Abstract: A process for the efficient production of diisopropyl ether where catalytic distillation is used to increase the yield of product beyond thermodynamic equilibrium limitations has been developed. In a hydration zone the propylene in a feedstock is reacted with water in the presence of a catalyst to effect hydration to produce an effluent stream containing at least water, unreacted propylene, and isopropyl alcohol, and then, in an etherification zone, at least a portion of the effluent stream is further reacted by catalytic distillation in the presence of a catalyst to effect reaction of propylene and isopropyl alcohol to form diisopropyl ether while concurrently separating an organic portion containing the diisopropyl ether and an aqueous portion, and collecting the organic portion containing the diisopropyl ether.

Abstract: A novel catalyst for alkylating an alkene with an alkane to give an alkylate product has been developed. The catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide on which is dispersed a Group VIII metal, a metal cation and the reaction product of a metal halide and bound surface hydroxyl groups of the refractory inorganic oxide. The catalyst is characterized in that the Group VIII metal is concentrated in an outer layer of the catalyst particle.

Abstract: A catalytic composite of a refractory inorganic oxide whose bound surface hydroxyl group has reacted with a Friedel-Crafts type metal halide and whose acidity has been modified by the deposition of a monovalent metal cation, especially an alkali metal cation, or alkaline earth metal cation shows superior selectivity and a significantly decreased cracking tendency relative to similar catalysts without the monovalent metal or alkaline earth metal cation. The resulting alkylate from an isobutane-butene feedstock shows a substantial increase in research octane number relative to the alkylate formed by a similar catalyst which has not been so modified by an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon conversion processes, e.g., alkylation, are disclosed and claimed which use as the catalyst novel fluoride containing substituted smectite clays. The clay has the formulaA.sub.x (M.sub.y M'.sub.4-y)(Si.sub.8-x M.sub.t M'.sub.v)O.sub.20 (OH).sub.4-u F.sub.uwhere A is a cation, M and M' are metals having a +3 oxidation state, each selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, iron and chromium, x is the moles of A, y is the moles of M, t and v are the moles of M and M' in the tetrahedral layer and t+v=x and u is the moles of F. The clay composition may be used as is or after pillaring to catalyze hydrocarbon conversion processes such as alkylation.

Abstract: An improved method of continuously controlling a multi-zone heater used in a chemical process has been developed. Each zone of the multi-zone heater has an ideal heat flux, FI, and an actual heat flux, FA, and the difference between the heat flux ratios, .DELTA.(FA/FI), of consecutive zones is to be less than a tolerance, T, where T is in the range of about 0.0 to about 0.1. The control is effected by determining the ideal heat flux, FI, of each zone in the heater and determining the actual heat flux, FA, of each zone in the heater. The difference between the heat flux ratios of FA/FI in consecutive zones is then calculated as .DELTA.(FA/FI). A manipulated variable of the chemical process is then adjusted according to an algorithm relating the changes in the manipulated variable to changes in the actual heat flux of each zone to afford a new value of the actual heat flux FAN where .vertline..DELTA.(FAN/FI).vertline..ltoreq..vertline..DELTA.(FA/FI).vertli ne. for consecutive zones.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new form of zeolite beta which shows substantially greater stability and greater catalyst lifetime when used in the alkylation and transalkylation of aromatic compounds. The new, surface-modified zeolite beta is characterized by having surface aluminum 2p binding energies as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, of at least 74.8 electron volts. This surface-modified zeolite beta is prepared by treating a templated zeolite beta with an acid at a pH between about 0 and about 2 and a temperature up to about 125.degree. C. for a time sufficient to modify the chemical environment of the surface aluminum atom without bringing about dealumination of the zeolite beta.

Abstract: Methods have been found to prepare fused silica capillary gas chromatographic columns where the stationary phase is a molecular sieve affixed to the silica capillary wall without the aid of an organic binder by modifying the interior surface of the silica prior to contact with the molecular sieve. These totally inorganic columns greatly expand the application and range of gas chromatographic separations and allow the use of non-traditional carrier gases, even air, while not degrading the separation of components. The columns are films of small molecular sieve particles affixed to a silica surface modified by such treatments as hydrogen peroxide, alumina deposition, or silica deposition followed by fixation at 80.degree.-160.degree. C.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a catalyst for various hydrocarbon conversion processes which is tolerant to the presence of large mounts of sulfur (1000 ppm) in the feedstream. The catalyst consists of a MeAPSO support that has dispersed thereon palladium and a modifier such as lanthanum or dysprosium.

Abstract: A highly integrated process for concurrently producing diisopropyl ether and an isopropyl tertiary alkyl ether has been developed. Optionally, high purity isopropyl alcohol may also be collected as a product. In a first reactor, propylene and water are reacted to form isopropyl alcohol, a portion of which is further reacted to form diisopropyl ether. After removing unreacted propylene, the effluent of the first reactor is separated into an ether rich stream, a water rich stream and an alcohol rich stream. The alcohol rich stream is dried to provide dry isopropyl alcohol. A portion of the dry isopropyl alcohol may be removed and collected as a product. A portion of the dry isopropyl alcohol and isobutylene, isoamylene or a mixture thereof are reacted to form an isopropyl tertiary alkyl ether in a second reactor. Unreacted iso-olefins and inert compounds are then removed from the second reactor effluent.

