Production of lower molecular weight hydrocarbons

Abstract

A catalytic composition useful for cracking and reducing the viscosity of heavy hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition comprises Portland cement, a volcanic ash component, titanium dioxide, and a transition metal salt. Optionally, a hydrogen source is added to the catalytic composition.

1 .- 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A catalytic composition for upgrading high molecular weight hydrocarbons comprising an admixture of water and the reaction products of particles of the following components: silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, ferric oxide, calcium oxide, titanium dioxide or boron oxide, and a transition metal salt, wherein the particles have a Blaine surface area to weight ratio of at least 3000 cm 2 /gm. 
     
     
         53 . A composition for the upgrading of a high molecular weight hydrocarbon composition to form a lower molecular weight hydrocarbon product, comprising the catalytic composition of  claim 52  and a C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane. 
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 52 , wherein the C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane is diesel fuel or naphtha. 
     
     
         55 . The catalytic composition of  claim 52 , wherein the transition metal salt is one or more of the compounds selected from ferric halides, cupric halides, cobalt halides, and ferrous halides. 
     
     
         56 . An admixture of a high molecular weight hydrocarbon and the catalytic composition of  claim 52  wherein the weight ratio of the high molecular weight hydrocarbon to the catalytic composition is from 2:1 to 4:1. 
     
     
         57 . The admixture of  claim 56  wherein the high molecular weight hydrocarbon composition is one or more components selected from bitumens, asphaltenes, oils, and tars. 
     
     
         58 . A catalytic composition comprising an admixture of water and the reaction products of particles of a cement component, a volcanic ash component, a transition metal salt, and titanium dioxide or boron oxide, wherein the particles have a Blaine surface area to weight ratio of at least 3000 cm 2 /gm. 
     
     
         59 . A composition for the upgrading of a high molecular weight hydrocarbon composition to form a lower molecular weight hydrocarbon product, comprising the catalytic composition of  claim 58  and a C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane. 
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 59 , wherein the C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane is diesel fuel or naphtha. 
     
     
         61 . The catalytic composition of  claim 58 , wherein the cement component is Portland cement. 
     
     
         62 . The catalytic composition of  claim 58 , wherein the volcanic ash component is one or more components selected from scoria, basalt, pyroclastic rock, tuff, tuffstone, volcanic glass, pumice, mafic rock, ultramafic rock, and silicate-based zeolites. 
     
     
         63 . The catalytic composition of  claim 58 , wherein the transition metal salt is one or more of the compounds selected from ferric halides, cupric halides, cobalt halides, and ferrous halides. 
     
     
         64 . A method of making a catalytic composition for the upgrading of a high molecular weight hydrocarbon composition which comprises:
 (a) admixing particles having a Blaine surface area to weight ratio of at least 3000 cm 2 /gm of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, ferric oxide, calcium oxide, titanium dioxide or boron oxide, and a transition metal salt; and   (b) blending the admixture with water.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the transition metal salt is one or more of the compounds selected from ferric halides, cupric halides, cobalt halides, and ferrous halides. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , further including blending the admixture with a C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the admixture is blended with up to 50 weight percent C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane, based on the total weight of the admixture and the C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane is diesel fuel or naphtha. 
     
     
         69 . A method of making a catalytic composition for the upgrading of a high molecular weight hydrocarbon composition which comprises:
 (a) admixing particles having a Blaine surface area to weight ratio of at least 3000 cm 2 /gm of a cement component, a volcanic ash component, a transition metal salt, and titanium dioxide or boron oxide; and   (b) blending the admixture with water.   
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein the cement component is Portland cement. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein the volcanic ash component is one or more components selected from scoria, basalt, pyroclastic rock, tuff, tuffstone, volcanic glass, pumice, mafic rock, ultramafic rock, and silicate-based zeolites. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein the transition metal salt is one or more of the compounds selected from ferric halides, cupric halides, cobalt halides, and ferrous halides. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 69 , further including blending the admixture with a C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane is diesel fuel or naphtha. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein the admixture is blended with up to 50 weight percent C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane, based on the total weight of the admixture and the C 5  to C 25  alkane or cycloalkane.