Systems and methods are provided for slurry hydroconversion of a heavy oil feed, such as an atmospheric or vacuum resid. The systems and methods allow for slurry hydroconversion using catalysts with enhanced activity and/or catalysts that can be recycled as a side product from a complementary refinery process.

The invention is directed to a process for producing carbon nanofibers and/or carbon nanotubes, which process comprises pyrolyzing a particulate cellulosic and/or carbohydrate substrate that has been impregnated with a compound of an element or elements, the metal or alloy, respectively, of which is capable of forming carbides, in a substantially oxygen free, volatile silicon compound containing atmosphere, optionally in the presence of a carbon compound.

The invention is directed to a process for producing carbon nanofibers and/or carbon nanotubes, which process comprises pyrolyzing a particulate cellulosic and/or carbohydrate substrate that has been impregnated with a compound of an element or elements, the metal or alloy, respectively, of which is capable of forming carbides, in a substantially oxygen free, volatile silicon compound containing atmosphere, optionally in the presence of a carbon compound.

Disclosed is a method of preparing a drilling fluid and lube base oil using biomass-derived fatty acid, including hydrogenating a fatty acid mixture derived from fat of biological origin so as to be converted into a fatty alcohol mixture, which is then dehydrated to give a C16 and C18 linear internal olefin mixture, which is then oligomerized to give olefinic lube base oil, followed by hydrofinishing to remove the olefin, yielding high-quality lube base oil (e.g. Group III or higher lube base oil). The C16 and C18 linear internal olefin mixture, which is a reaction intermediate, can be utilized as a high-quality drilling fluid.

The present subject matter relates generally to methods for treating an organic feed. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods for reducing the water content of an organic feed before the organic feed enters a hydrogenation zone, thereby by improving the activity, conversion, and life of the hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation zone product stream is then sent to a phenol recovery zone.

The present subject matter relates generally to methods for treating an organic feed. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods for reducing the water content of an organic feed before the organic feed enters a hydrogenation zone, thereby by improving the activity, conversion, and life of the hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation zone product stream is then sent to a phenol recovery zone.

Here is provided processes for producing at least one liquid transportation fuel component. In a first mode of running one of the processes, a hydrocarbon feed including nitrogen impurities is subjected to a hydroprocessing in reactor A in a presence of a hydrotreatment catalyst A to obtain a hydroprocessing effluent A, which is subjected, after degassing, to a catalytic hydroprocessing in reactor B to obtain a hydroteratment effluent B, which is fractionated, optionally after degassing, to obtain at least one liquid transportation fuel component, and/or at least an aviation fuel component. In the process, parameters indicative of deactivation of the hydrotreatment catalyst A are monitored and when these reach predetermined values, the process is switched to a second mode of running wherein the order of reactors A and B is changed so that a degassed hydroprocessing effluent B is fed to the reactor A.

Here is provided processes for producing at least one liquid transportation fuel component. In a first mode of running one of the processes, a hydrocarbon feed including nitrogen impurities is subjected to a hydroprocessing in reactor A in a presence of a hydrotreatment catalyst A to obtain a hydroprocessing effluent A, which is subjected, after degassing, to a catalytic hydroprocessing in reactor B to obtain a hydroteratment effluent B, which is fractionated, optionally after degassing, to obtain at least one liquid transportation fuel component, and/or at least an aviation fuel component. In the process, parameters indicative of deactivation of the hydrotreatment catalyst A are monitored and when these reach predetermined values, the process is switched to a second mode of running wherein the order of reactors A and B is changed so that a degassed hydroprocessing effluent B is fed to the reactor A.

An improved hydrotreating catalyst and process for making a base oil product wherein the catalyst comprises a base extrudate that includes a high nanopore volume amorphous silica alumina (ASA) and a second amorphous silica alumina. The catalyst and process generally involve the use of a base extrudate comprising the high nanopore volume ASA and the second ASA in a catalyst to produce hydrotreated dewaxed base oil products by contacting the catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock. The catalyst base extrudate advantageously comprises a first amorphous silica alumina having a pore volume in the 11-20 nm pore diameter range of 0.2 to 1.0 cc/g and a second amorphous silica alumina having a pore volume in the 11-20 nm pore diameter range of 0.02 to 0.2 cc/g, with the base extrudate formed from the amorphous silica alumina and the alumina having a total pore volume in the 2-50 nm pore diameter range of 0.12 to 1.80 cc/g. The catalyst further comprises at least one modifier element from Groups 6 to 10 and Group 14 of the Periodic Table. The catalyst and process provide improved aromatics saturation.

An improved hydrotreating catalyst and process for making a base oil product wherein the catalyst comprises a base extrudate that includes a high nanopore volume amorphous silica alumina (ASA) and a second amorphous silica alumina. The catalyst and process generally involve the use of a base extrudate comprising the high nanopore volume ASA and the second ASA in a catalyst to produce hydrotreated dewaxed base oil products by contacting the catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock. The catalyst base extrudate advantageously comprises a first amorphous silica alumina having a pore volume in the 11-20 nm pore diameter range of 0.2 to 1.0 cc/g and a second amorphous silica alumina having a pore volume in the 11-20 nm pore diameter range of 0.02 to 0.2 cc/g, with the base extrudate formed from the amorphous silica alumina and the alumina having a total pore volume in the 2-50 nm pore diameter range of 0.12 to 1.80 cc/g. The catalyst further comprises at least one modifier element from Groups 6 to 10 and Group 14 of the Periodic Table. The catalyst and process provide improved aromatics saturation.