Abstract: In producing C2-C4 olefins, in particular propylene, from an educt mixture containing steam and oxygenates, such as methanol and/or dimethyl ether, the educt mixture is reacted in a reactor on a catalyst to a reaction mixture comprising low-molecular olefins and gasoline hydrocarbons, which in a first separating device is separated into a mixture rich in C5? olefins, a mixture rich in C5+ gasoline hydrocarbons, and an aqueous phase. To increase the yield of propylene the mixture rich in C5+ gasoline hydrocarbons is supplied to a second separating device, in which the aromatics contained in the mixture are separated. The residual stream largely free from aromatics is at least partly recirculated to the reactor.

Abstract: In the production of low-molecular olefins, in particular of ethylene and propylene, an educt stream (O) containing at least one oxygenate and an educt stream (C) containing at least one C4+olefin are simultaneously converted in at least one identical reactor on an identical catalyst to obtain a product mixture (P) comprising low-molecular olefins and gasoline hydrocarbons. The ratio (V) of oxygenates in the educt stream (O) to C4+ olefins in the educt stream (C) here is 0.05 to 0.5 and is calculated according to the following formula: V = ? j ? k oxygenate - j * n oxygenate - j ? i ? k olefin - i * n olefin - i + ? j ? k oxygenate - j * n oxygenate - j with: koxygenate-j: carbon number of the oxygenate j noxygenate-j: molar flow rate of the oxygenate j kolefin-i: carbon number of the olefin i nolefin-i: molar flow rate of the olefin i.

Abstract: For producing synthesis gas by autothermal reformation of gaseous, liquid and/or solid fuels, the fuel is reacted with an oxidizing agent in a reaction space at a pressure of 10 to 120 bar and a reaction space temperature of 800 to 2,000° C. to obtain synthesis gas, wherein the oxidizing agent is introduced centrally in the upper region of the reaction space and wherein a flame is formed in the reaction space. The oxidizing agent is introduced into the reaction space separate from the fuel.

Abstract: A novel steam reformer unit design, a novel hydrogen PSA unit design, a novel hydrogen/nitrogen enrichment unit design, and novel processing scheme application are presented.

Abstract: A process and a plant for producing C2-C4 olefins, in particular propylene, from an educt mixture containing steam as well as methanol vapor and/or dimethyl ether vapor.

Abstract: In the production of purified methanol and/or dimethyl ether from crude methanol, the crude methanol is processed in at least one prepurification stage, a first partial stream of the prepurified methanol is supplied to a final methanol purification and a second partial stream of the prepurified methanol is supplied to a reactor and at least partly converted to dimethyl ether. The dimethyl ether recovered is purified in at least one purification stage, wherein non-reacted methanol is withdrawn from the dimethyl ether purification stage and at least partly supplied to the final methanol purification. In this way, both purified methanol and dimethyl ether can be produced in parallel, wherein the quantities of both products obtained are flexibly adjustable.

Abstract: A distillation column with external circulation evaporator and a sedimentation zone in the bottom of the column, from which the evaporator circulation is fed, and use of the distillation column for the distillation of acrylic acid.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from a gas stream utilizing a supersonic venturi including a converging section, a throat, and a diverging section is provided. A contaminated gas stream and a scrubbing liquid stream are introduced into the converging section, thereby forming a mixed stream which experiences choked flow upon exiting. The choked mixed stream is introduced into the throat section wherein the scrubbing liquid is contacted with the contaminated gas stream. The contaminated scrubbing liquid stream is removed from the supersonic venture scrubber, and an essentially pure gas stream is removed from the diverging section. A flow modification device may be introduced into the throat section. The flow modification device may be either axially or radially adjustable in order to effect the atomization of the scrubbing liquid and/or the contacting of atomized scrubbing liquid with the contaminated gas stream within the throat section.

Abstract: For producing synthetic fuels, an educt mixture containing steam and oxygenates, such as methanol and/or dimethyl ether, is converted to olefins on a catalyst in a first process stage, and this olefin mixture then is divided in a separating means into a stream rich in C1-C4 hydrocarbons and a stream rich in C5+ hydrocarbons. The stream rich in C5+ hydrocarbons is divided into a stream rich in C5 and C6 hydrocarbons and a stream rich in C7+ hydrocarbons, wherein the stream rich in C5 and C6 hydrocarbons is at least partly subjected to an etherification with methanol. The ethers thus obtained are admixed to the gasoline product stream.

