Abstract: Methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing in high yield aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from a mixture of oxygenates comprising di- and polyoxygenates are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like; and methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing the mixture of oxygenates from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like. The disclosed catalysts for preparing the mixture of oxygenates comprise a Group VIII metal and a crystalline alumina support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane having a pore-free separating layer including a polymer mixture for separating simple alcohols and water from their mixtures with other organic fluids by means of pervaporation or vapor permeation. In accordance with the invention, the polymer mixture is composed of at least two polymer components which are taken from the group of polymer components which includes of the following polymer components: Polyvinyl alcohol, other polymers such as poly N—N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (poly DMAEMA), a copolymer of DMAEMA and N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) or of DMAEMA and N-vinyl caprolactam (NVCL), a terpolymer of DMAE, NVP and NVCL or of vinyl acetate ethylene vinyl chloride or from vinyl chloride ethylene acrylic ester or from vinyl acetate vinyl chloride acrylic ester. The invention further relates to the use and to a method for manufacturing a membrane in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of synthesizing an amino(halo)silane comprising the step of reacting a halosilane having the formula SiaHbXc with an aminosilane having the formula SidHe(NR1R2)f to produce the amino(halo)silane having the formula SiwHxXy(NR1R2)z, wherein X=Br or I; each R1 and R2 is independently selected from a C1-C10 alkyl, aryl, or hetero group; a, d, and w independently=1 to 4; b+c=2a+2; b=1 to 2a+1; c=1 to 2a+1; e+f=2d+2; e=1 to 2d+1; f=1 to 2d+1; x+y+z=2w+2; and R1 and R2 may be joined to form a nitrogen-containing heterocycle.

Abstract: A method for producing mixed aldol products from the products of hydroformylation reactions. In one embodiment, the method comprises mixing hydroformylation reaction products comprising aldehydes with a catalyst inside a reactor to create a mixture. The method also includes agitating the mixture at a temperature in a range of between about 200° F. to about 275° F. to create a reacted mixture. The reacted mixture is then cooled in the reactor to create an organic phase and an aqueous phase. The organic phase is pumped out of the reactor and may then be transferred to a distillation tower. The organic phase may be distilled until any mixed aldol products are isolated, wherein the mixed aldol products may be subsequently removed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently producing alkoxysilanes that are useful as various functional chemicals. In order to produce alkoxysilanes efficiently, an ethoxy- or methoxysilane and an alcohol are caused to react using, as a catalyst, for instance an inorganic solid acid having a regular-pore and/or layered structure. Zeolites, montmorillonites or the like can be used as the inorganic solid acid. When a zeolite is used as the catalyst, the silica/alumina ratio of the zeolite ranges preferably from 5 to 1000. The reaction can be promoted through irradiation of microwaves.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions for production of higher alcohols comprise a hydrotalcite or hydrotalcite-like support impregnated with molybdenum and an alkali metal. When the compositions are used to convert syngas, selectivity to higher (C2+) alcohols is increased in comparison to conversions accomplished over many other catalyst systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the energy efficient and selective extraction of dilute concentrations of biomolecules, e.g., small organic compounds, e.g., one or more C2-C6 alcohols, one or more C3-C5 carboxylic acids, one or more C8-18 fatty alcohols, one or more C1-C18 dicarboxylic acids, one or more furfurals, one or more furans, one or more butanediols, one or more butadienes, and mixtures thereof, from an aqueous solution using liquid phase dimethyl ether (DME).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fermentative production of alcohols including ethanol and butanol, and processes for improving alcohol fermentation employing in situ product removal methods.

Abstract: A hydrogenation process is disclosed. The process involves reacting a fluoroolefin with H2 in a reaction zone in the presence of a palladium catalyst to produce a hydrofluoroalkane product, wherein the palladium catalyst comprises palladium supported on a carrier wherein the palladium concentration is from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.2 wt % based on the total weight of the palladium and the carrier. Also disclosed is a palladium catalyst composition consisting essentially of palladium supported on ?-Al2O3 wherein the palladium concentration is from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.2 wt % based on the total weight of the palladium and the ?-Al2O3. Also disclosed is a hydrogenation process comprising reacting a fluoroolefin with H2 in a reaction zone in the presence of a palladium catalyst to produce a hydrofluoroalkane product, characterized by: the palladium catalyst consisting essentially of palladium supported on ?-Al2O3 wherein the palladium concentration is from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.

