Abstract: A substrate having a catalytic surface thereon characterized as a coating of metal oxide and noble metal particles in the nominal diameter size distribution range of <3 microns, and more particularly <1 micron, is produced by thermal spraying a mixture of large size particles (e.g., in a nominal size distribution range of >10 micrometers) of hydroxides, carbonates or nitrates of the metals: cerium, aluminum, tin, manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, praseodymium or terbium particles; and hydroxides, carbonates or nitrates of the noble metals: ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, iridium, platinum and gold onto the substrate. The coating adheres to the surface and provides desirable catalyst properties.

Abstract: Raney alloy catalysts applied to a support are described, said catalysts having an extremely thin layer of Raney alloy with a thickness of 0.01 to 100 ?m. These catalysts are prepared by vapor deposition of the appropriate metals under reduced pressure. They are generally suitable for all known hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions and are extremely abrasion-resistant.

Abstract: A method for uniformly dispersing noble metal particles on a porous carrier by first mixing an alkoxide product of aluminum or silicon and a noble metal precursor together; then mixing a surfactant into the mixture; then mixing ammonia solution into the mixture to form a hydroxide of aluminum or silicon; then mixing a reducing agent into the mixture to convert the noble metal precursor into noble metal nanoparticles dispersed on the hydroxide; then separating the noble metal nanoparticles and the hydroxide from the mixture before calcining the hydroxide into an oxide of aluminum or silicon.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst with monolayer or sub-monolayer metal by controlling the wetting characteristics on the support surface and increasing the adhesion between the catalytic metal and an oxide layer. There are two methods that have been demonstrated by experiment and supported by theory. In the first method, which is useful for noble metals as well as others, a negatively-charged species is introduced to the surface of a support in sub-ML coverage. The layer-by-layer growth of metal deposited onto the oxide surface is promoted because the adhesion strength of the metal-oxide interface is increased. This method can also be used to achieve nanoislands of metal upon sub-ML deposition. The negatively-charged species can either be deposited onto the oxide surface or a compound can be deposited that dissociates on, or reacts with, the surface to form the negatively-charged species.

Abstract: A pretreatment method for increasing the average pore size of a catalyst support is disclosed which increases the diffusivity and effectiveness factor ?. The pretreatment method includes calcining the support in moisturized air at an elevated temperature sufficient to increase the average pore size. In some embodiments, the support may be treated with an acidic/basic solution prior to the calcination step. Alternatively, the calcination step may occur in a gas mixture including water/air/acidic (or basic) gases.

Abstract: A process is described for the upgrading of hydrocarbon mixtures which boil within the naphtha range containing sulfur impurities, i.e. a hydrodesulfuration process with contemporaneous skeleton isomerization and reduced hydrogenation degree of the olefins contained in said hydrocarbon mixtures, the whole process being carried out in a single step. The process is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a metal of group VIB, a metal of group VIII and a carrier of acid nature consisting of a mesoporous silico-alumina.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt based catalyst precursor includes, in a support impregnation stage, impregnating a coated catalyst support comprising porous catalyst support particles coated with carbon, with a cobalt salt, and partially drying the impregnated support. Thereafter, in a calcination stage, the partially dried impregnated support is calcined, to obtain the cobalt based catalyst precursor. The cobalt based catalyst precursor can then, in a reduction stage, be reduced to obtain a cobalt based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Abstract: A method and system for the in situ synthesis of a combinatorial library including impregnating a first component with a second component. The method and system advantageously may be employed in the synthesis of materials for screening for usefulness as a catalyst.

Abstract: A cobalt based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst which including a porous catalyst support and metallic cobalt crystallites within the support. The catalyst has a proportion of its cobalt in reducible form, with this proportion being expressible as &OHgr; mass %, based on the total pre-reduction catalyst mass. The catalyst also has, when freshly reduced, a mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution, a metallic cobalt surface area, in m2 per gram of catalyst, of from 0.14 &OHgr; to 1.03 &OHgr;, and a catalyst geometry that ensures a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 0.9 or greater.

