Abstract: An apparatus for the recovery of fine particulate material of the type that uses a tube sheet arrangement and a multiplicity of centrifugal separation devices provides improved separation by extending a skirt to confine a particle outlet stream and raise its superficial velocity. The separation arrangement partially confines a downwardly directed flow of particles and gas from the separator thereby raising the effective superficial velocity of the particle stream without increasing the portion of the gas steam that exits with the recovered particles. As a result the device provides a greater recovery of particles without increasing the quantity of gas that accompanies the separated fine particles without the need for complete confinement of the particles that exit the separator.

Abstract: A multi-passage capillary arrangement can be formed from ductile glass material into an assembly that has an essentially round outer cross section and multiple capillary passages with diameters of 250 micrometers or less. The multiple capillary assembly provides multiple capillary sized passages of a regularly recurring shape in a single cohesive bundle. The round outer cross section facilitates the use of the multiple capillary by providing a suitable surface for connections. The multiple capillary arrangement can be made by a method that provides uniform or nearly uniform capillary passages throughout the arrangement. The capillaries are useful for chromatograph applications and as flow restrictors.

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of hydrocarbonaceous oil wherein the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone to reduce the sulfur level to a relatively low level and then contacting the resulting hydrocarbonaceous stream from the hydrodesulfurization zone with an oxidizing agent to convert the residual, low level of sulfur compounds into sulfur-oxidated compounds. The resulting hydrocarbonaceous oil stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds is separated after decomposing any residual oxidizing agent to produce a stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds and a hydrocarbonaceous oil stream having a reduced concentration of sulfur-oxidated compounds.

Abstract: A solid catalyst alkylation process that wets catalyst particles with the alkylation substrate prior to introducing the catalyst particles to a liquid phase alkylation reactor is disclosed. A vapor stream from the wetting step that comprises the alkylation substrate and a reactor effluent stream comprising product alkylate and excess alkylation substrate are both passed to the product recovery zone, which recovers the alkylate product and recycles the alkylation substrate. Routing the vapor stream and the reactor effluent stream together to the product recovery zone minimizes pressure imbalances, ensures steady catalyst flow, and minimizes equipment costs. This process is applicable to alkylation processes that produce motor fuels.

Abstract: A new family of crystalline metal oxide compositions have been synthesized. These compositions are described by the empirical formula: AnNbMxM′yM″mOp where A is an alkali metal cation, ammonium ion and mixtures thereof, M is tungsten, molybdenum, or mixtures thereof. M′ is vanadium, tantalum and mixtures thereof, and M″ is antimony, tellurium and mixtures thereof. M′ and M″ are optional metals. These compositions are characterized by having an x-ray diffraction pattern having at least one peak at a d spacing of about 3.9 Å. A hydrothermal synthesis procedure as well as processes using the composition, e.g., ammoxidation of propane, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Detergent-quality linear alkylaromatics are recovered from an alkylation reactor effluent containing polymeric byproducts, such as dimers and trimers of the olefinic feedstock. The effluent stream passes to another reactor operating at a higher temperature than the first reactor. Heavy alkylate is separated from the detergent-quality linear alkylaromatics by conventional separation methods such as distillation. This invention decreases the concentration of polymeric byproducts in the linear alkylaromatics. The benefits of this invention include a higher linearity and/or a lower bromine index in the detergent-quality linear alkylaromatic product, as well as a lower color after sulfonation of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.

Abstract: Difluoromethane (R-32) is of current interest as a partial replacement for chlorodifluoromethane (R-22) refrigerant heretofore widely used in vapor compression refrigeration systems. R-32 has, however, proved to be more reactive than is desirable with the zeolite A adsorbent-desiccant compositions used in such systems to prevent corrosion and freeze-up problems. The potassium cation form of a zeolite A molecular sieve—with at least 60 percent of the sodium cations replaced with potassium ions, agglomerated with a clay binder, and pore-reduced to essentially exclude the adsorption of R-32 having essentially no reactivity with difluoromethane, and having a surface ratio of silicon to aluminum of less than about 1.7 mol/mol as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy—has been found to be an effective desiccant for refrigerants comprising difluoromethane.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for indirectly exchanging heat with narrow channel in a heat exchange type reaction zone uses manifold space to interconnect the common ends of channels and to provide controlled distribution of additional reactants. The invention simplifies the operation and construction of the heat exchanging type reaction zone by directly communicating reaction channels and/or heating channels with a manifold located at the end of the channels. The manifold can provides the extra function of mixing additional reactants. The invention promotes simplified intermediate injection of reactants over tube and shell heat transfer arrangements that have been used for similar purposes. Improved process control has particular benefits for exothermic reactions. The narrow channels are preferably defined by corrugated plates. The reaction channels will contain a catalyst for the promotion of the primary reaction.

