Abstract: A method of hydroprocessing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock using a hydroprocessing catalyst having specific properties making it effective in the hydroconversion of at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to lighter hydrocarbons. The hydroprocessing catalyst comprises a Group VIB metal component (e.g., Cr, Mo, and W), a Group VIII metal component (e.g., Ni and Co) and, optionally, a potassium metal component that are supported on a support material comprising alumina. The alumina has novel physical properties that, in combination with the catalytic components, provide for the hydroprocessing catalyst. The hydroprocessing catalyst is particularly effective in the conversion of the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock. The alumina is characterized as having a high pore volume and a high surface area with a large proportion of the pore volume being present in the pores within a narrow pore diameter distribution about a narrowly defined range of median pore diameters.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a method of preparation of a monolithic hydrated alumina by the oxidation of aluminium or an aluminium alloy in the presence of a mercury amalgam that contains at least one noble metal, such as silver. This hydrated alumina serves inter alia as base product in methods of preparation of amorphous or crystalline aluminas, or of aluminates, which themselves serve as base products for methods of preparation of composite materials based on oxides, on metals, on carbon products and/or on polymers. Application of the said products obtained by the said methods in many fields, such as catalysis, thermal and acoustic insulation, magnetism, waste storage, and preparation of radioelement transmutation targets.

Abstract: A method of hydroprocessing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock using a hydroprocessing catalyst having specific properties making it effective in the hydroconversion of at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to lighter hydrocarbons. The hydroprocessing catalyst comprises a Group VIB metal component (e.g., Cr, Mo, and W), a Group VIII metal component (e.g., Ni and Co) and, optionally, a potassium metal component that are supported on a support material comprising alumina. The alumina has novel physical properties that, in combination with the catalytic components, provide for the hydroprocessing catalyst. The hydroprocessing catalyst is particularly effective in the conversion of the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock. The alumina is characterized as having a high pore volume and a high surface area with a large proportion of the pore volume being present in the pores within a narrow pore diameter distribution about a narrowly defined range of median pore diameters.

Abstract: Base treated aluminas exhibit improved CO2 capacity over untreated aluminas. Base treated aluminas prepared by physically mixing alumina and base during forming have (1) a higher surface area, (2) less hydrothermal aging, (3) improved CO2 capacity and (4) lower cost than base treated aluminas produced by aqueous impregnation. A method for removing at least CO2 and water from a gas stream includes providing an adsorbent formed from a process comprising physically mixing activated alumina solids and solid salts of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or ammonium ion; and contacting the gas stream with the adsorbent.

Abstract: Catalyst for the fixed bed oxychlorination of ethylene to 1.2-dichloroethane in form of hollow cylindrical granules having total pore volume from 0.4 to 0.55 ml/g prevailingly formed of micro and mesopores having diameter between 7 and 50 nm, wherein the mesopores constitute the major component, and the macropores having diameter of more than 50 nm up to 10.000 nm being present by 15-35%.

Abstract: The present invention provides an essentially dry method for preparation of enhanced alumina powders. The first step involves rapid calcination of an aluminum compound to produce alumina powder. The alumina powder is mixed with solid ammonium carbonate and a small amount of water. This mixture heats itself although some external heat is helpful to produce ammonium aluminum hydroxycarbonate (dawsonite-type) NH4AlCO3(OH)2 upon curing which is then decomposed to produce enhanced alumina having a specific desired morphology and nano-sized dimensions.

Abstract: A carrier for a catalyst useful for the epoxidation of an olefin which comprises an inert, refractory solid carrier is provided. The carrier has no or little absolute volume from small pores, of less than 1 micrometer, and large pores, of above 5 micrometer. By “no or little absolute volume from small pores of less than 1 micron” it is meant that the pore volume of such pores is less than 0.20 ml/g. By “no or little absolute volume from large pores of above 5 micron” it is meant that the pore volume of such pores is less than 0.20 ml/g. The invention further provides a catalyst useful for the epoxidation of an olefin supported on such a carrier and a process for the oxidation of an olefin, especially ethylene, to an olefin oxide, especially ethylene oxide.

