SODIUM TETRACHLOROALUMINATE CATALYZED PROCESS FOR THE MOLECULAR WEIGHT REDUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS

摘要

A process for reducing the molecular weight of hydrocarbons using NaAlCl4 is provided wherein the hydrogen to carbon ratio of the product slate is approximately the same as the feed material, comprising contacting the feed material with a molten salt of NaAlCl4 having a ratio of aluminum chloride to sodium chloride of at least 1:1, preferably at a temperature of at least 660.degree.F, and at a pressure above atmospheric, preferably from about 50 psia to about 2000 psia, depending upon the product slate desired. According to the present invention, heavy hydrocarbons are converted to a liquid product slate wherein substantially all of the liquid components exhibit a molecular weight lower than the molecular weight range exhibited by the hydrocarbon feedstock.