Abstract: The invention disclosed herein comprises a process for the selective upgrading of combustion quality of a distillate transportation fuel by careful selective dehydrogenation, disproportionation and hydrogenation to convert cycloparaffinic materials contained in the distillate transportation fuel to acyclic paraffinic hydrocarbons, wherein said conversion is undertaken by first forming cyclomonoolefinic hydrocarbons from cycloparaffinic hydrocarbons via dehydrogenation, disproportionating the cyclomonoolefinic hydrocarbons to acyclic di-.alpha.-olefin hydrocarbons and then selectively hydrogenating said di-.alpha.-olefin hydrocarbons in the presence of hydrogen to saturate the double bonds of the di-.alpha.-olefin to form acyclic paraffinic hydrocarbons. The selective disproportionation reaction includes the addition of ethylene or an ethylene acting material to ring open the cyclomonoolefinic material.

Abstract: A continuous process of producing carbonaceous pitch, including heat-treating an aromatic heavy oil for obtaining a first cracked product, and thermally cracking the first product in a cracking zone by direct contact with a gaseous heat transfer medium to obtain distillable cracked components and a mesophase-containing pitch. A first portion of the liquid phase in the cracking zone, including the mesophase-containing pitch, is separated into a mesophase-rich pitch and a matrix pitch having a low concentration of mesophase. The mesophase-rich pitch is recovered while at least a portion of the matrix pitch is recycled to the cracking zone. The distillable cracked components are withdrawn from the cracking zone and separated into light, middle and heavy fractions. At least a portion of the heavy fraction is heat treated and is recycled to the cracking zone.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of an aromatic-rich, distillable gas oil charge stock to selectively produce large quantities of high quality middle distillate while minimizing hydrogen consumption which process comprises the steps of reacting the charge stock with hydrogen, in a catalytic hydrocracking reaction zone, at hydrocracking conditions including a maximum catalyst bed temperature in the range of about 600.degree. F. (315.degree. C.) to about 850.degree. F. (454.degree. C.

Abstract: Arsines are removed from gaseous stream, e.g., hydrocarbon or inert gas streams, comprising arsine impurities and also hydrogen sulfide, by contacting these gas streams with a sorbent material comprising copper oxide and zinc oxide. Preferably, the sorbent material is prepared by coprecipitating of hydroxides of copper and zinc and subsequent heating the hydroxides so as to convert the hydroxides to CuO and ZnO. Optionally, aluminum oxide is also present in the sorbent material.

Abstract: A multistage technique for converting olefins to heavier hydrocarbons including a sorption prefractionation unit for separating olefinic feedstock into a sorbate stream rich in liquified olefins and a vapor stream rich in light olefins; a first stage catalytic reactor unit for oligomerizing olefins from the sorbate stream including means for maintaining the first stage at elevated pressure and predetermined temperature for producing substantially linear aliphatic hydrocarbons; a second stage catalytic reactor unit for oligomerizing light olefin including means for maintaining the second stage under high severity conditions at substantially higher temperature than the first stage; and a product fractionation unit for separating effluent from the first and second stages to separate and recover heavy hydrocarbon product and a sorbent recycle fraction. The sorbent fraction is recycled to the sorption prefractionation unit for contacting olefinic feedstock with the recycled sorbent.

Abstract: An integrated system is provided for converting methanol or the like to heavy hydrocarbon products, especially distillate range hydrocarbons. In a first stage catalytic process oxygenate feedstock is converted to lower olefins. Byproduct aromatics are passed through a second stage oligomerization reactor with olefins. Distillate range hydrocarbons are recovered and hydrotreated to provide an improved fuel product.

Abstract: Arsenic impurities are removed from a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, preferably shale oil, by contacting it with an aqueous solution of a polyacrylamide.

Abstract: A combination process of oxidation/mild coking and in-situ deasphalting provides a process wherein upgraded crude with high levels of demetalation and low solids rejection is produced.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and composition of a vapor feedstream into a second reactor connected in series flow arrangement with a first reactor. The effluent stream from the first reactor containing vapor and liquid fractions is first cooled against a vapor stream and then further cooled against a suitable external fluid, then is phase separated to provide vapor and liquid fractions. The separated vapor fraction is reheated against the first reactor effluent stream and passed at an intermediate temperature into the second reactor. The first reactor is preferably an ebullated bed type catalytic reactor and the second reactor is preferably a fixed bed type catalytic reactor which is operated at an inlet temperature 20.degree.-200.degree. F. lower than the first reactor effluent stream temperature.

