Abstract: Process for the conversion of synthesis gas to higher hydrocarbons. A gaseous stream comprising synthesis gas is contacted at an elevated temperature and pressure with a suspension comprising a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst suspended in a liquid medium, in a reactor system comprising at least one high shear mixing zone and a tubular loop reactor. The suspension and the gaseous stream are passed through the high shear mixing zone(s) wherein the gaseous stream is broken down into gas bubbles and/or irregularly shaped gas voids. Suspension having gas bubbles and/or irregularly shaped gas voids dispersed therein is discharged from the high shear mixing zone(s) into the tubular loop reactor, the discharged suspension is circulated around the tubular loop reactor, and a product suspension stream comprising at least a portion of the circulating suspension is withdrawn from the tubular loop reactor.

Abstract: A process to optimize a slurry Fischer-Tropsch catalyst life and to further optimize removal of debris from a slurry Fischer-Tropsch process is provided. The process passes a part of a Fischer-Tropsch Reactor slurry inventory to another upstream Fischer-Tropsch Reactor where the Fischer-Tropsch reactors are connected in series. The process utilizes either multiple or a single transfer vessel and optionally, a motive gas.

Abstract: A process for preparing a silicone compound, the process comprising reacting (A) a silicon compound having silicon-bonded alkoxy groups or silicon-bonded aryloxy groups and (B) a disiloxane in the presence of (C) a carboxylic acid, (D) an acid catalyst, and (E) a carboxylic anhydride, and a process for preparing a silicone compound, the process comprising reacting (F) a silicon compound having silicon-bonded acyloxy groups and (B) a disiloxane compound in the presence of (D) an acid catalyst, (E) a carboxylic anhydride, and (G) an alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for optimizing the degree of backmixing within a gas agitated multiphase reactor at a given gas linear velocity. The embodiments of the present invention involve novel configurations of the multiphase reactor internal structures. In general, the configurations comprise creating a dense area of internal structures in the central region and/or wall regions of the multiphase reactor.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of mandelic acid derivatives. The process comprises the steps of: (a) stereoselectively cyanating a compound of Formula (2) to yield the corresponding cyanohydrin; (b) hydrolyzing the product of step (a) to the corresponding compound of Formula (1). wherein X is a substituent.

Abstract: A process to control the amount of N-contaminant is synthesis gas which is fed into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor and which utilizes Fischer-Tropsch produced water is provided. A process which utilizes a countercurrent flow of Fischer-Tropsch produced water produced in a downstream Fischer-Tropsch reactor to wash syngas being fed to an upstream Fischer-Tropsch reactor is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel processes for the preparation of optically active 3-aminocarboxylic acids and their esters, in particular processes for the preparation of optically active compounds of the formula IA or IB as free bases or as acid addition salts thereof, in which the radicals are as defined in the description; in particular using the catalytic hydrogenation of olefinic precursors in the presence of platinum on alumina as a catalyst and the removal of chiral auxiliary groups from salt precursors; and novel process sections in the route for their synthesis, and processes for the preparation of biologically, in particular pharmacologically, active compounds, which comprise the novel processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing methanol from a synthesis gas produced by partial oxidation of natural gas with an oxidant stream having a high nitrogen content, such as an oxygen enriched air stream. This invention utilizes a high pressure non-permeate gas stream of low BTU content obtained from a partial expansion of a very high pressure tail gas of the process down to a high pressure together with a high pressure non-permeate gas stream of low oxygen content to achieve an energy efficient process by passing these non-permeate, high pressure streams in combination into contact with an oxidizing catalyst, so to significantly increase the temperature of these combine high pressure gas streams, for increased working energy recovery therefrom, as by their expansion through a hot gas expander.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the average molecular weight of liquid hydrocarbons in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor are disclosed. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are characterized by feeding a hydrocarbon stream, which lowers the average molecular weight of the hydrocarbon liquids inside the reactor, and more preferably by recycling a portion of low-molecular weight hydrocarbon products back into the reactor. Lowering the molecular weight of the hydrocarbon liquids inside the reactor increases the mass transfer and solubility, and diffusivity of the reactants in the hydrocarbons present in the slurry.