Abstract: An arrangement for the controlled production of an essentially linear array of hydrocarbon feed injection jets maintains stable and reliable jets by passing individual piping for each jet through a support shroud that is located in a contacting vessel. Controlled atomization is provided by independently injecting a uniform quantity of gas medium into each of the plurality of uniformly created feed injection streams upstream of a discharge nozzle that separately discharges each mixed stream of hydrocarbons and gas medium into a stream of catalyst particles at or about the inner end of the support shroud. The feed injection jets are suitable for positioning in an inner location of a large contacting vessel. Uniformity of distribution is obtained by dividing the hydrocarbons streams from an oil chamber into an individual oil conduit for each spray injection nozzle. The individual oil conduits receive separate streams of a gas phase fluid that mixes with feed to pass the mixture to a spray nozzle.

Abstract: An oxygenate conversion process and fast-fluidized bed reactor are disclosed having an upper disengaging zone and a lower reaction zone. The process is carried out in a reaction zone having a dense phase zone in the lower reaction zone and a transition zone which extends into the disengaging zone. The feedstock in the presence of a diluent is passed to the dense phase zone containing a non-zeolitic catalyst to effect at least a partial conversion to light olefins and then passed to the transition zone above the dense phase zone to achieve essentially complete conversion. A portion of the catalyst is withdrawn from above the transition zone in the disengaging zone, at least partially regenerated, and returned to a point above the dense phase zone, while catalyst is continuously circulated from the disengaging zone to the lower reaction zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the operation of a fuel cell to generate electric power from a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane which produces electric power from a hydrogen product stream which comprises essentially no carbon monoxide. The hydrogen product stream is produced from the feed stream in a novel steam reforming zone containing a steam reforming catalyst disposed in a bell-shaped catalyst zone. The bell-shaped catalyst zone is disposed over a combustion zone such that the exhaust gas from the combustion flows around the bell-shaped catalyst zone to heat the catalyst from the inside and the outside of the catalyst zone. Furthermore, the bell-shaped catalyst zone maintains a high inlet and a high outlet temperature to avoid methane slippage in the steam reforming zone. Heat for the steam reforming zone is provided by a fuel stream and at least a portion of the anode waste gas stream from the fuel cell.

Abstract: An FCC arrangement uses a regenerator stripper vessel for removing CO and light hydrocarbons upstream of the regeneration zone that can operate with backmix addition of regenerated catalyst directly from the regeneration zone. The regenerator stripping vessel can also serve as a blending vessel for the transfer of spent and regenerated catalyst back to the reaction zone for increasing the catalyst to oil ratio of the process. This invention makes the recycle of spent catalyst in large proportions possible for an FCC operation that cracks a heavy feed by eliminating light combustibles such as CO and light hydrocarbons from the regeneration zone. Elimination of light gases permits spent catalyst to be recycled to the riser despite the high delta coke produced by the heavy feed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new form of zeolite beta which shows substantially greater stability and greater catalyst lifetime when used in the alkylation and transalkylation of aromatic compounds. The new, surface-modified zeolite beta is characterized by having surface aluminum 2p binding energies, as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, of at least 74.8 electron volts. This surface-modified zeolite beta is prepared by treating an as synthesized and templated zeolite beta with an acid at a pH between about 0 and about 2 at a temperature up to about 125.degree. C. for a time sufficient to modify the chemical environment of the surface aluminum atom without bringing about dealumination of the zeolite beta, then calcining the acid-treated templated material at 550-700.degree. C. to remove the template.

