Conversion of high boiling liquid organic materials to lower boiling materials

Abstract

An improvement in the conversion of high boiling liquid organic materials to low boiling materials, and more particularly, in the process of converting heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstocks to fuel range liquids is described. In its broadest aspects, the invention comprises a process for converting high boiling hydrocarbons to lower boiling materials characterized by an increase in aromatic content and a lower pour point which comprises contacting said high boiling hydrocarbons with water at a temperature of from about 600.degree. F. to about 875.degree. F. at a pressure of at least about 2000 psi in the absence of any externally supplied catalysts, and wherein the weight ratio of water to high boiling hydrocarbons is from about 0.5:1 to about 1:1, and the water and high boiling hydrocarbon form a substantially single phase system under the elevated temperature and pressure conditions utilized.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.