Abstract: A reactor and heat exchanger assembly is provided with the heat exchanger integrally affixed to the reactor exit head and adapted to immediately cool reactor gases from the reactor.

Abstract: A method to achieve a controlled start-up temperature of an expoxidation process which exceeds the maximum achievable temperature of the epoxidation reactor relative to using an external heat source. The method of the present invention employs an oxidation reaction within the reactor to bring the temperature of the reactor to a temperature that is suitable for conditioning a high selectivity catalyst. The method of the present invention includes first bringing a reactor including a high selectivity catalyst to a first temperature using the external heat source to the reactor, while staying within the reactor design limitations and maintaining a gas flow to the reactor that is within 25 to 100% of the design rates. Once the reactor has achieved the first temperature, at least an olefin, e.g., ethylene, and then oxygen are introduced to the reactor feed gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to shaped porous bodies of alpha-alumina platelets which are useful as catalyst carriers, filters, membrane reactors, and preformed bodies for composites. This invention also relates to processes of making such shaped bodies and processes for modifying the surface composition of alpha-alumina.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst system which is a mixture of at least two catalytic species, the first catalytic species being a dehydrogenation catalyst and the second catalytic species being an epoxidation catalyst and comprising silver. The present invention also relates to a process for the production of epoxides, in particular a process for the production of an epoxide from an alkane or a mixture comprising an alkane and an alkene, which process comprises contacting said alkane or mixture comprising said alkane and said alkene and a source of oxygen with such a catalyst system comprising a mixture of at least two catalytic species, the first catalytic species providing dehydrogenation activity and the second catalytic species providing epoxidation activity and comprising silver.

Abstract: The present invention if for a catalyst for epoxidation of an alkene, such as ethylene, to an alkene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, on which silver has been deposited on alumina as a support which has been modified with certain weak base compounds, such as oxides of a Group 1A, Group 2A, Group 3A or the first transition series of the Periodic Table of Elements, and with a high temperature heat treatment. Optional promoters selected from the group consisting of compounds of Group 1A, Group 2A, Group 7A and Group 8 may be contacted with the alpha-alumina support in solution with a silver compound, with the catalyst precursor before calcination or with the catalyst after calcination. The catalyst is brought into contact with alkene and oxygen under reaction conditions to selectively convert the alkene to an alkene oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catalytic method of converting alkenes to epoxides. This method generally includes reacting alkenes with oxygen in the presence of a specific silver catalyst under conditions suitable to produce a yield of the epoxides. The specific silver catalyst is a silver nanocrystal having a plurality of surface planes, a substantial portion of which is defined by Miller indices of (100). The reaction is performed by charging a suitable reactor with this silver catalyst and then feeding the reactants to the reactor under conditions to carry out the reaction. The reaction may be performed in batch, or as a continuous process that employs a recycle of any unreacted alkenes. The specific silver catalyst has unexpectedly high selectivity for epoxide products. Consequently, this general method (and its various embodiments) will result in extraordinarily high epoxide yields heretofore unattainable.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of ethylene oxide through the epoxidation of ethylene using a catalyst comprising silver and at least one efficiency-enhancing salt of a member of a redox-half reaction pair. Added to the epoxidation reaction is a two-component gas-phase promoter system comprising a chlorine-containing component (for example ethyl chloride, methyl chloride, vinyl chloride and ethylene dichloride), and a nitrogen-containing component of nitric oxide and other compounds capable of generating under reaction conditions at least one gaseous efficiency-enhancing member of a redox-half reaction pair comprising NO, NO2, N2O3 or N2O4. The amount of each component of said gaseous promoter is adjusted to maintain the ration of N* to Z* less than or equal to 1 wherein, N* is the nitric oxide equivalent in ppmv, ranging from 1 to 20 ppmv and Z*=ethyl chloride equivalent (ppmv)*100 percent/ethane equivalent (mol percent)*100 ranging from 5 to 40 ppmv.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the epoxidation of an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a transition metal zeolite, and a noble metal catalyst comprising a noble metal and an ion-exchange resin. The process is highly productive and selective in making epoxides. A noble metal catalyst comprising a cation-exchanged resin further improves the productivity and/or the selectivity of the process.

