Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously injecting fluids into a plurality of samples of porous media, comprising: a plurality of holders for the samples of porous media, each holder comprising a sleeve and first and second platens, the first platen having an inlet for an injection fluid and the second platen having an outlet for a produced fluid, and the samples of porous media being arranged, in use, in each of the holders such that the first platen and second platen of each holder contact a first and second end of the sample of porous medium respectively, the inlet of each first platen being in fluid communication with an injection line for injecting fluid into the sample of porous medium arranged in the holder, the outlet of each second platen being in fluid communication with a dedicated effluent line for removing fluid produced from the sample of porous medium arranged in the holder, on-line and/or off-line analytical means for analyzing the fluids injected into each of the samples of po

Abstract: The fouling caused by a refinery feedstock on one or more refinery processes, said process comprising: (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array comprising a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of said (iv) refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and determining the fouling of said refinery feedstock or fraction thereof. Preferably, the metal samples are in the form of a microfabricated array and the testing is carried out in parallel using high throughput experimentation.

Abstract: Process for evaluating the corrosive effect of a refinery feedstock on the metallurgy of one or more refinery processes, by (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array having a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of the refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and (iv) determining the corrosive effect of the feedstock and/or fraction on the metal sample.

Abstract: The fouling caused by a refinery feedstock on one or more refinery processes, said process comprising: (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array comprising a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of said (iv) refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and determining the fouling of said refinery feedstock or fraction thereof. Preferably, the metal samples are in the form of a microfabricated array and the testing is carried out in parallel using high throughput experimentation.

Abstract: A microspheroidal support for the manufacture of a vinyl acetate catalyst which support comprises substantially inert microspheroidal particles of a mixture of silica and 0.5 to 5 wt % (based on the total weight of the support) of aluminium oxide. A vinyl acetate catalyst comprising the microspheroidal support, palladium, at least one metal, M, selected from the group consisting of gold, cerium, copper and mixtures thereof and at least one metal. A, selected from the group consisting of Group I, Group II, lanthanide and transition metal promoters.

Abstract: A process for evaluating a refinery feedstock, said process comprising: (i) providing a refinery feedstock, (ii) treating said refinery feedstock to produce an array comprising a plurality of fractions having different chemical and/or physical properties, each fraction being representative of a process stream that might be present in a refinery, and (iii) analysing each of said plurality of fractions to determine one or more chemical and/or physical properties of the fractions, said analyses being performed at least partially in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of refinery feedstocks is evaluated, each being fractionated prior to analysis of the fractions.

Abstract: A process for evaluating the corrosive effect of a refinery feedstock on the metallurgy of one or more refinery processes, said process comprising: (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array comprising a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of said refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and (iv) determining the corrosive effect of said feedstock and/or fraction on the metal sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for evaluating the effect of a refinery feedstock on a refinery process, said process comprising (i) providing a refinery feedstock; (ii) treating said refinery feedstock to produce a plurality of fractions each representative of the typical feedstock for the refinery process of interest, said plurality of fractions comprise at least two fractions with different properties; (iii) treating each of the plurality of fractions under experimental conditions representative of those in the refinery process, said treatments being carved out in an essentially parallel manner; and (iv) determining one or more performance criteria in respect of each fraction for the refinery process.

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin from a hydrocarbon by autothermal cracking, which process comprises: partially combusting the hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the stoichiometric ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen is 5 to 16 times the stoichiometric ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen required for complete combustion of the hydrocarbon to carbon dioxide and water, characterised in that the catalyst comprises palladium and at least one further metal being a Group IIIA, Group IVA, VA, a transition metal or a lanthanide.

Abstract: Process for preparing a supported metal catalyst composition comprising impregnating support particles having a mean diameter of greater than 300 microns with a solution of least one catalytically active metal, or precursor thereof, such that the metal, or its precursor, is in a mobile state in the support particles; and drying the impregnated support particles. The mobile metal, or its precursor, in the support particles is then treated with a liquid comprising at least one reducing agent to deposit and immobilize the metal, or its precursor, in the support particles such that the metal, or its precursor, is distributed in the support particle in a layer below the surface of the support particle, the layer being between an inner and an outer region, each of the inner and outer regions having a lower concentration of the metal or precursor than the layer.

