Abstract: A multi-channelled distribution network supplies hydrogen such that separated flows of hot coal paste and heated hydrogen meet in the restricted confines of a multitude of inverted caps to promote turbulent intermixing before the mixture enters the active bed of a coal liquefaction reactor.

Abstract: In the liquefaction of a sub-bituminous and/or lignitic coal, prior to the liquefaction, the coal is soaked at a temperature of from 550.degree. to 750.degree. F and a pressure of from 30 to 300 psig for a time sufficient to remove at least 10% of the organic oxygen present in the coal to thereby reduce the hydrogen requirements of the liquefaction. The liquefaction is effected with a pasting solvent derived from the sub-bituminous and/or lignitic coal having a 5 volume percent distillation temperature of at least 550.degree. F and containing at least 25 weight percent of material boiling above 800.degree. F. The use of such a pasting solvent provides for improved dispersion of the coal particles during the liquefaction.

Abstract: In the production of chlorinated hydrocarbons, a waste water stream is recovered from the effluent and stripped of chlorinated hydrocarbon impurities by the use of a portion of the hydrocarbon to be chlorinated as a stripping gas. In addition, an aqueous hydrogen chloride stream recovered from the chlorinated hydrocarbon effluent can also be stripped of chlorinated hydrocarbon impurities by the use of a portion of the hydrocarbon to be chlorinated as a stripping gas.

Abstract: The disclosure describes wall for a direct fired heater which burns high sulfur fuels. The wall includes an inner casing lined internally with refractory and an outer casing spaced from the inner casing to provide, air space therebetween and means for controlling the rate of air flow thru the space. Proper selection of the refractory and proper control of the rate of air flow assure that the temperature of the inner casing is maintained above the dew points of sulfur oxides for any ambient condition. The casings are joined at their upper ends and an air opening is provided at the lower end of the outer casing whereby air is admitted to the air space. An adjustable air vent is provided at the upper end of the outer casing for control of casing temperature, when necessary. A plurality of horizontal baffles extend from the inner casing outward into the air space to inhibit re-circulation of air in the air space.

Abstract: Seawater is deoxygenated with a nitrogen stripping gas, with the nitrogen stripping gas containing stripped oxygen, being subjected to low temperature fractionation to separate oxygen from the nitrogen. The nitrogen recovered from the fractionation is then recycled to the stripping operation. Air is also employed as feed to the fractionation to provide additional nitrogen and reflux requirements.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel process and apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon gas under a pressure greater than the critical pressure thereof wherein the gas is first expanded to below the critical pressure thereof to permit the facile separation of C.sub.5 and heavier hydrocarbons with the lighter components being re-pressurized to above the critical pressure thereof by such expanding gas prior to the further cooling of such re-compressed lighter components for eventual liquefaction.

Abstract: Hydrogen chloride gas, containing hydrogen fluoride and/or silicon tetrafluoride, is contacted with calcium chloride supported on activated alumina, to separate the hydrogen fluoride and/or silicon tetrafluoride therefrom.

Abstract: Nicotinamide is produced by aqueous ammonia hydrolysis of nicotinonitrile wherein the conversion is limited to at least 30% and no greater than 70%, with the nicotinonitrile concentration, expressed as weight product amide per 100 pounds of water, being at least 100 parts and no greater than 300 parts, with the hydrolysis being effected in the presence of ammonium nicotinate in an amount sufficient to essentially eliminate net production thereof. Ammonia and nicotinonitrile are stripped from the hydrolysis effluent, and nicotinamide recovered, by crystallization, from the stripped hydrolysis effluent.

Abstract: Olefin oxide is produced by reacting chlorine, obtained from an electrolysis cell, with a tertiary alkanol and an aqueous solution, containing sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride, obtained from the cathode of an electrolysis cell, to produce a tertiary alkyl hypochlorite. The hypochlorite is then reacted in a chlorohydrin reactor with an olefinically unsaturated compound and water, essentially free of chloride ions, to produce the corresponding chlorohydrin. The chlorohydrin is recovered and saponified with cell liquor, containing sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride, obtained from the cathode compartment of the cell to produce the olefin oxide.

