The presently disclosed embodiments relate to the utilization of coal-derived fine mineral matter in chemical recycling of plastics or of solid mixed plastic waste. The instantly disclosed mineral based catalyst benefits the processes of catalytic cracking, gasification and steam reforming to maximize carbon utilization and production of plastics of original quality from recycled or renewable feedstocks while reducing the plastic pollution in the environment. The catalyst can be based on inorganic fine mineral matter, a natural ancient mineral mixture found in coal deposits and containing a plurality of transition metals, such as iron, copper, and manganese, as well as calcium, barium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, which can act as co-catalysts. Addition of the catalyst can convert plastic to syngas at a faction of the energy of conventional technologies.

The instant disclosure provides a process for synthesis of compound of Formula:
X.sub.a-M.sup.z+-Y.sub.b,
wherein M.sup.z+ is a transition metal ion and X and Y are carboxylate anions. The catalysts are hydrocarbon soluble and the process for their preparation, as disclosed herein, constitutes an elegant method for the preparation of such catalysts.

The instant disclosure provides a process for synthesis of compound of Formula:
X.sub.a-M.sup.z+-Y.sub.b,
wherein M.sup.z+ is a transition metal ion and X and Y are carboxylate anions. The catalysts are hydrocarbon soluble and the process for their preparation, as disclosed herein, constitutes an elegant method for the preparation of such catalysts.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an aqueous reforming system and a method for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons. A hydrocarbon feed and a surfactant stream are combined to produce a first precursor stream. The first precursor stream and an alkali feed are combined to produce a second precursor stream. The second precursor stream and a transition metal feed are combined to produce a catalytic emulsion stream. The catalytic emulsion stream is heated to produce a catalytic suspension and a decomposition gas, where the decomposition gas is separated by a first separator. The catalytic suspension is combined with a preheated water stream to produce an aqueous reformer feed. The aqueous reformer feed is introduced to an aqueous reformer such that the heavy hydrocarbons undergo conversion reactions to produce an effluent stream. The effluent stream is introduced to a second separator to produce a heavy stream and a light stream. The light stream is introduced to a third separator to produce a gas stream, a distillate stream, and a spent water stream. Optionally, a portion of the distillate stream and the hydrocarbon feed can be combined to produce the first precursor stream such that the first precursor stream is in the absence of a surfactant.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an aqueous reforming system and a method for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons. A hydrocarbon feed and a surfactant stream are combined to produce a first precursor stream. The first precursor stream and an alkali feed are combined to produce a second precursor stream. The second precursor stream and a transition metal feed are combined to produce a catalytic emulsion stream. The catalytic emulsion stream is heated to produce a catalytic suspension and a decomposition gas, where the decomposition gas is separated by a first separator. The catalytic suspension is combined with a preheated water stream to produce an aqueous reformer feed. The aqueous reformer feed is introduced to an aqueous reformer such that the heavy hydrocarbons undergo conversion reactions to produce an effluent stream. The effluent stream is introduced to a second separator to produce a heavy stream and a light stream. The light stream is introduced to a third separator to produce a gas stream, a distillate stream, and a spent water stream. Optionally, a portion of the distillate stream and the hydrocarbon feed can be combined to produce the first precursor stream such that the first precursor stream is in the absence of a surfactant.

Methods comprising contacting a residue comprising paraffinic, olefinic, and aromatic hydrocarbons with a polar solvent under conditions effective to extract at least a portion of the aromatic hydrocarbons from the residue into the polar solvent, thereby generating: an extract phase comprising the portion of aromatic hydrocarbons and the polar solvent; and, a raffinate phase comprising a majority of the paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons.

Methods comprising contacting a residue comprising paraffinic, olefinic, and aromatic hydrocarbons with a polar solvent under conditions effective to extract at least a portion of the aromatic hydrocarbons from the residue into the polar solvent, thereby generating: an extract phase comprising the portion of aromatic hydrocarbons and the polar solvent; and, a raffinate phase comprising a majority of the paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a process for modifying catalysts comprising introducing a precursor agent and hydrogen gas to a conversion reactor; contacting the precursor agent with a conversion catalyst in the conversion reactor, thereby producing an active agent; introducing the active agent to a production reactor; and contacting the active agent with a hydroprocessing catalyst in the production reactor, thereby producing a modified hydroprocessing catalyst.

Embodiments of catalyst systems and methods of synthesizing catalyst systems are provided. The catalyst system may include a core comprising a zeolite; and a shell comprising a microporous fibrous silica. The shell may be in direct contact with at least a majority of an outer surface of the core. The catalyst system may have a Si/Al molar ratio greater than 5. At least a portion of the shell may have a thickness of from 50 nanometers (nm) to 360 nm.

Embodiments of catalyst systems and methods of synthesizing catalyst systems are provided. The catalyst system may include a core comprising a zeolite; and a shell comprising a microporous fibrous silica. The shell may be in direct contact with at least a majority of an outer surface of the core. The catalyst system may have a Si/Al molar ratio greater than 5. At least a portion of the shell may have a thickness of from 50 nanometers (nm) to 360 nm.