Abstract: A method for regenerating used supported noble metal catalysts, which method includes solvent cleaning the used catalyst by contact with a suitable organic liquid cleaning solvent such as alcohols, ketones and such to remove organic deposits from the catalyst, followed by drying and calcining at elevated temperature to remove any remaining organic deposits from the catalyst, then treating the catalyst with an organo-metallic complex forming agent having ionization constant pK1 greater than about 2.5, such as glycolic acid and the like. The organic-metallic complex forming agent acts to break down large clusters of noble metal particles such as palladium (Pd) and redistributes the metal particles on the catalyst support such as alumina (Al2O3) in the same or other larger pores, so as to increase catalyst surface area and catalytic activity to provide a catalytic activity level at least 80% or even exceeding that of the fresh catalyst.

Abstract: There is provided a process for renewing the activity of used, supported metal catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to form a mixture of hydrocarbons comprising decreasing the hydrocarbon content of the catalyst, impregnating said catalyst under an non-oxidative atmosphere with a solution at least one weak organic acid, preferably a mono- or di-carboxylic acid, to the point where it has absorbed a volume of said solution equal to at least about 10% of its calculated pore volume, oxidizing the catalyst with a gaseous oxidant in the presence of the impregnating solution and activating the catalyst by reduction with hydrogen at elevated temperatures. Optionally, the catalyst is calcined after the oxidation step, and passivated after the activation step. A preferred means of decreasing the hydrocarbon content of the catalyst is contacting it with a hydrogen-containing gas at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a catalyst, in particular a plate-type or honeycomb catalyst, which has been at least partially deactivated by catalyst poisons, is described. The catalyst is treated with a gaseous reducing agent and with a polyfunctional complex-forming agent, so that the catalyst poisons are removed.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of catalyst or catalyst support material in an apparatus in which the treatment is carried out continuously in such a way that the physical and/or chemical conditions change during entry of the catalyst or catalyst support material into the apparatus and/or during exit thereof from the apparatus and/or the catalyst or catalyst support material is transported in the apparatus through zones (5, 6, 7) having different physical and/or chemical conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of desulfurization of a sulfur laden hydrocarbon liquids that comprises contacting the liquid with a sponge nickel metal alloy, removing the sulfur free liquid, regeneration of the alloy by contact with an aqueous solution of an oxidant and reusing the alloy for further desulfurization of additional sulfur laden liquid.

Abstract: Acid addition salts of imidazolidinones are provided as catalysts for transforming a functional group within a first reactant by reaction with a second reactant. Exemplary first reactants are &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carbonyl compounds such as &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketones and &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated aldehydes. Chiral imidazolidinone salts can be used to catalyze enantioselective reactions, such that a chiral product is obtained from a chiral or achiral starting material in enantiomerically pure form.

Abstract: Hydrogen fluoride adducts and ammonium fluorides are used for fluorinating acid chlorides and halocarbon compounds such as chloroalkanes or chloronated ethers. The used adducts can be regenerated and then reused in the fluorination reactions.

Abstract: This invention is to a method of rejuvenating a molecular sieve. The method includes contacting a molecular sieve having a methanol uptake index of less than 1, or a catalyst containing molecular sieve having a methanol uptake index of less than 1, with anhydrous liquid or vapor until the methanol uptake index is increased by at least 10%. The rejuvenated molecular sieve or catalyst can be used to make an olefin product from an oxygenate-containing feedstock. The preferred molecular sieve is a silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieve.

Abstract: Hydrogen fluoride adducts and ammonium fluorides are used for fluorinating acid chlorides and halocarbon compounds such as chloroalkanes or chloronated ethers. The used adducts can be regenerated and then reused in the fluorination reactions.

Abstract: A method for regenerating used supported noble metal catalysts, which method includes solvent cleaning the used catalyst by contact with a suitable organic liquid cleaning solvent such as alcohols, ketones and such to remove organic deposits from the catalyst, followed by drying and calcining at elevated temperature to remove any remaining organic deposits from the catalyst, then treating the catalyst with an organo-metallic complex forming agent having ionization constant pK1 greater than about 2.5, such as glycolic acid and the like. The organic-metallic complex forming agent acts to break down large clusters of noble metal particles such as palladium (Pd) and redistributes the metal particles on the catalyst support such as alumina (Al2O3) in the same or other larger pores, so as to increase catalyst surface area and catalytic activity to provide a catalytic activity level at least 80% or even exceeding that of the fresh catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of replacing water and cyclohexanone with acetic acid in an aqueous solution of catalyst, preferably a cobalt compound. Such an aqueous solution is produced by extracting catalyst with water from a cyclohexanone/water solution of reaction products made by the direct oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid. The replacement of both water and cyclohexanone are conducted in a solvent exchange column, wherein acetic acid dissolves the catalyst, while water vapors force the cyclohexanone into a condenser, followed by a decanter wherein two liquid phases may be formed and separated; an upper liquid phase containing a majority of cyclohexanone and a lower liquid phase containing a majority of water. The cyclohexanone may be removed in a pretreatment zone, wherein also part of the water may be removed, before the concentrated catalyst extract enters the solvent exchange column.