Abstract: A cobalt catalyst precursor includes a catalyst support impregnated with cobalt. All reducible cobalt is present in the support as supported cobalt oxide of formula-unit CoOaHb, where a≧1,7 and b≧0. A process for preparing a cobalt catalyst precursor, and a process for preparing a cobalt catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preparing spherical oxide particles comprising the steps of shaping a starting material comprising an oxide hydrate into particles of substantially constant length by leading the material to a set of two rolls rotating towards each other followed by leading the material to a roll equipped with grooves to form rod-type shapes, cutting the rod-type shapes into particles of substantially constant length, converting the thus formed particles into spheres, and heating the particles to convert the oxide hydrate into an oxide. The process results in particles in which there is substantially no difference in density between the core portion and the shell portion of the particles, which results in a high abrasion resistance. The particles prepared by the claimed process are particularly suitable for the preparation of hydroprocessing catalysts, more in particular for the preparation of hydroprocessing catalysts suitable for the hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feeds.

Abstract: A composition is provided that can be used, for example, in a fuel processor for a fuel cell system. The composition includes a first material such as a catalyst, and a second material such as a desiccant. The second material is capable of sorbing and desorbing a heat transfer material such as water, and is present in an amount sufficient to sorb an amount of the heat transfer material sufficient to remove a portion of the heat generated when the first material undergoes an exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A modified carrier carrying on at least a part of an inert carrier surface an oxide which is represented by the formula (1): XaYbZcOd (wherein X is at least an element selected from alkaline earth metals; Y is at least an element selected from Si, Al, Ti and Zr; Z is at least an element selected from Group IA elements and Group IIIb elements of the periodic table, B, Fe, Bi, Co, Ni and Mn; and O is oxygen; a, b, c and d denote the atomic ratios of X, Y, Z and O, respectively, where a=1, 0<b≦100, 0≦c≦10, and d is a numerical value determined by the extents of oxidation of the other elements) is provided. A catalyst formed with the use of this modified carrier carrying a complex oxide containing Mo and V is useful as a vapor-phase catalytic oxidation catalyst, and is particularly suitable as a catalyst for preparing acrylic acid through vapor phase catalytic oxidation of acrolein.

Abstract: An exhaust gas emission purifying catalyst has a catalyst layer (20) supported on a carrier (10). The catalyst layer includes a composite oxide, in which noble metals and occluding agents are mixed in order to inhibit the movement of the occluding agents even at high temperatures and to prevent deterioration of the purifying performance of the catalyst after operation at a high temperature. The composite oxide is comprised of silicon (Si) and at least one of cobalt (Co), zirconium (Zr), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn).

Abstract: A silica-based photocatalyst fiber having visible-light activity, which fiber comprises a composite oxide phase comprising an oxide phase (first phase) mainly made of a silica component and a titania phase (second phase), wherein the second phase contains a metal element other than titanium and the existent ratio of the second phase slopingly increases towards the surface of the fiber, and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion catalyst contains at least one silica-alumina having the following characteristics: A content by weight of silica SiO2 of between 10 and 60% by weight; an Na content less than 300 ppm by weight; a total pore volume of between 0.5 and 1.2 m/g measured by mercury porosimetry; a porosity of said silica-alumina wherein: the volume of mesopores whose diameter is between 40 Å and 150 Å, and whose mean diameter varies between 80 and 120 Å represents between 30 and 80% of the total pore volume, and (ii) the volume of macropores, whose diameter is greater than 500 Å and preferably between 1000 Å and 10,000 Å represents between 20 and 80% of the total pore volume; a specific surface area greater than 200 m2/g, and at least one hydro-dehydrogenating element selected metals of group VIB and group VIII, and optionally phosphorus, boron, silicon, or elements of group VIIA, VIIB or VB.

Abstract: A lean NOx catalyst and method of preparing the same is disclosed. The lean NOx catalyst includes a ceramic substrate, an oxide support material, preferably &ggr;-alumina, deposited on the substrate and a metal promoter or dopant introduced into the oxide support material. The metal promoters or dopants are selected from the group consisting of indium, gallium, tin, silver, germanium, gold, nickel, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, cerium, vanadium, oxides thereof, and combinations thereof. The &ggr;-alumina preferably has a pore volume of from about 0.5 to about 2.0 cc/g; a surface area of between about 80 to 350 m2/g; an average pore size diameter of between about 3 to 30 nm; and an impurity level of less than or equal to 0.2 weight percent. In a preferred embodiment the &ggr;-alumina is prepared by a sol-gel method, with the metal doping of the &ggr;-alumina preferably accomplished using an incipient wetness impregnation technique.

