Abstract: A fluid feed mixture, either liquid or gaseous in nature, may be subjected to a gas enrichment separation process. The process is effected by contacting the mixture with the upstream face of a mixed matrix membrane which comprises an organic polymer having a solid particulate adsorbent incorporated therein, the permeability coefficient of the organic polymer being compatible with the permeability coefficient of the adsorbent. The permeate which emanates from the downstream face of the membrane comprises a fluid product mixture in which the proportion of the first fluid component of the feed mixture, which possesses a greater steady state permeability in relation to the second fluid component, is greater than the proportion present in the original fluid feed mixture.

Abstract: Thin film composite ultrafiltration membrane which possesses desirable properties or characteristics may be prepared by casting a solution of a polyelectrolyte complex on a microporous support to form a thin film of the polyelectrolyte complex on the surface of the supports. The thickness of the polyelectrolyte complex membrane will range from about 600 to about 3,000 .ANG.. This membrane may then be used for the separation of low molecular weight solutes such as, for example, the separation of glucose from sucrose and higher molecular weight sugars.

Abstract: Catalyst particles which are employed in reactions involving the conversion of organic compounds should possess a desired configuration in order to maintain a desired voidage which will permit passage of the feedstock through the catalyst bed during the conversion reaction. Solid phosphoric acid catalysts which comprise an admixture of an acid of phosphorus and a solid binder such as a siliceous material may be formed into polylobular, tubular, ridged, fluted, or channeled cylindrical particles which will permit a sufficient amount of voidage in the catalyst bed to be maintained even though the catalyst particles will swell during the reaction due to the formation of coke on the surface thereof.

Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be prepared by reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with an alkylating agent such as an olefin or alkyl halide in the presence of an alkylation catalyst. The alkylation catalyst of the present invention comprises a clay which has been coextruded with a multi-valent metal and preferably a metal selected from the group consisting of Groups IIIA, IIIB and IVB of the Periodic Table. The resultant extrudate is then impregnated with a dissimilar multi-valent metal selected from the above named groups followed by calcination to form the desired composite. By utiilzing this catalytic composite in an alkylation reaction it is possible to obtain improved yields of alkyl aromatic compounds which may then be used in the preparation of biodegradable detergents.

Abstract: Olefinic feedstocks may be oligomerized to form desired oligomers containing a preferred configuration which, in the instant case, is a linear product, by utilizing certain catalytic compositions of matter. The particular catalyst composite which will form a higher percentage of linear products comprises a porous support having composited thereon a catalytically effective amount of an iron group metal and a metal of Group IVA of the Periodic Table along with an alkyl aluminum halide and mercaptan. In addition, if so desired, the catalyst composite will also contain in combination therewith an aluminum alkoxy compound and an aluminum halide.

Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be prepared by reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with an alkylating agent such as an olefin, alkyl halide or alkyl alcohol in the presence of an alkylation catalyst. The alkylation catalyst of the present invention comprises a pillared clay and a binder which has been prepared by dispersing a clay in a metallic pillaring agent sol, separating the resultant pillared clay, washing and drying said pillared clay, forming a dough of said pillared clay and a binder compound, extruding said dough extudate. By utilizing this catalytic composite it is possible to obtain improved selectivity of the desired alkyl aromatic compound which may then be used in the preparation of biodegradable detergents.

Abstract: High flux semipermeable membranes which comprises the polymerized reaction product within and/or on a porous support backing material may be prepared by contacting the porous support such as a polysulfone with an aqueous solution of a polyamine which may, if so desired, contain a polar aprotic solvent not reactive with the amines, a polyhydric compound and an acid acceptor. The surface of the coated support is freed of excess solution and thereafter contacted with an organic solution of a polyacyl halide for a period of time sufficient to form a polymerized reaction product within and/or on the support material. The resulting composite is then treated with a hydroxy polycarboxylic acid, polyaminoalkylene polycarboxylic acid, suffonic acid, amine salts of acids, amino acid, amino acid salt, polymeric acid and inorganic acid, before drying of the membrane. This will enable the membrane to be stored in a dry manner prior to use thereof in a separation process.

Abstract: Olefinic feedstocks may be oligomerized to form desired oligomers containing a preferred configuration which, in the instant case, is a linear product, by utilizing certain catalytic compositions of matter. The particular catalyst composite which will form a higher percentage of linear products comprises a porous support having composited thereon a catalytically effective amount of an iron group metal and a metal of Group IVA of the Periodic Table along with an alkyl aluminum halide and mercaptan. In addition, if so desired, the catalyst composite will also contain in combination therewith an aluminum alkoxy compound and an aluminum halide.

Abstract: Membranes which are used for the separation of gases comprise cellulose acetate membranes which have been crosslinked with an organic titanate. The membranes are prepared by solvent exchanging a cellulose acetate membrane through a series of baths of decreasing polarity followed by treating the membrane with a crosslinking agent comprising an organic titanate in an organic solvent solution which possesses a relatively low polarity. The resulting membranes will retain the original excellent separation characteristics while concomitantly possessing greater temperature and pressure stability and flux characteristics.

Abstract: Thin film polymer blend members which may be used for the separation of gases will comprise a blend of an inorganic compound such as phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, heteropoly acids or salts of heteropoly acids, an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) and a poly organic acid such as poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(styrene sulfonic acid). The thin film membrane composites may be used as gas separation or gas sensor devices.

Abstract: Semipermeable membranes which may be used in a variety of separation processes such as desalination, sugar separation, etc. are prepared by contacting a porous support backing material such as polysulfone with an aqueous solution of a hydrazine compound. The coated support material is then contacted with an organic solution of an aromatic polycarboxylic acid chloride whereby an interfacial polymerized condensation reaction product is formed on the surface of the support. The thus formed composite is then cured at an elevated temperature and recovered.