Abstract: Micelle-templated superficially porous particles having a solid core and an outer porous shell with ordered pore structures and a narrow particle size distribution, such as about ±5% (one sigma), and a high specific surface area of about 5 to about 1000 m2/g.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of catalyst supports presenting a pore volume having an at least bimodal distribution, thus defining a main porosity and a secondary porosity, the main porosity being of an average size greater than the secondary porosity.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst, which process comprises the steps of: i) mixing an alumina precursor with combustible carbon-containing fibers with a diameter in the range of from 0.5 to 5 ?m and a length of no greater than 100 ?m in an amount in the range of from 20 to 40 wt % based on the total dry mixture; ii) adding nitric acid and water to form an extrudable mass; iii) extruding the mixture to form shaped particles; iv) drying the shaped particles; v) heating the particles in an atmosphere comprising no more than 5 vol % oxygen at a temperature in the range of from 350 to 600° C.; and vi) then heating the particles in a gas mixture comprising at least 12 vol % oxygen at a temperature in the range of from 450 to 600° C.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses novel mesoporous compositions comprising vitamin E and alumina, and methods for their synthesis. The mesoporous compositions of the present invention have applications as drug-delivery vehicles.

Abstract: An alumina-based perovskite is formed by mixing a lanthanide source with a transitional alumina to form a dual-phase composition comprising in-situ formed LnAlO3 dispersed in alumina. The lanthanide content of the composition ranges from 6-35 wt. % to yield a high surface area composition which is useful as a catalyst or catalyst support such as for precious metals.

Abstract: A method for producing nano-scale theta (?)-phase alumina microparticles is disclosed. The nano-scale ?-phase alumina microparticles are uniform in particle size and highly phase-pure. They are obtained by controlling the ratio of boehmite mixed with the ?-phase alumina initial powders, followed by at least one phase transformation. Therefore, the nano-scale ?-phase alumina microparticles produced by the present method have more uniform particle size and highly purer phase. As such for the production of nano-scale ?-phase alumina microparticles, the present method saves more process time and cost, and it provides an advantage such as the clean production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for manufacturing alumina hydrates by precipitating aluminum salts in the presence of crystal nuclei of a specific size.

Abstract: A method for producing high porosity boehmite alumina wherein an aqueous boehmite slurry is mixed with an effective amount of a modifier comprising a hydroxide or oxide of an element of group IIIA-VIA on the Periodic Table of Elements and having a pKsp of greater than 11 to produce a precursor mixture and hydrothermally aping the precursor mixture at an elevated temperature under agitation with an effective consumptive power of greater than 1 kW/m3.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making a stabilized transition alumina of enhanced hydrothermal stability, which include the introduction of at least one structural stabilizer; a steaming step before or after the introduction step, wherein steaming is effective in transforming a transition alumina at least partially to boehmite and/or pseudoboehmite; and a calcining step to create a stabilized transition alumina. The combination of the structural stabilizer and the steaming step is believed to impart high hydrothermal stability to the alumina crystal lattice. Particularly preferred structural stabilizers include boron, cobalt, and zirconium. The stabilized transition alumina is useful as a catalyst support for high water partial pressure environments, and is particularly useful for making a catalyst having improved hydrothermal stability. The invention more specifically discloses Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and processes for the production of hydrocarbons from synthesis gas.

Abstract: Compositions for making alpha-alumina supports for, for example, inorganic membranes are described. Methods for controlling the alumina and pore former particle sizes and other process variables are described which facilitate desirable porosity, pore distribution and strength characteristics of the resulting alpha-alumina inorganic membrane supports.

Abstract: The invention involves a process for production of macrostructures of a microporous material. The process is characterized by the fact that seeds formed in or introduced by ion exchange or adsorption to a porous organic ion exchanger with the desired size, shape and porosity are made to grow and form a continuous structure by further deposition of inorganic material from a synthesis solution under hydrothermal conditions. The organic ion exchanger can be eliminated by chemical destruction or dissolution and, in so doing, leaves behind an inorganic microporous structure with the size and shape of the employed organic ion exchanger.

