Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element, yttrium or mixtures thereof, which is preferably ytterbium or holmium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: The method and assembly accommodate parallel processing of a plurality of materials such as catalysts simultaneously through use of interactive modules for sizing of material particles to predetermined substantially identical size, for collecting a substantially identical dose of each material, for feeding the dose of each material into a reactor vessel, and for maintaining integrity of the modules, or units thereof, intact during interaction between structures so no particulate material is lost during necessary processing for ultimate efficacy testing in a least compromised manner.

Abstract: A catalyst, a process for using the catalyst whereby the catalyst effectively transalkylates C7, C9, and C10 aromatics to C8 aromatics are disclosed. The catalyst comprises a support such as mordenite plus a metal component. The catalyst provides an enhanced life and activity for carrying out the transalkylation reactions at relatively low temperatures. This is achieved by reducing the maximum particle diameter of cylindrical pellets to {fraction (1/32)} inch (0.08 cm) or a trilobe to {fraction (1/16)} inch (0.16 cm).

Abstract: A process for removing pollutants from aqueous streams is disclosed. The process involves contacting the stream with a shaped ion exchange composite to remove ammonium and phosphate ions. The composite is a mixture of an anion exchange composition such as zirconia and a microporous cation exchange composition formed into a shaped article and optionally containing a binder such as hydrous zirconium oxide. The microporous cation exchangers are represented by the empirical formula.

Abstract: A novel catalyst and the use thereof in a reforming process are disclosed. The catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide, uniform platinum-group metal, uniform Group IVA (IUPAC 14) metal and surface-layer lanthanide-series metal. The catalyst is particularly suitable for the reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock to obtain an aromatics-rich product.

Abstract: A method of determining a surface property of a plurality of solids by contacting the solids with a fluid, measuring the radiation emitted, absorbed, or altered during desorption of the fluid using a detector, and then determining at least one surface property of the solids from the radiation measurements has been invented. The invention is particularly useful in combinatorial applications in order to evaluate a plurality of solids or mixtures of solids to determine at least one surface property of each of the solids.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for rapidly generating a plurality of isolated effluents have been developed. A specific embodiment involves screening a plurality of solids through simultaneously contacting the members of the plurality with a fluid, simultaneously sampling the resulting fluids, and processing the resulting fluids to, for example, determine changes as compared to the feed fluid or as compared to other resulting fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming an array of powder samples arranged in predefined locations where all samples have a flat surface in a common plane has been developed. A monolithic block having a main support section having at least N perforations from a first surface of the main support through a second surface of the main support in predefined locations, where N is the number of samples in the array is provided. The monolithic block also has a flat support section covering the perforations of the main support section. All N samples are loaded simultaneously with sample X in perforation X of the main support where X is an integer from 1 to N. A flat surface of each sample where the flat surfaces are a common plane is formed by forcing the samples within the perforations against the flat support.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compact apparatus for generating hydrogen. More particularly, this invention relates to a compact hydrogen generating apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a fuel cell. The compact hydrogen generating apparatus comprises a fuel processor reactor having an integrated pre-reforming zone embedded within a secondary reforming zone.

Abstract: A riser reactor system for conversion of hydrocarbon feedstock to ethylene and propylene is described. The riser reactor system prevents riser reactors with a plurality of inlet ports for feeding gases having different compositions and for controlling the residence time of a gas catalyst within the riser reactor.

Abstract: A method of forming a schedule of crude oil shipments being received at a refinery facility using a genetic algorithm has been developed. A period of time, T, within which the crude oil shipment schedule is to be formed is determined. A first generation of chromosomes is generated and a fitness function value calculated for each chromosome. A succeeding generation of chromosomes is created using a genetic algorithm and the fitness function value for each chromosome is determined. The steps of producing a succeeding generation of chromosomes using a genetic algorithm and determining a fitness function value for each chromosome are repeated for time T. The chromosome having the highest fitness function value within time T is identified to generate the schedule.

Abstract: Applicants have synthesized a new crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite identified as UZM-4M. This new zeolite is obtained by treating a UZM-4 zeolite with a fluorosilicate salt to obtain a zeolite having the empirical formula: M1an+Al1-xExSiyOz where M1 is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, rare earth metal, hydronium ion or ammonium ion, E can be gallium, iron, boron, indium and mixtures thereof and has a Si/Al ratio of 1.5 to about 10.

