The invention relates to systems and methods for ultrasonic oxidative desulfurization of heavy fuel oils. In various embodiments, the methods include combinations of ultrasonic sulfone decomposition processes and/or catalytic decomposition processes.

An improved process for the hydroconversion of micro carbon residue content of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks by the use of a catalyst composition that is especially useful in the conversion of micro carbon residue of such feedstocks. The catalyst composition is a low surface area composition that further has a specifically define pore structure the combination of which provides for its enhance micro carbon residue conversion property.

An improved process for the hydroconversion of micro carbon residue content of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks by the use of a catalyst composition that is especially useful in the conversion of micro carbon residue of such feedstocks. The catalyst composition is a low surface area composition that further has a specifically define pore structure the combination of which provides for its enhance micro carbon residue conversion property.

The present development is a metal particle coated nanowire catalyst for use in the hydrodesulfurization of fuels and a process for the production of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises titanium(IV) oxide nanowires wherein the nanowires are produced by exposure of a TiO.sub.2—KOH paste to microwave radiation. Metal particles selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, or a combination thereof, are impregnated on the metal oxide nanowire surface. The metal impregnated nanowires are sulfided to produce catalytically-active metal particles on the surface of the nanowires The catalysts of the present invention are intended for use in the removal of thiophenic sulfur from liquid fuels through a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process in a fixed bed reactor. The presence of nanowires improves the HDS activity and reduces the sintering effect, therefore, the sulfur removal efficiency increases.

The present development is a metal particle coated nanowire catalyst for use in the hydrodesulfurization of fuels and a process for the production of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises titanium(IV) oxide nanowires wherein the nanowires are produced by exposure of a TiO.sub.2—KOH paste to microwave radiation. Metal particles selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, or a combination thereof, are impregnated on the metal oxide nanowire surface. The metal impregnated nanowires are sulfided to produce catalytically-active metal particles on the surface of the nanowires The catalysts of the present invention are intended for use in the removal of thiophenic sulfur from liquid fuels through a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process in a fixed bed reactor. The presence of nanowires improves the HDS activity and reduces the sintering effect, therefore, the sulfur removal efficiency increases.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a method of producing a cracking catalyst. The method of producing a cracking catalyst may comprise producing a plurality of uncalcined zeolite-beta nanoparticles via a dry-gel method, directly mixing the plurality of uncalcined zeolite-beta nanoparticles with at least one additional hydrocracking component to form a mixture, and calcining the mixture to form the cracking catalyst. The plurality of uncalcined zeolite-beta nanoparticles may have an average diameter of less than 100 nm.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a method of producing a cracking catalyst. The method of producing a cracking catalyst may comprise producing a plurality of uncalcined zeolite-beta nanoparticles via a dry-gel method, directly mixing the plurality of uncalcined zeolite-beta nanoparticles with at least one additional hydrocracking component to form a mixture, and calcining the mixture to form the cracking catalyst. The plurality of uncalcined zeolite-beta nanoparticles may have an average diameter of less than 100 nm.

A method for upgrading mixed pyrolysis oil may include contacting the mixed pyrolysis oil with hydrogen in the presence of a mixed metal oxide catalyst at reaction conditions to produce a reaction effluent including light aromatic compounds. The mixed pyrolysis oil includes multi-ring aromatic compounds and is formed from light pyrolysis oil and heavy pyrolysis oil at a ratio of 10:90 to 40:60 with light pyrolysis oil representing a bottom stream of a gas steam cracker and heavy pyrolysis oil representing a bottom stream of a naphtha steam cracker. The mixed metal oxide catalyst includes a plurality of catalyst particles with each catalyst particles including a plurality of metal oxides. An associated system for upgrading mixed pyrolysis oil may include a pyrolysis upgrading unit housing the mixed metal oxide catalyst and a separation unit operable to separate used mixed metal oxide catalyst from the reaction effluent.

A method for upgrading mixed pyrolysis oil may include contacting the mixed pyrolysis oil with hydrogen in the presence of a mixed metal oxide catalyst at reaction conditions to produce a reaction effluent including light aromatic compounds. The mixed pyrolysis oil includes multi-ring aromatic compounds and is formed from light pyrolysis oil and heavy pyrolysis oil at a ratio of 10:90 to 40:60 with light pyrolysis oil representing a bottom stream of a gas steam cracker and heavy pyrolysis oil representing a bottom stream of a naphtha steam cracker. The mixed metal oxide catalyst includes a plurality of catalyst particles with each catalyst particles including a plurality of metal oxides. An associated system for upgrading mixed pyrolysis oil may include a pyrolysis upgrading unit housing the mixed metal oxide catalyst and a separation unit operable to separate used mixed metal oxide catalyst from the reaction effluent.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for hydrodearylating aromatic bottoms oil includes contacting at least one aromatic bottoms oil stream with at least one catalyst composition and hydrogen in a reactor in order to hydrodearylate the aromatic bottoms oil stream. The catalyst composition includes a catalyst support comprising framework-substituted ultra-stable Y-type (USY) zeolite substituted with at least zirconium atoms. The catalyst composition does not include a hydrogenative metal component disposed on the support.