Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of lower aliphatic esters by reacting a lower olefin with a saturated lower aliphatic mono-carboxylic acid in the vapor phase in the presence of a heteropolyacid catalyst in a plurality of reactors set up in series such that the reactant gases exiting from a first reactor are fed as the feed gas to a second reactor and those exiting from the second reactor are fed as the feed gas to a third reactor and so on for the subsequent reactors. An aliquot of the reactant monocarboxylic acid is introduced into the feed gas to the second and subsequent reactors so as to maintain the olefin to monocarboxylic acid ratio in the feed gas to each of the second and subsequent reactors within a pre-determined range.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for contacting (a) at least one gaseous reactant and (b) at least one liquid selected from the group consisting of reactants, coolants and mixtures thereof in the presence of a fluidized bed of catalyst, in which the liquid is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone and the gaseous reactant is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone adjacent the support means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of lower aliphatic esters by reacting a lower olefin with a saturated lower aliphatic mono-carboxylic acid in the vapour phase in the presence of a heteropolyacid catalyst in a plurality of reactors set up in series such that the reactant gases exiting from a first reactor are fed as the feed gas to a second reactor and those exiting from the second reactor are fed as the feed gas to a third reactor and so on for the subsequent reactors. An aliquot of the reactant monocarboxylic acid is introduced into the feed gas to the second and subsequent reactors so as to maintain the olefin to monocarboxylic acid ratio in the feed gas to each of the second and subsequent reactors within a pre-determined range.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for heat exchange with fluid beds comprises heat-exchange tubes located longitudinally with respect to the axis of a fluidization zone with a rectangular pitch, one side of which having a length at least one and a half times the length of the other side and/or with a triangular pitch, having two sides each at least one and a half times the length of the shortest side reduces the impact of the heat-exchange tubes on the fluidization characteristics of the fluid bed. The invention is particularly suitable for oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a fluid bed of fluidizable catalyst, such as (a) the acetoxylation of olefins, (b) the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid and/or the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, (c) the ammoxidation of propylene and/or propane to acrylonitrile and (d) the oxidation of C4's to maleic anhydride.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for heat exchange with fluid beds comprises heat-exchange tubes located longitudinally with respect to the axis of a fluidization zone with a rectangular pitch, one side of which having a length at least one and a half times the length of the other side and/or with a triangular pitch, having two sides each at least one and a half times the length of the shortest side reduces the impact of the heat-exchange tubes on the fluidization characteristics of the fluid bed. The invention is particularly suitable for oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a fluid bed of fluidizable catalyst, such as (a) the acetoxylation of olefins, (b) the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid and/or the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, (c) the ammoxidation of propylene and/or propane to acrylonitrile and (d) the oxidation of C4's to maleic anhydride.

Abstract: A reactor and process for using same, for containing a solid catalyst for heterogeneous gas-phase reactions into which reactor there extends at least one inlet pipe for a molecular oxygen-containing gas which has means for surrounding a substantial portion of the pipe in the reactor with an inert fluid and optionally also has means for suppressing ingress to the inlet pipe from the reactor of flame, reagents, products, catalyst or combinations thereof. The reactor and process are particularly suitable for fluid bed reactions.