Abstract: A method is provided for production of low dust adsorbents and catalysts. A thin layer of metal oxide derived from a colloidal solution of the oxide is deposited on the adsorbent or catalyst particle, which greatly improves the physical properties of the particle with regards to attrition and dust formation while retaining the adsorbent and catalytic properties of the particle. The method is applicable to a variety of porous refractory oxides. For example, treatment with colloidal silica improves greatly the physical stability of alumina adsorbents.

Abstract: An improved mixed matrix membrane for the separation of gases comprises polyethylene glycol, silicone rubber and activated carbon on a porous support. The membrane preferably also comprises a carbonate such as potassium carbonate. The gases which may be separated by the membrane include mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen and mixtures of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Membranes of this design may be used in processing natural gas or other gases.

Abstract: Applicants have synthesized a new aluminosilicate zeolite identified as UZM-9. This new zeolite has the LTA topology and has an empirical formula of: Mmn+Rrp+Al1-xExSiyOz where M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal ion, R is at least two organic ions, at least one of which has an organic group with at least two carbon atoms and E can be gallium, iron, boron and mixtures thereof. The Si/Al ratio can range from greater than 3.5 to about 6.0.

Abstract: A novel process for continuously mixing and reacting at least two fluids are disclosed. Excellent mixing and superior pressure drop characteristics are achieved using cyclone mixing where at least two supply channels feed a mixing chamber to create a vortex of the fluids to be mixed. The alignment of the supply channels is such that fluids are introduced into the chamber at both tangential and radial directions. In the case of gas/liquid mixing, particularly advantageous is the injection of the liquid stream tangentially and the gas stream radially. Reaction of the fluids can take place within the mixing chamber or in a separate reactor in fluid communication with the mixing chamber outlet. The process is especially useful for reacting potentially explosive mixtures of reactants where a homogeneous reactor feed mixture is critical to maintaining a non-explosive environment.

Abstract: A layered catalyst composition is disclosed where the composition is prepared by bonding an outer layer comprising a bound zeolite (e.g. zeolite beta) to an inner core material (e.g. cordierite). The use of an organic bonding agent in the catalyst preparation procedure provides a composition that is sufficiently resistant to mechanical attrition to be used commercially in aromatic alkylation processes (e.g. benzene alkylation to ethylbenzene). Advantages associated with the use of layered compositions include a significant reduction in the amount of zeolite used for a given reactor loading and improved selectivity to desired alkylated aromatic products. Further benefits are realized when the layered composition is formed into shapes having a sufficiently high void volume to reduce pressure drop across the alkylation catalyst bed. This is especially relevant for operation involving high recycle rates and consequently low alkylating agent concentrations in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring the amount of water in vapor has been developed. The process begins with adjusting the level of water in a vessel housing a capacitance probe so as to immerse from about 5 to about 15 percent of the probe and measuring and recording an initial capacitance, CI. A measured amount of vapor is passed through a condenser, the condensed water is conducted to the vessel and a final capacitance, CF, is measured and recorded. The change in capacitance is calculated, &Dgr;C=(CF−CI), and the difference, &Dgr;C, along with a calculation correlation is used to determine the amount of water condensed. With the amount of water condensed and the measured amount of vapor passed through the vessel, the amount of water in the vapor may be readily calculated. The vapor to be analyzed may be at a temperature as high as about 1000° C.

Abstract: A modular apparatus for fractional distillation and other forms of vapor-liquid contacting is presented. The apparatus performs cocurrent contacting of vapor and liquid in a number of identical structural units which are placed in horizontal layers in a column or other enclosure. The structural units, or modules, are horizontally spaced apart in each layer to provide spaces for the downcomers from the modules of the next higher layer. The downcomers deliver the liquid to one of two inclined contacting channels, with the contacting channels discharging the vapor and liquid into separation chambers at the top of the module. Vapor flows upward from the separation chambers to the contacting channel of the next higher module and liquid flows down through a single central downcomer to the next lower contacting channel.

Abstract: A process of 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 main support 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 main support is equipped with a flat support temporarily attached to its first surface. 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. The samples are retained in position within the perforations against the flat support, and are made ready for analysis by exposing the flat surfaces of the samples by removing the flat support.

Abstract: A process for separating at least one C8 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon from a mixture containing at least one C8 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and at least one C9 or C10 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon using dealuminated sodium zeolite Y.

Abstract: This is a hydrogen generation process for use with fuel cells which includes a preferential oxidation step to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide. The preferential oxidation step includes contacting a fuel stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of an oxygen at a preferential oxidation temperature of between about 70° and about 160° C. with preferential oxidation catalyst for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide to produce a treated fuel gas stream comprising less than about 50 ppm-vol carbon monoxide. The preferential oxidation catalyst comprises ruthenium metal dispersed on a shaped alumina carrier, wherein at least 60 percent of the ruthenium metal is present in a band extending from the surface towards the center and having a width of about 50 percent of the distance from the surface to the center of the shaped alumina carrier. Superior performance at low preferential oxidation temperatures below 130° C.

