Abstract: Adsorbents and methods for the adsorptive separation of para-xylene from a mixture containing at least one other C8 aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g., a mixture of ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, para-xylene, and ethylbenzene) are described. Suitable binderless adsorbents (e.g., formulated with the substantial absence of an amorphous material that normally reduces selective pore volume), particularly those with a water content from about 3% to about 5.5% by weight, improve capacity and/or mass transfer. These properties are especially advantageous for improving productivity in low temperature, low cycle time adsorptive separation operations in a simulated moving bed mode.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for removal of oxygenates from a paraffin-rich or olefin-rich paraffin stream which comprises passing a feed stream, comprising one or more C10 to C15 feed paraffins or C10 to C15 olefin-rich paraffin stream and one or more oxygenates through an adsorbent bed comprising one or more adsorbents selected from silica gel, activated alumina and sodium x zeolites to remove essentially all of said oxygenates; and recovering said paraffins. A second adsorbent bed may be employed to more thoroughly remove these oxygenates.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for removal of oxygenates from a paraffin-rich or olefin-rich paraffin stream which comprises passing a feed stream, comprising one or more C10 to C15 feed paraffins or C10 to C15 olefin-rich paraffin stream and one or more oxygenates through an adsorbent bed comprising one or more adsorbents selected from silica gel, activated alumina and sodium x zeolites to remove essentially all of said oxygenates; and recovering said paraffins. A second adsorbent bed may be employed to more thoroughly remove these oxygenates.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for removal of oxygenates from a paraffin-rich or olefin-rich paraffin stream which comprises passing a feed stream, comprising one or more C10 to C15 feed paraffins or C10 to C15 olefin-rich paraffin stream and one or more oxygenates through an adsorbent bed comprising one or more adsorbents selected from silica gel, activated alumina and sodium x zeolites to remove essentially all of said oxygenates; and recovering said paraffins. A second adsorbent bed may be employed to more thoroughly remove these oxygenates.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the operation of a fuel cell to generate electric power from a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane which produces electric power from a hydrogen product stream which comprises essentially no carbon monoxide. The hydrogen product stream is produced from the feed stream in a novel steam reforming zone containing a steam reforming catalyst disposed in a bell-shaped catalyst zone. The bell-shaped catalyst zone is disposed over a combustion zone such that the exhaust gas from the combustion flows around the bell-shaped catalyst zone to heat the catalyst from the inside and the outside of the catalyst zone. Furthermore, the bell-shaped catalyst zone maintains a high inlet and a high outlet temperature to avoid methane slippage in the steam reforming zone. Heat for the steam reforming zone is provided by a fuel stream and at least a portion of the anode waste gas stream from the fuel cell.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the operation of a fuel cell to generate electric power from a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane which produces electric power from a hydrogen product stream which comprises essentially no carbon monoxide. The hydrogen product stream is produced from the feed stream in a novel steam reforming zone containing a steam reforming catalyst disposed in a bell-shaped catalyst zone. The bell-shaped catalyst zone is disposed over a combustion zone such that the exhaust gas from the combustion flows around the bell-shaped catalyst zone to heat the catalyst from the inside and the outside of the catalyst zone. Furthermore, the bell-shaped catalyst zone maintains a high inlet and a high outlet temperature to avoid methane slippage in the steam reforming zone. Heat for the steam reforming zone is provided by a fuel stream and at least a portion of the anode waste gas stream from the fuel cell.

Abstract: Resolution of a mixture of organic materials by simulated moving bed chromatography using a weakly interacting adsorbent as a stationary phase can be routinely effected with a liquid mobile phase characterized by atypically low values of k' with recoveries of at least 95% and a purity of at least 95%. In particular, values in the range 0.1<k'<1.0 are recommended with a resulting savings in mobile phase consumption, inventory, and recovery.

Abstract: Resolution of a mixture of organic materials by simulated moving bed chromatography using a weakly interacting adsorbent as a stationary phase can be routinely effected with a liquid mobile phase characterized by atypically low values of k' with recoveries of at least 95% and a purity of at least 95%. In particular, values in the range 0.1<k'<1.0 are recommended with a resulting savings in mobile phase consumption, inventory, and recovery.