Abstract: This invention is directed to star shaped alumina extrudates with a pore volume in the pores of a diameter over 1000 nm, as determined by mercury porosity, of at least 0.05 ml/g and a total pore volume between 0.5-0.75 ml/g. The extrudates have a length of between 2-8 mm, a length to diameter ratio of between 1-3, a side crushing strength of at least 50 N and a bulk crushing strength of at least 1 MPa.

Abstract: A high-strength ?-alumina formed body with a low soda content, of which pore distribution is controlled, can be provided in an easy and inexpensive manner. The ?-alumina formed body can be produced by a method comprising calcining a gibbsite-phase aluminum hydroxide to obtain rehydratable alumina powder; forming the rehydratable alumina powder in the presence of water to obtain a formed body; maintaining the formed body in the presence of water at about 110-200° C., to rehydrate the formed body; and calcining the rehydrated formed body at about 1200° C. or higher. The ?-alumina formed body is useful as a carrier for catalysts, chemicals, microbes for food leftover disposal and the like.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrorefining catalyst of the present invention has a step of preparing an aluminum solution containing phosphorus in a molar ratio of 0.001 to 0.05 with respect to aluminum; a step of neutralizing the prepared aluminum solution to produce a pseudo-boehmite powder; a step of forming the pseudo-boehmite powder followed by performing calcination at a temperature of not less than 650° C. to obtain a carrier; and a step of carrying a hydrogenation-active metal on the pseudo-boehmite powder or the carrier. The dispersion of the concentration distribution of phosphorus in the carrier of the obtained catalyst is within 10%. This method makes it possible to obtain the hydrorefining catalyst which has a practically sufficient mechanical strength and which has an excellent activity.

Abstract: Mesoporous aluminum oxides with high surface areas have been synthesized using inexpensive, small organic templating agents instead of surfactants. Optionally, some of the aluminum can be framework-substituted by one or more other elements. The material has high thermal stability and possesses a three-dimensionally randomly connected mesopore network with continuously tunable pore sizes. This material can be used as catalysts for dehydration, hydrotreating, hydrogenation, catalytic reforming, steam reforming, amination, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and Diels-Alder synthesis, etc.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a quasi-crystalline boehmite containing additive in a homogeneously dispersed state. Suitable additives are compounds containing elements selected from the group of alkaline earth metals, alkaline metals, rare earth metals, transition metals, actinides, silicon, gallium, boron, titanium, and phosphorus. Said QCBs according to the invention may be prepared in several ways. In general, a quasi-crystalline boehmite precursor and an additive are converted to a quasi-crystalline boehmite containing the additive in a homogeneously dispersed state.

Abstract: The invention provides alumina agglomerates of the type obtained by dehydrating an aluminum hydroxide or oxyhydroxide, agglomerating the alumina obtained, hydrothermally treating the agglomerates and calcining. The invention also provides a catalyst support, an adsorbent material and a catalyst constituted by said agglomerates. The invention also provides methods for preparing said agglomerates.

Abstract: The invention relates to alumina agglomerates of the type obtained by dehydrating an aluminium oxyhydroxide or hydroxide, agglomerating the alumina thus obtained, hydrothermally treating the agglomerates and calcinating same. Said agglomerates are characterised in that: the V37 ? thereof is greater than or equal to 75 ml/100 g, preferably greater than or equal to 80 ml/100 g and, better still, greater than or equal to 85 ml/100 g; the V0.1 ?m thereof is less than or equal to 31 ml/100 g; and the V0.2 ?m thereof is less than or equal to 20 ml/100 g, preferably less than or equal to 15 ml/100 g and, better still, less than or equal to 10 ml/100 g. The invention also relates to a catalyst carrier, an intrinsic catalyst or an absorbent, in particular for use in the petroleum and petrochemical industry, comprising such alumina agglomerates. Moreover, the invention relates to methods for preparing said agglomerates.

