Abstract: The invention provides a start-up method for a process for the preparation of glycols from a starting material comprising one or more saccharides in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst system comprising one or more retro-aldol catalysts comprising tungsten and one or more catalytic species suitable for hydrogenation in a reactor, said method comprising introducing the one or more retro-aldol catalysts to the reactor whilst also in the presence of one or more agents suitable to suppress tungsten precipitation.

Abstract: The invention provides a start-up method for a process for the preparation of glycols from a starting material comprising one or more saccharides in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst system comprising one or more retro-aldol catalysts comprising tungsten and one or more catalytic species suitable for hydrogenation in a reactor, said method comprising introducing the one or more retro-aldol catalysts to the reactor whilst also in the presence of one or more agents suitable to suppress tungsten precipitation

Abstract: The invention provides a shut down method for a process for the preparation of glycols from a starting material comprising one or more saccharides in the presence 5 of hydrogen and a catalyst system comprising one or more retro-aldol catalysts comprising tungsten and one or more catalytic species suitable for hydrogenation in a reactor, said method comprising removing the one or more retro-aldol catalysts from the reactor whilst also in the presence of one or more agents suitable to suppress tungsten precipitation.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide methods for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed which may include conditioning a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst by treatment with a protic acid resulting in an acid-conditioned heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst. Next, in a reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed may be contacted with a bi-functional catalyst system comprising the acid-conditioned heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst. An intermediate product stream may be obtained from the reactor including ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide methods for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed may include contacting, in a first reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed with a bi-functional catalyst system. The bi-functional catalyst system may include a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst. The carbohydrate feed may include a concentration of carbohydrate, in the total solution entering the first reactor, of 5-40 wt % in a solvent. An intermediate product stream may be obtained from the first reactor including ethylene glycol. The hydrogenation conditions may include a temperature in the range of from 180-250° C.

Abstract: Methods for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed which may include preparing a feed solution including the carbohydrate feed, a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst, and an acid. The feed solution may be contacted, in a reactor under hydrogenation conditions, with a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst. A product stream including ethylene glycol may be obtained from the reactor.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed. The process may include contacting, in a reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed with a bi-functional catalyst system which may include a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst including a magnetically active metal, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst including tungstate. A liquid effluent stream may be obtained from the reactor and may include hydrogenation catalyst particles and tungsten oxide precipitate particles. The hydrogenation catalyst particles may be magnetically separated from the tungsten oxide precipitate particles in the liquid effluent stream using a magnet in a separation vessel. The separated hydrogenation catalyst particles may be retained in a separation zone in the separation vessel and may be subsequently removed from the separation zone.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of glycols from a saccharide-containing feedstock comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a reaction mixture in a reactor vessel comprising the saccharide-containing feedstock, a solvent, a catalyst component with retro-aldol catalytic capabilities and a first hydrogenation catalyst comprising an element selected from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the periodic table; (b) supplying hydrogen gas to the reaction mixture in the reactor vessel; (c) monitoring the activity of the first hydrogenation catalyst; (d) preparing a second hydrogenation catalyst by contacting in a reactor a catalyst precursor comprising one or more elements selected from chromium and groups 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the periodic table with hydrazine to convert the catalyst precursor into the second hydrogenation catalyst; (e) when the hydrogenation activity declines, supplying the second hydrogenation catalyst to the reactor vessel to supplement the declined hydrogenation activity in the reactor vessel.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide methods for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed which may include conditioning a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst by treatment with a protic acid resulting in an acid-conditioned heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst. Next, in a reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed may be contacted with a bi-functional catalyst system comprising the acid-conditioned heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst. An intermediate product stream may be obtained from the reactor including ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed. The process may include contacting, in a reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed with a bifunctional catalyst system which may include a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst including a magnetically active metal, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst including tungstate. A liquid effluent stream may be obtained from the reactor and may include hydrogenation catalyst particles and tungsten oxide precipitate particles. The hydrogenation catalyst particles may be magnetically separated from the tungsten oxide precipitate particles in the liquid effluent stream using a magnet in a separation vessel. The separated hydrogenation catalyst particles may be retained in a separation zone in the separation vessel and may be subsequently removed from the separation zone.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and 1, 2-propylene glycol from starting material comprising one or more saccharides, said process being carried out in a reactor system comprising a reactor vessel equipped with an external recycle loop and said process comprising the steps of: i) providing the starting material in a solvent, via an inlet, to the external recycle loop and contacting it therein with a retro-aldol catalyst composition to provide an intermediate stream; ii) then contacting said intermediate stream with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst composition in the reactor vessel; iii) withdrawing a product stream comprising glycols from the reactor vessel; iv) providing a portion of said product stream, via an outlet, for separation and purification of the glycols contained therein; and v) recycling the remainder of said product stream via the external recycle loop.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide methods for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed may include contacting, in a first reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed with a bi-functional catalyst system. The bi-functional catalyst system may include a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst. The carbohydrate feed may include a concentration of carbohydrate, in the total solution entering the first reactor, of 5-40 wt % in a solvent. An intermediate product stream may be obtained from the first reactor including ethylene glycol. The hydrogenation conditions may include a temperature in the range of from 180-250° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and 1, 2-propylene glycol from starting material comprising one or more saccharides, said process being carried out in a reactor system comprising a reactor vessel equipped with an external recycle loop and said process comprising the steps of: i) providing the starting material in a solvent, via an inlet, to the external recycle loop and contacting it therein with a retro-aldol catalyst composition to provide an intermediate stream; ii) then contacting said intermediate stream with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst composition in the reactor vessel; iii) withdrawing a product stream comprising glycols from the reactor vessel; iv) providing a portion of said product stream, via an outlet, for separation and purification of the glycols contained therein; and v) recycling the remainder of said product stream via the external recycle loop.

