Abstract: In a process for steam reforming of a hydrocarbon gas feedstream wherein: (a) the hydrocarbon gas feedstream is partially reformed at elevated temperatures in indirect heat exchange with hot combustion gases in a direct fired primary reforming furnace provided with a convection section for recovery of excess heat from said combustion gases; and (b) the partially reformed feedstream is then further reformed in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas and steam in a secondary reformer to form a secondary reformer gaseous effluent; the improvement which comprises recovering waste heat from said secondary reformer effluent gas and from said primary reforming combustion products by (i) heating a high pressure saturated steam in a first steam superheating zone by indirect heat exchange with at least a portion of said secondary reformer effluent gas to form a first superheated steam stream; and (ii) further heating said first superheated steam in a second steam superheating zone by indirect heat exchange with at lea

Abstract: An improved cryogenic separation process is provided for forming a substantially CO-free and lower hydrocarbon-free hydrogen-rich gas, suitable for use in producing an ammonia synthesis gas, from a hydrogen-containing gas stream also containing carbon monoxide and lower hydrocarbon impurities, wherein the hydrogen containing gas is subject to a two-stage autorefrigerated cryogenic flash treatment to remove concentrated methane-containing and carbon monoxide-containing streams, and the thus-purified hydrogen gas is passed to a nitrogen wash tower in counter-current contact with liquid nitrogen to form the desired hydrogen-rich product streams as an overheads from the wash tower.

Abstract: According to the present invention, novel pyromellitate plasticizers are provided which comprise members selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and comprise members selected from the group consisting of iso-nonyl and iso-decyl groups.

Abstract: According to the process of this invention, saturated mono-alcohols are recovered from solutions containing such mono-alcohols together with a carboxylic acid extraction solvent therefor by passing the mono-alcohol solution to an alcohol vaporization zone, introducing a substantially anhydrous stripping gas to the alcohol vaporization zone in an amount and under conditions sufficient to form vapors comprising the mono-alcohol and to form an alcohol-depleted liquid phase comprising the carboxylic acid extraction solvent.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an improved method for preparing acrylic copolymer resins is provided in which the polymerization solvent comprises an alkanoic acid alkyl ester having a total of from about 7 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule. The monomers comprise hydroxy-substituted alkyl (meth)acrylates, and non-hydroxy substituted alkyl (meth)acrylates, and the process provides an improved method for forming low molecular weight acrylic resins useful as components in high solids acrylic coatings suitable for electrostatic spraying. The polymerization solvent can remain in the resin to become the solvent employed in the higher solids coating containing the thus-formed acrylic resins and provides surprisingly improved electrical resistivity and solvency and decreased surface tensions over prior art polymerization solvents.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins in the vapor phase in the presence of water vapor employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a molybdenum disulfide catalyst formed by the thermal decomposition of a thiomolybdate compound. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an improved process and apparatus for the production of gaseous products such as ammonia by catalytic, exothermic gaseous reactions and is specifically directed to an improved process which utilizes a gas-phase catalytic reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen for the synthesis of ammonia. This improved process for the production of ammonia utilizes an ammonia converter apparatus designed to comprise at least two catalyst stages and a reheat exchanger so arranged as to provide indirect heat exchange of the gaseous effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage with the effluent from at least one other reactor catalyst stage having a higher temperature level in order to reheat the effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage prior to exiting the reactor vessel, thereby facilitating higher level heat recovery from the reactor effluent.

Abstract: An impact resistant assembly is provided which comprises a longitudinal, molded shaft composed of a thermoplastic material and having screw threads at one end thereof and a planar head plate at the opposite end. Adjacent to the head plate is an upper cylindrical shaft section upon which is securely positioned a metal collar, which is preferably provided with an enlarged metal rim, to support the head plate and adjacent cylindrical shaft section against substantial deformation during the subsequent molding thereon of a resilient, head member which is formed from a thermosetting material. It has been found that the combination of the planar head plate and the adjacent metal collar is essential to form the desired impact resistant assembly having the resilient, impact resistant head member molded thereon. The impact resistant assemblies of this invention are particularly suited for use in bowling alley backstops which are subjected to repeated and severe direct impacts by bowling balls of high mass.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an improved method for providing acrylic copolymer resins is provided in which the polymerization solvent comprises a blend of methyl isobutyl ketone and certain alkyl-substituted benzene solvents. The monomers comprise hydroxy-substituted alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers and non-hydroxy substituted alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers, and the process provides an improved method for forming low molecular weight acrylic resins useful as components in acrylic coatings. The polymerization solvent can remain in the resin to become a solvent employed in the higher solids coating containing the thus-formed acrylic resins and provides improved electrical resistivity, improved solvency and decreased surface tensions over prior art polymerization solvents.

Abstract: An improved process for indirect hydration of propylene to form di-isopropyl ether and isopropyl alcohol is provided in which propylene is absorbed in sulfuric acid to form an extract which is withdrawn from the absorbing zone; water in carefully controlled amounts is admixed with the extract and the resulting mixture is passed to an ether generating zone to form a vaporous ether product and a bottoms product depleted in di-isopropyl ether and containing sulfuric acid in a concentration at least equal to the acid concentration in the extract withdrawn from the absorbing zone. The withdrawn bottoms is then divided into two portions: a first portion is recycled to the absorber; and the second such portion is admixed with sufficient water to hydrate absorbed olefin values and the resulting mixture is fed to an alcohol generator for formation of isopropyl alcohol as overhead product and dilute sulfuric acid as bottoms product.