Abstract: A sorbent composition is provided which can be used in the desulfurization of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid such as cracked gasoline or diesel fuel. The sorbent composition contains a support component and a promoter component with the promoter component being present as a skin on the support component. Such sorbent composition is prepared by a process of impregnating a support component with a promoter component, wherein the promoter component has been melted under a melting condition, followed by drying, calcining, and reducing to thereby provide the sorbent composition.

Abstract: Compositions for reduction of gas phase reduced nitrogen species and NOx generated during a partial or incomplete combustion catalytic cracking process, preferably, a fluid catalytic cracking process, are disclosed. The compositions comprise (i) an acidic metal oxide containing substantially no zeolite, (ii) an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and mixtures thereof, (iii) an oxygen storage component, and (iv) a noble metal component, preferably rhodium or iridium, and mixtures thereof, are disclosed. Preferably, the compositions are used as separate additives particles circulated along with the circulating FCC catalyst inventory. Reduced emissions of gas phase reduced nitrogen species and NOx in an effluent off gas of a partial or incomplete combustion FCC regenerator provide for an overall NOx reduction as the effluent gas stream is passed from the FCC regenerator to a CO boiler, whereby as CO is oxidized to CO2 a lesser amount of the reduced nitrogen species is oxidized to NOx.

Abstract: A modified carrier carrying on at least a part of an inert carrier surface an oxide which is represented by the formula (1): XaYbZcOd (wherein X is at least an element selected from alkaline earth metals; Y is at least an element selected from Si, Al, Ti and Zr; Z is at least an element selected from Group IA elements and Group IIIb elements of the periodic table, B, Fe, Bi, Co, Ni and Mn; and O is oxygen; a, b, c and d denote the atomic ratios of X, Y, Z and O, respectively, where a=1, 0<b≦100, 0≦c≦10, and d is a numerical value determined by the extents of oxidation of the other elements) is provided. A catalyst formed with the use of this modified carrier carrying a complex oxide containing Mo and V is useful as a vapor phase catalytic oxidation catalyst, and is particularly suitable as a catalyst for preparing acrylic acid through vapor phase catalytic oxidation of acrolein.

Abstract: A method for producing small spherical particles that are especially useful as catalysts and catalyst supports employed in chemical processes is disclosed. According to some embodiments, the method includes impregnating a porous support with a metal or metal oxide and dissolving the support to release spherical particles. In certain embodiments the support that is employed in the method comprises a number of spherical voids which determine the size of the spherical particles, and preferably have micrometer range diameters. One embodiment of an attrition resistant Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprises a plurality of micrometer size spherical metal and/or metal oxide particles that are prepared according to the above-described method.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrotreating catalyst which relates to the production of a solid catalyst composed of a carrier impregnated with an active component, to give a catalyst for hydrotreating hydrocarbon oils, which contains a large quantity of a hydrogenation-active component and uniform, crystalline composite metal compound, and shows high catalytic activity.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for increasing the cobalt surface area per gram of catalyst in a cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, supported on a silica-based carrier material, by using cobalt amine carbonate precursors. A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst preferably includes a catalytically active first metal containing cobalt, and a carrier material containing silica or a silica compound with a cobalt surface area greater than 13 m2/g catalyst. The catalyst active in the FT reaction has a minimum alpha value of 0.87 and a CO conversion of 24 wt % or more. In accordance with another preferred embodiment, a process for producing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst includes saturating silica or silica compounds with a solution of cobalt amine carbonate, removing the excess solution by filtration, heating the resulting product in order to allow cobalt hydroxycarbonate to precipitate, and drying and calcining the resulting product. Optionally the calcined product is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts in mesoporous structures. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a method for encapsulating a dispersed insoluble compound in a mesoporous structure comprising combining a soluble oxide precursor, a solvent, and a surfactant to form a mixture; dispersing an insoluble compound in the mixture; spray-drying the mixture to produce dry powder; and calcining the powder to yield a porous structure comprising the dispersed insoluble compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalysts comprising cobalt supported on a solid silica support and, in particular, to a method for manufacturing such catalysts. The catalysts may be prepared by slurrying a silica powder or impregnating a silica particle with a solution of a cobalt compound, cobalt amine carbonate, and aging the resulting slurry or solid at elevated temperature; the cobalt amine carbonate is decomposed and precipitated as basic cobalt carbonate onto the silica support. Preferably, the catalysts have a cobalt surface area in the range of 25 to >100 m2 per gram total cobalt. The catalyst may be used in hydrogenation reactions, Fischer-Tropsch reactions and oxidation reactions.

