Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a substantially continuous gas flow through particulate solids in two zones. The solids are moved from a low pressure zone to a high pressure zone by means of a valveless lock hopper system. Maintenance of gas flow while simultaneously transferring particles between zones is accomplished without the use of moving equipment such as valves. The invention is particularly applicable in the regeneration of catalyst used in hydrocarbon conversion processes such as catalytic reforming.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for regenerating adsorbents used in an integrated process for the production of ethers such as methyl tertiary butyl ether by the reaction of an alcohol with an isoolefin. The sorbents are used to remove such compounds as the product ether and the feed alcohol from a hydrocarbon-rich stream withdrawn from the etherification zone. The regeneration procedure includes contacting the sorbent with a heated portion of the treated hydrocarbon stream. The resultant contaminated hydrocarbon stream is passed into a stripping column used to remove light ends from the effluent of a dehydrogenation zone in which the isoolefin fed to the etherification zone is produced. The hydrocarbonaceous compounds collected on the sorbent are thus recycled rather than being destroyed or lost in low purity effluent streams.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting weak light, or light of low intensity, to electrical signals descriptive of such light. The apparatus is capable of sensing differences in photon flux over an area of detection, that is, sensing a pattern of lighter and darker areas. An important application of the apparatus is in spectroscopy and spectroscopic anaylsis, where it is desired to record a spectrum in other than visual form.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for regenerating adsorbents used in an integrated process for the production of ethers such as methyl tertiary butyl ether by the reaction of an alcohol with an isoolefin. The sorbents are used to remove oxygenated compounds such as the product ether and the feed alcohol from a hydrocarbon-rich stream withdrawn from the etherification zone. The regeneration procedure includes contacting the sorbent with a heated hydrocarbon stream. The resultant contaminated hydrocarbon stream is passed into a stripping column used to remove light ends from the effluent of a dehydrogenation zone in which the isoolefin fed to the etherification zone is produced. The oxygenated compounds collected on the sorbent are thus selectively recycled or rejected rather than being destroyed or lost in low purity effluent streams.

Abstract: A unitary axial multiport rotary valve capable of accomplishing the simultaneous interconnection of a plurality of conduits in accordance with a previously determined cycle, where any conduit communicates with no more than one other conduit at any one cycle step, or valve index position. The conduits to be interconnected are attached to a hollow stationary body, or stator assembly, which is comprised of three sections, or elements, each of which is cylindrical in exterior form. There are fluid flow paths in a rotating body, or rotor assembly, which is located inside the stator assembly. The rotor assembly assumes various positions according to the cycle steps and distributes fluid flowing into and out of the valve in a different manner in each cycle step. There are spaces between the rotor and stator assemblies which contain sealing means for prevention of leakage and definition of flow passages.

Abstract: A catalytic composite comprising a metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and a solid carrier material having an average particle size of less than about 110 mesh.

Abstract: The aspartase from a mutant Bacillus subtilis, NRRL B-15536, is produced in relatively high cell yield within a comparatively short time. The enzyme converts fumaric acid to L-aspartic acid stoichiometrically with outstanding selectivity and productivity. The enzyme is stabilized by divalent magnesium ions, 2-mercaptoethanol, and ammonium furmarate, and can be conveniently purified with high recovery.

Abstract: A process for separating isoprene from isobutylene, isopentane, and pentene-1. The process uses an adsorbent comprising activated carbon or molecular sieve carbon to selectively adsorb isoprene from the other hydrocarbons. High purity isoprene is recovered by desorption using desorbent materials which include olefinic hydrocarbons. The process is particularly suited for a simulated moving bed apparatus.

Abstract: A unitary axial multiport rotary valve capable of accomplishing the simultaneous interconnection of a plurality of conduits in accordance with a previously determined cycle, where any conduit communicates with no more than one other conduit at any one cycle step, or valve index position. The conduits to be interconnected are attached to a hollow stationary body, or stator assembly, which is comprised of three sections, or elements, each of which is cylindrical in form. There are fluid flow channels in a rotating body, or rotor assembly, which is located inside the stator assembly and configured in a manner similar to it. The rotor assembly assumes various positions according to the cycle steps and distributes fluid flowing into and out of the valve, by means of the conduits, in a different manner in each cycle step. There are annular volumes between the rotor and stator assemblies which contain sealing means for prevention of leakage and definition of flow passages.

Abstract: A process for the removal of trace quantities of hydrocarbonaceous compounds from an aqueous stream which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting a solvent, which in the supercritical state is effective to dissolve the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream, with the aqueous stream, for a time sufficient at supercritical solvent conditions to dissolve at least a portion of the hydrocarbonaceous compounds and to produce an aqueous stream having a reduced hydrocarbonaceous compound concentration; (b) separating the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the solvent at subcritical conditions; and (c) recovering the hydrocarbonaceous compounds.

