Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one Group IVA (IUPAC 14) component, at least one Group VA (IUPAC 15) component or mixtures thereof, which is preferably silicon or phosphorus, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element, yttrium or mixtures thereof, which is preferably ytterbium or holmium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A process for the isomerization of a feedstream comprising C5-C6 hydrocarbons where the process involves charging hydrogen and a feedstream comprising at least normal C5-C6 hydrocarbons into an isomerization zone and contacting said hydrogen and feedstream with an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the feedstream hydrocarbons and produce an isomerization effluent stream comprising at least normal pentane, normal hexane, methylbutane, dimethylbutane, and methylpentane has been discovered. The catalyst used is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB (IUPAC 4) of the Periodic Table, a first component selected from the group consisting of at least one lanthanide-series element, mixtures thereof, and yttrium, and a second component selected from the group of platinum-group metals and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for assembling arrays of materials where each array contains different materials on or within a particle and the location of each particle at a spatially identifiable location in the array determines the material associated with that particle, has been developed. Assembling of the arrays begins with the delivery, of a particle and a component to a first isolated location in first region. A second isolated location on the first region also receives another particle and component to form at least two particle-component pairs in the first region. At least one of the particle-component pairs is selectively transferred to an isolated location in a second region where the particle-component pair receive an additional component thereby producing a first material associated with the first particle-component pair and a second material associated with the second particle-component pair.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element, yttrium or mixtures thereof, which is preferably ytterbium or holmium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A heat treatment system comprises a plurality of feed lines for feeding a fluid, a plurality of treatment zones, leach treatment zone being fed by one of the plurality of feed lines, wherein each treatment zone includes at least one chamber for holding a material and flowing the fluid through the material, and a plurality of heating elements, wherein each heating element heats the material in at least one of the plurality of chambers. A method of treating a material comprises the steps of feeding a fluid to at least one treatment zone, wherein the treatment zone includes a plurality of chambers, each chamber holding a material to be treated, controlling flow rate of the fluid to the treatment zone, flowing the fluid through the material in each chamber, heating the material in at least one chamber and flowing the fluid out of the chambers.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (WPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously testing a plurality of catalysts using combinatorial chemistry has been developed. The process involves containing the plurality of catalysts in an array of parallel reactors with each reactor containing a bed of catalyst. Each bed of catalyst is then simultaneously contacted, at reaction conditions, with a reactant to form an effluent of each reactor. The reactant or an inert fluid is at a space velocity sufficient to fluidize the catalyst beds. Each of the effluents is analyzed.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A process for the direct carbonylation of saturated hydrocarbons has been developed. The process involves contacting the saturated hydrocarbons, which contain at least one primary, secondary or tertiary carbon atom, with carbon monoxide in the presence of a solid strong acid catalyst to produce an oxygenated saturated hydrocarbon. In a specific embodiment isobutane is reacted with carbon monoxide using sulfated zirconia as the catalyst to produce methylisopropyl ketone. The oxygenated hydrocarbon can subsequently be hydrogenated to give a reduced oxygenated saturated hydrocarbon. The hydrogenation can also be done simultaneously with the carbonylation, i.e., reductive carbonylation.

Abstract: An improved catalyst is disclosed for the conversion of hydrocarbons. The catalyst comprises an alumina support, a Friedel-Crafts metal halide, and a platinum-group metal component, wherein the support comprises primarily eta alumina and a small amount of gamma alumina and has a defined pore-size and acidity characteristics. An isomerization process also is disclosed which is particularly effective for the conversion of C4-C7 alkanes.

Abstract: An improved catalyst is disclosed for the conversion of hydrocarbons which comprises an alumina support, a Friedel-Crafts metal halide, and a platinum-group metal component, wherein the support comprises primarily eta alumina having defined narrow pore-size and acidity characteristics and a defined diffusion-path limitation. An isomerization process also is disclosed which is particularly effective for the conversion of C4-C7 alkanes.

Abstract: A method of continuously promoting the activity of solid strong acid catalysts used in acid catalyzed reactions by adding or generating water in the reaction mixture has been developed. The solid strong acid catalyst may be a sulfated metal oxide, a tungstated metal oxide, or a molybdated metal oxide. The metal oxides are oxides, hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, or oxide-hydrates of Group IV-A, Group III-A, Group III-B, and Group V-A metals. The catalyst may also contain a Group VIII metal, or when the metal oxide is a hydroxide, oxide, oxyhydroxide, or oxide-hydrate of the Group IV-A, Group III-A, or Group III-B metals, the catalyst may also contain an oxide, hydroxide, oxyhydroxide or oxide-hydrate of a Group V-A, Group V-B, Group VI-B, or Group VII-B metal as a promoter.

Abstract: A process for the continuous isomerization of an alkane to produce an isomerized product through contacting the alkane with a simulated moving bed acting as a catalyst for isomerization and an adsorbent for the alkanes has been developed. The alkane may be n-butane and the isomerized product 2-methylpropane, the alkane may be n-pentane and the isomerized product 2-methylbutane or 2,2-dimethylpropane, the alkane may have from 6 up to about 8 carbon atoms with no more than one methyl branch and the isomerized product having the same number of carbon atoms and at least two methyl branches, or the reactant may be a mixture of the foregoing alkanes with the corresponding isomerized products being formed. In a zone of the simulated moving bed, the alkanes are catalytically isomerized to form the isomerized products. The unreacted alkanes are adsorbed, and the isomerized products are collected.

Abstract: A process for the continuous isomerization of an alkane to produce an isomerized product through contacting the alkane with a simulated moving bed acting as a catalyst for isomerization and an adsorbent for the alkanes has been developed. The alkane may be n-butane and the isomerized product 2-methylpropane, the alkane may be n-pentane and the isomerized product 2-methylbutane or 2,2-dimethylpropane, the alkane may have from 6 up to about 8 carbon atoms with no more than one methyl branch and the isomerized product having the same number of carbon atoms and at least two methyl branches, or the reactant may be a mixture of the foregoing alkanes with the corresponding isomerized products being formed. In a zone of the simulated moving bed, the alkanes are catalytically isomerized to form the isomerized products. The unreacted alkanes are adsorbed, and the isomerized products are collected.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing a mixture of alkanes containing pentanes and at least one alkane having from 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and no more than one methyl branch has been developed.

Abstract: A catalytic mixture of discrete solid materials and a mercaptan oxidation process for using the catalytic mixture have been developed. The catalytic mixture comprises a metal chelate dispersed on a non-basic solid support and a solid base. The process involves contacting a sour middle distillate hydrocarbon fraction which contains mercaptans with the supported metal chelate and the solid base mixture in the presence of an oxidizing agent and a polar compound. The process is unique in that both the catalyst and the base are discrete solid materials.

Abstract: A catalytic system of physically separate and discrete solid materials and a mercaptan oxidation process for using the catalytic system have been developed. The catalytic system comprises a supported metal chelate dispersed on a non-basic solid support and a solid base. The process involves contacting a sour middle distillate hydrocarbon fraction which contains mercaptans first with the solid base and then, in the presence of an oxidizing agent and a polar compound, with the supported metal chelate. The process is unique in that both the catalyst and the base are solid materials and that the solid base is in a separate fixed bed from the supported metal chelate.