Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Fred A Caruso

Robert B Long

David G Walker

Richard J DeFeo

A hydrocarbon feedstock may be selectively separated into its various fractions by contact with a mixture of specified polar and nonpolar solvents at a temperature so as to form a two-phase system, separating the first extract and raffinate phases so obtained, cooling the raffinate (nonpolar) phase so that three phases form, and separating the three phases. The three phases obtained consist of the polar solvent containing low molecular weight polars, the nonpolar solvent containing the saturates and aromatics, and an asphaltene-containing phase. The asphaltene-containing phase may be further washed to yield an asphalt with a higher microcarbon residue than the non-washed asphalt.

Selective separation of heavy oil using a mixture of polar and nonpolar

Basic asphaltenes are selectively removed from asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon feeds by contacting the feed with a solid acid, such as a solid acid cracking catalyst, which selectively adsorbs the basic asphaltenes present in the feed. The adsorption is carried out at a temperature below about 575.degree. F. to avoid cracking the asphaltenes in the adsorption zone. The basic asphaltene-containing catalyst is then separated from the feed, the basic asphaltenes are cracked off the catalyst, the catalyst is regenerated by suitable techniques such as air burning and then recycled back to the adsorption zone. The basic asphaltene-reduced feed is sent to further processing.

Adsorption of basic asphaltenes on solid acid catalysts

Bimetallic salts, having the generic formula MM'X.sub.n wherein M is a Group IB metal, M' is a Group IIIA metal, X is a halide and n is equal to the sum of the valences of M and M', are prepared by reacting the halogen salts of the individual metals, M and M', in a suitable solvent. The bimetallic salt formed thereby is a discrete monomeric species and can be utilized in the separation and recovery of various ligands, by preferential complexation. Complexation can be conducted with the bimetallic salt in the solid state, in solution, or as a slurry, and with the complexible ligand in the gaseous or liquid state. The ligand is recovered by decomplexation of the bimetallic salt-ligand complex or by displacement of the complexed ligand with another ligand.

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Elizabeth, NJ, United States of America

Fred A Caruso