Abstract: A process for hydrogenating benzenepolycarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof, such as esters and/or anhydrides, by bringing one or more benzenepolycarboxylic acids or one or more derivatives thereof into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of one or more catalytically active metal, such as platinum, palladium ruthenium or mixtures thereof, deposited on a catalyst support comprising one or more ordered mesoporous materials.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. The reaction zone is contained within a reactor and the reactor or an internal component of the reactor has at least one surface that is chemically exposed to the feed and is formed from a refractory material that exhibits a carbon uptake (mass of carbon absorbed per unit of exposed metal surface area) of less than 25 g/m2 when exposed to mixture of 50 vol % methane and 50 vol % H2 at 900° C. for 168 hours.

Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) comprises providing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to a reactor system having at least first and second reaction zones connected in series. Each of the reaction zones is operated under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of the methane to said higher hydrocarbon(s) and is maintained in a moving bed fashion, with the bulk of the catalytic particulate material being moved from the first reaction zone to the second reaction zone and with the bulk of the hydrocarbon feedstock being moved from the second reaction zone to the first reaction zone.

Abstract: Water reacts on molecular sieve catalysts used in oligomerization reactions and forms oxygenated compounds, in particular organic acids that may cause corrosion problems downstream of the reactor, in particular in distillation tower overhead systems and downstream thereof. A lowering of the presence of water in the feed prior to contacting thereof with the molecular sieve brings a significant reduction in corrosion downstream. At the same time, it has a significant beneficial effect on catalyst activity and brings a significant extension of catalyst life. Lowering water in the feed is particularly effective when organic nitrogen-containing Lewis bases are present in the feed, even at low levels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for hydrogenating one or more organic compounds especially unsaturated organic compounds by bringing the compound into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, which comprises one or more catalytically active metals applied to a porous catalyst support. The one or more catalytically active metals having been derived via a decomposed organic complex of the metal on the support, in particular amine complexes of the metal. The decomposed complex may be treated with hydrogen to activate the catalyst before use as a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids are used as plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride to enable products with comparable mechanical properties to be obtained using less polyvinyl chloride. Use of these esters also produces formulations with increased stability to ultra-violet light, improved low temperature properties, lower viscosity and improved processability as well as reduced smoke on burning. The esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids may be used alone or in admixture with other plasticisers when the esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids may act as viscosity depressants. Fast fusing plasticisers may also be included. The formulations are particularly useful in the production of a range of goods from semi-rigid to highly flexible materials and are particularly useful in the production of medical materials such as blood bags and tubing.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.

Abstract: In a process for oligomerizing an olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising at least 65 wt % olefins and/or sulfur-containing molecules, the feedstock is contacted under oligomerization conditions with (a) a first unidimensional 10-ring molecular sieve catalyst and (b) a second multidimensional crystalline molecular sieve catalyst. The first and second catalysts may be contained in separate reactors or as separate beds in a single reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock having at least 50 wt. % of C8 aromatics, comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes a molecular sieve having a zeolite structure type of MWW.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a reactor system comprising at least one reactor wherein makeup water for said system is preheated by water/steam exiting said reactor. In a preferred embodiment the system comprises plural reactors and the invention provides for each reactor to independently achieve isothermal operating conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the selective alkylation of toluene and/or benzene with an oxygen-containing alkylation agent. In particular, the process uses a selectivated molecular sieve which has been modified by the addition of a hydrogenation component, wherein at least one of the following conditions is met: (a) the selectivated molecular sieve has an alpha value of less than 100 prior to the addition of the hydrogenation component, or (b) the selectivated and hydrogenated catalyst has an alpha value of less than 100. The process of this invention provides high selectivity for the alkylated product while reducing catalyst degradation.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is supplied to one or more reaction zone(s) containing catalytic material operating under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons; the reaction zone(s) being operated with an inverse temperature profile.

Abstract: In a process for oligomerizing an olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock, the feedstock is contacted under oligomerization conditions with (a) a first crystalline molecular sieve catalyst and (b) a second catalyst comprising a solid phosphoric acid. The first and second catalysts may be contained in separate reactors or as separate beds in a single reactor.

Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) in a reaction zone comprises providing to a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to the reaction zone and contacting the catalytic particulate material and the hydrocarbon feedstock in a substantially countercurrent fashion in the reaction zone, while operating the reaction zone under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of said methane to a first effluent having said higher hydrocarbon(s).

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to liquid hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with 0 dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene and/or naphthalene, and produce a first effluent stream comprising hydrogen and 0t least 5 wt % m>35 aromatic hydrocarbons than said feed. At least part the aromatic hydrocarbons from the first effluent stream is then reacted with hydrogen to produce a second effluent stream having a reduced benzene and/or naphthalene content compared with said first effluent stream.

Abstract: According to the invention, a processing aid is used to improve processing in a green (uncured) rubber composition, such as in downstream in-plant processing of an innertube compound, and maintaining, or more preferably, reducing the air permeability of the cured composition, e.g., innertube compound. In embodiments, another of the advantages of the present invention is that the processing aid according to the invention can be used in addition to or as a replacement for the other processing aids and oils.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to syngas and aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a first effluent comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and H2, wherein said first effluent comprises at least 5 wt % more aromatic hydrocarbons than said feed. At least part of the H2 from said first effluent is then reacted with an oxygen-containing species, such as carbon dioxide, to produce a second effluent having an increased H2 and CO content compared with said first effluent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conversion of hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising the steps of (A) feeding the hydrocarbon feedstock to an adsorption unit; (B) adsorbing the hydrocarbon feedstock in the adsorption unit with a solid particulate adsorbent useful for adsorbing at least one component from the hydrocarbon feedstock under adsorption conditions; (C) withdrawing the adsorbed feedstock from the adsorption unit; (D) desorbing the component(s) from the solid particulate adsorbent; and (E) removing, under the adsorption conditions for a fractional time of step (B), at least a portion of said adsorbent while the feedstock is being fed to the adsorption unit.

Abstract: In a process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a first effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, wherein said first effluent stream comprises at least 5 wt % more aromatic hydrocarbons than said feed. At least part of the hydrogen from said first effluent stream is then reacted with an oxygen-containing species, such as carbon dioxide, to produce a second effluent stream having a reduced hydrogen content compared with said first effluent stream.

Abstract: Benzene and xylene are described having a unique distribution of deuterium and 13C such that ?(deuterium) for each of the benzene and xylene is less than ?250 and ?(13C) for the benzene is greater than ?36 and for xylene is less than ?24, wherein ?(deuterium)=(R?sample/R?standard?1)×1000 where R?sample is the ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in the benzene/xylene; and R?standard is the ratio of the natural abundance of deuterium to the natural abundance of hydrogen; and wherein ?(13C)=(R?sample/R?standard?1)×1000 where R?sample is the ratio of 13C to 12C in the benzene/xylene; and R?standard is the ratio of the natural abundance of 13C to the natural abundance of 12C.