Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved process for conversion of H2S to sulfur, using MOST(Mobil Offgas Sulfur Treatment) catalyst or sorbent. The sorbent is typically a magnesium-aluminate spinet, with oxidation promoters such as ceria and vanadia. H.sub.2 S from the feed gas is used to regenerate sulfated sorbent, simultaneously producing elemental sulfur which is then condensed out. The improvement involves combusting part of the feed, converting some of the feed H.sub.2 S to SO.sub.2 prior to contacting the sulfated sorbent. Thus much of the stoichiometric oxygen required for conversion of H.sub.2 S to S is supplied in the form of SO.sub.2 by this pre-combustion step, instead of coming totally from the oxidized/sulfated solid sorbent. This can decrease the amount of sorbent required, as well as the frequency of regenerations, thus reducing process cost. The hot combustion gas also helps to heat the feed stream.

Abstract: A process is described for isomerizing a feed which contains ethylbenzene and xylene, which process comprises the steps of:(a) contacting the feed under ethylbenzene conversion conditions with a particulate first catalyst component which comprises a molecular sieve having a constraint index of 1-12, the particles of said first catalyst component having a surface to volume ratio of about 80 to less than 200 inch.sup.-1 and the contacting step converting ethylbenzene in the feed to form an ethylbenzene-depleted product; and then(b) contacting the ethylbenzene-depleted product under xylene isomerization conditions with a second catalyst component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely, conveniently, and inexpensively liberating gas from gas hydrates includes the use of a device, provided adjacent to or in the bulk gas hydrates, for exposing the gas hydrates to heat from a gas or liquid (preferably steam). The gas hydrates can be directly exposed to the gas or liquid or indirectly exposed through a thermally conductive coil or channel. The heat from the gas or liquid dissociates the gas hydrates into the corresponding gas component and water component. After liberation, the gas component can be collected for further storage, transport, or use. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving at least a portion of the gas or liquid through the device for exposing the gas hydrates to heat. The device for exposing the gas hydrates to heat also can be movable, so it can be maintained in close proximity to or in contact with the gas hydrates for continued efficient gasification of the hydrates.

Abstract: This invention describes a process for the scrubbing of sulfur oxides from the effluent of conventional wet lime/limestone SOx reduction processes in coal or oil-fired plants. The sulfur oxides are oxidatively sorbed onto solid sorbents such as magnesium aluminate spinel. Reduction with the appropriate reducing gases (such as hydrogen) regenerates the catalyst, also yielding a process stream concentrated in SOx. This concentrated SOx stream can then be refed to the front end of the coal or oil-fired plants, with the SOx thus produced ultimately being removed in the conventional wet scrubbing technology.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for continuously producing clathrate hydrate. This process includes comprising the steps of:(a) pressurizing a hydrate-forming gas to an elevated pressure and cooling the hydrate-forming gas below the gas-water-hydrate equilibrium point at the elevated pressure;(b) cooling liquid water below the gas-water-hydrate equilibrium temperature for the elevated pressure;(c) charging hydrate-forming gas at the elevated pressure into a reaction zone which contains a movable surface;(d) atomizing water in the reaction zone in contact with the hydrate-forming gas to form gas hydrates in the reaction;(e) depositing the gas hydrates on the movable surface; and(f) collecting the gas hydrates from the movable surface.

Abstract: A process for integration of an autothermal reforming unit and a cogeneration power plant in which the reforming unit has two communicating fluid beds. The first fluid bed is a reformer reactor containing inorganic metal oxide and which is used to react oxygen and light hydrocarbons at conditions sufficient to produce a mixture of synthesis gas, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The second fluid bed is a combustor-regenerator which receives spent inorganic metal oxide from the first fluid bed and which provides heat to heat the inorganic metal and balance the reaction endotherm, by combusting fuel gas in direct contact with the inorganic metal oxide producing hot flue gas. In preferred embodiments, steam is also fed to the reformer reactor and a catalyst may be used with the inorganic metal oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of petroleum coke for the manufacture of carbonaceous anodes for the aluminum smelting industry. The inclusion of Group 4 and/or Group 13 metal compounds as additives to the petroleum coker feedstock diminish the oxidizing tendencies of the metal impurities inherent in the petroleum coke.

Abstract: A method and reactor for catalytic hydroprocessing liquid hydrocarbon feedstock at elevated temperatures and pressures for producing a liquid hydrocarbon product involves introducing the feedstock into a reactor having upper and lower reaction zones, each reaction zone having a hydroprocessing catalyst bed therein, the feedstock being introduced at the top of the lower reaction zone for downward flow through and reaction within the catalyst bed therein; collecting a partially reacted liquid effluent from the lower reaction zone; pumping the partially reacted liquid effluent to and introducing it at the top of the upper reaction zone for downward flow through and reaction within the catalyst bed therein; introducing hydrogen gas at the top of the upper reaction zone for flow downwardly and sequentially through and over the catalyst beds in the upper and lower reaction zones in co-current contact with the liquid in the reaction zones, the hydrogen reacting with the liquid in the reaction zones whereby the liqui

Abstract: A system and a method for transferring cryogenic fluids; e.g. transferring liquefied natural gas (LNG) between an offshore receiving/loading station and an onshore facility. The flowline system which can be submerged in water is comprised of a main transfer conduit which is positioned within an outer jacket and a return conduit which is positioned within the main transfer conduit. The annulus between the jacket and the main conduit is insulated. Both the main conduit and the return conduit include means which allow the respective conduits to expand/contract with temperature changes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nozzle, nozzle assembly, and method of use thereof for atomizing a liquid stream into a flat fan-shaped spray. The nozzle and nozzle assembly are particularly useful for atomizing a hydrocarbon feed into a catalytic cracking zone of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process. The nozzle includes a nozzle tip that has at least three substantially vertical openings extending from the inner surface of the nozzle tip to the outer surface of the nozzle tip. The openings are angled from 0 degrees to about 75 degrees. The present invention also provides a nozzle assembly containing at least three nozzles of the present invention that are radially mounted around the perimeter of an area to be sprayed.