Abstract: Phenols are produced from .alpha.-aralkyl peroxides, preferably alkyl- .alpha. -phenalkyl peroxides or diphenalkyl peroxides, by heating the peroxide in the presence of an acid catalyst and continuously separating volatile reaction products other than the phenol; i.e., a carbonyl compound and alcohol if formed, from the reaction mixture, preferably by bubbling a stripping gas therethrough. Phenol may be produced from an alkyl benzene by reacting the alkyl benzene with t-butyl hydroperoxide to produce a t-butyl- .alpha. -phenalkyl peroxide which is then decomposed in the presence of an acid catalyst. The reaction co-products include t-butanol and a carbonyl compound corresponding to the alkyl group.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for recovering ethane and heavier hydrocarbons from natural gas by heating the natural gas stream prior to the expansion and introduction thereof into a demethanizer operating under cryogenic conditions. Ethane and the heavier hydrocarbons are recovered from the demethanizer as well as a residual gaseous methane stream which is compressed to a pipeline receiving pressure by the work of expansion without requiring a booster compressor.

Abstract: An ammonium carbonate leach solution containing dissolved nickel and/or cobalt values is sprayed into a flash chamber to flash a portion of the ammonia therefrom, resulting in the production of a fine precipitate of nickel and/or cobalt carbonate. The solution is introduced into a stripping tower wherein remaining ammonia is stripped therefrom to precipitate further nickel and/or cobalt carbonate on the previously precipitated carbonate, which function as nuclei to reduce deposition in the column.

Abstract: Gas feed system for a packed bed in which there is provided a plenum chamber within the packed bed comprised of a plurality of separate members supported by the packing, with gas being introduced into the plenum chamber and fed downwardly through the packing and then upwardly through a distributor to packing above the plenum chamber. A liquid feed system includes a main liquid distributor, auxiliary liquid distributors and associated conduits, all positioned within and supported by the packed bed.

Abstract: Iron oxide pellets, containing integral carbon and a desulfurizing additive, are heated up to a final reduction temperature of 1800.degree. - 2500.degree. F, with the heating over the range from 1500.degree. F to the final reduction temperature being controlled depending on the amount of integral carbon in the pellets. The pellets are reduced, with the pellets being steamed prior to the reduction or during the reduction. Pellets having a sulfur content of less than 0.03 weight percent are produced.

Abstract: An effluent containing chlorinated hydrocarbons and tar, withdrawn from a reactor employing molten copper chlorides and oxychloride, is quenched to separate carbon and tars, and the separated carbon and tars introduced into the reactor to effect combustion thereof. The reaction is preferably directed to the production of vinyl chloride or chlorinated methanes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an ammonia synthesis catalyst based on fused and reduced iron oxide, with or without traces of a promoter oxide of aluminum, calcium, potassium, magnesium or silicon, in which the fused and reduced iron oxide is aftertreated with an aqueous solution of a cerium salt or with an aqueous solution of a mischmetal salt, including a cerium salt.

Abstract: A weight is attached to a conically shaped hollow member which rests on the top of a bed of particulate material in a tube, with the weight functioning to prevent fluidization of the material in the tube. The conical member is provided with elongated slots whereby fluid exiting from the bed flows into the interior of the hollow member, through the slots and into the tube outlet.

Abstract: In the production of chlorinated hydrocarbons, a gas stream containing unreacted hydrocarbon, chlorinated hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide and inerts, such as, carbon monoxide and/or nitrogen, is contacted with a chlorinated hydrocarbon absorption oil to separate hydrocarbon, chlorinated hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide from inerts. The rich absorption solution is introduced into a stripper wherein chlorinated hydrocarbons are recovered as a sidestream, absorption solution as a bottoms and a hydrocarbon-carbon dioxide stream, containing a reduced amount of chlorinated hydrocarbons, as overhead. The overhead is introduced into a further absorption column, primarily designed to recover chlorinated hydrocarbons in the absorption solution, with a hydrocarbon overhead being withdrawn therefrom which is rich in carbon dioxide and is essentially free of low boiling chlorinated hydrocarbon, to thereby facilitate subsequent separation of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: In the fractionation of 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane, at least a portion of the reboil heat requirements for the fractionation is provided by chlorinating ethylene in the fractional distillation tower. The fractionation is particularly applicable to the production of vinyl chloride by the use of molten salts wherein ethylene is present as a by-product.

Abstract: Natural gas, containing carbon dioxide and nitrogen, is demethanized in a first fractional distillation tower to provide an overhead of nitrogen and methane free of carbon dioxide and components heavier than methane. A sidestream is withdrawn from the first tower at a point therein where carbon dioxide concentration is maximized and the sidestream is fractionated in a second tower to recover methane and carbon dioxide as overhead. Nitrogen is rejected from the carbon dioxide free overhead from the first tower by liquefaction of methane to provide a send-out gas free of nitrogen. The cold potential of various streams is used to provide cooling requirements for the process.