Abstract: A process for recovering cobalt and manganese components from a product stream or a residue stream that resulted from a process which employs a catalyst system containing the cobalt and manganese components for oxidizing pseudocumene to trimellitic acid includes the steps of adding a precipitating agent to the product stream or the residue stream in an effective amount to react with the cobalt and manganese components in the product stream or the residue stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reactivating a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst. Dehydrocyclodimerization catalysts which contain an aluminum phosphate binder can be deactivated when they are exposed to hydrogen at temperatures above 500° C. The instant process restores substantially all of the catalyst's lost activity. The process involves treating the catalyst with a fluid comprising water and drying the catalyst. The process is employed particularly advantageously in combination with coke removal for reactivating catalysts that contain coke deposits and that have also been hydrogen deactivated. This invention also relates to a method of producing a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst that is resistant to hydrogen deactivation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for regenerating a spent aromatics alkylation or transalkylation catalyst comprising a molecular sieve by contacting the spent catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of about 120 to about 600° C. and then contacting the catalyst with an aqueous medium, such as an ammonium nitrate solution, an ammonium carbonate solution or an acetic acid solution.

Abstract: A novel process for the regeneration of a solid adsorbent which is at least partially spent and has a reactive metal (e.g. silver) dispersed thereon is disclosed. The regeneration consists of a step whereby accumulated metal-containing reaction products formed during adsorptive service are removed by stripping the spent or partially spent adsorbent with a suitable stripping solution such as sodium thiosulfate. After detrimental metal-containing deposits are stripped, the adsorbent is then subjected to a reactivation step in which the regenerated adsorbent is contacted with a solution containing a reactive metal compound (e.g. silver nitrate). Reactivating the adsorbent therefore adds an incremental amount of the reactive metal onto the adsorbent. Regeneration of the adsorbent according to the two-step method of the present invention thus effectively prolongs its useful life.

Abstract: Apparatus, materials, and methods for removing ammonia from fluids using metal hydroxides (e.g. zinc hydroxide) and metal loaded media (e.g. zinc loaded ion exchange resins); the metal hydroxides and metal loaded media may be regenerated with a weak acid (pKa between 3 and 7). Alternatively, ammonia is removed from fluids by using H2SO4 and ZnSO4 and metal loaded media; the metal loaded media may be regenerated with H2SO4 and ZnSO4; the ammonia containing H2SO4 and ZnSO4 may be concentrated as necessary to form (NH4)2SO4.ZnSO4.6H2O (ammonium zinc sulfate hexahydrate) crystals. These crystals are removed from the mother liquor and heated to temperatures exceeding 200° C. releasing NH3 and H2O vapor upon the decomposition of the crystals.

Abstract: Provided are high activity catalysts based upon gamma alumina containing substrates impregnated with one or more catalytically active metals which catalysts in addition contain a nanocrystalline phase of alumina of a crystalline size at the surface of less than 25Å. Also provided are processes for preparing such high activity catalysts and various uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are a self-catalytic bath and a method for the deposition of Ni—P alloy on a substrate. The bath comprises nickel sulfate, sodium hypophosphite as a reducing agent, acetic acid as a buffer and traces of lead as a stabilizer. It also includes a citrate used as a complexing agent associated with a gluconate used both as a catalyst and a stabilizer. The disclosed bath makes it possible to tolerate large quantities of hypophosphite and is relatively long-lived. Furthermore, it can be used to prepare large quantities of Ni—P alloy per liter of solution.

Abstract: The process of the present invention is directed to the use of sulfuric acid and/or an organic acid to regenerate spent sorbent from a metal recovery process. The sorbent can be activated carbon.

Abstract: Cobalt and/or manganese is recovered from the ash obtained following incineration of the catalyst containing residue arising from the liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic carboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid. Recovery is effected by contacting the ash with an organic acid or an organic acid anhydride such as acetic anhydride, optionally in the presence of bromide ions (e.g. HBr), so that the cobalt and/or manganese metals are recovered as monocarboxylic acid soluble salts thereof thus permitting recycle thereof to the liquid phase oxidation process.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a catalyst, in particular a plate-type or honeycomb catalyst, which has been at least partially deactivated by catalyst poisons, is described. The catalyst is treated with a gaseous reducing agent and with a polyfunctional complex-forming agent, so that the catalyst poisons are removed.