Abstract: A carrier that may be used in the manufacture of an olefin epoxidation catalyst is provided that is prepared from a process involving depositing boron on the carrier and subsequently calcining the carrier. Also provided is an olefin epoxidation catalyst comprising a silver component deposited on such a calcined carrier. Also provided is a process for the epoxidation of an olefin employing such a catalyst and a process for producing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, or an alkanolamine employing the olefin oxide.

Abstract: A catalyst for producing alkylene oxide including fine metal silver particles dispersed and supported on a carrier, wherein not less than 90% of the fine metal silver particles have silver particle diameters of 2 to 100 nm, is disclosed. The catalyst can be produced by impregnating a carrier with a liquid containing a silver compound or a silver ion; drying the carrier; and then irradiating the carrier with microwave to form fine metal silver particles in dispersed state on the carrier. This catalyst is used for producing olefin oxide by contact gas-phase oxidation of olefin by a molecular-oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the epoxidation of an olefinic compound, which is characterised in that it comprises an oxidation reaction of at least one olefinic compound containing one or more double bonds C?C with oxygen in the presence of one or more reaction initiating agents, at least one catalyst containing at least one metal that is selected from a noble metal, a transition metal and mixtures of same, and at least one hydrocarbon that is selected from one or more branched alkanes, one or more alkyl cyclic or cyclic hydrocarbons, one or more alkyl aromatic or aromatic compounds and mixtures of same.

Abstract: A reactor system for the epoxidation of ethylene, which reactor system comprises an elongated tube having an internal tube diameter of more than 40 mm, wherein contained is a catalyst bed of catalyst particles comprising silver and a promoter component deposited on a carrier, which promoter component comprises an element selected from rhenium, tungsten, molybdenum and chromium; a process for the epoxidation of ethylene comprising reacting ethylene with oxygen in the presence of the catalyst bed contained in the reactor system; and a method of preparing ethylene glycol, an ethylene glycol ether or an ethanol amine comprising obtaining ethylene oxide by the process for the epoxidation of ethylene, and converting the ethylene oxide into ethylene glycol, the ethylene glycol ether, or the ethanol amine. Preferably, the internal tube diameter is at least 45 mm.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing an olefin oxide characterized by contacting an olefin and oxygen, in the presence of water and a halogen compound, with a silver catalyst, wherein the silver catalyst is a silver catalyst that is obtainable by contacting metal silver, a silver compound or a mixture of both with an alkaline earth metal carbonate and that has an alkali metal content of 1,500 ppm or less based on the total weight of the silver catalyst

Abstract: A catalyst that enables to produce ethylene oxide in a high selectivity and a method for the production of ethylene oxide using the catalyst are provided. In the catalyst for the production of ethylene oxide, wherein the catalyst component is supported by a carrier, a carrier containing ?-alumina as the main component which has at least two peaks in the range of pore diameter of 0.01-100 ?m and at least one peak of the above peaks is present in the range of pore diameter of 0.01-1.0 ?m in the pore distribution measured by mercury porosimetry is adopted as said carrier.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a carrier which process comprises incorporating into the carrier at any stage of the carrier preparation a strength-enhancing additive. Also provided is the resultant carrier having incorporated therein a strength-enhancing additive and a catalyst comprising the carrier. Also provided is a process for the epoxidation of an olefin employing the catalyst. Also provided is a method of using the olefin oxide so produced for making a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m3 at a temperature of no greater than 235° C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

Abstract: High temperature treatment of graphite nanofibers to convert the materials to carbon nanochips and thereby enhance their performance as support media for metal catalytic particles. The carbon nanochips are suitable for supports for metal and metal oxide particles to catalyze chemical reactions such as oxidation, hydrogenation, oxidative-dehydrogenation, and dehydrogenation. In this regard, they function as a new type of highly conductive catalyst support media.

Abstract: A high activity and high selectivity silver catalyst comprising silver and, optionally, one or more promoters supported on a suitable support material having the form of a shaped agglomerate. The structure of the shaped agglomerate is that of a hollow cylinder having a relatively small inside (bore) diameter. The catalyst is made by providing the shaped material of a particular geometry and incorporating the catalytic components therein. The catalyst is useful in the epoxidation of ethylene.

