solvent deasphalting apparatus includes a separator that receives two inputs, a heavy hydrocarbon feed and a solvent feed; and the apparatus produces two outputs, an asphaltene/solvent stream and a deasphalted oil/solvent stream. A solvent recovery unit of the apparatus receives the two output streams and produces mainly a substantially solvent-free deasphalted oil product stream, a substantially solvent-free asphaltene product stream, and a recovered solvent stream which is returned to a solvent drum. A pump pumps a substantially constant volume of solvent from the solvent drum into a by-pass line connecting the pump to the solvent drum, and into a connection line connecting the pump to the separator. The amount of solvent flow in the connection line is functionally related to the level of heavy hydrocarbon feed so that solvent in excess of that flowing into the connection line and spills back to the solvent drum through the by-pass line.

Abstract: A method for producing a process oil is provided in which an aromatic extract oil is added to a naphthenic rich feed to provide a blended feed. The blended feed is then extracted with an aromatic extract solvent to yield a raffinate which subsequently is hydrotreated to provide a process oil.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing composite materials, particularly roofing materials including asphalt and solid components to recover asphalt and the solid components. The process includes the steps of: agitating the materials with a solvent, preferably a terpene, to form a hydrocarbon/solvent mixture; heating the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture to vaporize the solvent; recovering the hydrocarbons; and recovering the solvent as a liquid by condensing the solvent vapor. The apparatus includes a composite materials washer for holding the composite materials and a solvent; means for agitating the composite materials washer to dissolve the hydrocarbons in the solvent; and a separator for vaporizing the solvent in the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture and recovering the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Power is generated in an organic Rankine cycle turbine by expanding a stream of solvent vapor produced by a flash drum in a deasphalting unit to produce a stream of expanded solvent vapor that is combined with a stream of solvent vapor and steam from a stripper of the deasphalting unit. Heat is extracted from the combined stream by an organic fluid that is vaporized and supplied to a Rankine cycle organic vapor turbine that produces power and expanded organic vapor. The solvent is recovered from the cooled, combined stream and re-used in the deasphalting unit. Heat extracted from products of the deasphalting unit vaporizes an organic fluid that is expanded in an organic vapor turbine that generates power.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing fine particles or powder of pitch with a high softening point from a heavy oil raw material which is liquid at an ambient temperature or pitch having a relatively low softening point is disclosed. Fine particles of pitch with a high softening point are useful materials and can be used as carbon materials for various applications. A characteristic feature of the process resides in the utilization of emulsion of the heavy oil raw material.

Abstract: In this combination process, solvent deasphalting (SDA) concentrates metals in the bottoms product which can be blended to asphalt as a product or for sending to the Calderon or similar process and outputs a high carbon (4+ concarbon) feed which is readily cracked to valuable transportation fuels by an RCC.RTM. cracking unit (or a conventional FCC with catalyst cooler and oxygen to the regenerator so that it acts as an RCC). The Rose process can be used instead of SDA to save utilities. By this invention, heavy crude can be converted to valuable transportation fuels and asphalt product, and catalyst make-up can be sharply reduced in the RCC or FCC unit because metals (asphaltenes and porphyrins) are removed before cracking. Novel asphalt compositions and blending are also disclosed. Asphalt from the SDA can preferably be blended with lube plant extract (or other aromatic extract) to produce specific asphalts meeting new SHRP specifications for paving.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for producing a unique metals-containing anisotropic pitch suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. Soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds are added to a carbonaceous feedstock which is substantially free of mesophase pitch and the resulting composition is heat soaked to produce an isotropic pitch product containing mesogens and soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds. Next, the pitch product is solvent fractionated to separate mesogens which contain metals from the organometallic compounds. The metals-containing mesogens are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause fusion to produce a metals-containing mesophase pitch.In another method, the carbonaceous feedstock is heat soaked to produce an isotropic pitch product containing mesogens and high molecular weight, soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds are added to the mesogen containing isotropic pitch product prior to solvent fractionation.