Abstract: Composite of at least two metal oxides in the form of Primary Particles and a support having a particle size greater than the Primary Particles used in the formation of a catalyst composition for the treatment of a pollutant containing gas.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C9+ aromatic compound such as, for example, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon such as a xylene are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, a metal oxide, and a coke suppressor selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, phosphorus oxides, boron oxides, magnesium oxides, tin oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, molybdenum oxides, germanium oxides, indium oxides, lanthanum oxides, cesium oxides, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C9+ aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C9+ aromatic compound to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalysts comprising cobalt supported on a solid silica support and, in particular, to a method for manufacturing such catalysts. The catalysts may be prepared by slurrying a silica powder or impregnating a silica particle with a solution of a cobalt compound, cobalt amine carbonate, and aging the resulting slurry or solid at elevated temperature; the cobalt amine carbonate is decomposed and precipitated as basic cobalt carbonate onto the silica support. Preferably, the catalysts have a cobalt surface area in the range of 25 to >100 m2 per gram total cobalt. The catalyst may be used in hydrogenation reactions, Fischer-Tropsch reactions and oxidation reactions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a catalyst comprising at least two group VIII metals, chlorine, fluorine, and at least one amorphous oxide matrix. The catalytic composition is such that the fluorine content is 1.5% by weight or more of the total catalyst mass. The invention also concerns the use of this catalyst in hydrogenating aromatic compounds contained in feeds comprising sulphurated compounds.

Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst and a process for hydrogenating an unsaturated polymer comprising contacting the unsaturated polymer with a hydrogenating agent in the presence of a mixed hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the mixed hydrogenation catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal component and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a rhenium, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum and niobium component.

Abstract: An acidic amorphous silica-amumina has a large specific surface area and a large pore volume. A carrier complex and a hydrotreating catalyst containing acidic amorphous silica-alumina, in particular a hydrocracking catalyst containing acidic amorphous silica-alumina in combination with a modified zeolite-Y, treats petroleum hydrocarbon materials to produce middle distillates. The amorphous silica-alumina has a SiO2 content of 10-50 wt. %, a specific surface area of 300-600 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.8-1.5 ml/g and an IR acidity of 0.25-0.60 mmol/g. The catalyst shows a relatively high activity and mid-distillate selectivity and can be particularly used in hydrocracking process for producing mid-distillates with a higher yield.

Abstract: It is disclosed a new catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins comprising the product obtainable by contacting the following components: (A) one or more compounds of a late transition metal belonging to Group 8-11 of the Periodic Table; and (B) the reaction product of water with one or more organometallic aluminum compounds of formula (IV): Al(CH2—CR3R4R5)xR6yHz, wherein R3 is a C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl or C7-C20 alkylaryl radical; R4 is different from a straight alkyl and is a C3-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkylaryl or C7-C20 arylalkyl radical; or R3 and R4 form together a C4-C6 ring; R5 is hydrogen or a C1-C20 alkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkylaryl or arylalkyl radical; R6 is a C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkylaryl or C7-C20 arylalkyl radical; x is 1-3; z is 0-1; and y is 3−x−z; the molar ratio between said organometallic aluminum compound and water being comprised between 0.5:1 and 100:1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrogenation catalyst and a process for hydrogenating an aromatic polymer having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 40,000 to less than 120,000 comprising contacting the aromatic polymer with a hydrogenating agent in the presence of a silica supported metal hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the silica has a pore size distribution such that at least 95 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameter from 300 to 1000 angstroms, less than 4 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having a diameter of 200 angstroms or less and at least 80 percent aromatic hydrogenation is achieved.

