Systems and methods are provided for forming specialty products from hydrotreated FCC fractions. Optionally, the hydrotreated FCC fractions used for forming the specialty products can further include a (hydrotreated) portion of a steam cracker tar fraction. The specialty products that can be formed from hydrotreated FCC fractions include, but are not limited to, carbon blacks, resins, and carbon fibers. A convenient method for forming the hydrotreated FCC fractions can be fixed bed hydrotreatment.

Systems and methods are provided for forming specialty products from hydrotreated FCC fractions. Optionally, the hydrotreated FCC fractions used for forming the specialty products can further include a (hydrotreated) portion of a steam cracker tar fraction. The specialty products that can be formed from hydrotreated FCC fractions include, but are not limited to, carbon blacks, resins, and carbon fibers. A convenient method for forming the hydrotreated FCC fractions can be fixed bed hydrotreatment.

Processes are described for producing mesophase pitch. The processes generally comprise providing a feedstock having a T5 400 F. (204 C.) and a T95 1,400 F. (760 C.) and heating the feedstock at a temperature ranging from about 420 C. to about 520 C. to produce a heat treated product including isotropic pitch. Generally, the heating is conducted under conditions sufficient to satisfy the relationship [X*Y]20,000 seconds, wherein X is the equivalent reaction time of the heating, and wherein Y is the bromine number of the feedstock as measured in accordance with ASTM D1159. The processes generally further comprise contacting the isotropic pitch with a solvent having a Solubility Blending number (S.sub.BN) of at least about 10 SU under conditions sufficient to produce a solvent fraction comprising the solvent and an insoluble fraction comprising mesophase pitch, and recovering the mesophase pitch.

Processes are described for producing mesophase pitch. The processes generally comprise providing a feedstock having a T5 400 F. (204 C.) and a T95 1,400 F. (760 C.) and heating the feedstock at a temperature ranging from about 420 C. to about 520 C. to produce a heat treated product including isotropic pitch. Generally, the heating is conducted under conditions sufficient to satisfy the relationship [X*Y]20,000 seconds, wherein X is the equivalent reaction time of the heating, and wherein Y is the bromine number of the feedstock as measured in accordance with ASTM D1159. The processes generally further comprise contacting the isotropic pitch with a solvent having a Solubility Blending number (S.sub.BN) of at least about 10 SU under conditions sufficient to produce a solvent fraction comprising the solvent and an insoluble fraction comprising mesophase pitch, and recovering the mesophase pitch.

Systems and methods of production for consistently sized and shaped optically anisotropic mesophase pitch from vacuum residue, one method including supplying processed vacuum residue to an extruder; heating the processed vacuum residue throughout a horizontal profile of the extruder from an inlet to an outlet of the extruder; venting hydrocarbon off-gases from the extruder along the horizontal profile of the extruder from the inlet to the outlet of the extruder; and physically shaping the consistently sized and shaped mesophase pitch at the outlet of the extruder for production of carbon fibers.

Systems and methods of production for consistently sized and shaped optically anisotropic mesophase pitch from vacuum residue, one method including supplying processed vacuum residue to an extruder; heating the processed vacuum residue throughout a horizontal profile of the extruder from an inlet to an outlet of the extruder; venting hydrocarbon off-gases from the extruder along the horizontal profile of the extruder from the inlet to the outlet of the extruder; and physically shaping the consistently sized and shaped mesophase pitch at the outlet of the extruder for production of carbon fibers.

Systems and methods are provided for forming specialty products from hydrotreated FCC fractions. Optionally, the hydrotreated FCC fractions used for forming the specialty products can further include a (hydrotreated) portion of a steam cracker tar fraction. The specialty products that can be formed from hydrotreated FCC fractions include, but are not limited to, carbon blacks, resins, and carbon fibers. A convenient method for forming the hydrotreated FCC fractions can be fixed bed hydrotreatment.

Systems and methods are provided for forming specialty products from hydrotreated FCC fractions. Optionally, the hydrotreated FCC fractions used for forming the specialty products can further include a (hydrotreated) portion of a steam cracker tar fraction. The specialty products that can be formed from hydrotreated FCC fractions include, but are not limited to, carbon blacks, resins, and carbon fibers. A convenient method for forming the hydrotreated FCC fractions can be fixed bed hydrotreatment.

A method of fabricating carbon fibers includes the steps of: (a) melting asphaltene solids in a sealed vessel; (b) spinning melted asphaltenes to fabricate green fibers; (c) stabilizing the green fibers; (d) carbonizing the stabilized green fibers; and (e) optionally graphitizing carbonized fibers.

A method of fabricating carbon fibers includes the steps of: (a) melting asphaltene solids in a sealed vessel; (b) spinning melted asphaltenes to fabricate green fibers; (c) stabilizing the green fibers; (d) carbonizing the stabilized green fibers; and (e) optionally graphitizing carbonized fibers.