Abstract: A process for converting a sugar, sugar alcohol, or glycerol to a valuable chemical is described. The process may use a support comprising zirconium oxide promoted by a polyacid or promoter material. A catalytically active metal may be impregnated on the polyacid-promoted zirconium oxide support and the catalyst may then be introduced the sugar, sugar alcohol, or glycerol a source of hydrogen under reaction conditions. At least 40 wt % of the sugar, sugar alcohol or glycerol may be converted to a polyol and/or a shorter carbon-chain alcohol that may include at least one of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, methanol, ethanol, propanol and butandiols. Specific processes for converting glycerin having a selectivity for propylene glycol and for converting sorbitol with a selectivity for propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and/or glycerin are also described.

Abstract: A process for the sulfidation of a sour gas shift catalyst, wherein the temperature of the sulfidation feed stream is coordinated with the sulfur/hydrogen molar ratio in that feed stream to obtain enhanced performance of the sour gas shift catalyst. In the sulfidation process to produce a sour gas shift catalyst, the lower the sulfur to hydrogen molar ratio of the sulfidation feed stream, the lower the required temperature of the sulfidation feed stream. The sulfidation reaction can be further enhanced by increasing the pressure on the sulfidation feed stream.

Abstract: A catalytic water gas shift process at temperatures above about 450° C. up to about 900° C. or so wherein the catalyst includes rhenium deposited on a support, preferably without a precious metal, wherein the support is prepared from a high surface area material, such as a mixed metal oxide, particularly a mixture of zirconia and ceria, to which may be added one or more of a high surface area transitional alumina, an alkali or alkaline earth metal dopant and/or an additional dopant selected from Ga, Nd, Pr, W, Ge, Fe, oxides thereof and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol may be made by hydrogenolysis of a polyol comprising the steps of reacting a polyol with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst. The hydrogenolysis comprises nickel, one or more promoter, and one or more support. The promoter is selected from bismuth, silver, tin, antimony, gold, lead, thallium, cerium, lanthanum, and manganese. The support is selected from zirconia and carbon. A zirconia support comprises a zirconia textual promoter, which is selected from Cr, Mo, W, Nb, Ce, Ca, Mg, La, Pr, Nd, Al, and P. If the support comprises carbon, then the promoter is selected from bismuth and antimony. In another embodiment, if the support comprises carbon, then both the promoter is selected from bismuth and antimony, and the catalyst comprises copper. In another embodiment, the catalyst additionally comprises copper.

Abstract: A process for removing one or more of arsenic and other contaminants from a synthetic gas feedstock comprising a sulfur compound. The synthetic gas feedstock is contacted with a composition having an active material. The active material includes one or more elements having an electronegativity from 1.6 to 2.0 on the Pauling scale. At least a portion of the active material is a sulfide phase.

Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon feed stream, wherein the hydrocarbon feed stream substantially includes hydrocarbons containing 3 to 5 carbon atoms, wherein the process includes passing the hydrocarbon feed stream over a dehydrogenation catalyst containing from about 50 to about 90 percent by weight of an eta alumina carrier, about 10 to about 30 percent by weight of chromia and from about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight of zirconia added as a stabilizing material.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially desulfurized a hydrocarbon fuel stream at temperatures less than 100° C. The method includes providing a nondesulfurized fuel cell hydrocarbon fuel stream that may include water and passing the fuel stream sequentially through a zeolite Y adsorbent and a selective sulfur adsorbent. The zeolite Y adsorbent may be exchanged with copper ions. The method produces a substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream containing less than 50 ppb sulfur.

Abstract: Improved reaction efficiencies are achieved by the incorporation of enhanced hydrothermally stable catalyst supports in various water-forming hydrogenation reactions or reactions having water-containing feeds. Examples of water-forming hydrogenation reactions that may incorporate the enhanced hydrothermally stable catalyst supports include alcohol synthesis reactions, dehydration reactions, hydrodeoxygenation reactions, methanation reactions, catalytic combustion reaction, hydrocondensation reactions, and sulfur dioxide hydrogenation reactions. Advantages of the methods disclosed herein include an improved resistance of the catalyst support to water poisoning and a consequent lower rate of catalyst attrition and deactivation due to hydrothermal instability. Accordingly, higher efficiencies and yields may be achieved by extension of the enhanced catalyst supports to one or more of the aforementioned reactions.

Abstract: A catalytic water gas shift process at temperatures above about 450° C. up to about 900° C. or so wherein the catalyst includes rhenium deposited on a support, preferably without a precious metal, wherein the support is prepared from a high surface area material, such as a mixed metal oxide, particularly a mixture of zirconia and ceria, to which may be added one or more of a high surface area transitional alumina, an alkali or alkaline earth metal dopant and/or an additional dopant selected from Ga, Nd, Pr, W, Ge, Fe, oxides thereof and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-insoluble cationized solids obtained by treating solids with cationic homopolymers and/or copolymers comprising allylic and/or vinylic double bonds, where cationization is carried out using nitrogen-containing cationic polymers and/or copolymers which comprise from 0.5 to 100 mol-%, preferably from 5 to 20 mol-%, of said double bonds, based on nitrogen equivalents. The invention relates in particular to cationized solids obtained by cationization with allylated and/or vinylated derivatives of amino-containing polymers and/or copolymers. The invention also embraces the preparation of cationized solids by free-radical crosslinking of the abovementioned cationic polymers and/or copolymers in the presence of solids. The products obtained are in general at least 95% insoluble in water. They are obtained by cationizing mineral materials and, preferably, cellulose and are used preferably as retention aids and/or fixing agents in papermaking.