Abstract: A process for preparing a supported metal catalyst composition which comprises impregnating microspheroidal support particles with a solution of at least one catalytically active metal, or precursor, drying the impregnated support particles and then treating the mobile metal, or precursor in a mobile state with a liquid comprising at least one reducing agent to deposit and immobilize the metal, or its precursor, in the support particles such that the metal, or its precursor, is distributed in the support particle in a layer below the surface of the support particle, the layer being between an inner and an outer region having a lower concentration of metal or precursor. Also, a composition comprising microspheroidal support particles having at least one catalytically active metal or precursor thereof distributed in a layer below the surface of the particles, the layer being between an inner and an outer region of the support particle each having a lower concentration of metal or precursor.

Abstract: A composition and process for making same in which the composition comprises support particles having at least one catalytically active metal or precursor thereof distributed therein in a layer below the surface of said particle, said layer being between an inner and an outer region of said support particle) and each of said inner and outer regions having a lower concentration of said metal or precursor thereof than said layer.

Abstract: A process for preparing a supported metal catalyst composition which comprises impregnating microspheroidal support particles with a solution of at least one catalytically active metal, or precursor, drying the impregnated support particles and then treating the mobile metal, or precursor in a mobile state with a liquid comprising at least one reducing agent to deposit and immobilize the metal, or its precursor, in the support particles such that the metal, or its precursor, is distributed in the support particle in a layer below the surface of the support particle, the layer being between an inner and an outer region having a lower concentration of metal or precursor. Also, a composition comprising microspheroidal support particles having at least one catalytically active metal or precursor thereof distributed in a layer below the surface of the particles, the layer being between an inner and an outer region of the support particle each having a lower concentration of metal or precursor.

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin from a hydrocarbon, which process comprises: partially combusting the hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, characterised in that the catalyst comprises palladium and at least one further metal, said further metal being a Group IIA, Group IVA, VA or a transition metal.

Abstract: Composition and process for making same in which the composition includes support particles having at least one catalytically active metal or precursor thereof distributed therein in a layer below the surface of the particle. The layer is located between an inner and an outer region of the support particle, and each of the inner and outer regions has a lower concentration of the metal or precursor thereof than the layer.

Abstract: A process for preparing a supported metal catalyst composition which comprises impregnating microspheroidal support particles with a solution of at least one catalytically active metal, or precursor, drying the impregnated support particles and then treating the mobile metal, or precursor in a mobile state with a liquid comprising at least one reducing agent to deposit and immobilize the metal, or its precursor, in the support particles such that the metal, or its precursor, is distributed in the support particle in a layer below the surface of the support particle, the layer being between an inner and an outer region having a lower concentration of metal or precursor. Also, a composition comprising microspheroidal support particles having at least one catalytically active metal or precursor thereof distributed in a layer below the surface of the particles, the layer being between an inner and an outer region of the support particle each having a lower concentration of metal or precursor.

Abstract: A process for the production of vinyl acetate which comprises contacting ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas with a supported palladium catalyst prepared by a process comprising the steps of (a) impregnating a catalyst support with a palladium compound, (b) converting the palladium compound to substantially metallic palladium and (c) sintering the supported palladium at a temperature of greater than 500° C.

Abstract: A process for the production of vinyl acetate which comprises contacting ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas with a supported palladium catalyst prepared by a process comprising the steps of (a) impregnating a catalyst support with a palladium compound, (b) converting the palladium compound to substantially metallic palladium, and (c) sintering the supported palladium at a temperature of greater than 500° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing a supported metal catalyst composition which comprises impregnating microspheroidal support particles with a solution of at least one catalytically active metal, or precursor, drying the impregnated support particles and then treating the mobile metal, or precursor in a mobile state with a liquid comprising at least one reducing agent to deposit and immobilize the metal, or its precursor, in the support particles such that the metal, or its precursor, is distributed in the support particle in a layer below the surface of the support particle, the layer being between an inner and an outer region having a lower concentration of metal or precursor. Also, a composition comprising microspheroidal support particles having at least one catalytically active metal or precursor thereof distributed in a layer below the surface of the particles, the layer being between an inner and an outer region of the support particle each having a lower concentration of metal or precursor.

Abstract: A process for the production of vinyl acetate which comprises contacting ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas with a supported palladium catalyst prepared by a process comprising the steps of (a) impregnating a catalyst support with a palladium compound, (b) converting the palladium compound to substantially metallic palladium, and (c) sintering the supported palladium at a temperature of greater than 500° C.