Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion catalyst is disclosed which catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide, a Group VIB metal component, a Group VIII metal component and a fluoride component wherein the last step in the catalyst preparation is the incorporation of the fluorine component and a subsequent calcination in contact with a flowing gas. Other embodiments of the present invention describe the use of the catalyst for hydrocarbon conversion and preferred methods of catalyst manufacture.

Abstract: Metal-ceramic composites may be prepared by treating the ceramic component of the composite with a second metal prior to subjecting the metal-ceramic composite to a sintering operation. By pretreating the ceramic component of the composite, it is possible to obtain a composite which will undergo sintering at an elevated temperature to form a composite which will possess desirable characteristics such as increased density, hardness and low thermal coefficient of expansion, thus enabling the composites to be utilized in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A process is disclosed in which the overhead vapor stream of a fractionation column is utilized as the working fluid which is depressurized to drive a turbine. The turbine may be used to generate electricity which is then used within the fractionation process or in another process, with a preferred use of the electricity being to supply heat to the bottom of the fractionation zone. The turbine is integrated into the overhead system of the column and the turbine effluent enters the overhead condenser to form liquid which may be used as reflux to the column.

Abstract: Aqueous alcoholic solutions such as hydrous alkanols may be converted to the corresponding aldehyde in a process which involves high conversion levels and high selectivity levels by treating the solution with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least two oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, manganese, iron and chromium, one of said oxides being molybdenum oxide or tungsten oxide composited on a high surface area support. Reaction conditions which are employed in the process will include temperatures in the range of from about 200.degree. to about 400.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about atmospheric to about 50 atmospheres.

Abstract: Carbonaceous pyropolymers possessing recurring units containing at least carbon and hydrogen atoms composited on a solid support may be prepared in a solid state process. The process is effected by treating a high surface area solid support such as an inorganic oxide as exemplified by alumina with an organic monomer which is capable of being polymerized by thermal, ionic, or free radical polymerization methods. The monomer is polymerized on the surface of the support under polymerization conditions and thereafter the polymer-coated support is subjected to pyrolysis at temperatures ranging from about 600.degree. to about 1200.degree. C. to form a carbonaceous pyropolymer. If so desired, this composite may then be subjected to the action of a dissolving agent under conditions which will dissolve or leach out the solid support, thus leaving a carbonaceous pyropolymer possessing recurring units containing at least carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: Theta-alumina is a hydrothermally stable support which can be used advantageously as an inert carrier for metals effective as a hydrogenation catalyst, thereby affording means to conduct hydrogenation in aqueous media. Ruthenium on theta-alumina is especially effective in reducing aqueous solution of carbohydrates to their polyols with high conversion and, in the case of glucose, high selectivity to sorbitol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of aliphatic alcohol by the direct hydration of an olefinic hydrocarbon. The process is directed to the production of isopropyl alcohol. The process includes the recovery of the alcohol from a water-rich hydration zone effluent stream by countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction against a paraffinic solvent. The solvent is derived from paraffins originally admixed with the olefin-containing feed stream, and the raffinate stream comprises water which is recycled in the process. Expensive product fractionation is eliminated in the production of a fuel grade isopropyl alcohol.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process for separating the para-isomers of a di-substituted benzene from a feed mixture comprising the para-isomer and at least one other isomer. One substituted group is NO.sub.2 -- and the other group is a normal hydrocarbon having less than 6 carbon atoms per molecule, the halogens, NH.sub.2 --, NO.sub.2 -- or C.tbd.N--. The process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising crystalline silica having a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least 12, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the para-isomer to the substantial exclusion of the remaining isomers and thereafter recovering high-purity para-isomer by means of desorption with an appropriate desorbent material.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons by the HF catalyzed reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with a C.sub.8 -plus acyclic olefin. A portion of the HF used as catalyst is regenerated by passage into a stripping column which has a primary function of stripping dissolved HF out of a hydrocarbonaceous mixture produced in the alkylation zone. This eliminates the requirement for a separate HF regeneration column and the costs associated with this column.

Abstract: The polymers resulting from reaction of a 1,1,2,2-tetrahaloethane with a diamine of the type H.sub.2 NANH.sub.2, where A is a divalent aromatic moiety, may be doped with a variety of materials to afford electrically conducting polymeric compositions. Poly(ethyleneiminobenzene) is an especially useful material. Both p-type and n-type conductors may be formed.

