This application relates to the production of functionalized lower hydrocarbons and more particularly to the process of converting ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbons. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbon conversion is catalyzed by a Zn.sub.xZr.sub.yA.sub.vQ.sub.sMn.sub.wO.sub.z mixed oxide catalyst or a bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to be converted is present at molar concentrations in the reactor feed equal to or exceeding 14%.

A composition for inhibiting oxidation including an anionic, hydrophilic, water soluble polymer, wherein the polymer is chosen from the group consisting of anionic polyacrylamide, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, guar gum, and lignin sulfonate, an anionic surfactant, a co-solvent, and water is herein disclosed.

This alternative fuel is a reclaimed waste product which has a solid, particulate consistency at ambient temperature. The fuel comprises a composite of petroleum pitch and a powder coating. The powder coating penetrates into the surface of the pitch. The powder coating is recycled ash, pulverized coal, or pulverized petroleum coke.

A method for preparing a refinery fuel composition having a target octane number, comprises: (i) blending fuel components in proportions which are designed to give a refinery fuel composition with an octane number which is greater than the target octane number by a margin of less than 1; and (ii) testing the octane number of the refinery fuel composition and, if the octane number falls below the target octane number, blending the refinery fuel composition with a non-metallic octane-boosting additive. A further method comprises: (a) passing a first refinery fuel composition comprising a non-metallic octane-boosting additive to a fuel handing system, and discharging the first refinery fuel composition from the fuel handing system; and (b) passing a second refinery fuel composition to the fuel handing system.

A winterized paraffin inhibitor, which is capable of being used for preventing the deposition of paraffins in hydrocarbon streams and capable of withstanding freezing or crystallization at freezing or sub-freezing temperatures, may be formed by adding an oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons to a high molecular weight aliphatic polymer paraffin inhibitor, the oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons being produced by the oxyalkylation of the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a ring-opening reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

This alternative fuel is a reclaimed waste product which has a solid, particulate consistency at ambient temperature. The fuel comprises a composite of petroleum pitch and a powder coating. The powder coating penetrates into the surface of the pitch. The powder coating is recycled ash, pulverized coal, or pulverized petroleum coke.

A winterized paraffin inhibitor, which is capable of being used for preventing the deposition of paraffins in hydrocarbon streams and capable of withstanding freezing or crystallization at freezing or sub-freezing temperatures, may be formed by adding an oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons to a high molecular weight aliphatic polymer paraffin inhibitor, the oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons being produced by the oxyalkylation of the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a ring-opening reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

A winterized paraffin inhibitor, which is capable of being used for preventing the deposition of paraffins in hydrocarbon streams and capable of withstanding freezing or crystallization at freezing or sub-freezing temperatures, may be formed by adding an oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons to a high molecular weight aliphatic polymer paraffin inhibitor, the oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbons being produced by the oxyalkylation of the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a ring-opening reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

A fuel formulation comprising a sugar and ammonia solution, wherein the sugar and ammonia are present in a combined amount of greater than 70 percent by weight of the fuel formulation, and wherein the sugar comprises fructose, glucose, sucrose or a combination thereof.

A fumaric acid pour point depressant for crude oil and a preparation method therefor are provided. The fumaric acid pour point depressant is obtained by polymerizing a first prepolymer, a second prepolymer, a third monomer and a fourth monomer, where the first prepolymer is obtained by pre-polymerizing vinyl acetate and a first monomer; and the second prepolymer is obtained by pre-polymerizing fumaric acid and a second monomer.