Abstract: A multiple parallel catalytic reactor assembly has been developed. The assembly has (1) a plurality of vessels for containing catalyst, each vessel having an open end and a fluid permeable end; (2) a plurality of bottoms, each bottom having an open end and a closed end with the plurality being supported by a single first support plurality of vessels positioned within the plurality of bottoms; (3) a plurality of tops supported by a single second support with the plurality of tops engaged with the plurality of bottoms to form a plurality of sealed independent reaction chambers; (4) a plurality of first fluid conduits in fluid communication with the reaction chambers; (5) a plurality of second fluid conduits in fluid communication with the reaction chambers; and (6) a plurality of microporous structures in alignment with the open ends of said vessels.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a variety of molecular sieves has been developed. The process involves taking a slurry of seed crystals and adding to it nutrients (sources) of the framework elements, e.g. aluminum and silicon in order to grow the seed crystals. The rate of addition of the nutrients is controlled such that it is substantially the same as the crystal growth rate and such that there is substantially no nucleation of new crystals. The seed crystals may be the same or different than the nutrients being added, thus allowing for a layered molecular sieve. When the crystals have reached a desired size, they are isolated by conventional techniques.

Abstract: Vapor and liquid passing downward through a vessel are brought into contact within a plurality of distributor assemblies arranged across a horizontal distribution tray located within the vessel. The distributor assemblies have fluid flow paths with different resistances to fluid flow, as by having vapor inlets of at least two different sizes, with the differently sized inlets being located on different assemblies or on different upflow channels of the same assembly. This provides different vapor flow rates and liquid flow rates in different upflow channels. The invention improves the uniformity of liquid distribution over the cross section of the vessel despite elevational differences in liquid levels on the distribution tray or changes in the vapor and or liquid flow rates through the reactor.

Abstract: A novel process for the direct oxidation of hydrogen and hydrocarbons is disclosed, where the explosion risks inherent in gas phase oxidations are substantially eliminated. Gaseous oxidation reactants are soluble in a first reaction solvent phase such as a perfluorocarbon (e.g. C8F18) and the oxidation product is preferentially soluble in a second product solvent phase such as water or a dilute acid. A solid catalyst such as palladium on alumina is then contacted with the dissolved reactants. The oxidation product such as hydrogen peroxide may be separated from the reaction solvent phase by extraction into the immiscible product solvent phase and then separated from it by distillation, thereby allowing re-use of the aqueous phase. The present invention may be carried out using a two-phase reaction system whereby both the reaction solvent and product solvent are contained within a reaction vessel into which the solid catalyst is slurried and mechanically agitated to promote the reaction.

Abstract: A combination isomerization and liquid phase adsorptive separation process has been developed. In this arrangement, a C5+ naphtha stream is split into a heavy hydrocarbon stream comprising normal heptane and higher boiling hydrocarbons, an isomerization and adsorption zone feed stream comprising pentanes and lower boiling hydrocarbons, and a desorbent stream containing hexanes. The isomerization and adsorption zone feed stream is combined with an isomerization section effluent to form a combined feed to an adsorptive separation section. In the adsorption separation section, normal pentanes are selectively adsorbed on an adsorbent material, and a raffinate stream comprising hexanes and isoparaffins is recovered and passed to a deisohexanizer column. A desorbent stream containing normal hexane is recovered as a sidecut from the deisohexanizer column and is combined with the desorbent stream containing the hexanes from the naphtha splitter to supply the desorbent for the adsorptive separation section.

Abstract: Applicants have synthesized a family of microporous aluminosilicate zeolites and substituted versions thereof which are identified as UZM-8. These new compositions can be prepared using either only one or more organoammonium cations, such as diethyldimethylammonium or ethyltrimethylammonium cations and optionally an alkali and/or an alkaline earth cation as structure directing agents. The UZM-8 compositions are described by an empirical formula of Mmn+Rrp+Al1-xExSiyOz and have a unique x-ray diffraction pattern.

Abstract: An aluminosilicate zeolite and substituted version designated UZM-16 have been synthesized. These zeolites are prepared using benzyltrimethyl-ammonium (BzTMA) cation or a combination of BzTMA and at least one other quaternary ammonium cation These zeolites have a structure that is related to offretite, but shows structurally different and distinct features. The UZM-16 zeolites can be dealuminated to form UZM-16HS zeolites which have different acidity, porosity and ion-exchange properties. Both UZM-16 and UZM-16HS are useful in various hydrocarbon conversion processes.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic article precursor and a process for preparing a dielectric ceramic article are presented. The ceramic article precursor comprises a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite or an amorphous aluminosilicate and a glass phase. The ceramic article precursor can optionally contain at least one forming aid selected from binders, plasticizers and surfactants. Metal oxide additives such as B2O3 or SnO2 as well as metal oxide precursor additives such as nitrates or carbonates of metals such as boron or tin can also be included in the ceramic article precursor. The process for preparing a dielectric ceramic article involves forming a mixture from the above components into a shaped article such as a tape and then calcining the shaped article at a temperature of about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a time of about 0.5 to about 24 hours.