Abstract: Systems and methods for ensuring proper placement of electronic signatures in dynamic electronically-signed documents where the signature location of the documents may change based on changes of terms within the documents are described. The documents are dynamic or variable documents in that the text and signature line or lines of the documents move based on the document terms, number of signatories, etc. Computers and computer programs are used to scan through a dynamic document and determine where to print signatures when signatories log into an electronic signing room and elect to sign a given document. Information about a document is gathered from an electronic version of the document to locate signature lines and initials lines. Information regarding the locations of all signature and initials lines is then passed with the document for electronic signature. When the document is electronically signed, the electronic signature images are therefore placed in correct locations.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, a reaction medium comprising a hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N, and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and an element of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; l is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3; and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1.

Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, benzene and hydrogen are fed to at least one reaction zone. The benzene and hydrogen are then contacted in the at least one reaction zone under hydroalkylation conditions with a catalyst system comprising a molecular sieve having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom, and at least one hydrogenation metal to produce an effluent containing cyclohexylbenzene. The ratio of the total number of moles of hydrogen fed to said at least one reaction zone to the number of moles of benzene fed to said at least one reaction zone is between 0.4 and 0.9:1.

Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, benzene and hydrogen are contacted with a catalyst under hydroalkylation conditions to produce an effluent containing cyclohexylbenzene. The catalyst comprises a composite of a molecular sieve, an inorganic oxide different from said molecular sieve and at least one hydrogenation metal, wherein at least 50 wt % of said hydrogenation metal is supported on the inorganic oxide.

Abstract: In a process for producing phenol and methyl ethyl ketone, benzene and a C4 olefin are contacted under alkylation conditions and in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce sec-butylbenzene. The sec-butylbenzene is then oxidized to produce an oxidation effluent comprising sec-butylbenzene hydroperoxide and acetophenone. At least part of the sec-butylbenzene hydroperoxide in the oxidation effluent is cleaved to produce phenol and methyl ethyl ketone, while at least part of the acetophenone is hydrogenated to produce at least one of methyl benzyl alcohol, styrene and ethylbenzene.

Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, benzene and hydrogen are fed to at least one reaction zone. The benzene and hydrogen are then contacted in the at least one reaction zone under hydroalkylation conditions with a catalyst system comprising a molecular sieve having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom, and at least one hydrogenation metal to produce an effluent containing cyclohexylbenzene. The catalyst system has an acid-to-metal molar ratio of from about 75 to about 750.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process of manufacturing para-xylene, comprising (a) contacting a pygas feedstock and methylating agent with a catalyst under reaction conditions to produce a product having para-xylene, wherein the product has higher para-xylene content than the para-xylene content of the pygas feedstock; and (b) separating the para-xylene from the product of the step (a), wherein the catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of about 0.1-15 sec?1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 8 kPa-a and the pygas comprises from about 1 to about 65 wt % benzene and from about 5 to 35 wt % toluene.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of xylenes from reformate. The process is carried out by methylating the benzene, toluene, or both present in the reformate to produce a resulting product having a higher xylenes content than the reformate. Greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene can be produced by the process.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process of manufacturing para-xylene, comprising (a) contacting a pygas feedstock and methylating agent with a catalyst under reaction conditions to produce a product having para-xylene, wherein the product has higher para-xylene content than the para-xylene content of the pygas feedstock; and (b) separating the para-xylene from the product of the step (a), wherein the catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of about 0.1-15 sec?1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 8 kPa-a and the pygas comprises from about 1 to about 65 wt % benzene and from about 5 to 35 wt % toluene.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst composition having improved hydrothermal stability for the catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock to selectively produce propylene. The catalyst composition comprises a first crystalline molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of IM-5, MWW, ITH, FER, MFS, AEL, and AFO and an effective amount of a stabilization metal (copper, zirconium, or mixtures thereof) exchanged into the molecular sieve. The catalyst finds application in the cracking of naphtha and heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks. When used in the catalytic cracking of heavier hydrocarbon feedstocks, the catalyst composition preferably comprises a second molecular sieve having a pore size that is greater than the pore size of the first molecular sieve. The process is carried out by contacting a feedstock containing hydrocarbons having at least 4 carbon atoms is contacted, under catalytic cracking conditions, with the catalyst composition.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane and a particulate catalytic material are supplied to a reaction zone operating under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and to deposit carbonaceous material on the particulate catalytic material causing catalyst deactivation. At least a portion of the deactivated particulate catalytic material is removed from the reaction zone and is heated to a temperature of about 700° C. to about 1200° C. by direct and/or indirect contact with combustion gases produced by combustion of a supplemental fuel. The heated particulate catalytic material is then regenerated with a hydrogen-containing gas under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the carbonaceous material thereon to methane and the regenerated catalytic particulate material is recycled back to the reaction zone.