Abstract: Mesoporous crystalline alumina compositions and process for the preparation thereof are described. The compositions are useful as catalysts and absorbents.

Abstract: A process for removing trace amounts of moisture and/or one or more impurities from contaminated hydride, inert and non-reactive gases, thus decreasing the concentration of the impurities to parts-per-billion (ppb) or parts-per-trillion (ppt) levels. The gas purifier materials of this invention include thermally activated aluminas, said aluminas including organic alumina materials, modified organic alumina materials, and modified inorganic aluminas. The thermally activated alumina materials of this invention are activated by heating the alumina material at a temperature between about 50° C.–1000° C. in an inert or non-inert atmosphere or in a vacuum and maintaining the activated material in the inert or non-inert atmosphere or in a vacuum atmosphere subsequent to said activation but prior to use.

Abstract: A ?-alumina catalyst support having improved attrition resistance produced by a method comprising the steps of treating a particulate ?-alumina material with an acidic aqueous solution comprising water and nitric acid and then, prior to adding any catalytic material thereto, calcining the treated ?-alumina.

Abstract: High-surface-area alumina honeycombs are subjected to a water vapor pre-treatment to obtain protection from cracking damage on subsequent exposure to aqueous media e.g., aqueous solutions for depositing catalysts on the honeycombs.

Abstract: An activated alumina formed body with a high bulk density and a large macro-pore volume is provided. The activated alumina formed body can be produced by a method comprising the steps of calcining a gibbsite-phase aluminum hydroxide having a median particle size of from about 10 ?m to about 35 ?m and a packed bulk density of from about 1.05 g/cm3 to about 1.3 g/cm3 to obtain an at least partially rehydratable alumina powder; forming the rehydratable alumina powder in the presence of water; maintaining the formed body in the presence of water to rehydrate the formed body; and calcining the rehydrated formed body to obtain an activated alumina formed body. The activated alumina formed body is usable as an adsorbent, a catalyst supporting precious metal or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are a porous material comprising particles without substantial fibrous structure and having pores, the pores having a mean pore diameter in a meson-pore region, sharp pore size distribution, and at least a part of the pores being connected three-dimensionally to form a three-dimensional network structure with random passages, the porous material preferably being of alumina and having a spongy structure or the porous material preferably being an aggregate of particles having an aspect ratio of 3 or less; a process of producing the porous material which includes a step of aging a system capable of becoming an oxide on thermal decomposition; a catalyst for exhaust gas purification having excellent NOx removal performance, high resistance against sulfur poisoning, and satisfactory high-temperature durability which comprises the porous material as a carrier having supported thereon a noble metal and an NOx storage component; and a method of exhaust gas purification using the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrorefining catalyst is used to produce the hydrorefining catalyst which contains an inorganic oxide carrier and a hydrogenation-active metal and which has such a bimodal pore characteristic that pores having pore diameters of not more than 50 nm have a pore volume of not less than 0.4 cm3/g, pores having pore diameters of not less than 50 nm have a pore volume of not less than 0.2 cm3/g, and pores having pore diameters of not less than 1000 nm have a pore volume of not more than 0.1 cm3/g. The method comprises the steps of mixing and forming a pseudo-boehmite powder having a dispersibility index of 0.13 to 0.28, and calcinating the formed pseudo-boehmite under a condition in which the pseudo-boehmite is converted into ?-alumina. The hydrorefining catalyst, which has the bimodal pore characteristic, can be produced easily at low cost.