Abstract: The invention concerns a catalyst comprising at least one matrix, at least one dioctahedral 2:1 phyllosilicate which is optionally synthesised in a fluorine-containing medium and optionally bridged, at least one metal selected from elements from group VIB and/or group VIII of the periodic table, boron and/or silicon, optionally phosphorous, optionally at least one group VIIA element, and optionally at least one group VIIB element. The invention also concerns the use of the catalyst for hydrocracking hydrocarbon-containing feeds.

Abstract: Complexes of a metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and certain silane-functional complexing agents provide a method whereby supported, active metal cyanide catalysts can be prepared. The catalysts are useful alkylene oxide polymerization catalysts that are easily separated from the polymerization product and recycled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrotreating catalyst composed of a carrier having a Brønsted acid content of at least 50 &mgr;mol/g such as a silica-alumina carrier or a silica-alumina-third component carrier, in which the silica is dispersed to high degree and a Brønsted acid content is at least 50 &mgr;mol/g, and at least one active component (A) selected from the elements of Group 8 of the Periodic Table and at least one active component (B) selected from the elements of Group 6 of the Periodic Table, supported on said carrier. The present invention also relates to a method for hydrotreating hydrocarbon oils using the same. The hydrotreating catalyst of the present invention provides excellent tolerance to the inhibiting effect of hydrogen sulfide, high desulfurization activity, and exhibits notable effects for deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon oils containing high contents of sulfur, in particular gas oil fractions containing difficult-to-remove sulfur compounds.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons by contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons. The process is characterized by using a catalyst prepared by a method involving (1) forming a catalyst gel by destabilizing an aqueous colloid comprising (a) at least one catalytic metal for Fischer-Tropsch reactions (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel and/or ruthenium), (b) colloidal cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide and/or aluminum oxide, and optionally (c) Al(OR)3, Si(OR)4, Ti(OR)4 and/or Zr(OR)4 where each R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and (2) drying the gel.

Abstract: A catalyst for the production of alkenylaromatics from alkylaromatics, wherein the catalyst is predominantly iron oxide, an alkali metal compound and less than about 100 ppm of a source for a noble metal, such as palladium, platinum, ruthenium, rhenium, osmium, rhodium or iridium. Additional components of the catalyst may include compounds based on cerium, molybdenum, tungsten and other such promoters. Also a process for the production of alkenylaromatics from alkylaromatics using this catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amorphous microporous mixed oxides, characterized by having, in dried form, a narrow pore size distribution (half width <.+-.10% of the pore diameter) of micropores with diameters in the range of <3 nm and a total surface area of between 20 and 1000 m.sup.2 /g, containing a fraction of from 0.1 to 20% by weight of non-hydrolyzable organic groups, and to a process for the preparation of such oxides.

Abstract: A catalyst suitable for preparing aliphatic alpha, omega-aminonitriles by partial hydrogenation of aliphatic dinitriles comprises(a) metallic cobalt, a cobalt compound or a mixture thereof, the proportion of metallic cobalt based on (a) being from 20 to 100% by weight,(b) from 10 to 70% by weight, based on (a), of metallic iron, iron oxide, a further iron compound or a mixture thereof, the proportion of iron oxide based on (b) being from 20 to 100% by weight,(c) from 0 to 1% by weight, based on (a), of a compound based on an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or zinc.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst which is highly active for the synthesis of hydrocarbons from mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A silica or silica-containing support is treated with a solution containing both an Iron Group metal, or metals, and nitrous acid, nitric acid, or a nitro-containing organo, or nitro-containing hydrocarbyl compound, or compounds, sufficient to hydroxylate the surface thereof and increase the number of hydroxyl groups on the surface of the support such that the metal component will be highly dispersed, this increasing the activity of the catalyst in a hydrocarbon synthesis reaction as contrasted with that of a catalyst of similar composition, similarly prepared except that the support component of the catalyst was not contacted and simultaneously treated with both the Iron Group metal and the acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing catalysts, containing metals of groups VI and VIII on a carrier. The metals of groups VI and VIII metals are introduced in the form of a compound of formula M.sub.x A B.sub.12 O.sub.40 in which M is cobalt and/or nickel, A is phosphorus, silicon and/or boron, B is molybdenum and/or tungsten and x is 2 or more, 2.5 or more, or 3 or more depending on whether A is respectively phosphorus, silicon or boron. The catalysts thus obtained are useful for hydro-treating hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: A mixed oxide solid composition of formula (I):Mo.sub.12 W.sub.a Bi.sub.b Fe.sub.c Co.sub.d Ni.sub.e Si.sub.f K.sub.g Sn.sub.h O.sub.x (I)where O.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.5, 0.5.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.5, 0.1.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.10, 0.5.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.10, 0.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.10, 0.ltoreq.f.ltoreq.15, 0.ltoreq.g.ltoreq.1, 0.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2 and x is the quantity of oxygen bonded to the other elements and depends on their oxidation states, is used in the manufacture of acrolein by oxidizing propylene, the solid composition reacting with propylene according to the redox reaction (1):solid.sub.oxidized +propylene.fwdarw.solid.sub.reduced +acrolein(I)To manufacture acrolein, gaseous propylene is passed over a solid composition of formula (I), to conduct the redox reaction (1) by operating at a temperature of 200 to 600.degree. C., at a pressure of 1.01.times.10.sup.4 to 1.01 to 10.sup.6 Pa (0.1 to 10 atmospheres) and with a residence time of 0.01 second to 90 seconds, in the absence of molecular oxygen.

