Abstract: Spent, coke-containing shale derived from a gas-heated eduction zone is passed through a combustion-gasification zone countercurrently to an upflowing mixture of steam and oxygen-containing gas to effect partial combustion of the coke on the spent shale, the resulting heat of combustion being used to effect concurrent endothermic gasification reactions of steam with unburned coke. The resulting net production of hot, steam- and hydrogen-containing water gas is then mixed with hot recycle gas derived from the shale eduction zone, the resulting mixture forming the heat carrier required for the gas-heated eduction zone. A recycle portion of the steam-rich water gas from the combustion-gasification zone is continuously withdrawn, passed through a steam generator to effect simultaneous cooling and steam enrichment thereof, and then recycled to the bottom of the gasification reactor.

Abstract: In a continuous, solids upflow, gas downflow shale retorting process carried out at superatmospheric pressures, hydrostatic sealing means are provided at the shale inlet and retorted shale outlet ends of the retort, thereby avoiding the need for mechanical sealing means, lock vessels, etc. The raw shale is fed into the retort through a standing reservoir of product oil, or preferably a light fraction thereof, and the retorted shale is discharged from the retort through a water quenching zone and seal, in the lower portion of which is maintained a sufficient hydrostatic head of water to prevent the discharge therethrough of retort gases. Steam generated in the quench zone, containing some entrained hydrocarbonaceous matter, is treated in a multistage cooling and condensing manner for gas cleanup and for recovery of heat and an oil-free water condensate for recycle to the water sealing and quench zones.

Abstract: In a continuous, solids upflow, gas downflow shale retorting process carried out at superatmospheric pressures, hydrostatic sealing means are provided at the shale inlet and retorted shale outlet ends of the retort, thereby avoiding the need for mechanical sealing means, lock vessels, etc. The raw shale is fed into the retort through a standing reservoir of product oil, or preferably a light fraction thereof, and the retorted shale is discharged from the retort through a water quenching zone and seal, in the lower portion of which is maintained a sufficient hydrostatic head of water to prevent the discharge therethrough of retort gases. Steam generated in the quench zone, containing some entrained hydrocarbonaceous matter, is treated in a multistage cooling and condensing manner for gas cleanup and for recovery of heat and an oil-free water condensate for recycle to the water sealing and quench zones.

Abstract: Zeolite-supported Group VIII metal hydrogenation catalysts which have undergone damage by thermal and/or hydrothermal stresses, resulting in a maldistribution of the supported metal, are rejuvenated in activity by (1) vapor phase hydration-ammoniation, followed by (2) calcination to effect substantially complete deammoniation and dehydration of the catalyst, and (3) controlled partial rehydration. The partial rehydration step is the critical novel feature of the invention.

Abstract: Process and catalyst for the catalytic conversion of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x), unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in internal combustion engine exhaust gases. The catalyst comprises essentially a composite of nickel and a minor proportion of iridium. This composite catalyst is found to be exceptionally resistant to poisoning by sulfur and lead compounds present in the exhaust gases.

Abstract: Process and catalyst for the catalytic conversion of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x), unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in internal combustion engine exhaust gases. The catalyst comprises rhodium as the essential active component, preferably composited with a nickel component. These catalysts are found to be exceptionally resistant to poisoning by sulfur and lead compounds present in the exhaust gases.

Abstract: Catalysts having a high degree of thermal stability, comprising alumina and one or more of the metals iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc, are prepared from aqueous solutions containing a dissolved aluminum salt, a salt of at least one of the aforesaid metals in divalent form, and a delayed precipitant such as urea. With all components in homogeneous solution at a relatively low pH and temperature, the solution is heated to a temperature sufficient to hydrolyze the delayed precipitant with resultant liberation of ammonia and carbon dioxide homogeneously throughout the solution, until the pH of the solution rises sufficiently to effect coprecipitation of the metal salts as hydroxides and/or carbonates.

Abstract: A method for the rejuvenation of an automobile emission control catalyst poisoned with compounds of lead and/or phosphorus comprising (a) initially extracting lead sulfate deposits from the catalyst with an aqueous ammonium salt (preferrably ammonium acetate) solution; (b) exposing the catalyst to an atmosphere containing SO.sub.2, or SO.sub.2 and air, at 300.degree. to 700.degree.C. until other lead compounds are substantially converted to lead sulfate, and phosphorus compounds are substantially converted to gaseous P.sub.2 O.sub.5 ; and finally (c) removing at least a portion of the lead sulfate formed in (b) by a second extraction with an aqueous ammonium salt solution.Catalysts contemplated for rejuvenation by the process of the invention include those comprising nickel, palladium, rhodium, platinum, or combinations thereof as active components on bases of alumina or aluminum borate.

