Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for a creating an active document that encapsulates a transaction and the transaction's current status. The active document includes a first set of data fields, where the data fields represent attributes of a parent transaction and include a sub-identifier field; and a first set of metadata, where the first set of metadata populates the first set of data fields and describes the attributes represented by the first set of data fields, the sub-identifier filed including metadata from the first set of metadata that identifies a secondary transaction, linking data generated by the secondary transaction to the active document.

Abstract: A multistage oxygen-added catalytic partial oxidation process and apparatus for converting H2S in an acid gas stream to elemental sulfur and water are disclosed. Each staged addition of oxygen or air at the top of the catalyst bed and at points along the catalyst bed maintain oxygen-limited H2S catalytic partial oxidation conditions whereby incidental SO2 production is minimized.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting light hydrocarbons (e.g. methane or natural gas) to synthesis gas employing a nonmicroporous, thin shell catalyst that catalyzes a net partial oxidation reaction. Certain preferred catalysts comprise a thin outer layer comprising at least one catalytically active metal disposed on a discrete nonmicroporous support structure. A preferred thin shell catalyst has an effectiveness factor greater than 0.1 when utilized in a partial oxidation reaction.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing carbon filaments and synthesis gas from a mixture of alkanes, preferably natural gas, comprising converting a first portion of the alkanes, preferably C2+ hydrocarbons, directly to carbon filaments and converting a second portion of the alkanes, preferably methane, to syngas. The natural gas may be separated into a first feed stream comprising ethane, propane, and butane and a second feed stream comprising methane. The first feed stream is fed to a carbon filament CF reactor to produce carbon filaments and hydrogen. The second feed stream is fed to a syngas production reactor to produce syngas. Alternatively, the natural gas is fed to at least one carbon filament reactor that is maintained at an effective temperature to convert C2+ hydrocarbons in the natural gas to carbon filaments and hydrogen, thereby filtering methane from the natural gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor comprising two reaction zones and processes for the production of alkenes from alkanes. A first reaction zone includes a combustion catalyst, and a second reaction zone comprises a heating zone in thermal contact with the first reaction zone. One process comprises generating heat and an effluent by the combustion of a fuel with oxygen in the first reaction zone; passing an alkane feed through the heating zone of the second reaction zone such that the alkane feed absorbs a sufficient amount of the heat generated in the first reaction zone to initiate the conversion of alkanes to alkenes in the second reaction zone. In other embodiments, the effluent comprises oxygen, and the second reaction zone excludes a catalyst; alternatively, the effluent is substantially free of oxygen, and the second reaction zone comprises a supplemental oxygen feed and may or may not include a catalyst.

Abstract: A process and catalyst are disclosed for reducing coking in hydrocarbon processing reactions. The preferred embodiments employ a sulfur-containing material such as hydrogen sulfide to reduce catalyst susceptibility to deactivation from carbon deposits formed during processing.

Abstract: A process for purifying a light hydrocarbon stream containing H2S is disclosed in which the selective catalytic partial oxidation of the H2S component is carried out while the hydrocarbon components slip through substantially unconverted. A catalyst that favors the partial oxidation of H2S over conversion of the hydrocarbon component of a gaseous H2S-light hydrocarbon mixture is employed. Apparatus for selectively cleaning up light hydrocarbon streams containing low concentrations (e.g., less than 25 vol. %), and apparatus for selectively cleaning up light hydrocarbon streams having higher concentrations (e.g., greater than 25 vol. %) of H2S are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for converting light hydrocarbons (e.g. methane or natural gas) to synthesis gas employs a silicon carbide-supported catalyst that catalyzes a net partial oxidation reaction. Certain preferred catalysts include a catalytically active metal disposed on a silicon carbide support.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur from a H2S-containing gas stream is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the process comprises incorporating a short contact time catalytic partial oxidation reactor, a cooling zone, and a condenser into a conventional refinery or gas plant process, such as a natural gas desulfurizer, a hydrotreater, coker or fluid catalytic cracker, in which sulfur removal is needed in order to produce a more desirable product. An H2S-containing gas stream is fed into a short contact time reactor where the H2S is partially oxidized over a suitable catalyst in the presence of O2 to elemental sulfur and water.