Abstract: A back-end guard bed is located downstream of and in series with a nickel catalyst-containing sulfur trap to remove the organosulfur-nickel complex formed in the nickel catalyst-containing sulfur trap and passed along with the product therefrom during periods of hydrofiner upset, or such other periods when sulfur concentration, flow rate and operating temperature of the feed passed from the hydrofiner through the nickel catalyst-containing sulfur trap forms the organosulfur-nickel complex.

Abstract: Methylation of coal-derived liquids and other polynuclear aromatic distillate feed stocks for improving distillate fuel quality is achieved by contacting the feed stock with hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide over conventional sulfur-resistant hydrotreating catalysts. The resultant product comprises methylated aromatic and hydroaromatic molecules of increased diesel quality. Further hydrogenating of the methylated hydrocarbons further increases the cetane number of the methylated product. A major product of the methylation reaction is elemental sulfur.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbonaceous oil is provided in which the oil is hydrorefined, heat-treated and hydrocracked to increase the selectivity of the hydrocracked product to components boiling in the range of 350.degree. to 675.degree. F.

Abstract: Coal is catalytically hydroliquefied by passing coal dispersed in a liquefaction solvent and hydrogen upwardly through a plurality of parallel expanded catalyst beds, in a single reactor, in separate streams, each having a cross-sectional flow area of no greater than 255 inches square, with each of the streams through each of the catalyst beds having a length and a liquid and gas superficial velocity to maintain an expanded catalyst bed and provide a Peclet Number of at least 3. If recycle is employed, the ratio of recycle to total feed (coal and liquefaction solvent) is no greater than 2:1, based on volume. Such conditions provide for improved selectivity to liquid product to thereby reduce hydrogen consumption. The plurality of beds are formed by partitions in the reactor.

Abstract: A multiple stage hydrocarbon conversion system wherein a hydrogen-hydrocarbonaceous feedstock reaction mixture is processed serially through a plurality of reaction zones, each of which contains a particulate catalyst disposed as an annular-form bed movable downwardly through the reaction zone, and wherein said reaction mixture is processed in radial flow through said annular-form bed. Pinning of the catalyst particles within the annular-form bed is substantially alleviated by the device of charging only a portion of the total hydrogen to the first reaction zone, and charging the balance of the total hydrogen to a subsequent reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple stage hydrocarbon conversion system wherein a hydrogen-hydrocarbonaceous feedstock reaction mixture is processed serially through a plurality of reaction zones, each of which contains a particulate catalyst disposed as an annular-form bed movable downwardly through the reaction zone, and wherein said reaction mixture is processed in radial flow through said annular-form bed. Pinning of the catalyst particles within the annular-form bed is substantially obviated by the combined effect of charging only a portion of the total hydrogen to the first reaction zone, charging the balance of the total hydrogen to a subsequent reaction zone, and restricting the effluent flow of at least one reaction zone.

Abstract: A C.sub.4 olefinic cracking cut is subjected first to catalytic polymerization and then to fractionation: the resultant isobutene dimers and trimers fraction is hydrogenated, while the remainder is alkylated. The resultant product is a gasoline of high isooctane content.

Abstract: A distributor device for effecting the uniform distribution of a mixed-phase vapor/liquid reactant stream across the upper surface of a fixed-bed of catalyst particles. Mixed-phase reactants or components are first separated into a principally vapor-phase and a principally liquid-phase. These separated phases are then re-mixed in a manner which creates a vapor/liquid froth; the latter being re-distributed to the upper surface of the bed of catalyst particles. Briefly, the distributor comprises three chordal-form, catalyst-free volumes which are defined by the interior surface of the chamber and three pairs of spaced-apart, parallel chordal baffles.

