A multifunctional comprehensive mineral supplement including molecular clusters, wherein at least a portion of the molecular clusters each has a metal core and one or more ligands attached to the metal core, wherein at least a portion of the metal core and/or one or more ligands is provided by or derived from a mineral component.

Copper sulfide of the formula Cu.sub.xS.sub.y, wherein x and y are integer or non-integer values, wherein (i) the copper sulfide has a sulfur 2p XPS spectrum with peaks at 162.3 eV (1 ev), 163.8 eV (1 ev) and 68.5 eV (1 ev), characterised in that the peak at 168.5 eV has a lower value of counts per second (CPS) than both the peak at 162.3 eV and the peak at 163.8 eV; and (ii) the copper sulfide has a copper 2p XPS spectrum with peaks at 932.0 eV (2ev) and 933.6 eV (3eV) and characterised in that the XPS spectrum does not comprise identifiable satellite peaks at 939.8 eV and 943.1 eV (3 eV).

The present invention relates to a bioadditive for heavy oils that serves to reduce polluting emissions and bio-enhancer of the combustion performance for heavy oils, which comprises methyl esters of raps oil, also called raps biodiesel, in the range of up to 80% v/v, surfactants in the range of up to 80% v/v, diluents in the range of up to 20% v/v and metal oxides between 0.1-5 g/L.

Fouling and/or asphaltene agglomeration (or flocculation) in midstream processes and transportation and in upstream transportation of a hydrocarbon oil is reduced by providing in the oil an additive combination including; (A) a polyalkenyl-substituted carboxylic acid or anhydride, and (B) a metal detergent system comprising a hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate metal salt or a hydrocarbyl-substituted sulfonate metal salt or a mixure of both salts or a complex thereof,
where the mass:mass ratio of (A) to (B) is in the range of 20:1 to 1:20 and the treat rate of the additive is in the range of 5 to 10000 ppm by mass.

The production carbonaceous feedstock material from waste containing carbon sources and the use thereof in gasification processes for hazardous emissions of greenhouse gases and sulphur are significantly minimized and enhanced reaction rates are described. A process for producing a carbonaceous feedstock material from waste containing carbon sources, including the steps consisting of: (i) introducing a source of biochar to a source of discard coal fines to form a bio-coal mixture; (ii) introducing a catalyst additive selected from the group consisting of a source of an alkali metal or a source of an alkaline earth metal to the bio-coal mixture; (iii) optionally, contacting the bio-coal mixture with a binder; and (iv) compacting the resulting mixture of step (ii) or (iii) to form one or more carbonaceous feedstock briquettes, the size of said briquettes having a dimension of at least 5 mm.

Disclosed herein are particulate filtration systems comprising a fuel source, a fuel burner, and a porous ceramic structure, the fuel source comprising at least one fuel additive capable of producing ash upon combustion. The resulting ash can be deposited on the porous ceramic structure in an amount sufficient to improve the filtration efficiency of the structure over a relatively short period of time or relatively short driving distances. Vehicles comprising such particulate filtration systems and methods for filtering particulate matter from a fluid stream are also disclosed herein. Further disclosed herein are methods for conditioning a particulate filter to improve the initial filtration efficiency.

A fuel additive for fuel formulations comprising calcium sulfonates in an amount effective to limit or eliminate valve seat recession in engines utilizing such fuel formulations. The fuel additive may also include a detergent, particularly in an amount to enhance the VSR limiting effect of the calcium sulfonates. Also included are fuel formulations containing calcium sulfonates in a concentration effective to limit vale seat recession in engines utilizing the fuel formulations. Methods for treating VSR in piston engines are also provided.

A composition is disclosed. The composition is useful for reducing emissions, carbon deposits and fuel consumption when liquid hydrocarbon fuels are combusted. The composition comprises: from 80 to 90 percent (%) by weight of ferrocene; and one or more components selected from the group consisting of behenyl alcohol, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and magnesium stearate, whereas each of the components (if present) is present in the composition in a maximum quantity of 10% by weight. Generally, at least behenyl alcohol is present, along with at least one of hydrogenated cottonseed oil and magnesium stearate. The composition can be prepared in the form of granulated material, which can be subsequently applied as such or can be modified to another form (e.g. tablets, solutions, etc.). An additive for liquid hydrocarbon fuels is also disclosed.

A method for manufacturing biomass based fuel configured to reduce chemical and/or mechanical effects of flue gas on heat transfer surfaces is described. The method comprises providing biomass and steam into a reactor; maintaining said biomass and said steam simultaneously in the reactor, in a pressure of at least 10 bar(a) and at a temperature from 180 C. to 250 C. for at least 2 minutes; and decreasing the pressure in the reactor and/or conveying biomass out of the reactor such that the pressure of the environment of the biomass decreases below 5 bar(a), to produce steam-exploded biomass. The method further comprises adding some combustion additive to the biomass and/or the steam-exploded biomass.

Processes are provided for the oxidative solubilization of metal-containing petroleum cokes in a basic aqueous solution, so as to segregate a solid metal-containing residue from a solubilized and demineralized organics fraction. Oxidation conditions are provided that optimize the yield of soluble partial oxidation products and minimize the generation of CO.sub.2. In some embodiments, a nanocrystalline copper tetrasilicate oxidation catalyst belonging to the Gillespite group of minerals may be used (Cuprorivaite (CaCuSi.sub.4O.sub.10), Wesselsite (SrCuSi.sub.4O.sub.10), Effenbergerite (BaCuSi.sub.4O.sub.10), or combinations thereof). The pH of the solubilized organics fraction may be reduced, under conditions that precipitate an upgraded carbonaceous material, in some embodiments comprising humic acid analogs, yielding a barren leachate solution.