Abstract: There is provided macrostructures of porous inorganic material which can have controlled size, shape, and/or porosity and a process for preparing the macrostructures. The macrostructures comprise a three-dimension network of particles of porous inorganic materials. The process for preparing the macrostructures involves forming an admixture containing a porous organic ion exchanger and a synthesis mixture capable of forming the porous inorganic material and then converting the synthesis mixture to the porous inorganic material. After formation of the composite material, the porous organic ion exchanger can be removed from the composite material to obtain the macrostructures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an alumina composition having high specific surface area and large pore volume, comprising preparing a reaction mixture having a given molar ratio between a monobasic acid and water by the use of an aluminum source such as acid-containing alumina obtained by heat treatment of aluminum hydroxide in the presence of an acid, bayerite, ?-alumina and ?-alumina, optionally adding an oxygen-containing organic compound or an inorganic polybasic acid as a pore structure controlling agent, performing sol-forming reaction, and then subjecting the product obtained by the sol-forming reaction to an appropriate operation such as alkali addition or heat dehydration treatment.

Abstract: Active alumina catalysts, well suited for the Claus reaction, for the hydrolysis of organosulfur compounds and for catalytically removing objectionable sulfur compounds from gaseous effluents comprised thereof, contain a cocatalytically effective amount of sodium values, such effective amount, expressed by weight of Na2O, ranging from 1,200 ppm to 2,700 ppm.

Abstract: The selectivity and activity of a silver-based olefin epoxidation catalyst is found to be a function of the pore size distribution in the alumina carrier on which it is deposited. Specifically it is found advantageous to provide a carrier which has a minimum of very large pores, (greater than 10 micrometers) and a water absorption of 35 to 55% and a surface area of at least 1.0 m2/g. A method of malting such carriers is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to crystalline boehmitic aluminas the crystallites of which exhibit unusual dimensional differences in the space directions 020 and 120. This invention further relates to a method for preparing such aluminas and the follow-up products obtained therefrom by calcination.

Abstract: Thermally stable transitional alumina particulates retaining high specific surface area after calcination at 1000° C. suitable for the use as catalysts or catalysts supports are produced by treating an aqueous solution containing Al3+ and optionally a doping amount of La3+ (e.g., 0.3 mol. %) with an anion-exchange resin to give a stable hydroxide sol followed by freeze drying of the sol and further thermal dehydration. The resultant stabilized transitional alumina retains high specific surface area at 1000° C., and additionally stabilization is achieved at very low levels of added La.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment media for purifying water, and methods for forming such treatment media. Formation of the treatment media of the present invention entails heating an alumina substrate to a temperature in the range of 375° F. to 300° F. and then depositing a predetermined quantity and concentration of silver onto the activated alumina substrate such that silver ions are released and catalysis reactions occur, thus beneficially ensuring both an immediate and a residual germicidal effect to water that is treated by the treatment media.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrorefining catalyst is used to produce the hydrorefining catalyst which contains an inorganic oxide carrier and a hydrogenation-active metal and which has such a bimodal pore characteristic that pores having pore diameters of not more than 50 nm have a pore volume of not less than 0.4 cm3/g, pores having pore diameters of not less than 50 nm have a pore volume of not less than 0.2 cm3/g, and pores having pore diameters of not less than 1000 nm have a pore volume of not more than 0.1 cm3/g. The method comprises the steps of mixing and forming a pseudo-boehmite powder having a dispersibility index of 0.13 to 0.28, and calcinating the formed pseudo-boehmite under a condition in which the pseudo-boehmite is converted into &ggr;-alumina. The hydrorefining catalyst, which has the bimodal pore characteristic, can be produced easily at low cost.

Abstract: A catalyst support having improved attrition resistance and a catalyst produced therefrom. The catalyst support is produced by a method comprising the step of treating calcined &ggr;-alumina having no catalytic material added thereto with an acidic aqueous solution having an acidity level effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the calcined &ggr;-alumina.