Abstract: Provided are high activity catalysts based upon gamma alumina containing substrates impregnated with one or more catalytically active metals, which catalysts in addition contain a nanocrystalline phase of alumina of a crystalline size at the surface of less than 25 Å. Also provided are processes for preparing such high activity catalysts and various uses thereof.

Abstract: A method for efficient reclamation of metal catalyst species from aqueous extract streams diaryl cabonate synthesis, comprising treating a metal-containing aqueous extract stream of a mixture from the production of diaryl carbonates with a precipitating agent effective to selective precipitate one or more metal catalyst species from the extract. Use of these methods substantially reduces both financial and environmental concerns for the preparation of diaryl carbonates.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the regeneration of fouled ion exchange (IX) resins. In one embodiment, the fouled resin is treated simultaneously with reducing agent and acid. In a preferred embodiment, fouled resin is treated with reducing agent and then with acid. Use of reducing agent prior to the use of acid results in surprisingly unexpected improved cleaning as compared to simultaneous treatment with reducing agent and acid.

Abstract: A single-stage process is described that includes simultaneously, in a mixture containing an olefin; synthesis gas; a cobalt catalyst in an organic phase; and an aqueous cobalt salt solution; hydroformylating the olefin, and forming and extracting into the organic phase the cobalt catalyst from the aqueous cobalt salt solution. An apparatus is also described that includes a means for carrying out the process. The process is particularly suitable for preparing aldehydes and alcohols.

Abstract: A process for recovering a solution of Co and Mn acetates and other valuable components of a waste residue of used catalyst discharged from a plant for the liquid-phase, homogeneously catalyzed oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds, to produce polycarboxylic aromatic acids. The residue is pyrolized in a reaction zone provided forming molten metal in an electric arc or molten metal furnace under conditions which convert essentially all carbon in the residue mainly to CO, hydrogen and compounds vaporized in an effluent from the reaction zone. The effluent is passed through a liquid-gas-contacting means to yield a quench or scrubber stream. The residue may also be sludge from a pond in which the residue is stored. The alloy recovered is atomized to form a powder metal which is then digested in acetic acid, and/or aqueous hydrogen bromide, and/or mixtures thereof with the quench or scrubber stream, to form the corresponding salts.

Abstract: Self-heating characteristics of a spontaneously combustible catalyst are reduced by treating spontaneously combustible catalysts with oxygen-containing hydrocarbons having at least 12 carbon atoms. The treatment is particularly suitable for reducing the self-heating characteristics of sulfidable metal oxide(s)-containing catalysts, presulfurized catalysts, presulfided catalysts or reduced catalysts. When applied to sulfur-containing catalysts, the treatment gives a catalyst that has suppressed self-heating properties without substantially compromising sulfur retention or activity. Further, a method of safely unloading a catalyst from a reactor is provided where the catalyst in the reactor is treated with a liquid mixture containing oxygen-containing hydrocarbon having at least 12 carbon atoms to wet the catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of activating a catalyst for hydrogenation of anthraquinones or derivatives thereof used in production of hydrogen peroxide comprising the step of treating the catalyst with an acid. The invention also relates to a method of producing hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Oil and oil additives separated from a contaminated solid particulate filter medium, preferably diatomaceous earth particles. Portions of a mixture of oil, oil additives and the filter medium are compressed into pellets that are extracted with liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2 to form a liquid solution. The solution is separated from the pellets and then heated to 20.degree.-60.degree. C. at a superatmospheric pressure to drive off CO.sub.2 gas, which is preferably recycled by compression into liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2.