Abstract: Lanthanide-promoted rhodium-containing supported catalysts that are active for catalyzing the net partial oxidation of methane to CO and H2 are disclosed, along with their manner of making and high efficiency processes for producing synthesis gas employing the new catalysts. A preferred catalyst comprises highly dispersed, high surface area rhodium on a granular zirconia support with an intermediate coating of a lanthanide metal and/or oxide thereof and is thermally conditioned during catalyst preparation. In a preferred syngas production process a stream of methane-containing gas and O2 is passed over a thermally conditioned, high surface area Rh/Sm/zirconia granular catalyst in a short contact time reactor to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: The disclosed sulfur recovery system and process avoid some of the operational problems of conventional Claus plants and processes by replacing the reaction burner and furnace tube of a conventional Claus plant with a more efficient short contact time catalytic reactor assembly containing a SPOC™ catalyst that operates efficiently at elevated temperatures. Such Claus plant modification also reduces or avoids the negative effects of hydrocarbons, CO2 and ammonia in Claus sulfur plant feeds, and permits efficient processing of dilute to concentrated H2S feeds. The disclosed modification makes possible the expansion of Claus plant capacity at lower cost.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for recovering elemental sulfur from a H2S-containing waste gas stream are disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a first reaction zone for carrying out the catalytic partial oxidation of H2S, a second reaction zone for the catalytic partial reduction of any incidental SO2 produced in the first reaction zone, and a cooling zone including a sulfur condenser. According to a preferred embodiment of the process, a mixture of H2S and O2 contacts a catalyst in the first reaction zone very briefly (i.e, less than about 200 milliseconds) producing primarily S0 and H2O. Some SO2 is also present in the first stage product gas mixture. A reductant gas (e.g. CO, or CH4 or natural gas) is fed together with the first stage product gas mixture to a second catalytic reaction zone where the partial reduction of the SO2 component to elemental sulfur and CO2 is carried out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a hydrocarbon and oxygen containing gas feed stream to a product stream, such as syngas, including catalytically partially oxidizing the hydrocarbon feed stream over a catalyst bed. The catalyst bed has a downstream zone which is less resistant to flow than the upstream zone.

Abstract: A multistage oxygen-added catalytic partial oxidation process and apparatus for converting H2S in an acid gas stream to elemental sulfur and water are disclosed. Each staged addition of oxygen or air at the top of the catalyst bed and at points along the catalyst bed maintain oxygen-limited H2S catalytic partial oxidation conditions whereby incidental SO2 production is minimized.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting light alkanes (e.g. methane or natural gas) to synthesis gas employing a stabilized Ni-based catalyst that is active for catalyzing the net partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon, in the presence of O2 to CO and H2. Certain preferred catalysts comprise Ni alloyed with a Ni-stabilizing amount of gold or silver, and a lanthanide element, carried on a refractory support.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for converting a hydrocarbon and oxygen feed stream to a product stream such as syngas, including multiple serially aligned reaction zones and multiple hydrocarbon feeds. The first reaction zone catalyzes the net partial oxidation of the feed hydrocarbon. The subsequent zones catalyze reactions such as the stream or dry reforming of hydrocarbons or the water gas shift reaction, depending on the stream composition in the vicinity of the zone, and the desired product stream composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor comprising two reaction zones and processes for the production of alkenes from alkanes. A first reaction zone includes a combustion catalyst, and a second reaction zone comprises a heating zone in thermal contact with the first reaction zone. One process comprises generating heat and an effluent by the combustion of a fuel with oxygen in the first reaction zone; passing an alkane feed through the heating zone of the second reaction zone such that the alkane feed absorbs a sufficient amount of the heat generated in the first reaction zone to initiate the conversion of alkanes to alkenes in the second reaction zone. In other embodiments, the effluent comprises oxygen, and the second reaction zone excludes a catalyst; alternatively, the effluent is substantially free of oxygen, and the second reaction zone comprises a supplemental oxygen feed and may or may not include a catalyst.

Abstract: Lanthanide-promoted rhodium-containing supported catalysts that are active for catalyzing the net partial oxidation of methane to CO and H2 are disclosed, along with their manner of making and high efficiency processes for producing synthesis gas employing the new catalysts. A preferred catalyst comprises highly dispersed, high surface area rhodium on a granular zirconia support with an intermediate coating of a lanthanide metal and/or oxide thereof and is thermally conditioned during catalyst preparation. In a preferred syngas production process a stream of methane-containing gas and O2 is passed over a thermally conditioned, high surface area Rh/Sm/zirconia granular catalyst in a short contact time reactor to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a hydrocarbon and oxygen containing gas feed stream to a product stream, such as syngas, including catalytically partially oxidizing the hydrocarbon feed stream over a catalyst bed. The catalyst bed has a downstream section which is less resistant to flow than the upstream section.

Abstract: Metal loaded carbon filaments and a process for making the same are provided. This process includes forming metal on carbon filaments produced from at least one carbon-containing compound, e.g., an alkane or an alkene. The metal may be formed on surfaces of previously formed carbon filaments by, for example, electroplating, impregnation, or chemical vapor deposition. Alternatively, the carbon filaments and the metal may be formed concurrently, resulting in the metal being incorporated in the carbon filaments. An article of manufacture is also provided that includes a carbon filament having metal disposed thereon. The article of manufacture may be, for example, a high surface area catalyst, an electronic element, and a composite material having enhanced electrical properties.