Abstract: Fouling of the acetic acid saturator by recycle gas in the continuous gas phase process for manufacture of vinyl acetate is reduced by adding an N-oxyl fouling inhibitor to the saturator and/or at one or more other addition sites in the process, in amounts such that the concentration of N-oxyl compound which accumulates in the saturator bottoms is from 10 to 100 ppm. The amount of N-oxyl compound in the saturator is preferably from 10-50 ppm. The reduction in fouling is evidenced by lessening the lowering of the heat transfer coefficient of the saturator over time.

Abstract: Addition of an N-oxyl compound to points in the VAM synthesis process such that from 10 to 100 ppm of N-oxyl compound is present in the column bottoms of the acetic acid separator markedly reduce fouling in the separator, thus allowing long and efficient VAM production campaigns.

Abstract: Oxygen is effectively removed from hydrocarbon-containing gas streams while minimizing danger of explosion by contacting the gas stream with a catalyst comprising shaped bentonite supports having an outer shell containing catalytic metals gold, and at least one of palladium platinum, rhodium, or iridium.

Abstract: Oxygen is effectively removed from hydrocarbon-containing gas streams while minimizing danger of explosion by contacting the gas stream with a catalyst comprising shaped bentonite supports having an outer shell containing catalytic metals gold, and at least one of palladium platinum, rhodium, or iridium.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) by reacting ethylene with acetic acid and oxygen in a tube bundle reactor in a heterogeneously catalysed, continuous gas phase process, characterized in that a high-performance catalyst with a space-time yield of more than 700 g of VAM/l of catalyst×hour is used for catalysis, and in that the tube bundle reactor comprises tubes with a ratio of inner surface area to volume of ?130 m?1.