Abstract: The gas cycle in a high pressure hydroformylation reaction using a series of at least two reactors is controlled to optimise yield, conversion and selectivity and to control reaction temperature. The control is achieved through balancing fresh gases and recycle gases in each of the reactors and as an optional feature the use of hydrogen off gases from the downstream hydrogenation used in the conversion of the hydroformylation reaction product to product alcohols.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of an alcohol, the process comprising (a) reacting an olefin and water in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a crude alcohol stream comprising alcohol, and a dialkyl ether; (b) separating at least a portion of the crude alcohol stream into an alcohol-containing stream and a dialkyl ether stream; (c) contacting at least a portion of the dialkyl ether stream with an ether decomposition catalyst, the ether decomposition catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide having the following composition XmYnZpOq where X is at least one metal selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements, Y is at least one metal selected from Group 3 (including the Lanthanides and Actinides) and Group 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements and Z is at least one metal selected from Groups 7, 8, and 11 of the Periodic Table of Elements; m, n, p, and q are the atomic ratios of their respective components and, when m is 1, n is from about 0.01 to about 0.

Abstract: A process for preparing a substantially linear olefinic hydrocarbon mixture is described in which a lower olefin feed comprising one or more C3 to C6 lower olefins is contacted in the presence of water and under olefin oligomerization conditions with a catalyst comprising surface-deactivated ZSM-23.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing phenol and a ketone of general formula R1COCH2R3 (I), in which R1 and R2 each independently represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said process comprising: (a) providing an alkylbenzene feedstock comprising (i) an alkylbenzene of general formula (II) in which R1 and R2 have the same meaning as in formula (I) and (ii) at least one structural isomer of said alkylbenzene of formula (II) in an amount of at least 0.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon fluids are produced by hydrocracking a vacuum gas oil stream, fractionating and/or hydrogenating the hydrocracked vacuum gas oil. The fluids typically have ASTM D86 boiling point ranges within the range 100° C. to 400° C. the range being no more than 75° C., they also have a naphthenic content greater than 60%, the naphthenics containing polycyclic materials, an aromatic content below 2% and an aniline point below 100° C. The fluids are particularly useful as solvents, for printing inks, drilling fluids, metal working fluids and as silicone extenders.

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 relates to a composition of matter comprising at least one metal from Group 3, at least one metal from Group 4, sulfur and oxygen, particularly useful as a catalyst for ether decomposition to alkanols and alkenes.

Abstract: In a process for oligomerizing an olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising sulfur-containing molecules, the feedstock is contacted in the absence of hydrogen with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature in excess of 150° C. and then is contacted under olefin oligomerization conditions with a second catalyst comprising a crystalline molecular sieve, such as ZSM-22 or ZSM-57.

Abstract: Limiting the sulphur level in olefin feedstocks to zeolite-catalysed oligomerization enhances selectivity to trimmer and catalyst life and activity.

Abstract: A process for making an ethylated polycyclic aromatic compound in a mixed aromatic fluid, the process comprising contacting the mixed aromatic fluid containing a polycyclic aromatic compound and a monocyclic aromatic compound having an ethyl substituent in the presence of an acid catalyst under conditions sufficient to effect transalkylation to form the ethylated polycyclic compound and a de-ethylated monocyclic aromatic compound and removal of the de-ethylated monocyclic aromatic compound. A process for decreasing naphthalene concentration in a naphthalene-containing aromatic fluid by acid catalyzed transalkylation of an alkylbenzene and naphthalene to form benzene and an alkylnaphthalene.

Abstract: A selective hydrogenation catalyst composition comprises a rhodium component present in an amount such that the catalyst composition comprises less than 3.0% of rhodium by weight of the total catalyst composition; and an indium component present in an amount such that the catalyst composition comprises at least 0.3% and less than 5.0% of indium by weight of the total catalyst composition.

Abstract: A selective hydrogenation catalyst composition comprises a support; a first metal component comprising rhodium; and a second metal component comprising a metal other than rhodium and selected from Groups 1 to 15 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein said first and second components are predominantly contained in an outer surface layer of the support having a depth of not more than 1000 microns.

Abstract: An oligomerization process in which hydrocarbon feedstocks are contacted with a hydrotreating catalyst in the absence of hydrogen and in the liquid phase. The catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst selected from supported reduced metals, metals oxides, metal sulfides and combinations thereof. Preferred catalysts include mixed nickel and molybdenum oxides or mixed cobalt and molybdenum oxides. The process also oligomerizes sulfur compounds so that sulfur containing feedstocks can be treated without deactivating the catalysts.

Abstract: Sulphur-containing olefinic feedstocks are oligomerized over zeolite catalysts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition of matter comprising at least one metal from Group 3, at least one metal from Group 4, sulfur and oxygen, particularly useful as a catalyst for ether decomposition to alkanols and alkenes.

Abstract: In a process for preparing an olefinic hydrocarbon mixture comprising at least 5% by weight of mono-olefin oligomers of the empirical formula: CnH2n where n is greater than or equal to 6, a feedstock comprising n-butene and propylene in a molar ratio of about 1:0.01 to about 1:0.49 is contacted under oligomerization conditions with surface deactivated ZSM-23. The resultant mono-olefin oligomers comprise at least 20 percent by weight of olefins having at least 12 carbon atoms, wherein said olefins having at least 12 carbon atoms have an average of from about 0.8 to about 2.0 C1–C3 alkyl branches per carbon chain.

Abstract: A catalyst is provided comprising (1) at least one solid acid component, and (2) at least one metal-based component comprised of one or more element from Groups 1–3, one or more element from Groups 4–15 and one or more element from Groups 16 and 17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. The catalyst is particularly useful in producing light olefins, preferably from paraffins. When used to convert paraffins to light olefins, the catalyst is capable of high paraffin conversion, high olefin yield, and low aromatic yield. Optionally, the catalyst can further comprise at least one of a support and a binder.

Abstract: A catalyst system and process for combined cracking and selective hydrogen combustion of hydrocarbons are disclosed. The catalyst comprises (1) at least one solid acid component, (2) at least one metal-based component comprised of one or more elements from Group 3 and one or more elements from Groups 4–15 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; and at least one of oxygen and sulfur, wherein the elements from Groups 3, Groups 4–15 and the at least one of oxygen and sulfur are chemically bound both within and between the groups and (3) at least one of at least one support, at least one filler and at least one binder. The process is such that the yield of hydrogen is less than the yield of hydrogen when contacting the hydrocarbons with the solid acid component alone.

Abstract: A catalyst system and process for combined cracking and selective hydrogen combustion of hydrocarbons are disclosed. The catalyst comprises (1) at least one solid acid component, (2) at least one metal-based component comprised of two or more elements from Groups 4–15 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and at least one of oxygen and sulfur, wherein the elements from Groups 4–15 and the at least one of oxygen and sulfur are chemically bound both within and between the groups and (3) at least one of at least one support, at least one filler and at least one binder. The process is such that the yield of hydrogen is less than the yield of hydrogen when contacting the hydrocarbons with the solid acid component alone.

Abstract: A catalyst system and process for combined cracking and selective hydrogen combustion of hydrocarbons are disclosed. The catalyst comprises (1) at least one solid acid component, (2) at least one metal-based component comprised of one or more elements from Groups 1 and 2; one or more elements from Group 3; one or more elements from Groups 4–15 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; and at least one of oxygen and sulfur and (3) at least one of at least one support, at least one filler and at least one binder. The process is such that the yield of hydrogen is less than the yield of hydrogen when contacting the hydrocarbons with the solid acid component alone.