Abstract: Process for producing methyl acetate by carbonylating a dimethyl ether feed with carbon monoxide under substantially anhydrous conditions in the presence of a mordenite catalyst which has been ion-exchanged or otherwise loaded with at least one of silver and copper. The mordenite is also ion-exchanged or otherwise loaded with platinum in an amount in the range 0.05 to 10 mol % relative to aluminum.

Abstract: Production of methyl acetate by carbonylating a dimethyl ether feed with carbon monoxide under substantially anhydrous conditions, in the presence of a mordenite catalyst which contains copper and/or silver and 0.05 to 10 mol % platinum relative to aluminium.

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of a chromium-free catalyst comprising Cu and at least one second metal in metallic or oxidic form, comprising the steps of a) preparing a final solution comprising ions of Cu and of at least one second metal, said final solution additionally comprising ions of a complexing agent and having a pH of above 5; b) contacting said final solution with inert carrier to form a final solution/carrier combination; c) optionally, drying the final solution/carrier combination; d) calcining the final solution/carrier combination obtained in step c) or d) to yield Cu and the at least one second metal in oxidic form; and e) reducing at least part of the thus obtained oxidic Cu on the carrier. Further, a catalyst obtainable by the said method as well as uses thereof are described.

Abstract: A spray dried particulate catalyst comprising a catalytically active component, a carrier and optionally a catalyst promoter, is described. The catalyst has a decrease in average particle diameter following the Shear Test as described herein of 25% or less. The fraction of catalyst particles being less than 10 ?m in size, can also be less than 20%. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a particulate catalyst material comprising preparing an aqueous slurry, spray drying the aqueous slurry using a spray drier with an inlet temperature of less than 300° C., and calcining the particulate obtained. The invention has found that catalyst strength may be improved by careful manipulation of the spray drying conditions. In particular, it has been found that a catalyst that is spray dried at a relatively low gas inlet temperature, preferably in the range of 200° C. to 250° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a catalyst or pre-catalyst suitable for assisting in the production of alkenyl alkanoates. The method includes contacting a modifier precursor to a support material to form a modified support material. One or more catalytic component precursors (palladium or gold) may be contacted to the modified support material. The atomic ratio of gold to palladium is preferably in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.90. The support materials with the catalytic component may then be reduced using a reducing environment. A composition for catalyzing the production of an alkenyl alkanoates including a modified support material with palladium and gold is also included within the invention. Catalysts of the present invention may be used to produce alkenyl alkanoates in general and vinyl acetate in particular and are useful to produce low EA/VA ratios while maintaining or improving CO2 selectivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a catalyst or pre-catalyst suitable for assisting in the production of alkenyl alkanoates. The method includes contacting a modifier precursor to a support material to form a modified support material. One or more catalytic component precursors (palladium or gold) may be contacted to the modified support material. The atomic ratio of gold to palladium is preferably in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.90. The support materials with the catalytic component may then be reduced using a reducing environment. A composition for catalyzing the production of an alkenyl alkanoates including a modified support material with palladium and gold is also included within the invention. Catalysts of the present invention may be used to produce alkenyl alkanoates in general and vinyl acetate in particular and are useful to produce low EA/VA ratios while maintaining or improving CO2 selectivity.

Abstract: A system for the preparation and handling of multiple solid state samples, in particular for spectroscopic and microscopic analysis. The system comprises a sample holder assembly for multiple solid-state samples. The sample holder assembly comprises a sample holding body having first and second sides (3a, 4a), provided with multiple sample receiving open-ended bores (5) extending through said body between said first and second sides, each bore (5) having a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side. Furthermore a closure body (10) is provided adapted to be mounted against the second side of the sample holding body, said closure body (10) having a closure side adapted to rest against the second side of the sample holding body for closing off the second openings of the bores (5) in said sample holding body. Compacting (23) means are provided for compacting samples filled in bores (5) of the sample holding body as these bores are closed off on the second side by the closure body.

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst support or a supported metal catalyst which process comprises: (a) admixing a refractory oxide having a surface area of at least 0.5 m2/g with a solution of a precursor of the refractory oxide and, if a supported metal catalyst is prepared, with a precursor of the metal or the metal itself, yielding a slurry, (b) drying of the slurry, and (c) calcining. Further, a catalyst support or a supported metal catalyst which is obtainable by the said process; the use of the said supported metal catalyst in a three phase chemical process; and a process for producing hydrocarbons, which process comprises contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure with the said supported metal catalyst wherein the said supported metal catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal at least partly in metallic form.