Abstract: Various chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals are chromatographically separated in pilot plant quantities using an apparatus comprising a number of chambers containing an adsorbent linked together with valving necessary to simulate the continuous countercurrent flow of the adsorbent and liquid phases. The apparatus preferably comprises five multiport rotary valves, each having at least one port for each column. The fifth rotary valve provides a serial interconnection between the columns and also ensures the desired unidirectional flow of fluid in the apparatus.

Abstract: Resolution of a racemic mixture of organic materials by simulated moving bed chromatography using a chiral stationary phase can be routinely effected at atypically low values of k' with recoveries of at least 95% and an optical purity of at least 95%. In particular, values in the range 0.1<k'<1.0 are recommended with a resulting savings in mobile phase consumption, inventory, and recovery.

Abstract: Various chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals are chromatographically separated in pilot plant quantities using an apparatus comprising a number of chambers containing an adsorbent linked together with valving necessary to simulate the continuous countercurrent flow of the adsorbent and liquid phases. The apparatus preferably comprises five multiport rotary valves, each having at least one port for each column. The fifth rotary valve provides a serial interconnection between the columns and also ensures the desired unidirectional flow of fluid in the apparatus.

Abstract: The separation of free fatty acids from triglycerides is performed by an adsorptive chromatographic process in liquid phase with silica gel as the adsorbent. A ketone, having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, such as 2-heptanone, an ester or an ether can be selected as the desorbent.

Abstract: Citric acid is separated from a fermentation broth by using an adsorbent comprising a water-insoluble macroreticular or gel weakly basic anionic exchange resin possessing tertiary amine functional groups or pyridine functional groups, said anionic exchange resin comprising a cross-linked acrylic or styrene resin matrix. Citric acid is desorbed by water or dilute sulfuric acid. The pH of the feed is maintained below the first ionization constant (pKa.sub.1) of citric acid to maintain selectivity.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of glucose from an aqueous mixture of glucose and polysaccharides. The mixture is contacted with an X zeolite containing potassium cations at exchangeable cationic sites and selectively adsorbing glucose in the zeolite. The polysaccharides are removed from the zeolite and the adsorbed glucose recovered by means of a desorbent liquid. Preferred systems for effecting the process are countercurrent and co-current simulating moving beds.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating p-toluidine from a feed mixture comprising p-toluidine and o- or m-toluidine, which process comprises contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with an adsorbent comprising an X or Y-type zeolite cation exchanged with a cation in the group Fe, Mn, Co, Ni or Zn, thereby selectively adsorbing the p-toluidine. The remainder of the feed mixture is removed from the adsorbent and the p-toluidine is recovered by desorption at desorption conditions with a desorbent material comprising aniline or an alkyl amine excluding alkyl amines having eight or more carbon atoms per molecule when the adsorbent comprises an X-type zeolite.

Abstract: A process for separating a glucose from a feed mixture comprising glucose and fructose which process comprises contacting the mixture with an adsorbent comprising an X zeolite containing potassium cations at the exchangeable cationic sites thereby selectively adsorbing glucose from the feed mixture and thereafter recovering the glucose. Preferably the glucose will be recovered by desorption from the adsorbent with a desorbent material.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process for separating methylparaben from a feed mixture comprising methylparaben and wintergreen oil, which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising a type X or type Y zeolite, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the methylparaben to the substantial exclusion of the wintergreen oil and thereafter recovering high-purity methylparaben. A desorption step may be used to desorb the adsorbed methylparaben. The process is carried out preferably in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing glucose into fructose having the improvement which comprises the recovery of high purity glucose from the isomerization stage effluent by contacting the mixture with an adsorbent comprising an X zeolite containing potassium cations at the exchangeable cationic sites thereby selectively adsorbing the glucose from the effluent stream mixture, thereafter recovering high purity glucose and recycling the high purity glucose to the isomerization stage.

Abstract: A process for separating a ketose from a feed mixture comprising a ketose and an aldose which process comprises contacting the mixture with an adsorbent comprising a X zeolite containing one or more selected cations at exchangeable cationic sites thereby selectively adsorbing a ketose from the feed mixture and thereafter recovering the ketose. Preferably, the ketose will be recovered by desorption from the adsorbent with a desorbent material.

Abstract: A process for separating a glucose from a feed mixture comprising glucose and fructose which process comprises contacting the mixture with an adsorbent comprising an X zeolite containing potassium cations at the exchangeable cationic sites thereby selectively adsorbing glucose from the feed mixture and thereafter recovering the glucose. Preferably the glucose will be recovered by desorption from the adsorbent with a desorbent material.