Abstract: The polymers resulting from reaction of a .alpha.,.alpha.,.alpha.',.alpha.'-tetrahaloxylene with a diamine of the type H.sub.2 NANH.sub.2, where A is a divalent aromatic moiety, may be doped with a variety of materials to afford electrically conducting polymeric compositions. Both p-type and n-type conductors may be formed either by chemical or electrochemical doping procedures.

Abstract: Olefinic hydrocarbons which contain from three to about six carbon atoms may be subjected to oligomerization reactions as well as being used as alkylating agents in the alkylation of alkylatable hydrocarbons by treatment at reaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising a phosphorus fluoride such as phosphorus trifluoride or phosphorus pentafluoride composited on a high surface area metal oxide such as gamma-alumina. The oligomers which are obtained in the oligomerization process will contain less branching than those which are obtained when utilizing other catalysts.

Abstract: The use of a catalyst comprising a noble metal, a rare earth metal and a metallic support with the noble and rare earth metal being electroplated on the metallic support. A preferred composition is lanthanum, platinum and palladium on a nickel chromium alloy support. The catalyst has utility in the oxidation of fumes comprising industrial waste gases and in the oxidation of components of automotive exhaust gases.

Abstract: An integrated process for producing ethers, such as methyl tertiary butyl ether, is disclosed. Specific undesired compounds such as water, methanol or the product ether are removed from a hydrocarbon recycle stream withdrawn from the etherification zone by contacting the recycle stream with a solid regenerable sorbent. Preferably, the sorbent does not remove mono- or diolefinic hydrocarbons from the recycle stream. The treated recycle stream is preferably fractionated to yield isobutane passed into a dehydrogenation zone and normal butane which is charged to a butane isomerization zone.

Abstract: Olefins containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms may be directly hydrated by treatment with water in the presence of a catalyst comprising an alpha-zirconium phosphate. The use of this catalyst which possesses desirable thermal stability characteristics will enable the reaction to be effected at higher operating conditions than is possible when utilizing other catalysts.

Abstract: Tertiary alkyl phenyl ethers may be induced to undergo thermal rearrangement on an alumina catalyst to afford the isomeric ortho-t-alkylphenol. Such rearrangement generally occurs under milder conditions than does the alkylation of a phenol with an olefin using the same alumina as an alkylating catalyst. The rearrangement remains regioselective even when the phenyl ring bears an alkoxy group, hence affords a good preparative route to such materials as 2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol.

Abstract: A gas treating process using parallel passage contactors is disclosed. A turbulence-inducing means, such as vortex shedding wires or strips, is employed within the planar gas passages of the contactors to generate turbulence which helps remove or prevent the accumulation of fine particles on the outer surface of the porous walls which define the gas passages.

Abstract: Improved catalyst systems which may be used for a wide variety of chemical reactions such as gas conversion reactions may be prepared by impregnating a transition metal compound which may contain a structural promoter with a nonaqueous solution of an alkali metal superhydride in order to provide a more uniform distribution of the chemical promoter on the active surface of the catalyst. As an example, iron oxide which has been structurally promoted with aluminum may be impregnated with a nonaqueous solution of potassium triethyl-borohydride to prepare an active gas conversion catalyst.

Abstract: Where gas flows through distribution nozzles and then up through a liquid or a bed of particles contained in a processing vessel, the method and apparatus of this invention can be used to maintain a minimum average pressure drop across the nozzles, thus preventing the occurrence of inactive nozzles and the consequences thereof.

Abstract: Bracelet-shaped filter device molded of plastic has a frame surrounding a slotted filter portion and integral retaining portions which permit it to be held tightly in contact with the surface of a pipe. The filter portion contains a plurality of evenly spaced slots which are positioned so as to be spaced at a predetermined distance from an aperture in the pipe through which fluid may pass. The filter slots are V-shaped and of increasing width in a direction toward the center of the pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining portions are integral straps which can be tightened and held by an integral fastener. In a modified structure which is suitable for small tubes, the device may include curved portions which are adapted to be spread apart and snapped over the sides of the tube. The devices are especially useful to prevent entry of the solid particles in a fluidized bed into the fluid supply conduit.