Abstract: A process and a composite for removing toxic cations and anions from blood or dialysate is disclosed. The process involves contacting blood or dialysate 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 following empirical formula.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a catalyst system comprising two or more molecular sieves, including at least one non-zeolitic molecular sieve and one zeolitic aluminosilicate, having specified contrasting pore structures and to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using the subject catalyst system to obtain an improved yield of para-xylene from the mixture relative to prior-art processes.

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, and (5) a plurality of second fluid conduits in fluid communication with the reaction chambers.

Abstract: The fractional distillation performed as part of the isomerization of C5-C6 paraffins is heat integrated. A portion of a sidedraw recycle stream is employed to cool the feed to a deisohexanizer column and then returned to a lower portion of the column. This reduces the reflux demand of the column and the operating cost of the process.

Abstract: Cartridge type extraction trays for use in a small diameter liquid-liquid extraction column comprise a novel vertical wall which surrounds the active (perforated) area of the tray. This wall extends upward to a sufficient height to retain the heavy liquid on the active area of the tray preventing the heavy liquid from reaching the edge of the tray when it may possibly leak downward due to a gap between the edge of the tray and the inner surface of the column wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure swing adsorption process for direct reduction of iron wherein a portion of spent reducing gas withdrawn from the direct reduction reactor is subjected to a PSA process for the removal of carbon dioxide from the spent reducing gas. An improved CO2-rejection method using an external natural gas purge stream after depressurization and before the product purge step is described. The PSA process comprises an external purge step with a non-absorbable gas, which surprisingly reduces the adsorbent regeneration requirements to maintain the selective adsorption of carbon dioxide from the spent reducing gas. The external natural gas purge results in a cleaner bed before the start of each adsorption cycle. Consequently, significantly more CO2 can be rejected and/or higher hydrogen and CO recoveries can be attained. The external purge stream is fully integrated into the DDRI production scheme.

Abstract: A process has been developed for oxygenating linear C2 to C6 alkanes to ketones or aldehydes. The process involves reacting the alkanes with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising an imide promoter and a metal co-catalyst. An example of the imide is N-hydroxyphthalimide and an example of the co-catalyst is Co (acetylacetonate). The process is preferably carried out using an inert solvent, an example of which is acetic acid. 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: An apparatus is provided which comprises a thermosiphon shift reactor for the conversion of carbon monoxide and the generation of steam for use in a fuel processor for the conversion of hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen and employs the hydrogen in a fuel cell. The thermosiphon shift reactor comprises a vertically extended shell defining an interior volume containing a vertical axis defining a catalyst zone. The vertically extended shell contains a catalyst zone comprising a shift catalyst wherein a high temperature shift catalyst is disposed in successively tapering layers relative to a low temperature shift catalyst and the catalyst zone is at least partially surrounded by an external jacket which defines a flow passage between the vertically extended shell and the external jacket.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a novel catalyst composition comprising a crystalline metal oxide having the empirical formula: AvBt+wNixD(Gu−)yOz, where A is an alkali metal (e.g. Na), B is a basic metal (e.g. Ca), D is a framework component (e.g. P), and G is an anionic species (e.g. OH−). Nickel may be present in the framework of the crystalline metal oxide, dispersed thereon, or both. Preferably, the metal oxide component has an apatite or hydroxyapatite crystal structure. These crystalline metal oxide components have been found to have improved performance in partial oxidation and light hydrocarbon (e.g. methane) reforming to produce synthesis gas. A new process for synthesizing these metal oxides is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a family of non-pillared metal oxide triple layered perovskite has been developed. The perovskite has a surface area of at least 30 m2/g and an empirical formula of AB2M3O10−x where A is a monovalent exchangeable cation such as cesium, B is a divalent or trivalent cation such as strontium or lanthanum and M is a +2, +3, +4 or a +5 valent metal such as niobium, titanium, aluminum or copper. The process involves forming a reaction mixture containing reactive sources of A, B and M at a pH greater than seven and a temperature and time sufficient to form the perovskite. A process for removing contaminants from effluent streams using the above perovskites is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for converting methanol to light olefins is disclosed and claimed. The catalyst is a metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve having the empirical formula (ExAlyPz)O2 where EL is a metal such as silicon or magnesium and “x”, “y” and “z” are the mole fractions of EL, Al and P respectively and specifically where “x” has a value of about 0.02 to about 0.08. A preferred molecular sieve is one which has predominantly a plate crystal morphology in which the average smallest crystal dimension is at least 0.1 microns and has an aspect ratio of no greater than 5. The process provides greater selectivity to ethylene and propylene versus C4+ byproducts.

