Abstract: A new catalyst composition comprising a platinum group component, a tin component, an indium component, an alkali or alkaline earth component and a porous support material wherein the atomic ratio of indium to platinum group component is more than 1.0 is disclosed. The catalyst is particularly useful for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons. In one embodiment of the invention, detergent range normal paraffins (C.sub.10 -C.sub.15 or higher) are dehydrogenated to the corresponding normal olefins in the presence of the subject catalyst and hydrogen.

Abstract: Method for cleaning and retarding corrosion of air-cooled heat exchangers used in hydrocarbon processing operations. Treating liquid is discharged at a plurality of locations in the vapor distribution chamber at the inlets to the tubes of air-cooled exchangers. Treating liquid may comprise corrosion inhibitor-laden hydrocarbon or water.

Abstract: A strain of Paracoccus denitrificans, NRRL B-15710, is an overproducer of a fumarase which is readily purified and relatively thermostable. The fumarase so produced converts fumaric acid to L-malic acid without formation of any significant amounts of a coproduct.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of hydrogen and C.sub.6 -plus product hydrocarbons from the effluent stream of a hydrogen-producing hydrocarbon conversion process. The effluent stream of the reaction zone is partially condensed to remove the bulk of the heavy C.sub.6 -plus hydrocarbons, which are then sent to a fractionation zone. The remaining vapor is compressed to a substantially higher pressure. The compressed vapor is then passed into a membrane separation zone in which a hydrogen-rich stream is separated from the compressed vapor. The relatively high pressure nonpermeate portion of the vapor stream which emerges from the membrane separation zone is partially condensed by autorefrigeration. The still high pressure mixed phase fluid is separated into vapor and liquid portions. The liquid phase material is then flashed to produce coolant used to perform the partial condensation.

Abstract: A supported, phosphorus-modified zerovalent nickel catalyst shows improved selectivity in the hydrogenation of fatty materials. The increased selectivity of this catalyst permits continuous reduction of fatty materials with a selectivity comparable to that observed in batch reduction using a more conventional nickel catalyst.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of hydrogen and C.sub.6 -plus product hydrocarbons from the effluent stream of a hydrocarbon conversion reaction zone. The effluent stream is partially condensed to remove the bulk of the heavy hydrocarbons, which are sent to a fractionation zone. The remaining vapor is compressed to a substantially higher pressure. The vapor then passes into an autorefrigeration zone in which it is cooled and partially condensed by indirect heat exchange against flashed fluids. The still pressurized uncondensed compounds are transferred to a pressure swing adsorption zone, which produces a high purity hydrogen product. The initial compression therefore is used in two different high pressure separation zones in series.

Abstract: Dialkyldisulfinyl-, dialkyldisulfonyl- or alkylsulfinylalkylsulfonylalkanes in which the alkyl portion of the compound contains from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms and the alkane portion of the radical contains from about 3 to about 30 carbon atoms may be used as extraction solvents in liquid/liquid extraction processes whereby aromatic compounds may be separated from a mixture of aromatic compounds and other hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for converting a charge stock comprising normally liquid hydrocarbons in a riser conversion zone with an active fluid catalytic cracking catalyst wherein a suspension of hot regenerated active fluid catalytic cracking catalyst in a lift gas comprising hydrocarbons including not more than 10 mole % C.sub.3 and heavier hydrocarbons (calculated on a water-free basis) is passed through a first treatment section of the riser conversion zone at conditions selected to treat the catalyst prior to any contact with the charge stock while simultaneously accelerating the catalyst to a velocity sufficient to provide turbulent dilute flow at the point of contact with the charge stock; thereafter a charge stock is introduced into the suspension of treated particles in the riser conversion zone downstream of the treatment section to form a mixture of catalyst, charge stock and lift gas having the catalyst relatively uniformly distributed therethrough.

Abstract: A process for converting normally liquid hydrocarbons with an active fluid catalytic cracking catalyst which comprises:(a) passing a suspension of hot regenerated active fluid catalytic cracking catalyst in a lift gas comprising hydrocarbons including not more than 10 mole % C.sub.3 and heavier hydrocarbons through a horizontally oriented lower portion of a riser conversion zone at a velocity of from about 1.8 to less than 12.2 meters per second, and for a residence time from about 0.5 to about 15 seconds, the ratio of catalyst to hydrocarbon in said lift gas being greater than 80; and(b) introducing the normally liquid hydrocarbons into the upflowing suspension at a vertically orientated locus in the riser conversion zone downstream of the lower portion to form a catalyst-hydrocarbon mixture wherein the temperature and residence time are sufficient to effect the desired conversion.The process is particularly useful for the treatment of a heavy residual feedstock.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for performing an exothermic reaction such as the etherification of isobutylene with methanol. The feed is charged to a vertical reaction zone containing a solid catalyst. Heat released by the exothermic reaction partially vaporizes the reactants, with the vapors traveling upward to a condensing zone. All of the condensable vapors entering the condensing zone are condensed and returned downward to the catalyst bed. A single effluent stream made up of the product, excess reactants and any unreactive compounds present in the feed streams is removed from the bottom of the reaction zone. This total reflux reaction zone allows temperature control within a catalyst bed without the use of indirect heat exchangers located within the reaction zone.

