Abstract: Steps in the processing of oils derived from plants or vegetables include the degumming, deodorizing and bleaching of the oil before it can be used for further applications. By eliminating one or more of these steps from the processing of the oil, followed by hydrogenating the oil to a specified degree of hydrogenation, the resulting upgraded oils can be incorporated into products having commercial applications. The process uses a high shear mixing device and a hydrogenation catalyst. The process can utilize a single or multiple high shear devices, and utilize renewable oils instead of increasingly scarce petroleum based products. The resulting hydrogenated products may then be utilized in a variety of other commercial applications, such as to render cellulosic products water resistant, provide a coating for numerous cellulosic products, adhesive compositions, ink compositions, firelog compositions, drilling muds or asphalt modifiers.

Abstract: A method of producing value-added product from refinery-related gas, the method comprising: providing a refinery-related gas comprising at least one selected from C1-C8 compounds; intimately mixing the refinery-related gas with a liquid carrier in a high shear device to form a dispersion of gas in the liquid carrier, wherein the gas bubbles in the dispersion have a mean diameter of less than or equal to about 5 ?m; and extracting value-added product comprising at least one component selected from higher hydrocarbons, olefins and alcohols. A system for producing value-added product from refinery-related gas comprising: at least one high shear device comprising at least one rotor and at least one complementarily-shaped stator; apparatus for the production of a refinery-related gas comprising one or more of C1-C8 compounds; and a pump configured for delivering a liquid stream comprising the liquid carrier to the high shear device.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of producing synthesis gas from carbonaceous material, the method comprising: (a) providing a mixture comprising carbonaceous material and a liquid medium; (b) subjecting the mixture to high shear under gasification conditions whereby a high shear-treated stream comprising synthesis gas is produced; and (c) separating a product comprising synthesis gas from the high shear-treated stream. Herein also disclosed is a method for producing a liquid product. The method comprises forming a dispersion comprising gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid phase in a high shear device, wherein the average gas bubble diameter is less than about 1.5 ?m; contacting the dispersion with a multifunctional catalyst to form the liquid product; and recovering the liquid product. In an embodiment, the liquid product is selected from the group consisting of C2+ hydrocarbons, C2+ oxygenates, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Waxes prepared from hydrogenated plant oils, such as castor, palm, and soybean, are used to prepare water based emulsions. The inventive waxes, obtained from naturally derived, renewable resources, were emulsified under anionic, cationic and nonionic conditions, producing emulsions having a solids content up to about 45% solids. The emulsions are stable, and are characterized by having an average particle size less than 1000 nanometers. When used to coat fibrous cellulosic articles, such as paperboard, the emulsions' performance was similar to emulsions containing petroleum-derived waxes. The inventive waxes have a low iodine value (between 2-5), and melting points between approximately 120-200 degrees F. (49-94 degrees C.) (Mettler Drop Point). The inventive waxes are used as an alternative to petroleum-derived, or expensive naturally-occurring waxes in the manufacture of emulsions used in coatings, polishes, adhesives, paper products, paperboard and other manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A system and method for a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of acetic anhydride as a reactor device is shown to be capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the process. A system for the production of acetic anhydride including the mixing of catalyst and acetic acid via a high shear device.

Abstract: A method of use for a high shear device incorporated into a process or system for the production of acetaldehyde from ethylene as a reactor device is shown to be capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, by forming a feed stream emulsion, and thereby enhancing the acetaldehyde production process in the system.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and process facilitates the oxidative reforming of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, such as methane, to other hydrocarbons having 2 or more carbon atoms (“C2+ compounds”). Compositions having a formula comprising a metal, tungsten, manganese and oxygen effectively catalyze the oxidative reforming of methane with a high rate of conversion and selectivity. Controlling feed gas flow and catalyst bed temperature controls the exothermic OCM reaction, avoiding runaway reactions or coking. A single or multiple reactor system can be utilized for the oxidative reforming reactions. Using two reactors in series, catalyst embodiments produced favorable yields of C2+ compounds, in the presence or absence of a distributed oxygen feed, and with or without interstage effluent cooling. Removal of desirable end products from the reactor effluent, followed by recycling of the residual effluent, increases the conversion to, and ultimate yield of desirable end product.

Abstract: Hydrogenated vegetable oil exhibiting superior thermal stability and containing reduced levels of saturates and trans fatty acids are produced using an activated hydrogenation catalyst and/or an improved hydrogenation process incorporating high shear. The use of a high shear mechanical device incorporated into the hydrogenation process as a reactor device is shown to be capable of enabling reactions that would normally not be feasible under a given set of reaction pressure and temperature conditions. For example, the hydrogenation process described herein enables a reduction of hydrogenation time, and operation at lower temperatures than current processes. The resulting hydrogenated vegetable oil is particularly useful in frying, confectionery baking, and other applications where a product with a low trans fat content or higher thermal stability is desirable. The hydrogenated oil produced may comprise less than 10 weight % of trans fatty acids with less than 5 weight % of linolenic acid (C18:3).

Abstract: A perovskite catalyst is prepared using a ceramic sol-sol methodology comprising preparing slurry in water of an alkaline earth metal salt, a powdered metal salt and a powdered transition metal oxide, adding a polymeric binder to form a paste, drying and comminuting the paste into a powder and heating the powder with a temperature profile to calcination temperatures. In one embodiment the slurry is formed of titanium oxide with barium carbonate and tin chloride in deionized water, and more specifically by a mixture according to Ba (1-0.05x)+TiO2+SnCl2(0.05x) where x is in moles. The perovskite catalyst is preferably used in a process for oxidative coupling of methane. Catalyst performance is enhanced through the addition of halides to the feed gas in the reaction.

Abstract: A perovskite catalyst is prepared using a ceramic sol-sol methodology comprising preparing slurry in water of an alkaline earth metal salt, a powdered metal salt and a powdered transition metal oxide, adding a polymeric binder to form a paste, drying and comminuting the paste into a powder and heating the powder with a temperature profile to calcination temperatures. In one embodiment the slurry is formed of titanium oxide with barium carbonate and tin chloride in deionized water, and more specifically by a mixture according to Ba (1-0.05x)+TiO2+SnCl2(0.05x) where x is in moles. The perovskite catalyst is preferably used in a process for oxidative coupling of methane. Catalyst performance is enhanced through the addition of halides to the feed gas in the reaction.

Abstract: A perovskite catalyst is prepared using a ceramic sol-sol methodology comprising preparing slurry in water of an alkaline earth metal salt, a powdered metal salt and a powdered transition metal oxide, adding a polymeric binder to form a paste, drying and comminuting the paste into a powder and heating the powder with a temperature profile to calcination temperatures. In one embodiment the slurry is formed of titanium oxide with barium carbonate and tin chloride in deionized water, and more specifically by a mixture according to Ba (1-0.05x)+TiO2+SnCl2(0.05x) where x is in moles. The perovskite catalyst is preferably used in a process for oxidative coupling of methane. Catalyst performance is enhanced through the addition of halides to the feed gas in the reaction.