Abstract: There is disclosed an asphalt extracting apparatus of the Soxhlet type in which a solvent evaporated from a flask is condensed by a cooling device and then dropped into the inside of a filter device such that asphalt in an asphalt mixture inside the filter device is extracted through the filter device. With the flask and the filter device covered with a thermally insulating case, the flask and the filter device are heated and thermally insulated by the heat of a gas burner. To lower the boiling point of the solvent in the flask, each of the flask, the filter device and the cooling device is decompressed by a decompression device.

Abstract: A Mannich reaction product of reactants selected from alkylated phenols, a polyamine and an aldehyde is employed to dissolve tar deposits in coke oven piping and transmission lines.

Abstract: This application relates to a process for making carbon artifacts from solvated mesophase pitch comprising quinoline insoluble materials. The process has a significant advantage over the art as it permits the use of otherwise unusable pitch feedstocks and the artifacts formed according to the process retain their structural integrity during carbonization. This invention also relates to the pitch formed by this process and carbon artifacts formed by this process.

Abstract: This invention relates to low melting solvated mesophase pitches which are suitable for spinning into carbon fibers. The solvated mesophase pitches have a lower melting point than conventional mesophase pitch but remain substantially anisotropic. The solvated mesophase can be produced as an intermediate during solvent fractionation or supercritical solvent fractionation of mesogen-containing isotropic pitches. The process is enhanced through the ability to recover pseudomesogens with an increased average molecular weight which, in combination with the solvent content, provides a fusible mesophase capable of being spun directly into infusible oriented anisotropic carbon fibers.

Abstract: Continuous method for treating a liquid tar containing Q.I. solids to provide a liquid tar product having increased Q.I. concentration and, concurrently, a Q.I. free liquid tar product. The method utilizes cross-flow filter membranes.

Abstract: Solid debris of rocks and scrap metal, etc., which are embedded in recoverable petroleum material such as solid or semisolid pitch or tar deposits, are separated from the petroleum material by a high pressure spray carried out in a closed separation vessel. The separation vessel includes a removable screen container for the solid petroleum material through which the material is sprayed with a heated liquid solvent using high pressure nozzles to melt and/or dissolve the pitch so that it flows through the screen container and is collected in a sump at the bottom of the separation vessel.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing a solvated isotropic pitch having a fluid temperature at least 40.degree. C. lower than the same pitch in the non-solvated state. Additionally, the present invention provides a solvated isotropic pitch which may be formed into carbon artifacts which do not require oxidative stabilization prior to carbonization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining a very clean mesophase pitch from isotropic pitch. This invention utilizes a solvent fractionation process which does not involve the process steps, yield loss and waste generation associated with fluxing and filtering the isotropic pitch. Additionally, this invention provides a liquid/liquid extraction process that avoids the solids handling and the high temperatures and pressures of supercritical fluid extraction. Finally, this invention controls the hardness of the mesophase product.

Abstract: A process for deasphalting and demetallizing petroleum vacuum distillation residues using dimethylcarbonate (DMC) in the presence of an overpressure of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and comprising:mixing a vacuum distillation residue with dimethylcarbonate (DMC) under a pressure of CO.sub.2, under temperature and pressure conditions such as to maintain the DMC in a prevalently liquid state, and forming a homogeneous solution with the deasphalted oils;cooling the entire system to a temperature such as to form three phases;then venting the gas at this temperature;recovering a deasphalted and partly demetallized primary oil from the light phase;recovering a deasphalted and partly demetallized secondary oil from the intermediate phase;f) recovering the used DMC for its possible reuse.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing mesophase pitch in high yields. The process of the invention comprises isolating a heavy fraction of a heat soaked pitch by a solvent extraction, heat soaking the isolated heavy fraction to increase the size and number of larger heavy aromatics, and isolating the larger heavy aromatics by solvent extraction to obtain a larger heavy aromatic solvated mesophase pitch.

Abstract: A continuous process for deasphalting and demetallating a residue from crude oil distillation, by means of dimethyl carbonate as extraction solvent, comprises:mixing a residue from crude oil distillation with a recycled liquid stream containing oil and dimethyl carbonate, in order to produce a homogeneous solution;cooling said homogeneous solution and separating a refined light, liquid, phase; an extracted middle phase; and a heavy phase containing asphaltenes;recovering a primary, deasphalted/demetallated oil from said light phase;partially recycling said middle phase to the mixing step, and recovering a secondary deasphalted oil from the residual fraction;recovering asphaltenes from said heavy phase.