Abstract: Secondary or tertiary alkyl phenyl ethers may be induced to undergo thermal rearrangement on alumina, aluminum phosphate, or a silica-modified alumina as catalyst to afford the isomeric ortho-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 with high regioselectivity and good control over the extent of alkylation.

Abstract: A method of preparing a silica-containing composition from a lithium silicate sol is disclosed. The compositions are prepared by heating shaped particles of lithium silicate sol to a temperature of about 70.degree. C. or more in the absence of a gelling agent and thereafter subjecting the particles to a washing step to remove lithium therefrom. By means of the novel method it is possible to prepare silica-containing compositions which are suitable as catalyst and/or adsorbent supports.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for measuring and controlling the concentration of hydrogen in hydrogen recycle processes used in oil refineries and petrochemical plants. The system is intended to permit reduction in hydrogen use in hydrogen-consuming hydrogen recycle processes. The system is dependent on the recognition that a decrease in cooling medium temperature results in an increase in vent gas flow, which can be decreased to the minimum permissible without endangering catalyst activity and stability and product yield if hydrogen concentration is monitored, and that partial pressure is the key parameter.

Abstract: Refractory materials which replicate a substantial portion of the internal pore structure as well as the shape and dimensions of high surface area microporous substrate materials which comprise metal or metalloid carbides may be prepared by uniformly depositing a carbide-forming metal or metalloid on the internal surfaces of a high surface area microporous carbon-donor substrate material in the vapor phase. By controlling the operating parameters when depositing carbide-forming metal or metalloid, it is possible to effect a balance between the diffusion rate of the metal or metalloid-containing compound in the structure pores of the substrate with the decomposition rate of the compound, thus obtaining a uniform deposition of the metal or metalloid. If so desired, the substrate material may be subsequently removed by chemical or oxidative means.

Abstract: Multipassenger aircraft seat has at least one seating position which can be converted from a seat to a cocktail table to increase the comfort of adjacent seat passengers. The headrest pivots about 180.degree. relative to the back cushion frame so that it becomes hidden under the back cushion frame and in compressed contact with the lower seat cushion when a cocktail table on the back cushion frame is deployed in a horizontal plane. Concealed locks inside the headrest permit the headrest and back cushion frame to be firmly locked to the reclinable main seat back frame.

Abstract: An improved visbreaking process having a lower utilities (heating fuel) cost is disclosed. The feed stream is heated by indirect heat exchange against the bottoms stream of a first fractionation column, which receives the effluent of the visbreaking heater. A portion of this bottoms stream is then used as quench. This quench stream is hotter and has a higher flow rate than previous designs. The feed is heated to a higher temperture by the indirect heat exchange and therefore less fuel is required in the visbreaker fired heater.

Abstract: The recovery of residual oil which is found in subterranean reservoirs may be accomplished by utilizing an aqueous surfactant slug to reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water. An effective surfactant slug which may be used will comprise a mixture of: (1) from about 1 to about 10% of a sulfonate of a mixture of mono- and dialkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon which has been obtained by the alkylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefinic hydrocarbon in the presence of a hydrogen fluoride catalyst; (2) a lower alkyl alcohol which possesses from about 3 to about 6 carbon atoms; and (3) a nonionic cosurfactant comprising an ethoxylated n-alcohol which possesses from about 12 to about 15 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for separating a fatty acid from an unsaponifiable compound. A feedstream comprising the acid and unsaponifiable compound is contacted with an aqueous alcohol solvent which is selective for and absorbs the fatty acid. An extract stream comprising the fatty acid may then be recovered. The feedstock is best used in a diluent which is preferably a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Convertible aircraft passenger seat can be quickly changed from a three-seating position configuration to a more spacious two-seating position configuration without the use of tools. Such a seat permits the seating capacity of an aircraft to be altered to match the expected passenger load in different classes, such as tourist and business class. In the three-position configuration, a pair of relatively narrow width armrests, which may contain recline lock control cables or audio cables, project vertically out of the lower seat cushion on either side of the center seating position but are pivotally mounted so that they will overlie the center position in a generally horizontal fashion in the two-position configuration, thus adding several inches of width to the adjacent end seating positions.