Abstract: The production and selection of precursor mixtures used to produce fine powders and methods for making fine powders using the selected precursor. The precursor mixture comprises at least one metal containing precursor, the metal containing precursor has an average molecular weight of less than 2000 grams per unit mol of the metal, the metal containing precursor has a normal boiling point greater than 350K, and the viscosity of the precursor mixture is between 0.1 to 250 cP. The precursor mixture is processed under conditions that produce a fine powder from the precursor mixture. Fine powders produced are of size less than 100 microns, preferably less than 10 micron, more preferably less than 1 micron, and most preferably less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a novel, highly dispersible aluminium hydrate. It also concerns a process for preparing said aluminium hydrate by precipitation of an aluminium hydrate in a reactor with no back-mixing and preparation of said aluminium hydrate in a reactor with back-mixing. Finally, it concerns the use of said hydrate for the preparation of catalysts or catalyst supports.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to cheaper process for the preparation of quasi-crystalline boehmite containing additive in a homogeneously dispersed state. In this cheaper process an inexpensive quasi-crystalline boehmite precursor is and additive are combined and aged to form a quasi-crystalline boehmite containing additive in a homogeneously dispersed state. Suitable inexpensive quasi-crystalline boehmite precursors are aluminum trihydrate and thermally treated forms thereof and inorganic aluminum salts. Suitable additives are compounds containing elements selected from the group of rare earth metals alkaline earth metals, transition metals, actinides, silicon, gallium, boron, and phosphorus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic process for the destruction of PFC's and HFC's using a catalyst which comprises aluminum oxide that has preferably been stabilized through the addition of a stabilizing agent (such as, titanium, zirconium, or cobalt, or mixtures of these elements). The addition of these elements to the aluminum oxide unexpectedly enhances the catalyst's stability without significantly altering its reactivity. The total amount of stabilizing agent added to the catalyst can be as low as 0.005 parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or as great as 2 or more parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide; so long as there is sufficient aluminum oxide available to effectively catalyze the destruction of the target PFC's and/or HFC's.

Abstract: Bismuth- and phosphorus-containing catalyst supports, naphtha reforming catalysts made from such supports, methods of making both support and catalyst, and a naphtha reforming process using such catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mesoporous gel comprising an alumina matrix in which one or more oxides selected from silica, boron oxide, phosphorus oxide, oxides of metals of groups VIII and VIB, may be uniformly dispersed. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of this gel and its uses as carrier, as catalyst for acid-catalyzed reactions and as hydrotreating catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are a porous material comprising particles without substantial fibrous structure and having pores, the pores having a mean pore diameter in a meson-pore region, sharp pore size distribution, and at least a part of the pores being connected three-dimensionally to form a three-dimensional network structure with random passages, the porous material preferably being of alumina and having a spongy structure or the porous material preferably being an aggregate of particles having an aspect ratio of 3 or less; a process of producing the porous material which includes a step of aging a system capable of becoming an oxide on thermal decomposition; a catalyst for exhaust gas purification having excellent NOx removal performance, high resistance against sulfur poisoning, and satisfactory high-temperature durability which comprises the porous material as a carrier having supported thereon a noble metal and an NOx storage component; and a method of exhaust gas purification using the catalyst.

Abstract: Multiple-component solid compositions including at least two intermingled, different solid oxides or hydroxides are provided which have extremely small crystallite sizes (at least one of the materials exhibits a crystallite size of about zero to 4 nm) and large surface areas. The compositions comprise at least two molecularly intermingled nanocrystalline materials selected from the group consisting of the oxides and hydroxides of the elements of Groups IIA, IIIA, IVA, the transition metals and the lanthanide series of the Periodic Table. The compositions are synthesized by separately preparing alkoxide solutions which are then mixed and hydrolyzed to give a gel; the gel is then treated to yield the desired hydroxide or oxide final composition. The compositions are useful for sorption of target materials such as undesireable compounds or biological materials. Extremely high surface area aluminum oxides having BET surface areas of at least about 700 m2/g are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catalyst, an emission control device, and a method for treating exhaust gas. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises: a catalytic metal component and a macro-pore component. The macro-pore component comprises an oxygen storage component and an aluminum oxide component, wherein the oxygen storage component, the aluminum oxide component, or both comprise pores, and wherein greater than or equal to about 40% of a macro-pore component pore volume, based on a total macro-pore component pore volume, is associated with pores greater than 120 Å in diameter. In one embodiment, the method for treating an exhaust gas comprises: contacting the exhaust gas with the catalyst at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to reduce the concentration of a material in the exhaust gas.