Abstract: A method for separating oxidation catalysts used for producing trimellitic acid, which comprises the steps of: adding water to a reactor effluent in a volume ratio of water to the reactor effluent of 0:1 to 11:1, the reactor effluent being in a slurry state and resulting from oxidizing pseudocumene with air in an acetic acid and in the presence of cobalt, manganese and bromine catalysts; heating the mixture of water and the reactor effluent to a temperature of 25.degree. to 140.degree. C. to make the slurry be a diluted reactor effluent in a liquid phase; passing the diluted reactor effluent through ion exchange resins, to adsorb cobalt, manganese and bromine ions on the resins; regenerating the resins with an eluting solution; and isolating the oxidation catalysts from an effluent, shows recoveries of at least 99 wt % for cobalt, at least 99 wt % for manganese and at least 90 wt % for bromine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving the effectiveness of a refinery process catalyst. The process comprises treating the refinery process catalyst with an effective amount of reducing agent selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, oximes, hydroxylamines, carbohydrazide, erythorbic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing oxo alcohols and aldehydes by the cobalt catalyzed hydroformylation of C.sub.2 to C.sub.17 linear or branched monoolefins with subsequent hydrogenation of the hydroformylation product, in which oxo process aqueous solutions of cobalt salts are converted to active hydrido cobalt carbonyl species in a preformer reactor under preforming reaction conditions, the improvement characterized by the preformer reactor containing a shell-type, metal on substrate, preformer catalyst.

Abstract: A process for regenerating spent multimetal oxide oxidation catalysts from the catalytic gas-phase oxidation of lower organic compounds and which, in fresh form, contain as basic constituents the elements Mo, W, V and Cu in oxidic form, by the action of oxidizing agents or means and solubilizing, aqueous ammonia to which acetic acid and/or the ammonium salt thereof has been added, with subsequent drying and calcination, comprises quantitatively determining the content of metallic constituents during the process and making this content up to the respective original value.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a water-soluble hydroformylation catalyst system comprising a coupler rhodium hydrogen-carbonyl complex of rhodium and compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 and Ar.sup.3 are individually phenyl or naphthyl, Y.sup.1, Y.sup.2 and Y.sup.3 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen, --OH, --CN, --NO.sub.2 and R.sup.1 R.sup.2 N--, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are individually alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X.sup.1, X.sup.2 and X.sup.3 are individually carboxylate (--COO.sup.-) or sulfonate (--SO.sub.3.sup.-), m.sub.1, m.sub.2 and m.sub.3 are individually integers of 0 to 3, at least one of m.sub.1, m.sub.2 or m.sub.3 being equal to or greater than 1, and n.sub.1, n.sub.2 and n.sub.

Abstract: 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process comprising the steps of:(a) contacting ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of an effective amount of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt catalyst and an effective amount of a lipophilic arsine at a temperature within the range of about 50 to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure within the range of about 500 to about 5000 psig, under reaction conditions effective to produce an intermediate product mixture comprising less than about 15 wt % 3-hydroxypropanal;(b) adding an aqueous liquid to said intermediate product mixture and extracting into said aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: 1,3-Propanediol is prepared in a process comprising the steps of:contacting, in an essentially non-water-miscible organic solvent, ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalytic amount of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt compound and an effective amount of a lipophilic quaternary phosphonium salt promoter at a temperature within the range of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure within the range of about 500 to about 5000 psig, to produce an intermediate product mixture comprising less than 15 wt % 3-hydroxypropanal;adding an aqueous liquid to said intermediate product mixture and extracting into said aqueous liquid a major portion of the 3-hydroxypropanal at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process comprising the steps of:contacting ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of an effective amount of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt catalyst and an effective amount of a lipophilic quaternary ammonium salt at a temperature within the range of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. and a, pressure within the range of about 500 to about 5000 psig, under reaction conditions effective to produce an intermediate product mixture comprising less than 15 wt % 3-hydroxypropanal;adding an aqueous liquid to said intermediate product mixture and extracting into said aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Noble metal or other preformer catalysts used to convert cobalt salts to hydrido cobalt carbonyl for use in the oxonation of olefins are reactivated or regenerated by treatment with a mixture of an aqueous organic acid solution and an alcohol at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. to 170.degree. C. and a pressure of about 13.78 MPa to 31.00 MPa for about 2 to 50 hours.

Abstract: For the impregnation into the pores of a hydrocarbon treatment catalyst of a sulfurizing agent chosen from element sulfur and organic polysulfides with the aid of a solvent, the impregnation process totally or partially comprises a constituent of the olefin or olefin fraction type, e.g., of the vegetable oil type, or a similar constituent. The use of such a constituent makes it possible to significantly reduce the exothermal effect which occurs during presulfurization, compared with the exothermal effects obtained without using such a constituent.

Abstract: In the process for recovery of Group VIII noble metal carbonylation catalyst from a process stream which also contains tar produced during a carbonylation process for carboxylic acid anhydride production, the process stream is diluted with alkyl halide and then extracted with a water, carboxylic acid, iodide salt alkyl halide solution, the iodide salt being a co-promoter derived from the carbonylation process. The recovered noble metal may be recycled to the carbonylation process with iodide salt co-promoter.