Abstract: A process for preparing an epoxidation catalyst comprising silver and a high-selectivity dopant on a support, which process comprises depositing a base having a pKb of at most 3.5 when measured in water at 25° C., on the support prior to depositing silver on the support, and depositing silver and a high-selectivity dopant on the support; the epoxidation catalyst; and a process for preparing an olefin oxide by reacting an olefin with oxygen in the presence of the epoxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst which comprises a carrier and silver deposited on the carrier, which carrier has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a median pore diameter of more than 0.8 ?m, and a pore size distribution wherein at least 80% of the total pore volume is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.

Abstract: A process for initiating a highly selective ethylene oxide catalyst is provided in which the highly selective ethylene oxide catalyst is operated first as a ‘standard’ Ag-based catalyst (e.g., a catalyst that contains only silver and alkali metal, especially cesium). Moreover, the inventive initiation procedure is more efficient when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the feed is higher than 6 vol. %, and even more efficient when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the feed is higher than 10 vol. %, of the feed mixture during the initiation period.

Abstract: A carrier and a catalyst useful for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide which uses the carrier. The carrier is composed of an inert, refractory solid support such as alpha alumina and has a surface exhibiting a plurality of nanometer scale protrusions projecting outwardly from the surface, and has a catalytically effective amount of silver thereon.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst carrier comprising a refractory inorganic material having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes. There is further a catalyst comprising a refractory inorganic material carrier having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes; and one or more catalytically reactive metals deposited on said carrier. There is also provided a catalyst suitable for the vapor phase production of alkylene oxide from olefins and oxygen comprising an alumina-based carrier having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes; and catalytically reactive silver deposited on said carrier.

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: A method for deliberately plugging the inlet and outlet ends of a reactor tube in a recoverable manner, which method employs at least one vented plug whereby fluid communication within the tube can be established or terminated at will, and the tube is unplugged only after the fluid content of the tube has been drained through the vented plug.

Abstract: A process is provided for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising the steps of: contacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen with a catalyst comprising a silver component deposited on a fluoride-mineralized carrier; and producing a product mix comprising an olefin oxide, wherein the partial pressure of olefin oxide in the product mix is greater than about 60 kPa. A process is provided for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising the steps of: contacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen with a catalyst comprising a silver component and a high-selectivity dopant deposited on a fluoride-mineralized carrier; and producing a product mix comprising an olefin oxide, wherein the partial pressure of olefin oxide in the product mix is greater than about 20 kPa.

Abstract: A method to achieve a controlled start-up temperature of an expoxidation process which exceeds the maximum achievable temperature of the epoxidation reactor relative to using an external heat source. The method of the present invention employs an oxidation reaction within the reactor to bring the temperature of the reactor to a temperature that is suitable for conditioning a high selectivity catalyst. The method of the present invention includes first bringing a reactor including a high selectivity catalyst to a first temperature using the external heat source to the reactor, while staying within the reactor design limitations and maintaining a gas flow to the reactor that is within 25 to 100% of the design rates. Once the reactor has achieved the first temperature, at least an olefin, e.g., ethylene, and then oxygen are introduced to the reactor feed gas.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst carrier comprising a refractory inorganic material having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes. There is further a catalyst comprising a refractory inorganic material carrier having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes; and one or more catalytically reactive metals deposited on said carrier. There is also provided a catalyst suitable for the vapor phase production of alkylene oxide from olefins and oxygen comprising an alumina-based carrier having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes; and catalytically reactive silver deposited on said carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved epoxidation process and an improved epoxidation reactor. The present invention makes use of a reactor which comprises a plurality of microchannels. Such process microchannels may be adapted such that the epoxidation and optionally other processes can take place in the microchannels and that they are in a heat exchange relation with channels adapted to contain a heat exchange fluid. A reactor comprising such process microchannels is referred to as a “microchannel reactor”. The invention also provides a method of installing an epoxidation catalyst in a microchannel reactor. The invention also provides a method of preparing an epoxidation catalyst. The invention also provides an epoxidation catalyst. The invention also provides a certain process for the epoxidation of an olefin and a process for the preparation of a chemical derivable from an olefin oxide. The invention also provides a microchannel reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved epoxidation process and an improved epoxidation reactor. The present invention makes use of a reactor which comprises a plurality of microchannels. Such process microchannels may be adapted such that the epoxidation and optionally other processes can take place in the microchannels and that they are in a heat exchange relation with channels adapted to contain a heat exchange fluid. A reactor comprising such process microchannels is referred to as a “microchannel reactor”. The invention also provides a method of installing an epoxidation catalyst in a microchannel reactor. The invention also provides a method of preparing an epoxidation catalyst. The invention also provides an epoxidation catalyst. The invention also provides a certain process for the epoxidation of an olefin and a process for the preparation of a chemical derivable from an olefin oxide. The invention also provides a microchannel reactor.

