Abstract: A method of separating petroleum samples containing a hydrocarbon-soluble elemental species of interest to facilitate analysis of an elemental and/or isotopic signature. A petroleum sample is mixed with a demulsifier and separated, for example by centrifuging, into one or more intermediate organic fractions. The intermediate organic fraction(s) are mixed with a solvent such as water and a second demulsifier, then separated into one or more prepared organic fractions and one or more solvent-based fractions. Some or all of the resulting fractions are then stored for possible further processing. Optionally, the petroleum sample may be spiked with one or more of an organic standard and an inorganic standard, and the solvent may likewise be spiked with an inorganic internal standard, to facilitate later analysis.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing method and system involves introducing heavy oil and well-dispersed metal sulfide catalyst particles, or a catalyst precursor capable of forming the well-dispersed metal sulfide catalyst particles in situ within the heavy oil, into a hydroprocessing reactor. The well-dispersed or in situ metal sulfide catalyst particles are formed by 1) premixing a catalyst precursor with a hydrocarbon diluent to form a precursor mixture, 2) mixing the precursor mixture with heavy oil to form a conditioned feedstock, and 3) heating the conditioned feedstock to decompose the catalyst precursor and cause or allow metal from the precursor to react with sulfur in the heavy oil to form the well-dispersed or in situ metal sulfide catalyst particles. The well-dispersed or in situ metal sulfide catalyst particles catalyze beneficial upgrading reactions between the heavy oil and hydrogen and eliminates or reduces formation of coke precursors and sediment.

Abstract: Method of removing metals from hydrocarbon feedstock using esters of carboxylic acids, and additives for the same, are provided, wherein hydrocarbon stream including crude oil containing metals and salts thereof, wherein metal is calcium and its salt is calcium naphthenate, is mixed with an effective metal-removing-amount of an aqueous extraction-solution of non-precipitating and non-fouling additive comprising a chemical compound selected from a group consisting of methyl or ethyl or propyl or isopropyl mono- and/or di-esters of any one of the carboxylic acids selected from the groups consisting of maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and fumaric acid, or an appropriate combination of said esters, or an appropriate combination of any of said esters with any of said carboxylic acids to form a hydrocarbonous phase and an aqueous phase containing the metal ions; and separating aqueous phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (c) separating the hydrocarbons and the oxidized sulfur compounds by solvent extraction; (d) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds; and (e) supplying the residue stream to a coker to produce coker gases and solid coke.

Abstract: A method for treating crude or residual fuel oil includes extracting vanadium from the fuel oil by contacting the fuel oil with an adsorbent and a solvent. The adsorbent may be modified with a compound having both acidic functionality and basic functionality. The method provides effective removal of vanadium from crude or residual fuel oil at moderate temperatures.

Abstract: A process for producing olefins from a feedstock comprising a petroleum and non-petroleum fraction has been developed. The process comprises first pretreating the feedstock to remove contaminants such as alkali metals and then cracking the purified feedstock in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) zone operated at conditions to provide C2-C5 olefins. Alternatively, the non-petroleum fraction can first be treated and then mixed with petroleum fraction to provide the feedstock which is then catalytically cracked.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process to produce low sulfur diesel products through the hydrodesulfurization of low nitrogen diesel boiling range feedstreams in the presence of solid acidic materials.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method for producing low-sulfur, low-nitrogen diesel boiling range products involving contacting a diesel boiling range feedstream with an acidic solution to selectively remove heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compounds before hydrotreating.

Abstract: A process for producing olefins from biorenewable feedstocks has been developed. The process comprises first pretreating the feedstock, e.g. vegetable oil, to remove contaminants such as alkali metals and then cracking the purified feedstock in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) zone operated at conditions to provide C2-C5 olefins.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur from hydrocarbon streams is described. The organic sulfur compounds are first oxidized to create oxidized sulfur in the hydrocarbon stream and then processing the hydrocarbon stream with hydrogen at hydrodesulfurization conditions to reduce the sulfur to hydrogen sulfide, leaving a hydrocarbon gas stream substantially free of sulfur.

Abstract: A catalytic cracking process for heavy metals and asphaltene containing feed is disclosed. A reactive sulfur compound, preferably H.sub.2 S, is dissolved in the heavy feed and then kept at a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially decompose the metal containing compounds and also to reduce the molecular weight of the asphaltenes. Preferably a metal scavenging additive is added to the equilibrium catalyst. The additive will rapidly remove the thermal- and sulfur-treated metal containing compounds and prevent or minimize metals poisoning of the cracking catalyst. Sulfur induced cracking of heavy oil components reduces the viscosity of the heavy feed, and permits lower temperature to be used in the cracking reactor.

Abstract: Asphaltenes are separated from hydrocarbon oil by bringing the oil into contact with formic acid or a water-soluble organic acid consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and having at least two functional groups.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds from a petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof which comprises first treating the petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof rich in basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds in a two-phase extraction zone with an extractant consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of a lower carboxylic acid, preferably having between 1 and 15 carbon atoms. The extractant complexes the basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds to produce a stream of petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof having a smaller content of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds and a stream comprising the lower carboxylic acid extractant with an increased quantity of basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. The petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof possessing a reduced quantity of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds is hydrotreated in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrotreating catalyst to further remove the basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: Arsenic impurities and, optionally, iron impurities are removed from a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, preferably shale oil, by contacting it with an aqueous solution of a metal chlorate and an acid having a pKa of less than 3.

Abstract: A process for converting the raffinate from an HCl-treated shale oil to a suitable feedstock for a hydrocracking reactor for making fuels from the raffinate by hydrotreating the raffinate and thereafter water quenching the hydrotreated product.

Abstract: Petroleum crudes, residual stocks, gas oils and the like which contain metals are pretreated with a sulfonating agent and the mixture separated into two fractions of which the lesser in volume has a greater concentration of metal and Conradson Carbon components. One or both of those fractions is mixed with a catalytically inert solid at high temperature to transfer metallic compounds and Conradson Carbon components to the solid for improvement of the fraction.

Abstract: A transformer oil processing sequence is disclosed which produces a superior oil without the use of large doses of sulfuric acid and the resultant sludge problems. The process comprises contacting a naphthenic based oil with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid under mild conditions of temperature and pressure and caustic washing the resultant product. The caustic washed product is then hydrogenated.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for deriving motor fuel from coal which involves the steps of solubilizing coal in a liquefaction solvent; separating undissolved solids from the liquefaction solution; fractionating the liquid phase by distillation; subjecting intermediate distillate fractions to denitrification treatment; and catalytic cracking of the resultant denitrified synthetic crude oil to produce premium grade gasoline.