Abstract: The present development is a multistage process for converting solid hydrocarbon resources into synthetic oil. The process comprises a raw hydrocarbon material treatment stage, followed by a pyrolysis stage, and then a synthetic liquid upgrading stage. Throughout the process, heat is transferred to the hydrocarbon resources via recyclable ceramic spheres.

Abstract: The Fischer-Tropsch catalyst of the present invention is a transition metal-based catalyst having a high surface area, a smooth, homogeneous surface morphology, an essentially uniform distribution of cobalt throughout the support, and a small metal crystallite size. In a first embodiment, the catalyst has a surface area of from about 100 m2/g to about 250 m2/g; an essentially smooth, homogeneous surface morphology; an essentially uniform distribution of metal throughout an essentially inert support; and a metal oxide crystallite size of from about 40 ? to about 200 ?. In a second embodiment, the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is a cobalt-based catalyst with a first precious metal promoter and a second metal promoter on an aluminum oxide support, the catalyst having from about 5 wt % to about 60 wt % cobalt; from about 0.0001 wt % to about 1 wt % of the first promoter, and from about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt % of the second promoter.

Abstract: A radial reactor for utilization for catalytic reactions of gaseous or liquid feedstreams including an annular catalyst bed, wherein the material contained within the catalyst bed includes an active catalyst material, contained within an outer ring-shaped layer of the catalyst bed, and a generally inert material, contained within an inner ring-shaped layer of the catalyst bed, wherein the generally inert material includes a potassium-containing compound, such as potassium oxide, hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst for use in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene is disclosed. The catalyst of the present invention comprises a high purity metal and at least one promoter in the form of solid oxides, oxide hydrates, hydroxides, hydroxycarbonates or metals. The catalyst is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of at least one high purity iron precursor with or without an additional support material and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst pellets prepared with the high purity metal precursor are essentially free of sulfur and chloride contaminants.

Abstract: The present development relates to a modification of the Houdry process for the dehydrogenation of aliphatic hydrocarbons, whereby the dehydrogenation cycle is extended, or lengthened, and hydrogen gas is added into the reaction. The combination of the extended cycle with the hydrogen introduction results in a surprising stabilization of the production rate in the dehydrogenation process. The hydrogen gas may be introduced through a recycle step. The process of the present development is demonstrated for the dehydrogenation of propane to propylene.

Abstract: A diesel oxidation catalyst comprising a honeycomb substrate washcoated with a mixture of clay, a refractory oxide and a zeolite is disclosed. The washcoated substrate is subsequently deposited with a precious metal catalyst and a sulfur oxidation suppressant.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising iron and at least one promoter is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of a high purity iron precursor and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst particles prepared with the high purity iron precursor have an essentially spherical particle shape, a relatively narrow particle size distribution range, and a high surface area.

Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A high temperature water gas shift catalyst comprising iron and at least one promoter is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of a high purity iron precursor and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst prepared according to the inventive method is more efficient in hydrogen production under the high temperature water gas shift reaction conditions in a fixed bed test than prior art catalysts of similar composition.

Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A packaging container for electronic components, particularly integrated circuits, which includes a tray into which the integrated circuits can be secured, a tray cover which is secured onto the tray, wherein the tray cover is composed of a plastic material, a desiccating material and an electrostatic dissipating product. The tray cover may further include a humidity indicating system incorporated into the tray cover. The packaging container may also be placed within a water and moisture-proof barrier bag for shipment purposes.

Abstract: A process for the production of a bleaching clay product which includes the steps of selecting a naturally occurring, acidic hormite clay product, cleaning and crushing the hormite clay products to form clay clumps, selecting a naturally occurring less acidic, clay product which contains a higher level of montmorillonite than does the acidic hormite clay, aging the crushed hormite clay for about one (1) month or more, blending the aged hormite clay with the less acidic clay product either before or after aging and activating the clay with small quantities of acid. An acceptable bleaching clay product can be produced without activation with acid.

Abstract: A process for the production of a bleaching clay product which includes the steps of selecting a naturally occurring hormite clay product, cleaning and crushing the clay product to form clay clumps less than 6 in. in diameter, and aging the crushed hormite clay for at least about one (1) month. Acceptable bleaching clay products can also be produced by the addition of extremely small quantities of a concentrated acid to the aged hormite clay.

Abstract: A method of producing a washcoated monolith catalyst utilizing a dual sol binder system, wherein the binder system is a blend of an alumina sol and a silica sol and wherein the ratio of the alumina to the silica in the dual sol binder system is from about 6:1 to about 1:3.

Abstract: A catalyst for the nonoxidative production of alkenylaromatics from alkylaromatics, wherein the catalyst is predominantly iron oxide, an alkali metal compound, copper oxide, cerium oxide and less than about 100 ppm of a source for a noble metal, such as palladium, platinum, ruthenium, rhenium, osmium, rhodium or iridium. Additional components of the catalyst may include compounds based on molybdenum, tungsten, calcium, magnesium, chromium and other such promoters.

Abstract: An irreversible humidity indicator card comprising an intermediate carrier member containing one or more holes, a clear, water vapor permeable first outer layer secured to the first side of the carrier member, a deliquescent material contained within the holes in the carrier member, a dark colored, absorbent sheet material secured to the back side of the carrier member to cover the holes in the carrier member and a second outer layer which covers the colored absorbent sheet material and a portion or all of the back side of the intermediate carrier member.

Abstract: A low temperature copper/zinc/aluminum water gas shift catalyst is described. The catalyst is formed from a precursor, wherein the precursor includes aluminum in the form of hydrotalcite and aluminum separate from the hydrotalcite. A method of making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst are also described.

Abstract: A low temperature metal promoted copper/zinc/aluminum water gas shift catalyst is described. The catalyst is formed from a precursor, wherein the precursor includes aluminum in the form of hydrotalcite and aluminum separate from the hydrotalcite. A method of making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst are also described.

Abstract: A flash chamber having a self-closing valve for use with a catheter is described. The flash chamber, which is connected to the catheter, precludes blood leakage as a needle is removed from the catheter and an IV unit is coupled to the catheter. The flash chamber permits the practitioner to visually verify that a blood vessel has been punctured and includes a self-sealing valve that prevents blood from flowing out of the flash chamber as the needle is removed and the IV unit is attached.