Abstract: A layer of mixed-resistance structured packing includes: a first structured packing having a first packing resistance; and a second structured packing generally horizontally adjacent the first structured packing, the second structured packing having a second packing resistance different than the first packing resistance. The layer of mixed-resistance structured packing is used in exchange columns for exchanging heat and/or mass between a first phase and a second phase in processes such as cryogenic air separation. Use of the layer of mixed-resistance structured packing reduces HETP (height equivalent to a theoretical plate) in the exchange columns and processes. A method also is provided for assembling the layer of mixed-resistance structured packing in an exchange column.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement in the utilization of hydrocarbon feedstock by partial oxidation with oxygen to form a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen and subjecting the synthesis gas to a conversion process comprising an exothermic reaction. The oxygen is provided by air separation in which the feed air is at least partially compressed by work generated by expansion of a working fluid vaporized by indirect heat exchange with at least one of the synthesis gas and the exothermic reaction. The improvement is that the working fluid is preheated by indirect heat exchange with adiabatically compressed feed air, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the process and reducing capital costs compared with conventional generally isothermal feed air compression. Preferably, the gas conversion process is a catalytic hydrogenation to prepare paraffinic hydrocarbons (Fischer-Tropsch reaction), methanol or dimethylether.

Abstract: A continuous stirred tank reactor is paired with a bubble column reactor to enhance conversion in a continuous process, e.g. hydrogenation, wherein a gaseous reactant is mixed with a liquid. The continuous stirred reactor is fitted with a specialized impeller system to circulate the liquid and enhance contact of the liquid with reactant gas carried over from the bubble column.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is separated from a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide and contaminated with nitrogen by partially condensing the mixture to provide a hydrogen-enriched vapor feed fraction and a carbon monoxide-enriched liquid feed fraction; separating nitrogen from carbon monoxide in said liquid fraction in a distillation column to provide nitrogen-freed liquid carbon monoxide bottoms and nitrogen-enriched vapor overheads; condensing at least a portion of said overheads against a recycle heat pump stream derived from said gaseous mixture and containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and returning at least a portion of said condensed overheads to said nitrogen-separation column as reflux. The recycle heat pump stream usually is provided by condensation from the hydrogen-enriched vapor feed fraction and/or by separation from the carbon monoxide-enriched liquid feed fraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the cryogenic distillation of air in a distillation column system that contains at least one distillation column wherein the boil-up at the bottom of the distillation column producing the oxygen product is provided by condensing a stream whose nitrogen concentration is equal to or greater than that in the feed air stream, which comprises the steps of: (a) generating work energy which is at least ten percent (10%) of the overall refrigeration demand of the distillation column system by at least one of the following two methods: (1) work expanding a first process stream with nitrogen content equal to or greater than that in the feed air and then condensing at least a portion of the expanded stream by latent heat exchange with at least one of the two liquids: (i) a liquid at an intermediate height in the distillation column producing oxygen product and (ii) one of the liquid feeds to this distillation column having an oxygen concentration equal to or preferably grea

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of activation of a CuO/ZnO/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 catalyst slurried in a chemically inert liquid. Successful activation of the catalyst requires the use of a process in which the temperature of the system at any time is not allowed to exceed a certain critical value, which is a function of the specific hydrogen uptake of the catalyst at that same time. This process is especially critical for activating highly concentrated catalyst slurries, typically 25 to 50 wt %. Activation of slurries of CuO/ZnO/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 catalyst is useful in carrying out the liquid phase methanol or the liquid phase shift reactions.