Abstract: A zeolite may be synthesized having the framework topology of tschörtnerite (TSC) and an empirical formula of mA2/nO:Al2O3:ySiO2 where A is a cation such as lithium. It is anticipated that the synthetic TSC is usable in processes for separating mixtures of molecular species. The lithium analog should be useful for air separation.

Abstract: An advanced method for controlling a solid catalyst alkylation process has been developed. At multiple locations throughout the alkylation process including multiple locations within the reaction zone, on-line Raman spectroscopy is used to measure the concentration of alkene. Operating parameters are adjusted depending upon the concentration of alkene measured, or the conversion of alkene determined. Different operating parameters are adjusted depending upon the alkene concentration or conversion measured at different locations thus pairing a particular operating parameter with an ideal location for alkene measurement and control.

Abstract: High quality hydrophilic sulfur is recovered from a biologial conversion zone in which a sulfur containing compound such as a sulfide is converted to elemental sulfur. The sulfur is rendered hydrophilic due to the fine particle size and attachment of biomass to the particles. The sulfur is recovered as an undamaged agglomerate powder after being processed in at least two stages of purification.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocracking process for the production of lube base oil wherein a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is contacted with hydrogen and a metal promoted hydrocracking catalyst in a hydrocracking reaction zone at elevated temperature and pressure to obtain conversion to higher hydrogen-content hydrocarbons including lube base oil. The resulting hot, uncooled effluent from the hydrocracking reaction zone is hydrogen stripped in a hot, high pressure stripping zone maintained at essentially the same pressure as the hydrocracking zone to produce a first gaseous hydrocarbonaceous stream and a first liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream. At least a portion of the first gaseous hydrocarbonaceous stream is condensed to produce a second liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream and a second hydrogen-rich gaseous stream. The first liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream is preferably separated at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to provide at least one lube base oil product stream.

Abstract: A catalyst and a process for using the catalyst are disclosed generally for the conversion of hydrocarbons. By the use of at least one high temperature calcination under dry conditions, a catalyst with a beneficial combination of lowered surface area and excellent piece crush is created. X-ray diffraction pattern information is used to distinguish the resulting product.

Abstract: Processes for oxidizing hydrocarbons using a new family of crystalline manganese phosphate compositions have been developed. These compositions have an extended network which network can be a one-, two-, or three-dimensional network. The composition has an empirical formula of: (Aa+)v(Mnb+)(Mc+)xPyOz where A is a structure directing agent such as an alkali metal, M is a metal such as Al, Fe3+ and “b” is the average manganese oxidation state and varies from greater than 2.0 to a maximum of 3.0. Specific oxidation processes are oxidative dehydrodimerization and oxidative dehydrogenation.

Abstract: Commonly available carbon dioxide may contain unacceptable amounts of compounds containing greater than about ten carbon atoms, sulfur-containing materials, and nitrogen-containing materials which are particularly detrimental to semiconductor and silicon wafer processing-related uses of carbon dioxide. These impurities can be effectively removed by a combination of metal oxide, silica gel, and activated carbon, thus permitting an on-site, on-demand, convenient, and economic method of purifying carbon dioxide ranging from laboratory scale operations to tank car scale operations.

Abstract: A novel integrated system for the co-production of heat and electricity for residences or commercial buildings is based on the cracking of hydrocarbons to generate hydrogen for a fuel cell. Compared to prior art reforming methods for hydrogen production, the cracking reaction provides an input stream to the fuel cell that is essentially free of CO, a known poison to the anode catalyst in many fuel cell designs, such as PEM fuel cells. The cracking reaction is coupled with an air or steam regeneration cycle to reactivate that cracking catalyst for further use. This regeneration can provide a valuable source of heat or furnace fuel to the system. A novel control method for system adjusts the durations of the cracking and regeneration cycles to optimize the recovery of reaction heat.

Abstract: For the removal of trace quantities of iodine-containing contaminants from corrosive liquid feed streams (e.g. commercial acetic acid), an adsorbent with distinct advantages over prior-art materials is provided. The overall treatment method involves the use of a suitable zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio from about 5 to less than 15 that has been cation-exchanged with an iodine-reactive metal. This inorganic adsorbent may be used in unbound form, or it can be bound with a substantially insoluble porous inorganic refractory metal oxide binder. Reactivation and regeneration techniques, which are generally incompatible with prior-art adsorbent materials, are also disclosed. In general, it is advantageous to pretreat the feed streams to remove the most easily separable contaminants (e.g. iodine, hydrogen iodide, and metal cations) and thereby reduce the iodine compound loading and detrimental effects of metals on the adsorbent. Thus, the expensive iodine reactive metal (e.g.