Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor design that enables an auto-thermal cracking process to be conducted at any suitable pressure wherein the gaseous reactants are preheated separately before mixing and then presented to the reaction zone in a uniformly distributed manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quench tube, having a length (L), a diameter (D) and at least one guenchant inlet per tube which inlet passes guenchant into the tube from the side of said tube, and wherein, D is between 0.04 and 0.10 m and L/D is at least 5. The present invention also relates to an apparatus with one or more of said quench tubes wherein said apparatus comprises a catalyst zone which may have a cross sectional area of at least 0, 01 m2. In processes using said tubes and/or said apparatuses a first gaseous reactant stream and a second reactant stream are contacted with a catalyst to produce a product stream which is quenched on exiting the catalyst. A process for producing olefins by autothermal cracking is also claimed.

Abstract: The production of genetically modified animals, in which the genetic modifications are engineered in somatic cells cultured in vitro by gene targeting, is described. Genetically modified cells may then used as nuclear donors to produce, inter alia, live animals. The methods described can also be used to validate loci in animal chromosomes which are suitable sites for transgene addition to cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells along the endodermal lineage, especially the pancreatic lineage.

Abstract: Process for the oxidation of a hydrocarbon comprising partially oxidizing in a reaction zone, a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which is capable of supporting oxidation of the hydrocarbon. Prior to the partial oxidation, the mixture comprising the hydrocarbon and the oxygen-containing gas is passed through a heat exchanger which provides a pressure drop which acts to even the velocity profile and ensure that the reactants flow uniformly over the catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making pluripotent stem cells that does not involve the formation of early preimplantation embryos or fetal tissue. The method has general utility in the production of pluripotent stem cells from many mammalian species but has particular application in man where pluripotent stem cell production can be customized to particular human individual. The method involves the fusion of donor somatic or stem cells (or their karyoplasts) with cytoplasmic, membrane-delimited fragments of mammalian oocytes or zygotes. After the initial genomic reprogramming occurs, the cells can proliferate and thus multiply in vitro yielding a large number of autologous cells for cell therapy application. The result of this process is a cell population genomically identical to the somatic, differentiated cells derived from an individual patient.

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin comprising partially combusting in a reaction zone a mixture of a hydrocabon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which is capable of supporting combustion beyond the fuel rich limit of flammability to produce the olefin. Prior the partial combustion, the mixture of the hydrocabon and the oxygen-containg gas is passed through a heat excahanger, and the heat exchanger provides a pressure drop.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a hydrocarbon, said process comprising partially oxidising in a reaction zone, a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which is capable of supporting oxidation of the hydrocarbon, wherein prior to said partial oxidation, said mixture comprising the hydrocarbon and the oxygen-containing gas is passed through a heat exchanger. Preferably the heat exchanger is a compact heat exchanger. Prior to passage through the heat exchanger a mixture of hydrocarbon and oxygen-containing gas may be passed through a baffle zone which comprises a housing containing at least one baffle plate. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process for the production of an olefin such as ethylene by the catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The production of genetically modified animals, in which the genetic modifications are engineered in somatic cells cultured in vitro by gene targeting, is described. Genetically modified cells may then used as nuclear donors to produce, inter alia, live animals. The methods described can also be used to validate loci in animal chromosomes which are suitable sites for transgene addition to cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making pluripotent stem cells that does not involve the formation of early preimplantation embryos or fetal tissue. The method has general utility in the production of pluripotent stem cells from many mammalian species but has particular application in man where pluripotent stem cell production can be customized to particular human individual. The method involves the fusion of donor somatic or stem cells (or their karyoplasts) with cytoplasmic, membrane-delimited fragments of mammalian oocytes or zygotes. After the initial genomic reprogramming occurs, the cells can proliferate and thus multiply in vitro yielding a large number of autologous cells for cell therapy application. The result of this process is a cell population genomically identical to the somatic, differentiated cells derived from an individual patient.

Abstract: The production of genetically modified animals, in which the genetic modifications are engineered in somatic cells cultured in vitro by gene targeting, is described. Genetically modified cells may then used as nuclear donors to produce, inter alia, live animals. The methods described can also be used to validate loci in animal chromosomes which are suitable sites for transgene addition to cells.

Abstract: A reactor and process for using same, for containing a solid catalyst for heterogeneous gas-phase reactions into which reactor there extends at least one inlet pipe for a molecular oxygen-containing gas which has means for surrounding a substantial portion of the pipe in the reactor with an inert fluid and optionally also has means for suppressing ingress to the inlet pipe from the reactor of flame, reagents, products, catalyst or combinations thereof. The reactor and process are particularly suitable for fluid bed reactions.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing a fluid into a process stream such as promoter into the feed stream of a reactor for manufacturing vinyl acetate comprises: (a) a process stream pipe having a bend and (b) a nozzle for introducing the fluid into the process stream downstream of the bend characterised in that the pipe has a flow-correction device downstream of the bend and the nozzle is mounted downstream of the flow-correction device to an end of a support arm which extends into the pipe in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the pipe downstream of the bend.

Abstract: Process for producing an olefin polymer of a low polydispersity index having low catalyst residues and low chlorine content, by polymerizing olefins in solution in the presence of a cationic catalyst, in a reactor containing a liquid phase comprising a liquid boiling hydrocarbon polymerization medium and having a vapor space above the liquid phase. The polymerization is carried out in the presence of a non-mechanical agent capable of suppressing foam formation during the polymerization.

Abstract: Process for the liquid phase oxidation of butane to produce acetic acid in which oxygen and butane are reacted in the presence of a cobalt catalyst in a liquid reaction composition in an oxidation reaction zone at a temperature in the reaction zone in the range of 136.degree. to 150.degree. C., while continuously maintaining a concentration of oxygen throughout the reaction zone equivalent to a partial pressure of oxygen greater than two bar. The concentration of cobalt oxidation catalyst in the liquid reaction composition is at least 0.12% by weight cobalt and up to its limit of solubility in the liquid reaction composition.

Abstract: A process for controlling the molecular weight distribution of polyisobutene formed during a liquid phase polymersiation reaction using a catalyst comprising boron trifluoride and taking place in a reactor having condensers associated with it which process involves introducing an electron donor above the level of liquid in the reactor to minimize the reaction of isobutene with free gaseous boron trifluoride in the condensers thereby minimizing the formation of unwanted polymers.