Abstract: Composites of a crystalline or long-ranged ordered material (CLROM), for example zeolites and non-zeolitic molecular sieves, are disclosed. The composites have both a macroscopic particle size (e.g., an average particle size of greater than about 0.1 mm), as desired in commercial applications, as well as improved functionality. Such composites result from the conversion of a conventional amorphous material, for example a solid amorphous silica alumina of this particle size, into the CLROM. According to particular embodiments, all or substantially all (e.g., at least about 99%) of the amorphous material is converted to the CLROM, such that essentially the entire macroscopic material may have the desired functionality of the CLROM as a catalyst or adsorbent.

Abstract: Processes for decreasing elemental mercury in flue gas stream are provided. The processes include receiving the flue gas stream containing elemental mercury in an oxidation zone and maintaining the oxidation zone at a temperature of less than about 200° C. In the oxidation zone, the flue gas stream is contacted with an oxychlorination catalyst. As a result, the elemental mercury is oxidized to create oxidized mercury in an oxidized flue gas. The oxidized mercury is then removed from the oxidized flue gas.

Abstract: The invention involves a process that reduces the potential for catalyst fluidization in a reduction vessel of a continuous catalyst regeneration system. The gas exit area from the catalyst reduction zone is increased by ventilating the cylindrical baffle of the upper reduction zone. This provides an increased exit cross-sectional area for the upper reduction gas to escape and reduce the overall exit velocity of the combined upper and lower reduction gases and reduces the potential for catalyst fluidization.

Abstract: The invention reduces the potential for catalyst fluidization in a reduction vessel of a continuous catalyst regeneration system. The gas exit area from the catalyst reduction zone is increased by ventilating the cylindrical baffle of the upper reduction zone. This provides an increased exit cross-sectional area for the upper reduction gas to escape and reduce the overall exit velocity of the combined upper and lower reduction gases and reduces the potential for catalyst fluidization.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for recovery of sulfolane used in a solvent-extraction or extractive-distillation process. A recovery column for the sulfolane solvent comprises a liquid-jet ejector for maintaining the needed vacuum conditions, preferably using water as the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for recovery of sulfolane used in a solvent-extraction or extractive-distillation process. A recovery column for the sulfolane solvent comprises a liquid-jet ejector for maintaining the needed vacuum conditions, preferably using water as the liquid.

Abstract: Processes for decreasing elemental mercury in flue gas stream are provided. The processes include receiving the flue gas stream containing elemental mercury in an oxidation zone and maintaining the oxidation zone at a temperature of less than about 200° C. In the oxidation zone, the flue gas stream is contacted with a Deacon reaction catalyst. As a result, the elemental mercury is oxidized to create oxidized mercury in an oxidized flue gas. The oxidized mercury is then removed from the oxidized flue gas.

Abstract: A process for forming a zeolite beta dielectric layer onto a substrate such as a silicon wafer has been developed. The zeolite beta is characterized in that it has an aluminum concentration from about 0.1 to about 2.0 wt. %, and has crystallites from about 5 to about 40 nanometers. The process involves first dealuminating a starting zeolite beta, then preparing a slurry of the dealuminated zeolite beta followed by coating a substrate, e.g. silicon wafer with the slurry, heating to form a zeolite beta film and treating the zeolite beta with a silylating agent.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for alkylating. The process can include providing a first effluent from a first alkylation zone, and providing a second effluent from a second alkylation zone. Generally, the first and second effluents are provided to an exchanger for reboiling a fractionation zone.

