Texaco Inc.

Stephen R Vasconcellos

Mitri S Najjar

Farrokh Yaghmaie

Ronald J McKeon

Roger J Corbeels

James R Pascoe

Ralph Garcia

Paul E Howe

An aqueous dispersion of unreacted particulate petroleum coke substantially comprising carbon and containing a small amount of ash substantially comprising vanadium constituents and other materials from a process for the partial oxidation of petroleum coke to produce synthesis gas is mixed with a hydrocarbon alkoxy sulfate and a frothing agent. After pH adjustment, if necessary, the mixture is subjected to aeration with or without mechanical agitation in a froth flotation zone. About 5 to 25 wt. % of the unconverted particulate petroleum coke (basis carbon) particles float in the froth layer that is formed. The remainder of the unconverted petroleum coke comprising coarser particles is suspended in a bottom aqueous dispersion on which the froth layer floats. In addition, selective separation of the vanadium constituents in the unconverted petroleum coke ash takes place. The vanadium content of the ash in the floated portion of unconverted petroleum coke is unexpectedly increased about 10 to 50 weight percent. Simultaneously, the vanadium content of the ash in the unconverted petroleum coke suspended in the bottom layer of aqueous dispersion is unexpectedly decreased about 5 to 50 weight percent. Water may be recovered from this aqueous dispersion and recycled to the gas quench cooling and scrubbing zones. At least a portion of the unconverted particulate petroleum coke from said bottom aqueous dispersion is recycled to the partial oxidation gas generator as a portion of the feed. The froth is removed from the system and may be sent to a vanadium recovery zone. By the subject process, the vanadium content in the recycle stream to the gas generator of unconverted petroleum coke to the gas generator is reduced. The life of the refractory lining of the gas generator is thereby extended.

Reduction of vanadium in recycle petroleum coke

An aqueous dispersion of unreacted particulate petroleum coke substantially comprising carbon and containing a small amount of ash substantially comprising vanadium constituents and other materials from a process for the partial oxidation of petroleum coke to produce synthesis gas is mixed with C.sub.4 to C.sub.8 acyclic and/or cyclic alkanols and a frothing agent. After pH adjustment, if necessary, the mixture is subjected to aeration with or without mechanical agitation in a froth flotation zone. About 60 to 95 wt. % of the unconverted particulate petroleum coke (basis carbon) particles float in the froth layer that is formed. The remainder of the unconverted petroleum coke comprising coarser particles is suspended in a bottom aqueous dispersion on which the froth layer floats. In addition, selective separation of the vanadium constituents in the unconverted petroleum coke ash takes place. The vanadium content of the ash in the floated portion of unconverted petroleum coke is unexpectedly decreased about 40 to 80 weight percent. Simultaneously, the vanadium content of the ash in the unconverted petroleum coke suspended in the bottom layer of aqueous dispersion is unexpectedly increased about 20 to 60 weight percent. Water may be recovered from this aqueous dispersion and recycled to the gas quench cooling and scrubbing zones. At least portions of the unconverted particulate petroleum coke from the foam layer and the bottom layer are recycled to the partial oxidation gas generator and to a vanadium recovery zone, respectively. By the subject process, the vanadium content in the recycle stream of unconverted petroleum coke to the gas generator is reduced. The life of the refractory lining of the gas generator is thereby extended.

Partial oxidation of upgraded petroleum coke

An aqueous dispersion of unreacted particulate petroleum coke substantially comprising carbon and containing a small amount of ash substantially comprising vanadium constituents and other materials from a process for the partial oxidation of petroleum coke to produce synthesis gas is mixed with a K.sup.+ amyl xanthate vanadium collection agent and a frothing agent. After pH adjustment, if necessary, the mixture is subjected to aeration with or without mechanical agitation in a froth flotation zone. About 70 to 95 wt. % of the unconverted particulate petroleum coke particles (basis carbon) float in the froth layer that is formed. The remainder of the unconverted petroleum coke comprising coarser particles is suspended in a bottom aqueous dispersion on which the froth layer floats. In addition, selective separation of the vanadium constituents in the unconverted petroleum coke ash takes place. The vanadium content of the ash in the floated portion of unconverted petroleum coke is unexpectedly decreased about 50 to 85 weight percent. Simultaneously, the vanadium content of the ash in the unconverted petroleum coke suspended in the bottom layer of aqueous dispersion is unexpectedly increased about 50 to 85 weight percent. Water may be recovered from this aqueous dispersion and recycled to the gas quench cooling and scrubbing zones. At least portions of the unconverted particulate petroleum coke from the foam layer and the bottom layer are recycled to the partial oxidation gas generator and to a vanadium recovery zone, respectively. By the subject process, the vanadium content in the recycle stream of unconverted petroleum coke to the gas generator is reduced. The life of the refractory lining of the gas generator is thereby extended.

Partial oxidation of petroleum coke

Aqueous slurries of solid carbonaceous fuel that include a novel highly converted sulfonated surfactant derived from a suspension of low rank coal and coal derived creosote oil for reducing the viscosity and increasing the solids content of the aqueous slurry.

Aqueous slurries of solid carbonaceous fuel

The problem of creaming during formation of disperse-slurry of H-coal residue by ball milling with water is eliminated by use, as an anti-creaming additive, of the triethanolamine salt of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid.

Formation of disperse-slurry of H-coal residue

The problem of creaming during formation of disperse-slurry of coal liquefaction residue by ball milling with water is eliminated by use, as an anti-creaming additive, of a quaternary amine such as tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride.

Formation of disperse-slurry of coal liquefaction residue

Rapid precipitation of the particulate solids e.g. ash, slag, char and mixtures thereof in dilute dispersions of quench cooling and/or scrubbing water as produced in the partial oxidation process for ash-containing solid carbonaceous fuels is effected by mixing with said dispersion an anionic sulfonate surfactant and a water soluble divalent metal salt.

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Fishkill, NY, United States of America

Stephen R Vasconcellos