Abstract: In a process for producing phenol and methyl ethyl ketone, benzene and a C4 olefin are contacted under alkylation conditions and in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce sec-butylbenzene. The sec-butylbenzene is then oxidized to produce an oxidation effluent comprising sec-butylbenzene hydroperoxide and acetophenone. At least part of the sec-butylbenzene hydroperoxide in the oxidation effluent is cleaved to produce phenol and methyl ethyl ketone, while at least part of the acetophenone is hydrogenated to produce at least one of methyl benzyl alcohol, styrene and ethylbenzene.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process for producing an aromatics product containing of benzene, toluene, xylenes, or mixtures thereof. The process is carried out by converting precursors of benzene, toluene, and xylenes that are contained in a hydrocarbon feed (C6+ non-aromatic cyclic hydrocarbons, A8+ single-ring aromatic hydrocarbons having at least one alkyl group containing two or more carbon atoms; and A9+ single-ring aromatic hydrocarbons having at least three methyl groups) to produce a product that contains an increased amount of benzene, toluene, xylenes, or combinations thereof compared to said hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a halogen-free carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the carbonation catalyst and/or a transesterification catalyst and recycling the carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol, wherein the dialkyl carbonate product exhibits a halogen concentration of about 5 ppm or less.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a halogen-free carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the carbonation catalyst and/or a transesterification catalyst and recycling the carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol, wherein the dialkyl carbonate product exhibits a halogen concentration of about 5 ppm or less.

Abstract: In a process for converting C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products a feed comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons is contacted under transalkylation reaction conditions with a catalyst composition comprising (i) a first molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of ZSM-12, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07; and (ii) a second molecular sieve having a constraint index ranging from 3 to 12. At least the first molecular sieve has a hydrogenation component associated therewith and the first and second molecular sieves are contained in the same catalyst bed. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene.

Abstract: In a process for converting a low carbon number aliphatic hydrocarbon to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing the aliphatic hydrocarbon is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert the aliphatic hydrocarbon to aromatic hydrocarbons and produce an effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen. The dehydrocyclization catalyst comprises a metal or metal compound and a molecular sieve wherein the ratio of the amount of any Bronsted acid sites in the catalyst to the amount of said metal in the catalyst is less than 0.4 mol/mol of said metal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the selective alkylation of toluene and/or benzene with an oxygen-containing alkylation agent. In particular, the process uses a selectivated molecular sieve which has been modified by the addition of a hydrogenation component, wherein at least one of the following conditions is met: (a) the selectivated molecular sieve has an alpha value of less than 100 prior to the addition of the hydrogenation component, or (b) the selectivated and hydrogenated catalyst has an alpha value of less than 100. The process of this invention provides high selectivity for the alkylated product while reducing catalyst degradation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process of manufacturing para-xylene, comprising (a) contacting a pygas feedstock and methylating agent with a catalyst under reaction conditions to produce a product having para-xylene, wherein the product has higher para-xylene content than the para-xylene content of the pygas feedstock; and (b) separating the para-xylene from the product of the step (a), wherein the catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of about 0.1-15 sec?1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 8 kPa-a and the pygas comprises from about 1 to about 65 wt % benzene and from about 5 to 35 wt % toluene.

Abstract: A process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol, such as dimethyl carbonate and ethylene glycol, by reacting a feed containing a cyclic carbonate, a hydroxy alkyl carbonate and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst is described. In another aspect, a process is described which is particularly useful for producing unsymmetric dialkyl carbonates, such as ethyl methyl carbonate.