The present invention provides for a method of decreasing the metals content of metal containing petroleum streams by forming a mixture of the petroleum fraction containing those metals and an essentially aqueous electrolysis medium, and passing an electric current through the mixture at a voltage, pH and time sufficient to remove the metals such as Ni, V and Fe from the stream (i.e. to produce a petroleum fraction having decreased content of the metals). The cathodic voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE at a pH of from 6 to 14, preferably 7 to 14, most preferably above 7 to 14. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their Ni and V content.

Method for demetallating refinery feedstreams

Electrolytic reduction at the cathode of aromatic hydrocarbons in an aqueous emulsive electrolysis medium in an undivided electrolytic cell yields dihydroaromatic hydrocarbons.

Preparation of dihydroaromatic hydrocarbons

Naphthyl ethers having at least one ether group may be dihydrogenated in an electrochemical manner by electrolysis of the naphthyl ethers in a solvent consisting essentially of an alkanol having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, optionally in admixture with a small amount of a cosolvent and containing no more than about 5% by volume of water in the presence of at least one supporting electrolyte selected from the group consisting of tetramethylammonium salt Tetraethylammonium salt Tetramethylammonium hydroxide Tetraethylammonium hydroxide Tetramethylphosphonium salt Tetraethylphosphonium salt Tetramethylphosphonium hydroxide and Tetraethylphosphonium hydroxide In a continuous flow cell with separation of the cathode and anode zones, with the use of a solid cathode having a more cathodic hydrogen overvoltage than that of Cu and a usual solid anode, at temperatures of from -20° to +120° C, and at a pH of more than about 8, according to the galvanostatic operation mode. The dihydrogenation of naphthyl-ethers having the ether group in 2-position is preferred since β-tetralones are obtained via the 1,4-, 3,4- and 1,2-dihydroproducts and hydrolysis thereof; tetralones being important starting substances for the synthesis of pharmacologically interesting compounds. The process can be carried out on an industrial scale with high current density and high space-time yields as well as relative low specific energy consumption.

Process for the electrochemical dihydrogenation of naphthyl ethers

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A METHOD OF THE PRODUCTION OF DIHYDROAROMATIC HYDROCARBONS WHICH COMPRISES SUBJECTING A CATHOLYTE COMPOSED OF A HETEROGENEOUS MIXTURE OF AN AROMATIC HYDROCARBON AND AN EQUEOUS SOLUTION OF ONE OR MORE QUATERNARY AMMONIUM SALTS TO ELECTROLYSIS CARRIED OUT AT A TEMPERATURE FROM 30* TO 100*C. AND SUBSEQUENTLY RECOVERING THE RESULTING DIHYDRO AROMATIC HYDROCARBON.

Takefumi Hatayama

Papers

Method of electrolytically reducing aromatic hydrocarbons