Abstract: The invention is a method of dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon, especially an alkane, to form an unsaturated compound, especially an alkene, by contacting the alkane with a catalyst comprising a form of carbon which is catalytically active for the dehydrogenation reaction. The catalyst may be formed by passing a hydrocarbon over a metal compound at a temperature greater than 650° C.

Abstract: A method for installing a monitoring device with the simultaneous loading of a particulate catalyst into a vertical catalyst tube includes (i) introducing a monitoring device into the tube, (ii) introducing monitoring device alignment apparatus into the tube, (iii) introducing catalyst loading apparatus into the tube, (iv) loading catalyst particles into the top of the tube whereinafter they contact said catalyst loading apparatus as they pass down the tube, forming a uniform bed of catalyst beneath said catalyst loading apparatus and alignment apparatus and around said monitoring device, and (v) simultaneously removing the catalyst loading apparatus and alignment apparatus from the catalyst tube in timed relationship to the catalyst loading. The monitoring device alignment apparatus includes a ring member and two or more spacing members affixed to the ring member such that the ring member and the monitoring device are centrally positioned within the tube.

Abstract: A catalyst charge for ammonia oxidation, including the Andrussow process, comprises a first stage ammonia oxidation catalyst capable of oxidizing 20 to 99% of designed ammonia throughput, to produce a first stage product gas comprising unreacted ammonia, oxygen and nitrogen oxides, and a second stage ammonia oxidation catalyst capable of completing the oxidation of unreacted ammonia. Low levels of nitrous oxide are produced an extended campaign lengths may be seen.

Abstract: A method for converting a supported metal nitrate into the corresponding supported metal oxide comprises heating the metal nitrate to effect its decomposition under a gas mixture that contains nitric oxide and has an oxygen content of <5% by volume. The method provides very highly dispersed metal oxide on the support material. The metal oxide is useful as a catalyst or as a catalyst precursor.

Abstract: A mercury absorbent comprising a metal sulphide, a support material, a first binder and a second binder, wherein the first binder is a cement binder and the second binder is a high aspect ratio binder having an aspect ratio >2. A mercury removal process comprises contacting a mercury containing feed stream with the absorbent.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a supported metal nitrate, suitable as a precursor for a catalyst or sorbent, includes the steps of: (i) impregnating a support material with a metal nitrate, (ii) optionally drying the impregnated material at low temperature, and (iii) exposing the impregnated material to a gas mixture comprising nitric oxide at a temperature in the range 0-150° C., to form a dispersed supported metal nitrate. The metal nitrate may subsequently be converted to the corresponding oxide by calcining the metal nitrate to effect its decomposition. Preferred metals are iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A sol includes metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous liquid, and further includes stabilizer ions. The metal oxide particles include one or more metals selected from a first group consisting of cerium, zirconium, iron, manganese and titanium, and one or more metals selected from a second group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. The sols can be used to deposit catalytic coatings onto catalyst substrates, including substrates with narrow channels (i.e. channels with a diameter of less than 500 ?m).

Abstract: A sorbent, suitable for removing heavy metals, including mercury, from fluids containing hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide at temperatures up to 550° C., in the form of a shaped unit comprising one or more mixed-valency metal sulphides of vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt or nickel.

Abstract: A catalyst suitable for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons is described comprising cobalt nanocrystallites containing a precious metal promoter, dispersed over the surface of a porous transition alumina powder wherein the cobalt content of the catalyst is ?25% by weight, the precious metal promoter metal promoter content of the catalyst is in the range 0.05 to 0.25% by weight, and the cobalt crystallites have a average size, as determined by hydrogen chemisorption, of ?15 nm. A method for making the catalyst is also described.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen includes: passing a hydrocarbon feed though purification sorbent(s), combining steam with the purified hydrocarbon and passing the hydrocarbon/steam mixture adiabatically through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, passing the pre-reformed gas mixture through a fired steam reformer to generate a crude synthesis gas mixture, passing the crude synthesis gas mixture through one or more beds of water-gas shift catalyst to generate a shifted synthesis gas mixture, passing the shifted synthesis gas mixture to a membrane shift reactor containing a bed of water-gas shift catalyst and a CO2-selective membrane, cooling the hydrogen-enriched gas mixture to below the dew point and separating off the condensate, passing the de-watered hydrogen-enriched gas mixture to CO2 separation in pressure-swing absorption apparatus, and recycling at least a portion of the purge gas stream as fuel to the fired steam reformer or to the hydrocarbon feed or purified hydrocarbon feed streams.

Abstract: A method of adapting an axial flow reaction vessel having opposed ports to an opposed axial flow reaction vessel includes installing a process fluid collection system within the body of the vessel in fluid communication with one or more of the ports; providing the vessel with a bed of particulate catalyst or sorbent containing a layer of inert particulate material around the process fluid collection system; and adapting the feed to the vessel through one or more of the ports such that a process fluid fed to the vessel is passed axially and in the opposite direction through the fixed bed of catalyst or sorbent and is collected by the process fluid collection system disposed centrally within the bed and in fluid communication with one or more of the ports.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chiral phosphorus compounds which can be readily prepared from quinoline derivatives as inexpensive starting compounds and have the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 are chiral or achiral organic residues which are derived from substituted or unsubstituted straight or branched chain or cyclic aliphatic or aromatic groups and which, in the case of the pairs R1/R2 and R4/R5, may be interconnected. Further, the invention relates to methods for the synthesis of chiral phosphorus compounds of general formula (I) and their use as catalyst components in processes for the preparation of optically active products.

Abstract: A method of adapting an axial flow reaction vessel having opposed ports to an opposed axial flow reaction vessel includes installing a process fluid collection system centrally within the body of the vessel in fluid communication with one or more outlet ports of the ports; wherein said process fluid collection system includes a perforate member defining a chamber and a conduit in fluid communication with the chamber, the conduit being adapted for attachment to the one or more outlet ports, providing the vessel with a bed of particulate catalyst or sorbent around said process fluid collection system; and adapting a feed to the vessel through one or more inlet ports of the ports such that a process fluid fed to the vessel is passed axially and in an opposite direction through the fixed bed of catalyst or sorbent and is collected by the process fluid collection system.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst support is described comprising washing a precipitated metal oxide material with water and/or an aqueous solution of acid and/or base such that contaminant levels in said precipitated metal oxide are reduced. The method may be applied to precipitated alumina materials to reduce contaminants selected from sulphur, chlorine, Group 1A and Group 2A metals. The catalyst supports may be used to prepare catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A system for NOx reduction in combustion gases, especially from diesel engines, incorporates an oxidation catalyst to convert at least a portion of NO to NO2, a particulate filter, a source of reductant such as NH3 and an SCR catalyst. Considerable improvements in NOx conversion are observed.

Abstract: Catalysts suitable for asymmetric hydrogenation reactions are described comprising the reaction product of a group 8 transition metal compound, a chiral phosphine and a chiral diamine of formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated alkyl or cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a urethane or sulphonyl group and R5, R6, R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated alkyl or cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group, at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is hydrogen and A is a linking group comprising one or two substituted or unsubstituted carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the oxidation of organic compounds contained in a gas stream and comprises the step of introducing the gas stream containing the organic compounds together with sufficient oxygen to effect the desired amount of oxidation into an oxidation reactor containing an oxidation catalyst and maintaining the temperature of said gas stream at a temperature sufficient to effect oxidation, characterised in that the oxidation catalyst contains at least 0.01% by weight of ruthenium, cobalt or manganese.

Abstract: A sorbent, suitable for removing heavy metals, particularly mercury, from fluid streams containing a reductant such as hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide, is in the form of a shaped unit containing ?0.1% by weight in total of heavy metal selected from mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium and antimony, and 4-75% by weight of copper in the form of one or more reduced copper sulphides which have a sulphur to copper atomic ratio of ?0.6:1.

Abstract: An adsorbent suitable for heavy metal absorption is described, comprising a thiol functionalised support containing a stabilising amount of an alkaline metal reacted with said thiol functionality. The adsorbent may be used to remove heavy metals e.g. mercury and/or arsenic, from wastewater streams such as produced water or flue gas scrubber waters.

Abstract: An adsorbent suitable for heavy metal adsorption is described, comprising a thiol functionalised support wherein the adsorbent has a BET surface area in the range 200-500 m2/g, a pore diameter in the range 70-150 Angstroms and a pore volume?0.25 cm3/g. The adsorbent may be used to remove heavy metals e.g. mercury and/or arsenic, from wastewater streams such as produced water or flue gas scrubber waters.