Abstract: Process of depositing nanoparticles of a metal or of an alloy of said metal, said metal being chosen from the metals from columns VIIIB and IB of the Periodic Table, dispersed on a substrate by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), from one or more precursors, in which the deposition is carried out in the presence of a gas comprising more than 50 vol % of a reactive oxidizing gas. Substrate comprising at least one surface, dispersed on which are nanoparticles made of a metal or of an alloy of metals, for example made of silver or a silver alloy. Use of the substrate to catalyse a chemical reaction, for example an NOx elimination reaction.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a noble metal supported on a diatomaceous earth and a transition metal zeolite is disclosed. The catalyst is used in an epoxidation process comprising reacting an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen. The diatomaceous earth is readily available and may be used in a slurry process without further particle size enlargement.

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin oxide, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in the presence of a silver-containing catalyst, wherein before the catalyst has reached an advanced stage of ageing the reaction temperature is above 255° C. and the olefin content of the feed is above 25 mole-%, relative to the total feed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing an olefin oxide, which is characterized by reacting an olefin with oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst and 0.2 mole or more of water per mol of the olefin.

Abstract: A process for treating a supported epoxidation catalyst comprising silver in a quantity of at most 0.15 g per m2 surface area of the support, which process comprises: contacting the catalyst, or a precursor of the catalyst comprising silver in cationic form, with a treatment feed comprising oxygen at a catalyst temperature of at least 350° C. for a duration of at least 5 minutes; the catalyst; a process for the epoxidation of an olefin; and a process for producing a 1,2-diol, 1,2-diol ether, or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for reacting an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a transition metal zeolite and a noble metal to produce a reaction mixture comprising an epoxide and acidic byproducts. A portion of the reaction mixture is contacted with an adsorbent so that a treated mixture having a reduced amount of byproducts is produced. The treated mixture is recycled back to the reactor. Including an adsorption step should improve the catalyst productivity and epoxide selectivity.

Abstract: Described is a method of improving the process and operation of an existing system for manufacturing ethylene oxide. The ethylene oxide manufacturing system includes an epoxidation reactor system containing a volume of high activity epoxidation catalyst. The method includes replacing a portion of the volume of high activity epoxidation catalyst with a volume of high selectivity catalyst, and modifying the operation of the process system so as to provide for a feed to the epoxidation reactor system having a reduced carbon dioxide concentration.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst carrier comprising a refractory inorganic material having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes. There is further a catalyst comprising a refractory inorganic material carrier having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes; and one or more catalytically reactive metals deposited on said carrier. There is also provided a catalyst suitable for the vapor phase production of alkylene oxide from olefins and oxygen comprising an alumina-based carrier having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes; and catalytically reactive silver deposited on said carrier.

Abstract: A process for the epoxidation of an olefin, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising the olefin, oxygen and a reaction modifier in the presence of a highly selective silver-based catalyst at a reaction temperature T, and with the reaction modifier being present in a relative quantity Q which is the ratio of an effective molar quantity of active species of the reaction modifier present in the feed to an effective molar quantity of hydrocarbons present in the feed, and which process comprises the steps of: operating at a first operating phase wherein the value of T is T1 and the value of Q is Q1, and subsequently operating at a second operating phase at a reaction temperature which is different from the reaction temperature employed in the first operating phase, such that the value of T is T2 and the value of Q is substantially Q2, whereby Q2 is determined by calculation and Q2 is defined by the formula Q2=Q1+B(T2?T1), wherein B denotes a constant factor which is greater than 0; a reaction system

Abstract: A process for the formation of ethylene oxide wherein the presence of at least one hydrocarbon having four carbon atoms per molecule in the recycle loop gas of the process is used as an indicator of impending post-ignition conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing 5-bromo-2,2-difluorobenzo-1,3-dioxoles and to the use thereof for preparing medicaments and crop protection agents.