Abstract: A reformer tube for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming of hydrocarbon-containing feed gases, preferably natural gas, includes one or more helically coiled heat exchanger tubes which are arranged within a catalyst bed of a reforming catalyst and are helically coiled over part of their length located within the catalyst bed and are otherwise straight are present, where the straight proportion of the heat exchanger tubes and/or the helix pitch of the helically coiled part alters within the catalyst bed and matching to requirements of the pressure drop, the heat exchange properties, and the corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A gas scrubber, equipped with heat exchanger surfaces constructed of thermoplates, suitable for cooling and cleaning a hot gas by avoiding an excessive thermal load of the washing liquid.

Abstract: A method for reforming hydrocarbon-containing feed gas into synthesis gas, involving processing of the feed gas by pre-reforming at least partially converting one or more higher hydrocarbons into methane, and heating the feed gas by exothermic catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons before the introduction thereof into the main reforming zone, and, subsequent to the pre-reforming, reforming the pre-reformed product with the addition of a controlled quantity of an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A cooled reactor for the production of dimethyl ether by catalytic dehydration of methanol in the gas phase, the reactor having an adiabatic catalyst bed as starting zone, a moderator zone cooled by direct or indirect heat exchange, and optionally an adiabatic catalyst bed as conditioning zone. The conversion of methanol to dimethyl ether is increased and the formation of undesired by-products is decreased.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process and a plant for recovering ammonia from a mixture including ammonia, acid gas containing H2S and/or CO2 and low-boiling water-soluble organic components. To avoid an enrichment of volatile organic compounds in the acid gas absorber, a partial stream of the liquid phase is withdrawn from an acid gas absorber and processed such that gaseous ammonia with a reduced content of volatile organic components is obtained, which is recirculated into the acid gas absorber.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of synthesis gas by partial oxidation of liquid or gaseous, carbonaceous fuel in the presence of an oxygen-containing oxidant, wherein the fuel, the oxidant and a moderator are separately supplied to a burner and wherein the fuel and the moderator are mixed in a mixing chamber of the burner, before they are brought in contact with the oxidant. To reduce the load of the burner in particular during operation with transient conditions, the oxidant is centrally introduced through an outlet opening of the burner into a combustion chamber and the mixture of fuel and moderator is introduced through the outlet opening into the combustion chamber concentrically around the oxidant.

Abstract: Process for producing synthetic natural gas (SNG) which is provided in an energy-efficient way at the inlet pressure into a downstream pipeline system. For this purpose, a synthesis gas containing carbon oxides and hydrogen is converted into a product gas rich in methane by multi-stage catalytic methanation in a main reaction zone and a post-reaction zone, wherein the adjustment of the target pressure is effected by compression before the main reaction zone and/or before or in the post-reaction zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of synthesis gas by partial oxidation of liquid or gaseous, carbonaceous fuel in the presence of an oxygen-containing oxidant, wherein the fuel, the oxidant and a moderator are separately supplied to a burner and wherein the fuel and the moderator are mixed in a mixing chamber of the burner, before they are brought in contact with the oxidant. To reduce the load of the burner in particular during operation with transient conditions, the oxidant is centrally introduced through an outlet opening of the burner into a combustion chamber and the mixture of fuel and moderator is introduced through the outlet opening into the combustion chamber concentrically around the oxidant.

Abstract: For producing synthesis gas by autothermal reformation of gaseous, liquid and/or solid fuels, the fuel is reacted with an oxidizing agent in a reaction space at a pressure of 10 to 120 bar and a reaction space temperature of 800 to 2,000° C. to obtain synthesis gas, wherein the oxidizing agent is introduced centrally in the upper region of the reaction space and wherein a flame is formed in the reaction space. The oxidizing agent is introduced into the reaction space separate from the fuel.

Abstract: A distillation column with external circulation evaporator and a sedimentation zone in the bottom of the column, from which the evaporator circulation is fed, and use of the distillation column according to the invention for the distillation of acrylic acid.

Abstract: When producing biodiesel from fats, oils or split fatty acids rich in steryl glycosides, the light phase rich in fatty acid alkyl esters, which is obtained from the transesterification or esterification, is washed with water in a washing column, wherein the suspension layer formed is treated by stirring. In this way, the steryl glycosides are transferred into the light phase of the wash. In a subsequent treatment of the light washer phase with water in an intensive mixer, compact steryl glycoside/fatty acid alkyl ester/water agglomerates are obtained, which can easily be separated by means of centrifugation. From the light phase of centrifugation, on-spec biodiesel is obtained upon further processing by drying and/or filtration. This process is suitable for processing fats, oils or split fatty acids with a high content of steryl glycosides and avoids the use of auxiliary substances foreign to the process. It is characterized by simplicity of equipment and a low demand for energy.