Abstract: Dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons may be subjected to a dehydrogenation reaction in which the hydrocarbons such as ethylbenzene are contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising a modified iron compound in the presence of steam. The reaction mixture effluent containing unconverted hydrocarbons, dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon, hydrogen and steam is then contacted with an oxidation catalyst in a second oxidation zone whereby hydrogen is selectively oxidized to the substantial exclusion of oxidation of the hydrocarbon. The selective oxidation catalyst which is employed is prepared in a two-step process in which a compound containing a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table and a compound containing a metal of Group IVA of the Periodic Table is impregnated on a porous inorganic support such as alumina. The impregnated support is then calcined and subjected to a second step impregnation in which the support is impregnated with a solution of a compound containing lithium.

Abstract: Chlorine-resistant semipermeable membranes which comprise an interfacial polymerized reaction product composited on a porous support backing material may be prepared by contacting a porous support material such as polysulfone with an aqueous solution of an aromatic polyamine containing a chlorine substituent on the aromatic ring such as 5-chlor-m-phenylenediamine. The coated support material is then contacted with an organic solvent solution of aromatic polycarboxylic acid chloride such as trimesoyl chloride for a period of time sufficient to form an interfacial polymerized reaction product on the surface of the support material. The resultant semipermeable membrane is then cured at curing conditions to form the desired composite. The resultant membrane composite may be used in separation processes such as desalination of brackish or sea water, the membrane being resistant to attack by chlorine which is present in the water.

Abstract: Ultra-filtration membranes which may be utilized in a separation process such as the separation of monosaccharides and disaccharides from a mixture of mono- di- and higher polysaccharides will comprise an interfacial polymerized condensation product of the reaction between a polymeric amine produced from the reaction of a polyepihalohydrin and a primary amine containing a hydroxy, alkoxy, or carboxylic radical and a compound selected from the group consisting of aromatic polycarboxylic acid chlorides, alicyclic polycarboxylic acid chlorides, aliphatic polycarboxylic acid chlorides, aromatic polycarboxylic anhydrides and aromatic diisocyanates composited on a porous support bacing material.

Abstract: Styrene-terminated polyethers of polyphenols may be used as components in a laminate when coated on a reinforcement or substrate. The poly(vinyl benzyl ether) may be prepared by reacting a bisphenol with an alpha,omega-diahlosubstituted alkane and thereafter reacting the resultant product with vinyl benzyl chloride. The laminates which are prepared from these compounds may be employed in electric or electronic circuit boards and will possess desirable electrical and thermal properties as exemplified by a moderate-to-high glass transition temperature and a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: Novel compositions of matter comprising semi-interpenetrating polymer networks resulting from the reaction between a poly(vinyl benzyl ether) of a polyphenol and engineering condensation thermoplastic may be used as components in a laminate when coated on a reinforcement or substrate. The resulting laminates which may be employed in electric circuit boards will possess desirable electrical and thermal properties as exemplified by a high glass transition temperature and a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: Olefinic feedstocks which contain catalyst contaminants or poisons such as sulfur containing compounds may be oligomerized to a desired product by effecting the reaction in the presence of an added amount of hydrogen to the feedstock. The catalyst which is employed to effect this oligomerization will remain stable and will not deactivate due to the presence of the aforementioned poisons. The catalyst composite will comprise a porous support which has been impregnated with a catalytically effective amount of an iron group metal compound and, if so desired, a compound containing a metal of the Group IVA of the Periodic Table. In addition, the catalyst composite will also contain in combination therewith, a catalytically effective amount of an alkyl aluminum compound and, if so desired, an aluminum alkoxy or aluminum halide compound.

Abstract: Chlorine-resistant semipermeable membranes which comprise an interfacial polymerized reaction product composite on a porous support backing material may be prepared by contacting a porous support material such as polysulfone with an aqueous solution of an aromatic polyamine, said aqueous solution containing a polyhydric compound and an acid acceptor. The coated support material is then contacted with an organic solvent solution of an aromatic polycarboxylic acid halide for a period of time sufficient to form an interfacial polymerized reaction product on the surface of the support material. The resulting composite is then post treated by washing with an alkaline compound, leaching with sodium bisulfite and treating the leached composite with a polyhydric compound. The resultant membrane composite may be used in separation processes such as the desalination of brackish or sea water, trhe membrane being resistant to attack by chlorine which is present in the water.

Abstract: Dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons may be subjected to a dehydrogenation reaction in which the hydrocarbons such as ethylbenzene are treated with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising a modified iron catalyst in the presence of steam. The reaction mixture containing unconverted ethylbenzene, styrene, hydrogen and steam is then contacted with an oxidation catalyst in a second zone whereby hydrogen is selectively oxidized to the substantial exclusion of oxidation of the hydrocarbon. The selective oxidation catalyst which is employed will comprise a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table, a metal of Group IVA and, if so desired, a metal of Group IA or IIA composited on a porous inorganic support such as alumina.

Abstract: Homogeneous thermoset copolymers which may be used in the preparation of laminates for circuitry boards will comprise a poly(vinyl benzyl ether) of a polyphenol and a polyalkadiene in which the alkadiene monomer will contain from 3 to about 8 carbon atoms. The polymers are prepared by admixing a solution of the poly(vinyl benzyl ether) of a polyphenol dissolved in an organic solvent with a solution of the polyalkadiene also dissolved in an organic solvent. The admixing is done at an elevated temperature to form the desired composite. The resulting copolymer will possess desirable characteristics such as high glass transition temperature and low dielectric constant.