Abstract: A process for the production of glycols is provided, the process comprising contacting a saccharide-containing feedstock with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst composition and a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises water and at least 25% by weight, based on the total weight of the solvent, of one or more alcohols selected from a C1 to C6 alcohol, a C1 to C6 polyalcohol, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of glycols from a saccharide-containing feedstock comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a reaction mixture in a reactor vessel comprising the saccharide-containing feedstock, a solvent, a catalyst component with retro-aldol catalytic capabilities and a first hydrogenation catalyst comprising an element selected from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the periodic table; (b) supplying hydrogen gas to the reaction mixture in the reactor vessel; (c) monitoring the activity of the first hydrogenation catalyst; (d) preparing a second hydrogenation catalyst by contacting in a reactor a catalyst precursor comprising one or more elements selected from chromium and groups 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the periodic table with hydrazine to convert the catalyst precursor into the second hydrogenation catalyst; (e) when the hydrogenation activity declines, supplying the second hydrogenation catalyst to the reactor vessel to supplement the declined hydrogenation activity in the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsupported hydrogenation catalyst wherein a catalyst precursor comprising one or more cations selected from a group consisting of chromium and groups 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the periodic table is contacted in a reactor with hydrazine to convert the catalyst precursor into the unsupported hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons and/or C4+ non-aromatic hydrocarbons from low molecular weight alkanes, which includes contacting the low molecular weight alkanes with a halogen and coupling the monohaloalkanes to form aromatic hydrocarbons and/or C4+ non-aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons and/or C4+ non-aromatic hydrocarbons from low molecular weight alkanes, which includes contacting the low molecular weight alkanes with a halogen and coupling the monohaloalkanes to form aromatic hydrocarbons and/or C4+ non-aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A multistep process for producing amyl ketones is provided. In the process, a methyl ketone is reacted with butyraldehyde to form a C.sub.7 aldol condensation product which is then dehydrated to form an olefinic ketone and hydrogenated to form an amyl ketone. The process is suitable for coproduction along with the production of MIBK and yields products with a high selectivity.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to upgrading to commercially useful products heavy ends by-products formed during the manufacture of allyl chloride. These heavy ends by-products are upgraded by first reacting the by-products with an alcohol in the presence of a base and subsequently pyrolyzing the resultant ethers to produce a mixture of allyl chloride and a carbonyl compound. This process improves the overall yield of the allyl chloride and forms commercially useful carbonyl compounds.