Abstract: A process for deoiling wastes is disclosed. The process is integrated with a refinery and utilizes a refinery intermediary hydrocarbon stream as a solvent to recover waste oil for reprocessing in the refinery and to produce waste solids, which are either reused or disposed for landtreatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to low melting solvated mesophase pitches which are suitable for spinning into carbon fibers. The solvated mesophase pitches have a lower melting point than conventional mesophase pitch but remain substantially anisotropic. The solvated mesophase can be produced as an intermediate during solvent fractionation or supercritical solvent fractionation of mesogen-containing isotropic pitches. The process is enhanced through the ability to recover pseudomesogens with an increased average molecular weight which, in combination with the solvent content, provides a fusible mesophase capable of being spun directly into infusible oriented anisotropic carbon fibers.

Abstract: Spinning pitch for carbon fibers, which (1) has a glass transition temperature width of at most 60.degree. C. as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter, (2) contains at least 80% by volume an optically anisotropic phase, and (3) shows a shear viscosity of 200 poise at a temperature of from 270.degree. to 370.degree. C.

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: An apparatus for separating a resin phase from a solvent solution containing a solvent, demetallized oil and a resin. The apparatus has a vertically-positioned heat-exchange surface having an upper portion which is heated by circulating a heat-exchange fluid and a lower portion which is heated by conduction of heat from the upper portion.

Abstract: A heat-exchange apparatus for separating a resin phase from a solvent solution containing a solvent, demetallized oil and resin which comprises: (a) at least one generally vertically positioned heat-exchange surface; (b) a means for directing the flow of the solvent solution in a downward direction over a portion of the heat-exchange surface thereby heating the solvent solution to precipitate a resin phase; (c) an outlet means to recover a solvent solution having a reduced concentration of resin which outlet means is located to essentially reverse the flow of the solvent solution having a reduced concentration of resin to a generally upward direction before exiting the heat-exchange apparatus; and (d) an outlet means to recover the resin phase from a lower portion of the heat-exchange apparatus.

Abstract: A process for separating a resin phase from a solvent solution containing a solvent, demetallized oil and resin which process comprises: (a) passing the solvent solution over a portion of a generally vertically positioned heat-exchange surface thereby heating the solvent solution to precipitate a resin phase; (b) heating an upper portion of the vertically positioned heat-exchange surface with a circulating hot heat-exchange fluid; (c) passing at least a portion of the resin phase which is precipitated on the upper portion of the vertically positioned downwardly over a lower portion of the vertically positioned heat-exchange surface which lower portion is maintained at a lower temperature than the temperature of the upper portion; (d) recovering the solvent solution having a reduced concentration of resin; and (e) recovering a resin phase.

Abstract: A process for refining coal-derived heavy carbonaceous materials such as pitch to remove quinline insolubles therefrom is disclosed. The process comprises providing a coal-derived heavy carbonaceous material from which all the components having normal boiling points of 270.degree. C. or below and all or part of the components having normal boiling points ranging from 270.degree. C. to 360.degree. C. have been removed; heating the heavy carbonaceous material to make it fluid; mixing the heated carbonaceous material with a ketone solvent having a boiling point below 200.degree. C. for a period sufficient to precipitate coarse insoluble particles in the mixture; separating the precipitated particles from the mixture; and removing the ketone solvent from the mixture, leaving a refined, coal-derived heavy carbonaceous material which is suitable for use in the production of high-grade carbon stocks such as needle coke, carbon fibers, high-purity carbon, etc., and for use as an impregnant or binder pitch.

Abstract: The composition of asphalt pavements can be determined through bitument extraction, employing an alicyclic hydrocarbon as extractant under subcritical conditions. For example, cyclohexane is so employed in conjunction with an apparatus hereof.

Abstract: Isotropic pitch containing mesogens is combined with a solvent and subjected to dense phase or supercritical conditions and the mesogens are phase separated. In one aspect the isotropic pitch containing mesogens is fluxed with a solvent to solubilize the mesogens, the flux mixture is filtered to remove nonsolubles and the mesogens are phase separated by use of the same solvent under dense phase or supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure. The phase separation conditions are such that the mesogens are recovered as mesophase.