Abstract: A process for oxygenating organic substrates such as aliphatic hydrocarbons has been developed. The process involves contacting the organic substrate with oxygen in the presence of a bicyclo imide promoter and a metal co-catalyst. The process is preferably carried out using sulfolane as the solvent. Optionally, the oxygenated product can be hydrogenated to give the corresponding alcohol which can optionally in turn be dehydrated to provide the corresponding olefin.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a continuous process for synthesizing various molecular sieves. The process enables one to control both the particle size and particle size distribution. Any of the molecular sieves represented by the empirical formula on an anhydrous basis: rR2O:(SixAlyPz)O2, where R is at least one structure directing agent, “r”, “x”, “y” and “z” are the mole fractions of R, Si, Al and P respectively, can be prepared using this process. The process involves continuously adding separate streams comprising reactive sources of at least each framework element into a continuous crystallization reactor. Either interstage backmixing is introduced or the number of stages is adjusted in order to control particle size.

Abstract: A novel mixing apparatus and process for mixing at least two fluids are disclosed. Excellent mixing and superior pressure drop characteristics are achieved in a device comprising at least two supply channels to feed a mixing chamber and create a vortex. The alignment of the supply channels is such that fluids are introduced into the chamber at both tangential and radial directions. In the case of gas/liquid mixing, particularly advantageous is the injection of the liquid stream tangentially and the gas stream radially. When two liquid streams are mixed, it is desirable to distribute them into fine, interdigitated channels prior to introduction into a supply channel and finally into the chamber. The mixed stream is generally withdrawn from the center of the swirling vortex and in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the vortex.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the oligomerization of light olefins to higher olefins. The process uses a catalyst that has an inert core and a thin layer of molecular sieve applied to the inert core. The molecular sieve is a crystalline silicoaluminate or metalloaluminophosphate and provides the acid sites for the oligomerization reactions. The thin layer provides for more selective control and limits the amount of oligomerization for liquid phase oligomerization processes.

Abstract: Long chain alcohols and acids or other similar oxygenates such as esters are produced from paraffins of similar carbon number by a process comprising paraffin dehydrogenation, carbonylation, and separation. Preferably a mixture of paraffins extending over several carbon numbers and recovered from a kerosene fraction is processed, and unconverted paraffins are recycled to a dehydrogenation zone. Alternative reaction zone configurations, catalyst systems and product recovery methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel and efficient process for the loading of metals onto adsorbent beds in an overall adsorption system comprising at least two beds can overcome many of the problems associated with traditional metal-loaded adsorbent preparation techniques. These problems include waste stream generation and disposal, drying requirements, and shrinkage/swelling effects. In addition to an adsorption bed, the system includes either an upstream bed (e.g. a pretreatment bed) or a downstream bed (e.g. a post treatment bed). These supplemental beds are often not loaded initially with metal, but can serve to guard against poisons and foulants that detrimentally affect the overall adsorption. The method is useful for in-situ ion exchange loading of metals for which the adsorbent has a strong affinity. The method is particularly advantageous for loading iodine-reactive metals (e.g. silver) onto zeolitic or resin-based adsorbents used for treating iodine-containing feeds, such as commercial acetic acid product streams.

Abstract: Applicant has developed an improved adsorbent useful in removing contaminants from various hydrocarbon streams. The adsorbent contains a zeolite, an alumina and a metal component. The metal component (Madd) is present in an amount at least 10 mole % the stoichiometric amount of metal (M) (expressed as the oxide) needed to balance the negative charge of the zeolite lattice. In a specific application an adsorbent comprising zeolite X, alumina and sodium is used to purify an ethylene stream in order to remove CO2, H2S, methanol, and other S— and O— containing compounds.

Abstract: A novel process for converting C2 to C6 aliphatic hydrocarbons to aromatics and catalyst for use in this process are disclosed. The catalyst that contains a zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio greater than about 20 and a pore diameter from about 5 Å to about 6 Å, an essentially non-acidic binder, and a gallium component. The binder is selected from silica, zirconia, titania, and mixtures thereof and results in a catalyst formulation having both enhanced selectivity to desired C6-C9 aromatic products and improved stability compared to prior art compositions. Preferred zeolites that can be used include those of the MFI structure type, with ZSM-5 being a specific example.

Abstract: A new family of crystalline alumino-silicate zeolites has been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. Mmn+Rrp+Al(1−x)ExSiyOz where M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal such as lithium and strontium, R is a nitrogen containing organic cation such as tetramethyl ammonium and E is a framework element such as gallium. They are also characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes.

Abstract: A process for selectively hydrogenating C4-acetylenes in a liquid hydrocarbon stream containing largely butadiene has been developed. Hydrogen and the hydrocarbon stream are contacted with a catalytic composite comprising an inorganic oxide support having dispersed thereon finely divided copper metal and an activator metal of nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, manganese, or a combination thereof where 1) the catalytic composite has an average diameter of up to about {fraction (1/32)} inch (800 microns) and/or 2) at least 50 and preferably 70 weight percent of the copper metal and the activator metal are dispersed on the outer 200 micron layer of the support.