Abstract: Manganese(IV)-containing oxides are effective catalysts for oxidation of water-soluble cyanide over a wide pH range (0.5-12) and temperature (15.degree.-250.degree. C.). Oxygen is the preferred oxidizing agent at partial pressures between about 0.2 and 5 atmospheres (2.9-75 psi, 20-517 kPa). Electrolytically deposited MnO.sub.2 is one preferred form of the catalyst. Another preferred manganese(IV)-containing oxide is the group of cation-stabilized manganese(IV)-containing oxides illustrated by cryptomelane. Yet another preferred form of manganese(IV)-containing oxide is a group of crystalline manganese phosphate compositions having an extended network and an empirical composition on an anhydrous basis expressed by an empirical formula of:(A.sup.a+).sub.v (Mn.sup.b+)(M.sup.c+).sub.x P.sub.y O.sub.

Abstract: A composite membrane made of an asymmetric porous support and an ultrathin layer having a thickness of less than 100 nm is provided. A method of making the membrane and method for carrying out gas separations using the membrane are also provided.

Abstract: Sweetening of sour hydrocarbon feedstocks by contacting with an aqueous solution of a metal chelate as an oxidation catalyst in the presence of oxygen is hindered by the difficulty of recovering metal chelate. Extraction of the aqueous phase with a liquid secondary amine with low water solubility removes a main portion of the metal chelate, usually a mixture of polysulfonated cobalt phthalocyanines, from the aqueous phase, and subsequent recovery of the chelate from the amine extract enables a viable alternative to feed bed processes.

Abstract: Molecular sieve compositions have been synthesized which are resistant to the loss of framework atoms. Specifically, the molecular sieves of the invention have the empirical formulamA: (M.sub.w Al.sub.x Si.sub.y)O.sub.2where A is at least one rare earth metal, M is chromium or titanium and "m", "w", "x" and "y" are the mole fractions of A, M, Al and Si respectively. Applicants have discovered that the rare earth metals prevent loss of chromium and titanium from the framework and degradation of the molecular sieve. Along with the composition, a process for preparing the composition and processes using the composition are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A highly integrated process for concurrently producing diisopropyl ether and an isopropyl tertiary alkyl ether has been developed. In a first reactor, propylene and water are reacted to form isopropyl alcohol, a portion of which is further reacted to form diisopropyl ether. After removing unreacted propylene, the effluent of the first reactor is separated into an ether rich stream, a water rich stream and an alcohol rich stream. The alcohol rich stream and isobutylene, isoamylene or a mixture thereof are reacted to form an isopropyl tertiary alkyl ether in a second reactor. The water present in the alcohol rich stream also reacts with the iso-olefin to form tertiary alcohol. The effluent from the second reactor is water washed to produce an oxygenate product stream and an aqueous alcohol recycle stream. Some tertiary alcohol is recycled to the first reactor where it is reacted with propylene to form additional isopropyl tertiary alkyl ether.

Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds with an olefin, alcohol, or alkyl halide having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms comprising reacting in the liquid phase the aromatic and alkylating agent under alkylation conditions in the presence of a novel catalyst comprising: a) a refractory inorganic oxide, b) the reaction product of a first metal halide and bound surface hydroxyl groups of the refractory inorganic oxide, c) a second metal cation, and d) optionally a zerovalent third metal. The refractory inorganic oxide is selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, chromia, silica, boria, silica-alumina, and combinations thereof and the first metal halide is a fluoride, chloride, or bromide of aluminum. The second metal cation is selected from the group consisting of: monovalent metal cations in an amount from 0.0026 up to about 0.20 gram atoms per 100 grams refractory inorganic oxide for lithium, potassium, cerium, rubidium, silver, and copper, and from 0.009 to about 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing contaminant metal ions from a liquid stream. The process involves contacting the liquid stream with a crystalline molecular sieve having the pharmacosiderite structure and having germanium and M metals as framework elements. Optionally, titanium and silicon can also be framework elements. The M metals can be any metal which has octahedral coordination and has a valence of +2, +3, +4 or +5. Illustrative of these M metals are niobium, tin, antimony, aluminum, gallium and tantalum. These molecular sieves are particularly effective in removing cesium and strontium ions from aqueous streams.

Abstract: A novel continuous process for the preparation of alkylated benzenes effected by solid catalysts which become deactivated under alkylation conditions uses a single catalyst zone for both reaction and catalyst flushing to prevent deactivation. The process utilizes a pulsed flow of the linear monoolefins into the catalyst zone during a reaction cycle with benzene acting as a desorbent for catalyst deactivating agents to prevent significant catalyst deactivation. The process can be generalized to encompass many types of reactions.

Abstract: Resolution of a mixture of organic materials by simulated moving bed chromatography using a weakly interacting adsorbent as a stationary phase can be routinely effected with a liquid mobile phase characterized by atypically low values of k' with recoveries of at least 95% and a purity of at least 95%. In particular, values in the range 0.1<k'<1.0 are recommended with a resulting savings in mobile phase consumption, inventory, and recovery.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel crystalline metallo manganese oxides that has the hollandite structure. The composition is represented by the formulaA.sub.y Mn.sub.8-x M.sub.x O.sub.16where A is a templating agent such as potassium, ammonium, and y varies from about 0.5 to about 2.0, M is a metal such as chromium, vanadium, gallium, antimony and x varies from about 0.01 to about 4.0. These oxides have a three-dimensional structure with manganese and the M metals forming the framework. Finally, these novel oxides are capable of catalyzing hydrocarbon conversion processes such as oxidation and oxidative dehydrogenation.

Abstract: Robust, large area selective infrared line emitters can be made using composites of rare earth metal compound particulates dispersed and interlocked in a network of connected structure-forming fibers having an emissivity less than about 0.1 in the range 0.7-5 microns. Articles where the composite is formed of rare earth metal oxide fibers in a network of sinter-bonded quartz fibers show narrow bandwidth emissions with good thermal conversion efficiencies.