Abstract: A process for separating an unsaponifiable compound from a feed mixture including fatty acids. The process comprises: (a) forming an emulsion with the feed mixture, an organic solvent in which the feed mixture is soluble and an emulsifying liquid capable of forming an emulsion with the feedstock and organic solvent, the polarity index of the emulsifying liquid being at least 2.4 higher than the polarity index of the organic solvent; (b) effecting the formation of three phases from the emulsion, an organic solvent phase containing the major portion of the fatty acids, an emulsifying liquid phase and a semi-solid sludge phase containing the major portion of the unsaponifiable compound; and (c) separating the three phases.

Abstract: A process for providing a hydrogen-rich gas stream from a reaction zone effluent comprising hydrogen and hydrocarbons is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring particulate contact material by gravity from an upper contact zone wherein it is contacted by a first gas flowing radially, to a lower zone wherein it is contacted by a second gas flowing upwardly. The apparatus includes a generally annular transition zone which connects the upper and lower zones. The transition zone effectively isolates the second gas from contacting the particulate material in the upper zone. In a preferred embodiment in the form of a catalyst regenerator, catalyst particles can be sampled for carbon level in the transition zone to determine if the carbon burn-off therefrom is sufficiently complete in an upper radial flow regenerator bed by contact with a first gas, having a relatively low oxygen level. The sampling can be done on stream, even though a second gas, such as relatively oxygen-rich halogenation gas, is passing up through the catalyst in the lower zone.

Abstract: An improved multiple stage reactor system for effecting radial flow contact of a reactant stream with catalyst particles movable as an annular-form bed through said system by gravity flow. The improved multiple stage reactor system may be advantageously employed in the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons and in particular in the catalytic reforming of a naphtha boiling range charge stock.

Abstract: A process for separating 1,3-butadiene from a feed mixture comprising 1,3-butadiene and at least one other C.sub.4 hydrocarbon. The process comprises contacting the feed, in liquid phase at adsorption conditions, with an adsorbent comprising activated or molecular sieve carbon which selectively adsorbs the 1,3-butadiene. The feed is then removed from the adsorbent and the 1,3-butadiene recovered by desorption at desorption conditions with a desorbent material comprising a hydrocarbon. The feed mixture and desorbent material have boiling points of at least 5.degree. C. difference.

Abstract: Conductive pigment-coated surfaces which are resistant to the effect of moisture may be prepared by admixing an alloy consisting of a conductive nonnoble metal such as copper and preferentially oxidizable material such as boron with a lead-containing compound such as lead oxide. The resulting composite may be further mixed with an organic vehicle to form a conductive ink which, after being painted on a substrate such as alumina and subsequently fired, will provide a conductive pigment-coated surface which is moisture-resistant and which will possess excellent conductive characteristics.

Abstract: Dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons may be subjected to a dehydrogenation reaction in which the hydrocarbons are treated with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising a modified iron compound in the presence of steam in a multicatalyst bed system. The reaction mixture containing unconverted hydrocarbons, dehydrogenated hydrocarbons, hydrogen and steam is then contacted with an oxidation catalyst whereby hydrogen is selectively oxidized in preference to carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons. The selective oxidation of hydrogen will improve the combustion thereof and supply the necessary heat which is required for a subsequent dehydrogenation treatment. The selective oxidation catalyst which is used will comprise a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table and, if so desired, a metal of Group IA or IIA of the Periodic Table composited on a porous inorganic support. The inorganic support will have been calcined prior to impregnation thereof at a temperature in the range of from about 900.degree.

Abstract: This invention sets forth a molecular sieve comprising silicalite in a silica matrix the precursor of said molecular sieve comprising silicalite powder dispersed in colloidal amorphous silica, said precursor having been gelled and then treated in a manner effecting substantially complete elimination of hydroxyl groups on said molecular sieve along with a method of manufacturing the sieve.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A solid reference substance is used in place of a reference gas. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a heteropoly acid or salt thereof such as dodecamolybdophosphoric acid or uranyl orthophosphate in a mutually miscible solvent.

Abstract: An immobilized antibody system can be made by reacting an aminated core support with an antibody in the presence of a condensing agent which promotes the formation of the amide linkage. The immobilized antibody system is highly resistant to leaching, may be made incompressible, sterilizable, and pyrogen-free. Such an immobilized antibody system is well suited for repeated use with minimal change in its physical and biochemical properties.