Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen generation process for use with fuel cells which includes a preferential oxidation step to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide. The preferential oxidation step includes contacting a fuel stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of an oxygen at a preferential oxidation temperature of between about 70° and about 160° C. with preferential oxidation catalyst for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide to produce a treated fuel gas stream comprising less than about 50 ppm-vol carbon monoxide. The preferential oxidation catalyst comprises ruthenium metal dispersed on a shaped alumina carrier, wherein at least 60 percent of the ruthenium metal is present in a band extending from the surface towards the center and having a width of about 50 percent of the distance from the surface to the center of the shaped alumina carrier. Superior performance at low preferential oxidation temperatures below 130° C.

Abstract: An oligomerization process for the production of higher aliphatic olefins is disclosed. In the process, a liquid oligomerization feed stream comprising lighter aliphatic olefins is passed to a reactor vessel. The liquid oligomerization feed stream is transported upwardly in the reactor vessel against gravity through a fixed bed of solid oligomerization catalyst under oligomerization conditions. The catalyst has a Hammett acidity value of −4 or less. A liquid saturate stream comprising paraffins is passed into contact with the feed stream and the catalyst. A liquid oligomerization effluent stream is recovered comprising the paraffins and product higher aliphatic olefins.

Abstract: A novel fractionation column (1) internal structure consists of groups of fractionation trays in which the upper trays rest upon the bottommost tray of the group, which is the only tray of the group supported by the column wall. Preferably the downcomers (13) or disengagement plates of the upper tray rest upon the tops of the downcomers (13) of the next lower tray. Only the bottom tray is supported as by a ring (12) attached to the column.

Abstract: A process for the production of R.sub.2 -isoolefins by decomposition of R.sub.1 --O-tertiary-R.sub.2 is disclosed. R.sub.1 --O-secondary-R.sub.2 that are normally present in the feed stream are selectively removed. Removal of these R.sub.1 --O-secondary-R.sub.2 lowers the R.sub.2 -normal olefin impurity and increases the yield of the product R.sub.2 -isoolefins.