Abstract: A three step process for regenerating spent bleaching clays and acid-activated smectite catalyst granules includes: (1) an extraction step to remove a majority of entrained oil, preferably about 75% to about 95% by weight of the entrained oil, when regenerating bleaching clays; (2) an oxidation step to remove the majority of remaining carbonaceous adsorbates which are not removed by the preceding extraction step, and (3) an acid wash step to restore the acidity normally associated with fresh acid-activated bleaching clays. The features of steps 2 and 3 may be combined into a single step by using an appropriate oxidant, for example, a source of acidic protons, such as peracetic acid.

Abstract: A process for the reactivation, or rejuvenation of a nickel-alumina catalyst employed in the production of a gas comprised of an admixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, or synthesis gas, by the conversion, in a reactor, or reaction zone, of light hydrocarbons in a fluidized bed of the catalyst at elevated temperature, in the presence of steam and oxygen. Catalyst reactivation is accomplished by withdrawing a portion of the catalyst from the fluidized bed of the reactor and treating the catalyst in an oxidation zone at temperature sufficient to oxidize and convert the nickel component of the catalyst to nickel aluminate and disperse said nickel aluminate within the alumina support, and then recycling the treated catalyst to the reactor, or reaction zone, to reactivate and increase the activity of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for regenerating deactivated metal oxide catalysts comprising at least one of the elements antimony, iron, bismuth, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and/or uranium and a peptizable carrier, comprises the steps of:a) grinding the metal oxide catalyst in the presence of water to a particle size of from 10 nm to 10 .mu.m,b) heating the aqueous suspension of the metal oxide catalyst of stage a) to 30-100.degree. C. and adding an acid which peptizes the carrier,c) spray drying the acidic suspension of the metal oxide catalyst,d) heating the fluidizable metal oxide catalyst particles of stage c) to 500.degree.-850.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of treating spent selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst is provided, which method comprises contacting the spent catalyst with a solution comprising a SCR catalyst metal salt, preferably a vanadium salt, and heating the catalyst contacted with the metal salt solution at a calcination temperature in the presence of oxygen. Preferably, after treatment with the metal salt solution, the catalyst is dried with air for at least about 10 seconds and heated to a temperature in the range of about 130.degree. F. to about 170.degree. F. for a period of about 30 minutes to about 90 minutes before heating to the calcination temperature.

Abstract: Chemically and thermally stable monolithic catalysts are disclosed having platinum or alkali metal-vanadium active phases for use in the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. The platinum catalyst comprises a foraminous ceramic support which has at its wall surfaces a high surface area substrate for an active catalyst phase, and a combination of a platinum active phase and a promoter on the substrate. The substrate preferably comprises silica, provided, for example, by application of a silica washcoat. The promoter is selected from among compounds of zirconium, hafnium and titanium.The alkali-vanadium catalyst comprises a foraminous ceramic support having a porous silica substrate for the active phase at its foraminal wall surfaces. An alkali metal-vanadium active catalyst is in the pores of the porous silica.

Abstract: A process is shown for deabsorbing oil from an oil absorbent material. A citric oil-in-water emulsion is formulated having an aqueous external phase and having a dispersed internal phase which is comprised of a distilled citric oil. The hydrocarbon contaminated material is immersed within the citric oil-in-water emulsion, whereby absorbed hydrocarbons are extracted from the oil absorbent material.

Abstract: A process for improving the catalytic activity of a partially deactivated solubilized rhodium-tertiary organophosphine complex hydroformylation catalyst by treating it with propargyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reactivating a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst. Dehydrocyclodimerization catalysts which contain an aluminum phosphate binder can be deactivated when they are exposed to hydrogen at temperatures above 500.degree. C. The instant process restores substantially all of the catalyst's lost activity. The process involves treating the catalyst with an aqueous solution of a weakly acidic ammonium salt or a dilute acid solution at a temperature of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. for a time of about 1 to about 48 hours. An ammonium nitrate solution is preferred. Next the catalyst is calcined at a temperature of about 500.degree. to about 700.degree. C. for a time of about 1 to about 15 hours to provide a reactivated catalyst. The catalyst can be reactivated several times using this process.

Abstract: A spent metal contaminated zeolite-containing catalytic cracking catalyst composition is reactivated by a process which comprises contacting with (a) dissolved lactic acid and either (b1) at least one dissolved calcium compound or, alternatively, (b2) at least one dissolved tin compound and at least one dissolved phosphorus compound.

Abstract: A spent metal-contaminated zeolite-containing catalytic cracking catalyst is reactivated by a process which comprises contacting the spent catalyst with at least one dissolved carboxylic acid and at least one antimony compound.