Abstract: Improved processes for preparation of the (S)-oxetines in high enantiomeric purity centers on resolution using simulated moving bed chromatography of a racemic precursor early in the oxetine synthesis. Resolution is effected with high enantiomeric purity, and subsequent reactions of the desired enantiomer performed with high optical specificity to maintain enantiomeric purity. The undesired enantiomer may be racemized and recycled to the resolution phase to avoid loss.

Abstract: A process and apparatus produces reaction products by indirectly preheating and heating reactants by indirect heat exchange. The use of the preheating step simplifies the reaction zone design by eliminating the need for external exchangers and is particularly suited for an arrangement of plates that defines narrow channels for indirect heat exchange. The narrow channels are preferably defined by corrugated plates. The primary reaction channels will contain a catalyst for the promotion of the desired reaction product from the principal reactants. The heating fluid passes through adjacent heating channels defined by shared partition plates to provide indirect heating. At least a portion of the heating channels exchange heat with a non-catalytic portion of the reaction channels to preheat the reactants ahead of a catalytic section of the reaction channels. Catalytic combustion within the heating channels may provide in-situ heat input for the heating medium.

Abstract: A method of producing activated alumina bodies having alkali or alkaline earth metal compounds incorporated therein, the bodies suitable for adsorption and having increased capacity for adsorption of gases and the like. The method comprises providing a source of activated alumina powder and further providing an aqueous solution having an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and a water soluble alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of an organic compound dissolved therein. The activated alumina powder is formed into bodies which are treated with the aqueous solution to provide alumina bodies having alkali or alkaline earth metal compounds incorporated therein. The alumina bodies are heated for purposes of activation to provide said activated alumina bodies capable of having increased adsorption capacity.

Abstract: An arrangement for the controlled production of an essentially linear array of hydrocarbon feed injection jets maintains stable and reliable jets by passing individual piping for each jet through a support shroud that is located in a contacting vessel. Controlled atomization is provided by independently injecting a uniform quantity of gas medium into each of the plurality of uniformly created feed injection streams upstream of a discharge nozzle that separately discharges each mixed stream of hydrocarbons and gas medium into a stream of catalyst particles at or about the inner end of the support shroud. The feed injection jets are suitable for positioning in an inner location of a large contacting vessel. Uniformity of distribution is obtained by dividing the hydrocarbons streams from an oil header into an individual oil conduit for each spray injection nozzle.

Abstract: A simplified process for jointly producing butene-1 and ether in a catalytic distillation column which comprises an upper catalytic zone for etherification and a lower catalytic zone for isomerization of C.sub.4 plus olefins and conversion of butadiene. The process is especially useful when combined with a process for the production of light olefins including ethylene and propylene from methanol. According to the invention, the produced butene-1 stream is combined with ethylene to produce polyethylene.

Abstract: A new family of crystalline manganese phosphate compositions has been prepared. These compositions have an extended network which network can be a one-, two-, or three-dimensional network. The composition has an empirical formula of:(A.sup.3+).sub.v (Mn.sup.b+)(M.sup.c+).sub.x P.sub.y O.sub.zwhere A is a structure directing agent such as an alkali metal, M is a metal such as Al, Fe.sup.3+ and "b" is the average manganese oxidation state and varies from greater than 2.0 to a maximum of 3.0. These compositions can be used as adsorbents and as catalysts in the oxidation of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for decreasing the emissions of chlorine-containing species from a moving bed process for regenerating spent catalyst particles with a recycle gas stream. A recycle gas stream contacts spent catalyst particles at regeneration conditions, thereby producing a flue gas stream. The flue gas stream which contains chlorine-containing species contacts spent catalyst particles at sorption conditions. The spent catalyst particles sorb the chlorine-containing species from the flue gas stream, thereby producing the recycle gas stream. A portion of the recycle gas stream is vented from the process. This method captures and returns to the process the chlorine-containing species that would be lost from the process and that would need to be replaced by the injection of make-up chlorine-containing species. This method results in a significant savings in capital and operating costs of the process.