Abstract: A process and an assembly for simultaneously evaluating a plurality of catalysts is provided wherein the flow rate of a reactive fluid to each of a plurality of reactors is automatically adjusted based on the measured amount of catalyst sample in each reactor to concurrently obtain a substantially identical fluid space velocity in each of the reactors.

Abstract: An aromatics complex flow scheme has been developed. C7-C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons are recycled to an isomerization unit of a xylene recovery zone to increase the efficiency of the isomerization unit. This improvement results in an aromatics complex with savings on capital and utility costs and an improvement on the return on investment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for rapidly generating a plurality of isolated effluents have been developed. A specific embodiment involves screening a plurality of solids through simultaneously contacting the members of the plurality with a fluid, sampling the resulting fluids, and processing the resulting fluids to, for example, determine changes as compared to the feed fluid or as compared to other resulting fluids.

Abstract: Citric acid is separated from a fermentation broth containing gluconic acid by using an adsorbent comprising a water-insoluble, macroreticular or gel, strongly or weakly basic anionic exchange resin possessing quaternary or tertiary amine functional groups, said a anionic exchange resin having a cross-linked acrylic or styrene resin matrix and a desorbent comprising water or dilute sulfuric acid. The pH of the feed is maintained below the first ionization constant (pKa1) of citric acid to maintain selectivity.

Abstract: A process for the isomerization of a feedstream comprising C5–C6 hydrocarbons where the process involves charging hydrogen and a feedstream comprising at least normal C5–C6 hydrocarbons into an isomerization zone and contacting said hydrogen and feedstream with an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the feedstream hydrocarbons and produce an isomerization effluent stream comprising at least normal pentane, normal hexane, methylbutane, dimethylbutane, and methylpentane has been discovered. Without passing through a stabilizer, the isomerization effluent stream is passed to a deisohexanizer zone to generate at least a stream enriched in methylbutane and dimethylbutanes. The stream enriched in methylbutane and dimethylbutanes is passed to an isomerate striper column to remove butane and lighter hydrocarbons and gasses. The remainder containing the methylbutane and dimethylbutanes is collected for use in, for example, gasoline blending.

Abstract: A process for preparing a transalkylation catalyst, the catalyst itself, and a transalkylation process for using the catalyst are herein disclosed. The catalyst comprises rhenium metal on a solid-acid support such as mordenite, which has been treated with a sulfur-based agent. Such treatment reduces the amount of methane produced by metal hydrogenolysis in a transalkylation process wherein heavy aromatics like A9+ are reacted with toluene to produce xylenes. Reduced methane production relative to total light ends gas production results in lower hydrogen consumption and lower reactor exotherms.

Abstract: A catalyst, a process for using the catalyst whereby the catalyst effectively transalkylates C7, C9, and C10 aromatics to C8 aromatics are disclosed. The catalyst comprises a support such as mordenite plus a metal component. The catalyst provides an enhanced life and activity for carrying out the transalkylation reactions at relatively low temperatures. This is achieved by reducing the maximum particle diameter of cylindrical pellets to 1/32 inch (0.08 cm) or a trilobe to 1/16 inch (0.16 cm).

Abstract: The method and assembly accommodate parallel processing of a plurality of materials such as catalysts simultaneously through use of interactive modules for sizing of material particles to predetermined substantially identical size, for collecting a substantially identical dose of each material, for feeding the dose of each material into a reactor vessel, and for maintaining integrity of the modules, or units thereof, intact during interaction between structures so no particulate material is lost during necessary processing for ultimate efficacy testing in a least compromised manner.

Abstract: The method and assembly accommodate parallel processing of a plurality of materials such as catalysts simultaneously through use of interactive modules for sizing of material particles to predetermined substantially identical size, for collecting a substantially identical dose of each material, for feeding the dose of each material into a reactor vessel, and for maintaining integrity of the modules, or units thereof, intact during interaction between structures so no particulate material is lost during necessary processing for ultimate efficacy testing in a least compromised manner.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element, yttrium or mixtures thereof, which is preferably ytterbium or holmium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for rapidly generating a plurality of isolated effluents have been developed. A specific embodiment involves screening a plurality of solids through simultaneously contacting the members of the plurality with a fluid, simultaneously sampling the resulting fluids, and processing the resulting fluids to, for example, determine changes as compared to the feed fluid or as compared to other resulting fluids.

Abstract: A method of determining a surface property of a plurality of solids by contacting the solids with a fluid, measuring the radiation emitted, absorbed, or altered during desorption of the fluid using a detector, and then determining at least one surface property of the solids from the radiation measurements has been invented. The invention is particularly useful in combinatorial applications in order to evaluate a plurality of solids or mixtures of solids to determine at least one surface property of each of the solids.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for 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 monolithic block having a main support section 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 monolithic block also has a flat support section covering the perforations of the main support section. 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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compact apparatus for generating hydrogen. More particularly, this invention relates to a compact hydrogen generating apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a fuel cell. The compact hydrogen generating apparatus comprises a fuel processor reactor having an integrated pre-reforming zone embedded within a secondary reforming zone.

Abstract: The desulfurization reactor assembly is comprised of two sections. The first section comprises a plenum base having channels therein for inflow and outflow of vapor to be reacted with the channels traversing a chamber within the plenum base through which heating medium travels. The second section includes two pieces comprising a shell engageable to the plenum base within which is seated a self-sealing sorbent vessel having channels for receiving vapor inflow from and providing reacted vapor outflow to the respective channels of the plenum base, with the canister shell providing a continuation for passage of heating medium from the plenum base therethrough. The assembly is structured to produce sealing of the vapor channels in the sorbent vessel when the vessel is removed from engagement with the plenum base.

Abstract: A method of forming a schedule of crude oil shipments being received at a refinery facility using a genetic algorithm has been developed. A period of time, T, within which the crude oil shipment schedule is to be formed is determined. A first generation of chromosomes is generated and a fitness function value calculated for each chromosome. A succeeding generation of chromosomes is created using a genetic algorithm and the fitness function value for each chromosome is determined. The steps of producing a succeeding generation of chromosomes using a genetic algorithm and determining a fitness function value for each chromosome are repeated for time T. The chromosome having the highest fitness function value within time T is identified to generate the schedule.

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; (5) a plurality of second fluid conduits in fluid communication with the reaction chambers; and (6) a plurality of microporous structures in alignment with the open ends of said vessels.

Abstract: A multiple parallel processing assembly has been developed. The assembly has (1) a plurality of vessels for containing material, 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 chambers; and (4) a plurality of fluid conduits in fluid communication with the chambers.

Abstract: A combination isomerization and liquid phase adsorptive separation process has been developed. In this arrangement, a C5+ naphtha stream is split into a heavy hydrocarbon stream comprising normal heptane and higher boiling hydrocarbons, an isomerization and adsorption zone feed stream comprising pentanes and lower boiling hydrocarbons, and a desorbent stream containing hexanes. The isomerization and adsorption zone feed stream is combined with an isomerization section effluent to form a combined feed to an adsorptive separation section. In the adsorption separation section, normal pentanes are selectively adsorbed on an adsorbent material, and a raffinate stream comprising hexanes and isoparaffins is recovered and passed to a deisohexanizer column. A desorbent stream containing normal hexane is recovered as a sidecut from the deisohexanizer column and is combined with the desorbent stream containing the hexanes from the naphtha splitter to supply the desorbent for the adsorptive separation section.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element or yttrium component, which is preferably ytterbium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.