Abstract: A catalyst composition containing cobalt and tantalum on an inert carrier, and having utility in Fischer-Tropsch syntheses.

Abstract: The amount of high molecular weight impurity present in a polyether polyol produced by alkoxylation of an active hydrogen-containing initiator using a double metal cyanide complex catalyst may be advantageously lowered by treating the catalyst prior to use in polymerization with a silylating agent. Suitable silylating agents include trialkyl halosilanes and trialkyl alkyoxysilanes. The higher purity polyether polyols thereby produced are particularly useful in the preparation of slab and molded polyurethane foams, which tend to collapse or become excessively tight when elevated levels of high molecular tail are present in the polyether polyol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the direct oxidation of sulphur compounds into elemental sulphur and/or into sulphates at a temperature below 200.degree. C., in which a supported catalyst whose catalytically active phase comprises copper is used, the copper element being present in a content of at least 2% by weight relative to the catalyst and of at least 15 by weight relative to the sum of the elements of the catalytically active phase.The use of a catalyst of this type ensures a high conversion of the H.sub.2 S while at the same time minimizing the conversion into SO.sub.2.

Abstract: Shaped catalyst compositions are disclosed comprising (i) at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, cobalt and iron, (ii) calcium silicate and (iii) at least one clay material. Also disclosed are a process for preparing the foregoing shaped compositions and a process for hydrogenating aldehydes, ketone, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters and nitro aroniate compounds using these shaped catalysts.

Abstract: Processes and catalysts for conducting Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR). One aspect of the invention involves the use of cobalt catalysts without noble metal promotion in an SBCR. Another aspect involves using palladium promoted cobalt catalysts in an SBCR. Methods for preparing noble metal promoted catalysts via totally aqueous impregnation and procedures for producing attrition resistant catalysts are also provided.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer (PFIEP) containing pendant metal cation exchanged sulfonate groups, metal cation exchanged carboxylate groups, or metal cation exchanged sulfonate and carboxylate groups, wherein the metal cation may be ligand coordinated, and optionally pendant sulfonic acid groups, carboxylic acid groups, or sulfonic acid and carboxylic acid groups, the PFIEP being entrapped within and highly dispersed throughout a network of metal oxide, a network of silica or a network of metal oxide and silica can be prepared from PFIEP and one or more precursors selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide precursor, a silica precursor, and a metal oxide and silica precursor using an in situ process. Preferred metal cations are Cr, Sn, Al, Fe, Os, Co, Zn, Hg, Li, Na, Cu, Pd or Ru. Such microcomposites have a first set of pores having a pore size diameter ranging from about 0.

Abstract: A novel aqueous solution for the one step impregnation of catalytic supports, catalysts prepared from such solution, and the preparation and the use of catalysts prepared thereby. The catalysts prepared are used in the hydrotreatment of petroleum fractions and particularly in hydrodesulfurization and/or denitrogenization. The solution is a combination of at least one compound of a metal from group IVa (e.g. Zr), at least one compound of a metal from group VIa (e.g. Mo or W), at least one compound of a metal from group VIII (e.g. Co or Ni), and at least one water soluble amine (e.g. ethylenediamine or MEA).