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 process for deasphalting a heavy hydrocarbon feed and catalytically cracking same is disclosed. Relatively low efficiency deasphalting is used to remove at least a majority of the metals in the feed, but to leave at least 10% of the asphaltenes and at least 10% of the solvent. This demetallized material is catalytically cracked. Preferably, the solvent used in deasphalting is derived from, and recycled from the catalytic cracking unit fractionator. Preferably a majority of the solvent recovery from the deasphalting step occurs in the catalytic cracking fractionator.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing spherical carbon microballoons is disclosed. In this process, a pitch is admixed with a low-boiling organic solvent to form a pitch-solvent mixture; the pitch-solvent mixture is pulverized and flash heated at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the low-boiling organic solvent to form hollow, spherical carbon microballoons; and the carbon microballoons are rendered infusible and then sintered. The formation of hollow, spherical carbon microballoons at high yield is enabled by using a particular pitch containing 40 to 65% by weight of benzene insoluble components and up to 0.1% by weight of quinoline insoluble components, and having a softening point in the range of 60.degree. to 320.degree. C.

Abstract: Manufacture of granulated self-sintering carbonaceous pulverulent body suitable for precise complicated molding in high speed productivity is conducted in the presence of a wetting agent and a binding agent in the water-pulverulent mixture by using spray drying machine in the atmosphere of the hot air kept at a temperature up to 200.degree. C. optionally in admixture with superheated steam kept at a temperature up to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing pipelineable syncrude and asphalt from a heavy crude oil. The syncrude has substantially less metals content and Conradson Carbon Residue than the precursor crude oil, and may be used as feed for catalytic cracking or as fuel oil. The asphalt is adaptable for paving. The process consists of air-blowing the crude, deasphalting the air-blown product, and thermally cracking the deasphalted oil to reduce its viscosity, in that order.The process is adaptable to on-site use in or near a heavy oil field, using skid-mounted equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved pitch for making readily stabilizable, substantially nonmesophasic carbon fibers. The pitch has a softening point of about 250.degree. C. (480.degree. F.) or above and is produced from an unoxidized thermal petroleum pitch by selectively reducing or eliminating a portion of the low molecular weight materials in a very short period of time so that the tendency to produce mesophase pitch is eliminated or reduced and so that the chemical integrity of the components of the higher molecular weight fractions is preserved as much as possible. Also disclosed is a method of producing carbon fibers therefrom and rovings or mats from such fibers.

Abstract: A process for co-production of a pitch for the manufacture of HP carbon fibers and a pitch for the manufacture of GP carbon fibers is proposed. The pitch for the manufacture of GP carbon fibers is prepared from the spent fraction not used in the production of an optically anisotropic pitch suitable for the manufacture of HP carbon fibers. The spent fraction has hitherto been discarded as a valueless material. According to the present process, a pitch for the manufacture of so-called ultra HP carbon fibers with tensile strength of over 400 Kg/mm.sup.2 and modulus of elasticity of over 60 ton/mm.sup.2 and a pitch for the manufacture of GP carbon fibers can be produced simultaneously. Both pitches have very excellent spinnability and when they are spun, they cause no fiber cut-off even at a high spinning rate of, for example, 500 m/min or 700 m/min.

Abstract: Asphaltenes and/or wax and/or water are removed from crude oil by contacting the crude oil with an organic solvent to dissolve the crude oil and precipitate asphaltenes and/or wax and separate the oil and water. Solvent is then separated from the deasphalted and/or dewaxed and/or dehydrated crude oil.Removing asphaltenes, wax and/or water reduces the viscosity of the crude oil and it can then be transported, e.g. by pumping through a pipeline, with less expenditure of energy.

Abstract: A process for preparing a baseoil blend of predetermined coking tendency, and for measuring the effectiveness of additives for reducing coking tendency in baseoils, utilizing the relationship of the content of volatile fractions and how boiling fractions in baseoil to the onset and/or progression of asphaltene formation.