Abstract: In a synthetic porous crystalline material having the structure of ZSM-5 and a composition involving the molar relationship: X.sub.2 O.sub.3 :(n)YO.sub.2, wherein X is a trivalent element; Y is a tetravalent element; and n is greater than about 12, the crystals have a major dimension of at least about 0.5 micron and surface framework YO.sub.2 /X.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio which is no more than 20% less than the bulk framework YO.sub.2 /X.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio of the crystal. The material is synthesized using an amino-acid as a directing agent.

Abstract: A process for reducing the mutagenicity of a coal-tar-based product containing polynuclear aromatic compounds. The process includes the step of contacting the coal-tar-based product in the presence of an alkylating agent with an acid catalyst under alkylation conditions sufficient to reduce the mutagenicity of the polynuclear aromatic containing coal-tar-based material to a level less than the initial mutagenicity index value. Also provided are non-carcinogenic coal-tar-derived products.

Abstract: A process for preparing organic carbonates, such as dimethyl carbonate, without the use of phosgene and with a high yield and selectivity to the desired carbonate, by reacting a formaldehyde-acetal with a source of oxygen, in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A variable-buoyancy marine riser and a method for providing and adjusting the buoyancy for such a riser. The riser is comprised of a main riser conduit on which a plurality of cans are affixed. A slurry of buoyant material, e.g. small, hollow spheres, is pumped into the cans to displace the seawater therein and give buoyancy to the riser. When it is desired to reduce the buoyancy of the riser, the spheres are removed by merely opening the cans and allowing the surrounding seawater to displace the spheres from the cans.

Abstract: A low emission diesel fuel suitable for use in underground diesel-engined mining equipment comprises a straight run distillate fuel having an end point not greater than 300.degree. C. (about 660.degree. F.), a cetane number in the range of 55 to 60 a specific gravity not greater than 0.83 a sulfur content not greater than 0.1 wt percent and an aromatics content of 18 to 30 wt. percent. The T.sub.90 of the fuels is typically in the range of 255.degree. to 270.degree. C. (about 490.degree. F. to 525.degree. F.), with an initial boiling points typically in the range of 170.degree. to 190.degree. C. (about 340.degree. to 374.degree. F.). Ten percent points (T.sub.10) are typically in the range from about 200.degree. to 220.degree. C. (about 390.degree. to 430.degree. F.). The API gravity of the fuel is at least 38 and is typically in the range of 38 to 42 and the specific gravity is typically in the range of 0.82 to 0.83.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons. This method includes synthesizing ammonia from natural gas and nitrogen in the presence of a source of hydrogen. The ammonia is converted to nitrous oxide in the presence of a source of oxygen. Methane is coupled in the presence of the nitrous oxide to provide higher hydrocarbons. The invention also discloses a method of balancing reaction heat requirements in a process for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for minimizing the loss of xylenes in an ethylbenzene conversion/isomerization process by adding toluene to the feedstock. The concentration of toluene in the feedstock is increased by co-feeding toluene or by recycling toluene separated from the ethylbenzene conversion reactor effluent. The increased toluene concentration reduces the loss of xylenes during the ethylbenzene conversion reaction and under preferred operating conditions increases the amount of xylenes in the product.

Abstract: A process for catalytically cracking a heavy feed in an FCC unit, with large amounts of shape selective cracking additive is disclosed. The catalyst inventory preferably contains at least 10 wt % additive, of 12-40% ZSM-5 on an amorphous support, equivalent to more than 3.0 wt % ZSM-5 crystal circulating with equilibrium catalyst. Large yields of light olefins are produced, without excessive production of aromatics, or loss of gasoline yield. Operating with large amounts of additives allows yields of butadiene and/or methane to be suppressed, and production of a cracked gasoline fraction with an unusually low olefin content, and high ratio of cyclic unsaturates to normal unsaturates.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing pyridine and/or alkylpyridine compounds comprising reacting a feedstream of ammonia and at least one C.sub.1-5 carbonyl reactant under conversion conditions and in the presence of a phosphorus-modified molecular sieve containing catalyst to produce a product stream having a pyridine and/or a pyridine based compound selected from alkylpyridines or polyalkylpyridines. The catalyst has improved attrition resistance without affecting catalyst activity or selectivity.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst comprising ZSM-5, rhenium which is impregnated onto the catalyst, and a selectivating agent. The selectivating agent may be coke and/or a siliceous material. The catalyst is particularly useful for catalyzing toluene disproportionation reactions. Methods for making this catalyst and processes for using this catalyst in toluene disproportionation are also provided.