Abstract: Aliphatic alcohols are produced by an improved hydrogenation of the corresponding saturated aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of organo-sulfur impurities by partially hydrogenating the aldehydes in a first hydrogenation zone in the presence of a sulfided hydrogenation catalyst at a temperature within the range of from about 180.degree. to 260.degree. C., followed by completion of the hydrogenation in the second hydrogenation zone in the presence of a metallic nickelcontaining hydrogenation catalyst. The second hydrogenation zone employs a lower temperature than is used in the first and is selected within the range of from about 175.degree. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the improved process of this invention, dicobalt octacarbonyl is produced in liquid medium by subjecting an aqueous solution of a tetracarbonylcobaltate salt in the presence of a solvent for dicobalt octacarbonyl to an externally applied voltage and electrical current at a magnitude and for a time sufficient to convert at least a portion of the tetracarbonylcobaltate anion to dicobalt octacarbonyl which is efficiently extracted into said solvent, thereby producing a solvent phase which can be recovered and passed to a cobalt-catalyzed olefin hydroformylation reaction zone as the source of at least a portion of the catalyst and olefin required in the olefin hydroformylation reaction to form the corresponding aldehydes. It has been surprisingly found that such a two-phase electrolysis can be performed to efficiently provide high yields of dicobalt octacarbonyl while substantially avoiding the fouling problems associated with aqueous-phase electrolysis.

Abstract: A process for removing acid gases such as CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S from gas streams using a cyclic aqueous alkaline scrubbing solution which is circulated between an absorption and regeneration stage is disclosed. This process is improved by integrating within this cyclic system a process scheme wherein condensed steam having gaseous impurities dissolved therein is recovered from the feed gas and subjected to a pressure below which scrubbing solution regeneration takes place. While maintaining this pressure, the process condensate is heated, boiled and stripped to evolve a vaporous mixture comprising steam and gaseous impurities which are compressed and introduced into the regeneration stage. By this process, useful work is performed by low temperature process streams thereby improving the overall efficiency of the cyclic process.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for treating spent sulfuric acid streams formed in the catalytic hydration of olefins to prepare alcohols, wherein the spent acid stream containing organo-sulfonic acid impurities is treated in an electrolysis zone under conditions sufficient to electrolytically oxidize at least a portion of said organo-sulfonic acid impurities to form partially oxidized organic compounds therefrom and thereby provide a treated sulfuric acid stream of increased thermal stability. The improved process permits continuous operation at levels of total organic carbon in the treated acid which would otherwise be unacceptable and minimizes the substantial operating problems associated with formation of heavy carbon deposits in the process equipment.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the improved process of this invention, dicobalt octacarbonyl is produced in an olefinic medium by contacting an aqueous solution of a tetracarbonylcobaltate metal salt with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an olefinic extractant for dicobalt octacarbonyl to oxidize the tetracarbonylcobaltate anion to dicobalt octacarbonyl which is efficiently extracted into the olefinic phase, thereby producing an organic phase which can then be recovered and passed to a cobalt-catalyzed olefin hydroformylation reaction zone as source of at least a portion of the catalyst and olefin required in the olefin hydroformylation reaction to form the corresponding aldehydes.

Abstract: An improved process for producing alcohols which comprises passing a demetalled hydroformylation liquid effluent comprising aldehyde and alcohol and containing acetal impurities to a thermal treatment zone; subjecting the demetalled hydroformylation effluent in the thermal treatment zone in the absence of added acidic compounds and in the presence of water to a temperature of from about 350.degree. to 500.degree. F. for a time sufficient to convert at least a major portion of the acetal impurities to the corresponding aldehydes and alcohols and to form an aldehyde-containing liquid containing substantially reduced levels of the acetal impurities; withdrawing the aldehyde-containing liquid from the thermal treatment zone and rapidly cooling the liquid to a temperature of about 300.degree. F.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the improved process of this invention, dicobalt octacarbonyl is produced in an olefinic medium by contacting an aqueous solution of a tetracarbonylcobaltate metal salt with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an olefinic extractant for dicobalt octacarbonyl to oxidize the tetracarbonylcobaltate anion to dicobalt octacarbonyl which is efficiently extracted into the olefinic phase, thereby producing an organic phase which can then be recovered and passed to a cobalt-catalyzed olefin hydroformylation reaction zone as source of at least a portion of the catalyst and olefin required in the olefin hydroformylation reaction to form the corresponding aldehydes.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing propylene oxide is provided in which propylene is oxidized by means of a thallic salt in the presence of aqueous media containing an alkanoic acid having at least seven carbon atoms and optionally in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: The novel bis (2-bromoethyl) tellurium dibromide and 2-bromoethyl tellurium tribromide are prepared by reacting ethylene with a source of tellurium tetrabromide in an inert, non-basic organic solvent under certain temperature conditions and in the substantial absence of molecular oxygen.

Abstract: A process for the production of urethanes is provided in which an organic primary or secondary amine is contacted, in the substantial absence of reactive oxygen, with a source of carbon monoxide and an organic compound containing at least one hydroxyl group in the presence of a catalyst comprising a member selected from the group consisting of carbonyls of Co, Mo, Ti, Rh, Fe, Ni and mixtures thereof. Urethane yields and selectivities are further improved by conducting the reaction in the additional presence of an organic compound containing at least one C.dbd.N or C.dbd.C group. When such unsaturated organic compounds are employed, the catalyst can additionally comprise iridium carbonyl.