Abstract: Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of 1,2-dichloropropane, a by-product in the production of chlorohydrin, as a low cost starting material, alone or in combination with 1,2,3-trichloropropane. At least one dehydrochlorination is conducted in the gas phase, and is the first process step. The present processes can also generate anhydrous HCl as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, providing further time and cost savings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying chlorinated hydrocarbon(s), comprising cooling a mixture containing hydrogen fluoride and at least one chlorinated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 2,3-dichloro-3,3-difluoropropene, 1,2,3-trichloro-1,1-difluoropropane, and 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane to cause liquid-liquid separation of the mixture into an upper liquid phase having a high hydrogen fluoride concentration and a lower liquid phase having a high chlorinated hydrocarbon concentration, and a method for purifying a chlorinated hydrocarbon, comprising subjecting the lower liquid phase obtained by the liquid-liquid separation to a distillation operation. According to the present invention, a chlorinated hydrocarbon can be purified by separating and removing hydrogen fluoride from a chlorinated hydrocarbon-hydrogen fluoride mixture under simple and economically advantageous conditions.

Abstract: Processes for producing polyether siloxanes are provided in which unsaturated polyethers are reacted with one or more SiH-functional siloxanes in the presence of Pt(0) compounds and tertiary amines Also, provided is the use of Pt(0) compounds and tertiary amines for producing polyether siloxanes and to the use of the polyether siloxanes thus obtained.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder, a mixed oxide, and at least two promoter metals comprising ruthenium and bismuth. The mixed oxide preferably also comprises cobalt and tin.

Abstract: Embodiments of an integrated method for step-wise conversion of 2,3-butanediol to 2-butanol, and optionally to hydrocarbons, are disclosed. The method includes providing an acidic catalyst, exposing a composition comprising aqueous 2,3-butanediol to the acidic catalyst to produce an intermediate composition comprising methyl ethyl ketone, providing a hydrogenation catalyst that is spatially separated from the acidic catalyst, and subsequently exposing the intermediate composition to the hydrogenation catalyst to produce a composition comprising 2-butanol. The method may further include subsequently exposing the composition comprising 2-butanol to a deoxygenation catalyst, and deoxygenating the 2-butanol to form hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbons comprise olefins, such as butenes, and the method may further include subsequently exposing the hydrocarbons to a hydrogenation catalyst to form saturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed by extraction into a water immiscible organic extractant during the fermentation. The invention also relates to a method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible extractant composition. The invention further relates to compositions comprising a solution of butanol in a water immiscible organic extractant composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of preparing allyl alcohol and allyl alcohol prepared thereby. The method of preparing allyl alcohol includes adding glycerol with formic acid in an amount of 0.8˜2 equivalents relative to 1 equivalent of glycerol, and increasing a reaction temperature to 220˜260° C. from room temperature at a heating rate of 2.0˜7.0° C./min so that glycerol and formic acid are reacted.

Abstract: Acetic acid is hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising one or more active metals on a silica support, wherein the catalyst has a radial crush strength of at least 4 N/mm. The one or more active metals may include cobalt, copper, gold, iron, nickel, palladium, platinum, iridium, osmium, rhenium, rhodium, ruthenium, tin, zinc, lanthanum, cerium, manganese, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum and mixtures thereof. Radial crush strength may be improved by steam treating the catalyst support prior to the loading of the one or more active metals.

Abstract: Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of a feedstock comprising 1,2,3-trichloropropane and chlorinates the 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropane generated by the process prior to a dehydrochlorination step. Production of the less desirable pentachloropropane isomer, 1,1,2,3,3-pentachloropropane, is thus minimized. The present processes provide better reaction yield as compared to conventional processes that require dehydrochlorination of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropane prior to chlorinating the same. The present process can also generate anhydrous HCl as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, while limiting the production of waste water, thus providing further time and cost savings.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel glycerol purification process that produces partially refined waste glycerol for a variety of industrial applications. The disclosure encompasses a salt-containing partially refined glycerol composition that is suitable as a fermentation grade glycerol.