Abstract: Binderless BaKX zeolitic adsorbents, methods for their production, and processes for their use in a liquid phase adsorptive separation process are provided. An adsorbent includes a binder-converted zeolite portion formed from x wt % kaolin clay binder and (100?x) wt % unconverted Zeolite X with a silica:alumina molar ratio of about 2.5. The kaolin clay binder is in the range of about 10 to about 20 wt %. Ba and K occupy cationic exchangeable sites within the adsorbent. K is in the range of about 0.25 to about 0.9% by weight and Ba is greater than about 31.6% by weight of the binderless BaKX zeolitic adsorbent. Cornstarch may be added to the Zeolite X and kaolin clay binder to increase adsorbent macro-porosity and pore volume. Productivity of the adsorbent is improved decreasing process operating costs. The mechanical strength of the adsorbent is also improved.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for purifying a natural gas by using first and second adsorbers. The process may include passing a feed including the natural gas through the first adsorber to obtain a purified natural gas product, regenerating the second adsorber in a heating stage, and regenerating the second adsorber in a cooling stage. The heating stage may include separating a portion of the feed comprised in a regeneration gas, passing the regeneration gas to a dryer for removing water, heating the regeneration gas with a heater after exiting the dryer, and passing the regeneration gas to the second adsorber to regenerate the second adsorber. The cooling stage may include expelling at initiation of cooling at least a part of a fluid present in the second adsorber to the dryer to desorb water from a molecular sieve in the dryer, and cooling the second adsorber by circulating the regeneration gas bypassing the heater.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of polyimide membrane with high permeances and high selectivities for gas separations and particularly for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations. The polyimide membranes have CO2 permeability of 50 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 15 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation. The polyimide membranes have UV cross-linkable functional groups and can be used for the preparation of UV cross-linked polyimide membranes having CO2 permeability of 20 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 35 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for selective hydrogenation of acetylenes and diolefins to olefins. The process can include contacting a feedstream having olefins, acetylenes and diolefins with a layered catalyst at reaction conditions. Thus, the process may include creating an output stream with a reduced amount of acetylenes and diolefins. Generally, the layered catalyst has an inner core including an inert material, an outer layer, including a metal oxide, bonded to the inner core, and a metal, which is an International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Group 8-10 metal, deposited on the outer layer. Usually, the layered catalyst has an accessibility index of about 3—about 500, a void space index about 0—about 1, or both an accessibility index of about 3—about 500 and a void space index of about 0—about 1.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of polyimide membrane with high permeances and high selectivities for gas separations and particularly for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations. The polyimide membranes have CO2 permeability of 50 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 15 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation. The polyimide membranes have UV cross-linkable functional groups and can be used for the preparation of UV cross-linked polyimide membranes having CO2 permeability of 20 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 35 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a layered catalyst for use in a selective hydrogenation of acetylenes and diolefins to olefins. The layered catalyst may include an inner core having an inert material, an outer layer including a metal oxide bonded to the inner core, and a metal deposited on the outer layer. Generally, the metal is an IUPAC Group 8-10 metal and the layered catalyst has an accessibility index of about 3- about 500.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed utilizing synchrotron X-ray microscopy including x-ray fluorescence and x-ray absorption spectra to probe elemental distribution and elemental speciation within a material, and particularly a solid that may have one or more elements distributed on a solid substrate. Representative materials are relatively homogeneous in composition on the macroscale but relatively heterogeneous on the microscale. The analysis of such materials, particularly on a macroscale at which their heterogeneous nature can be observed, provides valuable insights into the relationships or correlations between localized concentrations of elements and/or their species, and concentrations of other components of the materials. Sample preparation methods, involving the use of a reinforcing agent, which are advantageously used in such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of polyimide membrane with high permeances and high selectivities for gas separations and particularly for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations. The polyimide membranes have CO2 permeability of 50 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 15 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation. The polyimide membranes have UV cross-linkable functional groups and can be used for the preparation of UV cross-linked polyimide membranes having CO2 permeability of 20 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 35 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of polyimide membrane with high permeances and high selectivities for gas separations and particularly for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations. The polyimide membranes have CO2 permeability of 50 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 15 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation. The polyimide membranes have UV cross-linkable functional groups and can be used for the preparation of UV cross-linked polyimide membranes having CO2 permeability of 20 Barrers or higher and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 of 35 or higher at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for forming a low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. The method comprises the steps of filtering a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with a high flux rate filter arrangement having a flux rate of about 10 L/m2/hr or greater to form a low-solids biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The low-solids biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is filtered with a fine filter arrangement having a pore diameter of about 50 ?m or less to form an ultralow-solids biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The ultralow-solids biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is contacted with an ion-exchange resin to remove metal ions and form the low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for regenerating catalyst particles are provided. The processes include introducing spent catalyst particles to a burn zone in a continuous catalyst regenerator. When introduced, the catalyst particles, which contain a platinum group metal, carry coke deposits. In the process, a combustion gas at a temperature of at least 490° C. with an oxygen content of at least 0.5 mol % is fed to the burn zone. There, the coke deposits on the catalyst particles are combusted with the combustion gas. The catalyst particles are passed from the burn zone to a halogenation zone in the continuous catalyst regenerator and the catalyst particles are oxyhalogenated to redisperse the platinum group metal to form regenerated catalyst particles.