Abstract: Continuous process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a granular catalyst including a metal from group VI a, VII a or VIII, deposited on a carrier, comprising passing a charge of hydrocarbons with hydrogen through a series of at least two vertical catalytic zones in which the catalyst bed moves progressively downwardly, withdrawing progressively the catalyst from the bottom of the last catalytic zone, and reintroducing the same, after regeneration, at the top of the first catalytic zone.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the conversion of asphaltines-containing mineral hydrocarbon oil to distillate gas oil by a processing sequence comprising thermal cracking, flashing, atmospheric fractionation, vacuum fractionation, thermal cracking, catalytic cracking or hydrocracking, and atmospheric fractionation with certain recycle of intermediate streams to achieve efficient, economic operations.

Abstract: An intentionally produced low octane value alkylate is reformed in the presence of steam, and in the absence of added hydrogen, to produce a high octane value, olefinic reformate containing aromatics. The reformate, upon fractionation to remove hydrogen and methane and C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, which can be recycled, is subjected to solvent extraction to produce a raffinate which can be used as high octane gasoline and which contains olefins, and an extract which, upon fractionation to remove xylenes therefrom as usable product, and which now contains benzene and toluene, can be combined with said raffinate.

Abstract: A method and distributor device for effecting the uniform distribution of a mixed-phase vapor/liquid reactant stream across the upper surface of a fixed-bed of catalyst particles. Mixed-phase reactants or components are first separated into a principally vapor-phase and a principally liquid-phase. These separated phases are then re-mixed in a manner which creates a vapor/liquid froth; the latter being re-distributed to the upper surface of the bed of catalyst particles. Briefly, the distributor comprises three annular-form, catalyst-free volumes which are defined by the interior surface of said chamber and three cylindrical walls in concentric relationship therewith.

Abstract: Normal paraffinic hydrocarbons, having from three to about twenty carbon atoms per molecule, are dehydrogenated to produce corresponding linear mono-olefins.These are separated from unreacted paraffins, preferably via an adsorption-separation technique. Raffinate, containing the unreacted normal paraffins, is subjected to mild hydrotreating, as is the hydrogen-rich vaporous phase recovered from the dehydrogenation zone product effluent,to saturate the olefins therein. Hydrotreated effluent is introduced, generally in admixture with fresh feed paraffins, into the dehydrogenation reaction zone.This technique avoids by-product dehydrogenation reactions otherwise resulting in non-linear mono-olefins, di-olefinic hydrocarbons and aromatics.

Abstract: Naphthas are upgraded in a two-stage process to give improved yields of high octane gasoline. The first stage operates at low temperatures of 100.degree.-300.degree. F using a highly active chlorinated alumina containing a metal of the platinum group, while the second stage operates at high temperatures using a reforming catalyst.

Abstract: A process comprising passing a first stream comprising residual oil and hydrogen downwardly through a zone containing hydrodesulfurization catalyst under hydrodesulfurization conditions until said catalyst is deactivated. Subsequently, passing a second stream of residual oil and hydrogen upwardly through the deactivated hydrodesulfurization catalyst under thermal cracking conditions, including a temperature above the hydrodesulfurization temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchange method for a hydrocarbon conversion process having two reactors in series which allows efficient heat recovery and effective process control under widely varying process conditions. The hydrocarbon feed stream is divided into three streams. In the preferred embodiment, the first stream is not heat exchanged and is controlled along with the preheater heat supply by a split range controller activated in response to the temperature of the stream entering the first reactor. The second stream is heat exchanged with the effluent of the first reactor and flows at a rate controlled by its temperature after this heat exchange. The third stream is heat exchanged with the effluent of the second reactor and flows at a rate such that the total of all three streams is the desired capacity for the unit. A hydrogen recycle stream is proportionally divided between the second and third streams by a ratio control means. The second stream is combined with the third stream and passed into a preheater.

Abstract: A heat soaked polymer by-product from the production of gasoline using the 90.degree.-400.degree.F. steam cracker naphtha as feed is upgraded by first subjecting the same to a thermal polymerization and then subjecting the thermal polymerization product to a hydrotreating or hydrogenation step or both. Generally, the hydrotreatment is accomplished at relatively mild conditions so as to avoid any change in aromatic ring structure. Hydrogenation, on the other hand, is accomplished at more severe conditions so as to effect hydrogenation of the aromatic rings. In those cases where a mild hydrotreatment only is used, the products obtained are, generally, useful as aromatic oils of light color. Where more severe hydrogenation is used, on the other hand, the products are useful as naphthenic oils.