Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising palladium, silver and a support material (preferably alumina) is contacted with a liquid composition comprising an iodide component such as ammonium iodide, and the catalyst is then calcined. An improved process for hydrogenation, especially selectively hydrogenating acetylene (to ethylene), using this improved catalyst composition with improved conversion and deactivation.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of hydrogenating a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to an unsaturated hydrocarbon includes contacting the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon with a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen. The catalyst comprises palladium and an inorganic support having a surface area of from about 4.5 to about 20 m2/g, or alternatively 5 to 14.5 m2/g. The inorganic support may comprise ?-alumina treated with a fluoride source. The palladium may be primarily disposed near the surface of the support. In addition, the catalyst may comprise silver distributed throughout the support. In another embodiment, a method of making the foregoing selective hydrogenation catalyst includes contacting a fluorine-containing compound with an inorganic support, heating the support, and adding palladium to the inorganic support. After adding palladium to the support, the support can then be heated again, followed by adding silver to and then heating the support once again.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst composition, comprising impregnating a large pore zeolite support with a platinum precursor and at least one organic ammonium halide precursor. In an embodiment, the ammonium halide precursor is represented by the formula N(R)4X, where X is a halide and R is a substituted or unsubstituted carbon chain molecule having 1–20 carbon atoms wherein each R may be the same or different. In an embodiment, the ammonium halide precursor comprises at least one acid halide and at least one ammonium hydroxide represented by the formula N(R?)4OH, where R? is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted carbon chain molecule having 1–20 carbon atoms wherein each R? may be the same or different. A process for aromatizing a hydrocarbon using said catalyst composition.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of producing monoolefins include contacting an olefin stream with a polar solvent to extract a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon from the olefin stream, followed by contacting the polar solvent with a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at conditions effective to hydrogenate the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to a monoolefin. The monoolefin then desorbs from the polar solvent and enters the purified olefin stream, allowing the polar solvent to be recycled. In other embodiments, monoolefin production systems include an extraction-hydrogenation zone for performing the extraction and hydrogenating steps in situ. In alternative embodiments, the hydrogenation zone is disposed downstream from the extraction zone.

Abstract: A process of treating a catalyst composition containing palladium, an inorganic support, and a catalyst component, such as silver and/or a modifier such as alkali metal fluoride, is provided. The process involves contacting a catalyst composition with a first treating agent comprising carbon monoxide under a first treating condition to provide a treated catalyst composition. As an option, such treated catalyst composition can then be contacted with a second treating agent comprising a hydrogen-containing fluid under a second treating condition. The treated catalyst composition can be used in a selective hydrogenation process in which highly unsaturated hydrocarbons such as diolefins and/or alkynes are contacted with such treated catalyst composition in the presence of hydrogen to produce less unsaturated hydrocarbons such as monoolefins.

Abstract: A novel resin for binding composite lignocellulosic, cellulosic and non-cellulosic products is disclosed. The resin is comprised of one or more isocyanates, one or more saccharides, one or more polyols, and water. Preferaby, the saccharide is a polysaccharide comprised of corn syrup. Preferably, the isocyanate is a polyisocyanate and the polyol is an ethylene glycol. Also disclosed are methods for preparing and applying the resin as well as the products prepared from the resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ characterization of downhole fluids in a wellbore using ultrasonic acoustic signals. Measurements of the speed of sound, attenuation of the signal, and acoustic back-scattering are used to provide qualitative and quantitative data as to the composition, nature of solid particulates, compressibility, bubble point, and the oil/water ratio of the fluid. The tool generally comprises three sets of acoustic transducers mounted perpendicular to the direction of the flow. These transducers are capable of operating at different frequencies so that the spectrum of the acoustic signal can be optimized. The apparatus is capable of operating downhole to provide real time information as to conditions in the well.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst is herein disclosed which comprises the steps of impregnating a carrier with active components, particularly a platinum-containing compound and one or more halogen-containing compounds, drying the impregnated carrier, and then calcining the same, said drying treatment being carried out while the impregnated carrier is in a drifting condition. According to the above method, an activity of the catalyst can be improved, and a cracking selectivity can be reduced.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process wherein monomer, diluent and catalyst are circulated in a continuous loop reactor and product slurry is recovered by means of a continuous product take off. The product slurry is exposed to a pressure drop in a flash zone, producing a second slurry and vaporized diluent. The vaporized diluent produced in said flash chamber is condensed by heat exchange, without compression.