Abstract: Residual oils comprising asphaltenes, metal compounds, and refractory sulfur compounds are hydrodesulfurized by contact with a unique type of cobalt-molybdenum-alumina catalyst characterized by certain critical physical properties of surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and by a particle-form shape exhibiting a ratio of external surface area to volume of between about 70 and 160 reciprocal inches. The most critical characteristic of the catalyst, which appears to account mainly for its exceptionally high activity, stems from its method of manufacture. This method involves first mixing an alumina hydrogel with an ammonium molybdate solution, spray drying the resulting slurry to a water content of about 10-40 weight-percent, remulling the spray-dried composite with water, extruding the composite into extrudates of specific size ranges, calcining the extrudates, impregnating the calcined extrudates with an aqueous solution of a cobalt compound, and finally calcining the impregnated extrudates.

Abstract: Hydrocracking catalysts are disclosed consisting essentially of a physical, particle-form mixture of (1) a crystalline alumino-silicate component having a sodium content of less than 4 percent by weight, and (2) a hydrogenation component comprising a predominant proportion of a porous support, other than a crystalline aluminosilicate, and a minor proportion of at least one constituent exhibiting hydrogenation activity. Hydrocracking processes using such catalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for the production of ammonium polyphosphate solutions of high concentrations from phosphoric acid and ammonia. The process is ideally suited for the production of such solutions from wet-process phosphoric acid which has a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 content of from 56 to about 70 weight percent, impurity-free basis, and which, preferably, contains from 5 to about 50 percent of its phosphorus present as polyphosphoric acid. The method comprises introducing the phosphoric acid into a reactor bearing a Teflon liner and reacting it therein with vapors of ammonia while controlling the amount of ammonia from 0.2 to about 0.3 pound ammonia per pound of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 in the feed acid, sufficient to achieve a peak reaction temperature in the reactor between about 525.degree. and 775.degree.F., the absolute value of which is dependent on the bulk water content of the feed acid.

Abstract: Improved combinations of zeolites and refractory inorganic oxides are formed from mixtures of the ammonium, stabilized hydrogen forms of crystalline zeolitic aluminosilicates and amorphous refractory inorganic oxides upon calcination under substantially dry conditions at temperatures of at least about 600.degree.F sufficient to convert the ammonium ions to hydrogen ions. The resultant compositions have a wide range of uses due to their improved ion exchange capacity, catalytic activity and tolerance to numerous environments.

Abstract: Siliceous zeolite catalysts comprising zeolitic mono- and/or divalent metal cations and a non-zeolitic Group VIII noble metal hydrogenating component supported thereon, which catalysts have undergone damage by thermal and/or hydrothermal stresses resulting in a maldistribution of the metal components, are rejuvenated in activity by a first treatment with a volumetric excess of aqueous ammonium hydroxide, followed by a second treatment with an extractive proportion of an aqueous ammonium salt solution. The combined treatments have a twofold effect of bringing about a desirable redistribution of the Group VIII noble metal, and of exchanging out at least a portion of undesired zeolitic mono- and/or divalent metal ions. A highly advantageous procedure for carrying out the rejuvenation involves simply neutralizing the ammonium hydroxide-catalyst mixture from the first treatment with a suitable acid to give the ammonium salt desired for the second treatment.

Abstract: Ammonium phosphate solutions free of precipitates are prepared from wet-process phosphoric acid containing incidental metallic impurities such as iron, aluminum and magnesium by concentration of the phosphoric acid to an anhydrous state and the formation of acyclic polyphosphoric acids therein which prevent the precipitation of the metallic impurities upon neutralization. The acid is heated to a temperature greater than 120.degree. C. at atmospheric or subatmospheric pressures while removing the volatile impurities and thereafter is neutralized with ammonia. The neutralization step can be performed at elevated temperatures with anhydrous ammonia or the acid can be cooled and neutralized at ambient temperatures. The resulting ammonium phosphate is diluted with water to obtain an ammonium phosphate solution which is clear and free of precipitates.