Abstract: A catalyst of the general structure ##STR1## is an effective hydroformylation catalyst at temperatures of from about 60.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and hydrogen carbon monoxide gas pressures of from about 300 to about 3500 psig for both primary and internal olefins producing an increased amount of linear normal aldehydes through olefin isomerization. When the reactor gas is altered to essentially pure hydrogen, the catalyst further converts aldehydes formed by hydroformylation to alcohols under the same reaction conditions. The catalyst is air insensitive, stable, and highly recoverable by simple means. P is a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing polymer with available pyridine linkages and n is 1 or 2.

Abstract: Low value heavy hydrocarbonaceous material such as a petroleum refinery vacuum residuum is converted to distillate products and pitch in a hydrogen donor diluent cracking process, and the pitch is utilized as feedstock to a delayed premium coker.

Abstract: A catalyst of the general structure P --M Cl.sub.3 wherein M is rhodium or iridium and P is a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing polymer has been found to be an effective heterogeneous hydroformylation catalyst at temperatures of from about 60.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and H.sub.2 /CO gas pressures of from about 300 to about 3500 psig for most primary and internal olefins, producing an increased amount of linear normal aldehydes. When the reactor gas is altered to hydrogen, the catalyst further converts aldehydes formed by hydroformylation to alcohols under the same reaction conditions. The catalyst is oxygen stable, heterogeneous, and easily recovered.

Abstract: A process for heating up a sulfur recovery plant such as a Claus unit or a combined Claus and SCOT unit, the process including first purging the plant with inert gas and blocking in the purged plant, followed by circulating heated inert gas through the plant to bring the plant to start-up temperature.

Abstract: Olefins are converted to aldehydes in the presence of a catalyst having the general formula ##STR1## wherein M is rhodium or iridium, P is a polyvinylpyridine/dimethylbenzene copolymer, and n is 1 to 3. Internal olefins are isomerized in appreciable extent to primary olefins, then hydroformylated to primary aldehydes.

Abstract: Alumina having a low loose bulk density is obtained by hydrolyzing aluminum alkoxides with water in the presence of lithium hydroxide or lithium salts yielding lithium ions. The amount of density reduction is proportional to the amount of lithium ion present.

Abstract: A petroleum refinery vacuum residuum stream is subjected to hydrogen donor diluent cracking, the liquid cracking effluent is hydrodesulfurized, the hydrodesulfurizer effluent is fractionated, and the fractionator bottoms stream is fed to a delayed coker where premium type delayed coke is produced. The gas oil boiling range fraction from the fractionator is utilized as the donor diluent in the cracking step.

Abstract: A method is provided wherein nickel molybdenum and cobalt molybdenum catalysts can be used in large scale sulfur hydrogenation reactors without runaway methanation and resulting exotherms while converting organic sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide in gas streams which contain significant quantities of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for activating a hydrodesulfurization catalyst by passing a gaseous stream comprising carbon oxides, hydrogen, and sulfur-containing compounds into contact with the catalyst at a temperature from about 400.degree. to about 700.degree. F. until the outlet gaseous stream from the catalyst has a sulfur content substantially equal to the sulfur content of the inlet gaseous stream and thereafter increasing the temperature incrementally and continuing to contact the catalyst with the inlet gas stream until the sulfur content in the outlet gaseous stream is substantially equal to the sulfur content of the inlet gaseous stream after each incremental temperature increase.

Abstract: A method for removing water-soluble inorganic salts and ice from refrigerated heat exchange surfaces by contacting the surfaces with a methanol-water mixture.

Abstract: A start-up method for a methanation process wherein a plurality of catalyst beds are used. The method comprises heating a first catalyst bed to a suitable temperature and thereafter charging a synthesis gas in mixture with an inert diluent to the first catalyst bed. The product stream from the first catalyst bed contains an excess of hydrogen and is passed to a second catalyst bed thereby heating the second catalyst bed. At least a portion of the product stream from the first catalyst bed is recycled to form the inert diluent used with the synthesis gas stream passed to the first catalyst bed.