Abstract: A process for catalytically reacting a fluid reactant mixture in a multi-tubular reactor system to form a fluid product, whereby the reactant mixture is led through at least one reactor tube containing a fixed bed of solid particulate catalyst and surrounded by a heat-exchange fluid, and whereby an upstream portion of the reactor tube is dedicated to pre-heating the reactant mixture and/or a downstream portion of the reactor tube is dedicated to post-cooling the product, characterized in that the upstream portion and/or downstream portion of the reactor tube contains a heat-exchanging essentially rod-shaped insert, the insert having a length of from 1 to 20%, preferably 1 to 5%, of the total length of the reactor tube.

Abstract: A method of increasing the lifetime of a hydro-oxidation catalyst comprising, preferably, gold, silver, or mixtures thereof, and optionally one or more promoters, on a titanium-containing support, such as a titanosilicate or titanium dispersed on silica. The method of the invention involves contacting the catalyst support with a hydroxy-functionalized organosilicon compound, a carboxy-functionalized organosilicon compound, or a mixture of hydroxy- and carboxy-functionalized organosilicon compounds, such as, sodium methyl siliconate or (2-carboxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane. The contacting is preferably conducted during deposition of the catalytic metal(s) and optional promoters(s) onto the support. A catalyst composition and hydro-oxidation process utilizing the silicon-treated catalyst support are also claimed.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the oxidation of organic. Oxygen is loaded into a metal foil by heating the foil while in contact with an oxygen-containing fluid. After cooling the oxygen-activated foil to room temperature, oxygen diffuses through the foil and oxidizes reactants exposed to the other side of the foil.

Abstract: A carrier for use in the catalyst for the production of an epoxide is obtained by preparing a carrier precursor containing (a) ?-alumina, (b) silicon or a compound thereof, and (c) at least one element selected from the class consisting of germanium, tin, lead, phosphorus, antimony, and bismuth or a compound thereof and subsequently heat-treating the precursor in non-oxidative gas. The catalyst for the production of the epoxide is obtained by having silver deposited on this carrier and the epoxide is obtained from a corresponding unsaturated hydrocarbon of 2–4 carbon atoms with a high selectivity by using the catalyst.

Abstract: A material especially useful for the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons and other organic compounds includes a non-crystalline, porous inorganic oxide having at least 97 volume percent mesopores based on micropores and mesopores, and at least one catalytically active metal selected from the group consisting of one or more transition metal and one or more noble metal.

Abstract: A high activity and high selectivity silver catalyst comprising silver and, optionally, one or more promoters supported on a suitable support material having the form of a shaped agglomerate. The structure of the shaped agglomerate is that of a hollow cylinder having a relatively small inside (bore) diameter. The catalyst is made by providing the shaped material of a particular geometry and incorporating the catalytic components therein. The catalyst is useful in the epoxidation of ethylene.

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin oxide, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in the presence of a silver-containing catalyst, wherein before the catalyst has reached an advanced stage of ageing the reaction temperature is above 255° C. and the olefin content of the feed is above 25 mole-%, relative to the total feed.

Abstract: An ethylene oxide catalyst is provided which is essentially transition metal and rhenium free and which consists essentially of silver, alkali metal, sulfur and boron components on a support such as alumina, optionally with a fluorine or chlorine component.

Abstract: A process for the epoxidation of an olefin, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin, oxygen and an organic halide, in the presence of a catalyst comprising silver and rhenium deposited on a carrier, wherein the catalyst comprises rhenium in a quantity of at most 1.5 mmole/kg, relative to the weight of the catalyst, and at most 0.0015 mmole/m2, relative to the surface area of the carrier, and in which process the reaction temperature is increased to at least partly reduce the effect of loss of activity of the catalyst while the organic halide is present in a relative quantity Q which is maintained constant, which relative quantity Q is the ratio of an effective molar quantity of active halogen species present in the feed to an effective molar quantity of hydrocarbons present in the feed; and a catalyst comprising silver and rhenium deposited on a carrier, wherein the catalyst comprises rhenium in a quantity of at most 0.9 mmole/kg, relative to the weight of the catalyst, and at most 0.