Abstract: Process for the in-situ regeneration of a zeolite catalyst in a carbonylation process for the production of at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid. The process is carried out by (a) contacting a carbonylatable reactant selected from methanol, dimethyl ether and dimethyl carbonate and carbon monoxide in a reactor with a zeolite catalyst and recovering a product stream containing at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid from the reactor, (b) ceasing contact of the catalyst with the carbonylatable reactant, (c) regenerating the catalyst with a regenerating gas selected from hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range 250 to 600 C, and (d) terminating the hydrogen regenerating step and resuming contact of the catalyst with the carbonylatable reactant and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether, dimethyl carbonate and/or methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a mordenite catalyst to produce at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate in which process the mordenite catalyst is regenerated in-situ by contacting the catalyst with a regenerating gas comprising a molecular oxygen-containing gas and an inert diluent at a total pressure in the range 1 to 100 bar and wherein the partial pressure of the molecular oxygen-containing gas is such that the temperature of the catalyst is maintained within the range 225 to 325° C.

Abstract: Catalyst system for the production of acetic acid comprising a rhodium carbonylation catalyst, methyl iodide and at least one heteropolyacid promoter.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for the production of acetic acid by the carbonylation of methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof. The catalyst system comprises an iridium carbonylation catalyst, methyl iodide co-catalyst, optionally at least one of ruthenium, osmium, rhenium, zinc, gallium, tungsten, cadmium, mercury and indium and at least one non-hydrohalogenoic acid promoter. The non-hydrohalogenoic acid may be an oxoacid, a superacid and/or a heteropolyacid.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether, dimethyl carbonate and/or methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a mordenite catalyst to produce at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate in which process the mordenite catalyst is regenerated in-situ by contacting the catalyst with a regenerating gas comprising a molecular oxygen-containing gas and an inert diluent at a total pressure in the range 1 to 100 bar and wherein the partial pressure of the molecular oxygen-containing gas is such that the temperature of the catalyst is maintained within the range 225 to 325° C.

Abstract: A process for the in-situ regeneration of a zeolite catalyst in a carbonylation process for the production of at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid by contacting methanol, dimethyl ethyl or dimethyl carbonate with carbon monoxide in the presence of a zeolite catalyst, ceasing contact of the catalyst with the reactant, regenerating the catalyst with a regenerating gas selected from hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range 250 to 600° C., terminating the hydrogen regenerating step and resuming contact of the catalyst with the reactant and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of branched chain hydrocarbons from methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which process comprises contacting, in a reactor, methanol and/or dimethyl ether with a catalyst comprising indium halide.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for the production of acetic acid by the carbonylation of methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof wherein the catalyst system comprises a rhodium carbonylation catalyst, methyl iodide, a non-hydrohalogenoic acid promoter and optionally a co-promoter capable of generating ionic iodide.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with a soluble quaternary ammonium salt containing halogen, sulfate, or bisulfate anion, and an immiscible aqueous phase comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide, and at least one member of the group consisting of phosphomolybdic acid and phosphotungstic acid, in a liquid reaction mixture under conditions suitable for reaction of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.

Abstract: A continuous or semi-continuous process for the production of triptane and/or triptene from methanol and/or dimethyl ether in the presence in a reactor of an effective concentration of catalyst active for the conversion of methanol and/or dimethyl ether to triptane and/or triptene in which process co-produced water is separated from the catalyst as a vapour phase whilst the catalyst is retained in a liquid or solid phase. Preferably, the catalyst comprises zinc halide and is maintained in said reactor in an active form and an effective concentration. Apparatus for use in the process may comprise a reactor having at least one reaction zone and at least one separation zone.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with a soluble quaternary ammonium salt containing halogen, sulfate, or bisulfate anion, and an immiscible aqueous phase comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide, and at least one member of the group consisting of phosphomolybdic acid and phosphotungstic acid, in a liquid reaction mixture under conditions suitable for reaction of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.

Abstract: A process for the production of a carboxylic acid having n+1 carbon atoms comprises (a) carbonylating with carbon monoxide in a first reaction zone at elevated temperature and pressure an alkyl alcohol having n carbon atoms and/or a reactive derivative thereof to produce a carboxylic acid having n+1 carbon atoms in a liquid reaction composition comprising carboxylic acid product, an iridium catalyst, an alkyl halide co-catalyst, water, an ester of the carboxylic acid product and the alkyl alcohol, and optionally one or more promoters, (b) withdrawing from the first reaction zone at least a portion of the liquid reaction composition together with dissolved and/or entrained carbon monoxide, and passing at least a portion of the withdrawn liquid reaction composition and carbon monoxide to a second reaction zone, ((c)reacting at least 1% of the dissolved and/or entrained carbon monoxide in the withdrawn reaction composition by further carbonylation at elevated temperature and pressure in the second reaction zone

Abstract: In a process for purifying a carboxylic acid fraction obtained by liquid phase carbonylation of an alkyl alcohol and/or its reactive derivative in which volatile iridium- and/or volatile co-promoter contaminants are converted to involatile forms by contacting with an iodide in the absence of carbon monoxide or at a partial pressure less than that of the carbonylation reaction. The involatile contaminants are then separated from the carboxylic acid.