Abstract: Processes are provided to produce a dilute ethylene stream and a dilute propylene stream from a cracked gas stream. One process comprises separating the cracked gas stream to produce a C3− stream and a C3+ stream; hydrogenating the C2− stream in a hydrogenation zone to remove a portion of the acetylene to produce the dilute ethylene stream and routing the C3+ stream to storage or other process unit. Another process comprises separating a cracked gas stream in a depropanizer zone to form a C3− stream and a C4+ stream; separating the C3− stream in a deethanizer zone to form a C2− and a C3 stream; hydrogenating a portion of the acetylene in the C2− stream in a hydrogenation zone to produce a dilute ethylene stream; and routing the C3 stream to storage or other process unit.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process comprising contacting a hydrocarbon stream such as, for example, gasoline, with a catalyst composition to effect the conversion of the hydrocarbon to olefins and C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylenes. The catalyst composition comprises a zeolite, a promoter and optionally a binder.

Abstract: A process is provided to produce a dilute ethylene stream and a dilute propylene stream to be used as feedstocks for producing olefin-based derivatives. Specifically, the dilute ethylene stream is used as a feedstock to produce ethylbenzene, and the dilute propylene stream is used as a feedstock to produce cumene, acrylic acid, propylene oxide and other propylene based derivatives.

Abstract: A novel gypsum board having antifungal properties is disclosed. The board comprises a gypsum core, front and back paper facings and an antifungal agent effective at inhibiting fungal growth. A preferred antifungal agent is cetyl pyridinium chloride. The antifungal agent can be present in the gypsum core and/or on one or both of the paper facings. In addition, the antifungal agent may be encapsulated in a material that releases the antifungal agent over time and/or upon exposure to moisture. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the aforementioned antifungal gypsum board.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process wherein monomer, at least one olefin comonomer different from the olefin monomer, diluent and catalyst are circulated in a continuous loop reactor and product slurry is recovered by means of a continuous product take off. The continuous product allows operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the circulating slurry.

Abstract: A process for recovering DCPD from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising introducing the hydrocarbon feedstock to a first column, recovering an overhead stream from the first column comprising C9− hydrocarbons, recovering a bottom stream from the first column comprising C10+ hydrocarbons, feeding the bottom stream from the first column to a second column, recovering an overhead stream from the second column comprising DCPD, and recovering a bottom stream from the second column comprising fuel oil, wherein the two columns are sized and operated at defined conditions such as pressures, temperatures, reflux rates, and reboil rates.

Abstract: A process of treating a catalyst composition containing palladium, an inorganic support, and a catalyst component, such as silver and/or a modifier such as alkali metal fluoride, is provided. The process involves contacting a catalyst composition with a first treating agent comprising carbon monoxide under a first treating condition to provide a treated catalyst composition. As an option, such treated catalyst composition can then be contacted with a second treating agent comprising a hydrogen-containing fluid under a second treating condition. The treated catalyst composition can be used in a selective hydrogenation process in which highly unsaturated hydrocarbons such as diolefins and/or alkynes are contacted with such treated catalyst composition in the presence of hydrogen to produce less unsaturated hydrocarbons such as monoolefins.

Abstract: In process for the oligomerization of an alphaolefin, a carboxylic acid modifier, such as acetic acid, is used to increase the amount of trimer and tetramer in the product.

Abstract: A process for the separation of conjugated olefins from monoolefins in a fluid comprising such conjugated olefins and monoolefins using a Diels-Alder reaction to provide a fluid comprising a Diels-Alder adduct and monoolefins. The fluid comprising such Diels-Alder adduct and monoolefins can be subjected to a separating means to thereby recover a resulting monoolefin-containing fluid containing less than about 50 parts per million conjugated olefins. The process is particularly useful for purification of fluids containing normal alpha olefins.

Abstract: A novel gypsum board having antifungal properties is disclosed. The board comprises a gypsum core, front and back paper facings and an antifungal agent effective at inhibiting fungal growth. A preferred antifungal agent is cetylpyridinium chloride. The antifungal agent can be present in the gypsum core and/or on one or both of the paper facings. In addition, the antifungal agent may be encapsulated in a material that releases the antifungal agent over time and/or upon exposure to moisture. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the aforementioned antifungal gypsum board.

Abstract: Stable and environmentally friendly suspensions of solid particulates are provided through the addition of such solid particulates to a suspension medium which is comprised of a liquid carrier, a liquid carrier soluble resin, an organophyllic clay, and an activator wherein said liquid carrier is a carboxylic acid ester, preferably 2-ethylhexyl oleate, said liquid carrier soluble resin is selected from the group consisting of styrene-isoprene copolymers, styrene ethylene-propylene block copolymers, styrene isobutylene copolymers, styrene butadiene copolymers, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-propylene copolymers, methyl methacrylate and mixtures thereof, said organophyllic clay is one of kaolinite, halloysite, vermiculite, chlorite, attapullgite, smectite, montmorillonite, bentonite, hectorite, and mixtures thereof and said activator is an alcohol of the formula ROH wherein R is an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms.