Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst having the elements and the proportions indicated by the following empirical formula: VSbmAaDdOx where A is one or more Ti, Sn, where Sn is always present D is one or more Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Fe, Cr, Ga, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Al and Mn wherein m is 0.5 to 10 a is greater than zero to 10 d is zero to 10 x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present, comprising making an aqueous slurry of a mixture of source batch materials comprising compounds of said elements to be included in the final catalyst, followed by drying and heat calcining the mixture to an active catalyst, wherein the source batch material for the tin is a solution which comprises SnO2.

Abstract: A catalytically active material useful to prepare vinyl acetate monomer from ethylene, acetic acid, and an oxygen-containing gas under fluid bed conditions comprises a porous microspheroidal support containing catalytically active palladium crystallites finely dispersed within the support. This catalyst material does not require incorporation of gold to maintain activity and selectivity. A process to produce a vinyl acetate fluid bed catalyst in which catalytically active small palladium crystallites are finely dispersed within the support comprises dispersing selected metal species within the support which have an affinity to palladium to form very fine crystallites of palladium. The affinity metal species may be dispersed by impregnation onto a preformed microspheroidal support or may be intimately incorporated within the support before impregnation with a soluble palladium species.

Abstract: A sparger includes a conduit for conducting an oxygen feed, a nozzle connected to the conduit for passage of the oxygen feed from the conduit to the outside of the sparger, the nozzle including an orifice and a shroud, and insulation surrounding the conduit and also the shroud substantially the full length of the shroud. A method is provided for producing acrylonitrile via propane ammoxidation, comprising introducing propane and ammonia feeds into a fluid bed of a fluid bed reactor, and introducing an oxygen feed into the fluid bed through at least one insulated and jacketed sparger nozzle for reacting with at least one of the propane feed and ammonia feed in the presence of a fluid bed catalyst.

Abstract: Electrochemical processes using solid gas-impervious membranes are disclosed for gas cleanup by (A) providing an electrochemical cell comprising first and second zones separated by a solid gas-impervious membrane comprising a mixed metal oxide material of a perovskite structure having electron conductivity and oxygen ion conductivity, (B) passing a gas containing N2O, NO, NO2, SO2, SO3, or a mixture thereof, in contact with the membrane in the first zone, and (C) passing a gas capable of reacting with oxygen in contact with the membrane in the second zone. More particularly, the mixed metal oxide material of a perovskite structure comprises a combination of elements selected from the group consisting of lanthanides, alkaline earth metals, Y, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, and Nb, oxides thereof, and mixtures of these metals and metal oxides. Advantageously a catalyst is present in the first zone.

Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises feeding crude acetonitrile containing acrylonitrile as an impurity and water into the upper portion of a distillation column, distilling the crude acetonitrile in the presence of the water for a time sufficient to allow substantially all of the acrylonitrile impurity to be vaporized in the presence of the water, removing substantially all of the acrylonitrile in an overhead stream exiting from the distillation column and recovering the crude acetonitrile substantially free of acrylonitrile impurity from the lower portion of the distillation column. In particular, the method can be utilized to produce HPLC grade acetonitrile (UV cutoff <190).

Abstract: A process for the enhanced recovery and operation of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) / heads column obtained from the reactor effluent of an ammoxidation reaction of propane, propylene or isobutylene by reducing the polymer formation above the feed tray in the heads tower.

Abstract: Solid membranes comprising an intimate, gas-impervious, multi-phase mixture of an electronically-conductive material and an oxygen ion-conductive material and/or a mixed metal oxide of a perovskite structure are described. Electrochemical reactor components, such as reactor cells, and electrochemical reactors are also described. The reactor cells generally comprise first and second zones separated by an element having a first surface capable of reducing oxygen to oxygen ions, a second surface capable of reacting oxygen ions with an oxygen-consuming gas, an electron-conductive path between the first and second surfaces and an oxygen ion-conductive path between the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of acrylic acid comprising reacting propylene and oxygen (preferably in the form of air) in a reaction zone having a catalyst characterized by the following formula: AaBbCcCadFeeBifMo12Ox where A=one or more of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs B=one or more of Mg, Sr, Mn, Ni, Co and Zn C=one or more of Ce, Cr, Al, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Cu, V and W and a=0.01 to 1.0; b and e =1.0-10 c=0 to 5.0, preferably 0.05 to 5.0, especially preferred being 0.05 to 4.0 d and f=0.05 to 5.0, and x is a number determined by the valence requirements of the other elements present; at an elevated temperature to produce acrylic acid and acrolein.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the reduction of ammonia breakthrough during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane and isobutane; ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas into a lower portion of a fluid-bed reactor containing an ammoxidation catalyst to react in the presence of said catalyst to produce acrylonitrile. The method comprises introducing into the reactor at least one C2 to C5 olefin which will react with at least a portion of the unreacted ammonia and oxygen present in the reactor to substantially reduce the amount of ammonia present in the reactor effluent exiting the reactor.

Abstract: A process for upgrading aqueous acrylonitrile waste streams containing organic material comprising atomizing an acrylonitrile waste water stream containing organic material, introducing the atomized acrylonitrile waste water stream at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the organics present in the waste water stream, into a reaction zone containing a catalyst and at least one reactant gas, reacting the atomized waste water stream and reactant gas in the presence of the catalyst to convert at least some of the organics in the waste water stream into at least one compound selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acrylonitrile.

Abstract: A process for increasing the yield of one or both co-products HCN and acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a mixture comprising one or more alcohols selected from crude methanol, crude ethanol or crude propanol, ammonia and air into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the hydrocarbon, alcohol, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile by the catalytic reaction in the vapor phase of a paraffin selected from propane and isobutane with molecular oxygen and ammonia by catalytic contact of the reactants in a reaction zone with a catalyst, the feed composition having a mole ratio of the paraffin to ammonia in the range of from about 2.5 to 16 and a mole ratio of paraffin to oxygen in the range of from about 1.0 to 10, wherein said catalyst has the elements in the proportions indicated by the empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.b Q.sub.q R.sub.r O.sub.xwhereA is one or more of Ti, Sn, Fe, Cr and Ga;D is one or more of Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Ni, Zn, Ge, Zr, Cu, Ta, Bi, Ce, In, B and Mn;Q is one or more of Mo, W, and Nb;R is one or more of As, Te, and Se;m equals 0.8 to 4;a equals 0.01 to 2;d is 0 to 2;0.ltoreq.q<0.01; preferably 0<q<0.01, especially 0<q<0.005q+r are greater than 0;x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile by the catalytic reaction in the vapor phase of a paraffin selected from propane and isobutane with molecular oxygen and ammonia by catalytic contact of the reactants in a reaction zone with a catalyst, the feed composition having a mole ratio of the paraffin to ammonia in the range of from about 2.5 to 16 and a mole ratio of paraffin to oxygen in the range of from about 1.0 to 10, wherein said catalyst has the elements in the proportions indicated by the empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a Mo.sub.b D.sub.d O.sub.xwhereA is one or more of Ti, Sn, Fe, Cr and Ga;D is one or more of Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B and Mn;m equals 0.8 to 4;a equals 0.01 to 2;0<b<0.005;d is 0 to 2;x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present, and the catalyst has been heat treated at a temperature of at least 780.degree. C.

Abstract: A compact endothermic reaction apparatus employing metallic reaction tubes in a close-pack arrangement using offset nozzle tubes and an air distribution plate for introducing fuel and air into a combustion chamber to produce long and thin flames thereby to avoid excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes and provide high reaction tube life expectancy. Also, excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes at the inlet ends of exhaust tubes is eliminated and provision is made for preventing buckling of individual reaction tubes that may be subjected to higher than average reaction tube temperatures.

Abstract: A reactor comprising: a hollow shell defining a hermetic enclosure; a plurality of tube sheets disposed within said hermetic enclosure, a first one of said plurality of tube sheets defining a first chamber; at least one reaction tube each having a first end and an opposing second end, said first end being fixedly attached and substantially hermetically sealed to one end of said plurality of tube sheets and opening into said first chamber, the second end being axially unrestrained; each of said reaction tubes is comprised of an oxygen selective ion transport membrane with an anode side wherein said oxygen selective ion transport membrane is formed from a mixed conductor metal oxide that is effective for the transport of elemental oxygen at elevated temperatures and at least a portion of said first and second heat transfer sections are formed of metal; each of said reaction tubes includes first and second heat transfer sections and a reaction section, said reaction section disposed between said first and second

Abstract: A novel composite high-nitrile fiber in which the polymers are arranged in a sheath core type configuration. One polymer of the composite filament comprises a solventless, waterless, melt-processable acrylonitrile olefinically unsaturated polymer and the other polymer of the composite filament comprises an organic polymer. Either polymer can be employed as the sheath or the core component of the composite filament.

Abstract: A high nitrile fiber formed from an acrylonitrile olefinically unsaturated multipolymer which fiber is produced by a waterless, solventless melt spinning process.

Abstract: The process of manufacturing an unsaturated mononitrile selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile comprising transporting a reactor effluent containing the unsaturated mononitrile to a first column where the reactor effluent is cooled with at least one aqueous stream, transporting the cooled effluent containing the unsaturated mononitrile into a second column where the cooled effluent is contacted with at least one second aqueous stream to absorb the unsaturated mononitrile into at least one second aqueous stream, transporting the second aqueous stream containing the unsaturated mononitrile from the second column to a first distillation column for separation of the crude unsaturated mononitrile from the second aqueous stream, and transporting the separated crude unsaturated mononitrile to a second distillation column to remove at least some impurities from the crude mononitrile, and transporting the partially purified crude unsaturated mononitrile to a third distillation column

Abstract: An endothermic reaction furnace includes one or more elongated reaction tubes defining therein an endothermic reaction flow path and a combustion flow path for providing heat to drive the endothermic reaction. The combustion flow path is arranged so that fuel and combustion air are separately heated by the heat inside the furnace preferably to significantly above their autoignition temperature before being combined in a combustion zone where they mix, autoignite and burn. The fuel is introduced into the combustion zone by a plurality of tubes having outlet ends arranged to produce annular shrouds of flame around each reaction tube that are directed countercurrent to the endothermic reaction product.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst having the elements and the proportions indicated by the following empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.d O.sub.xwhereA is one or more Ti, Sn, where Sn is always presentD is one or more Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Fe, Cr, Ga, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Al and Mn whereinm is 0.5 to 10a is greater than zero to 10d is zero to 10x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,comprising making an aqueous slurry of a mixture of source batch materials comprising compounds of said elements to be included in the final catalyst, followed by drying and heat calcining the mixture to an active catalyst, wherein the source batch material for the tin is a solution which comprises SnO.sub.2 .multidot.xH.sub.2 O wherein x.gtoreq.0 dispersed in tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide wherein the tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide is defined by the following formula:C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 NOHwherein 5.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.