Abstract: A hydrothermally-stable catalyst, method for making the same, and process for producing hydrocarbon, wherein the catalyst is used in synthesis gas conversion to hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, the method comprises depositing a compound of a catalytic metal selected from Groups 8, 9, and 10 of the Periodic Table on a support material comprising boehmite to form a composite material; and calcining the composite material to form the catalyst. In other embodiments, the support material comprises synthetic boehmite, natural boehmite, pseudo-boehmite, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons comprising the steps of: a) contacting synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure with a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor system to generate hydrocarbons comprising gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons; b) in a gas separation zone, separating a gaseous phase comprising saturated gaseous hydrocarbons from a liquid phase comprising liquid hydrocarbons and from the particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; c) passing at least a portion of the separated gaseous phase to a dehydrogenation reactor where at least a portion of the saturated gaseous hydrocarbons are converted to unsaturated hydrocarbons; and d) recycling at least a portion of said unsaturated hydrocarbons back to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor system.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbons comprises providing a multi-tubular reactor having at least 100 tubes units containing a catalyst, each tube being between 2 and 5 meters tall and in thermal contact with a cooling fluid; feeding hydrogen and carbon monoxide to each tube at a linear gas superficial velocity less than about 60 cm/s; and converting the gas feedstream to hydrocarbons on the catalyst, wherein the yield of hydrocarbons in each tube is greater than 100 (kg hydrocarbons)/hr/(m3 reaction zone). Each tube may have an internal diameter greater than 2 centimeters. The catalyst may be active for Fischer Tropsch synthesis and may comprise cobalt or iron. The maximum difference in the radially-averaged temperature between two points that are axially spaced along the reactor is less than 15° C., preferably less than 10° C. The catalyst loading or intrinsic activity may vary along the length of the reactor.

Abstract: Process of contacting a gaseous reactant stream comprising synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure with a suspension of a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising cobalt in a liquid medium in a reactor system comprising at least one high shear mixing zone and a reactor vessel, by a) contacting the particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with a reducing gas at elevated temperature and pressure outside of the high shear mixing zone(s) and the reactor vessel and subsequently suspending the particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in the liquid medium; b) passing the suspension from step a) through the high shear mixing zone(s) where the gaseous reactant stream comprising synthesis gas is mixed with the suspension; c) discharging a mixture comprising the synthesis gas and the suspension from the high shear mixing zone(s) into the reactor vessel; and d) converting the synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbons in the reactor vessel to form a product suspension comprising the particulate Fischer-Tropsch cataly

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1-chloro-1-fluoroethane and 1,1-difluoroethane by reaction of vinyl chloride with hydrogen fluoride, in an organic solvent consisting of at least one saturated halogen-containing hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Methods have been developed to form catalysts having active metals disposed on a carbon nanotube coated porous substrate. Catalysts and reactions over nanotube-containing catalysts are also disclosed. Results are presented showing enhanced performance resulting from use of the inventive catalyst. Mesoporous oxide layers can be utilized to improve catalyst properties.

Abstract: A process (10) for producing synthesis gas includes, in a gasification stage (12), gasifying a carbonaceous feestock to provide a raw synthesis gas which includes at least H2, CO and CH4 and, in a partial oxidation stage (14), subjecting the raw synthesis gas to partial oxidation in the presence of oxygen to provide an upgraded synthesis gas which includes less CH4 and more H2 and CO than the raw synthesis gas. The invention extends to a process for producing a synthesis gas derived product.

Abstract: A removable filter for separating and filtering slurry liquid from solid particles includes one or more filter sections connected by a filtrate conduit. Each section comprises a plurality of vertical, hollow, sintered metal filter elements horizontally arranged across a manifold connected to a hollow filtrate conduit. The sections are vertically stacked and connected by the conduit(s) to form the filter which is removably secured in the slurry by means which permit it to be removed vertically up and out of the top of the reactor. This filter has a high surface area to volume ratio and is useful for removing the liquid hydrocarbon products from a slurry hydrocarbon synthesis reactor and can easily be replaced without having to drain out the slurry.

Abstract: A chemical reactor for direct conversion of hydrocarbons includes a dielectric barrier discharge plasma cell and a solid oxide electrochemical cell in fluid communication therewith. The discharge plasma cell comprises a pair of electrodes separated by a dielectric material and passageway therebetween. The electrochemical cell comprises a mixed-conducting solid oxide electrolyte membrane tube positioned between a porous cathode and a porous anode, and a gas inlet tube for feeding oxygen containing gas to the porous cathode. An inlet is provided for feeding hydrocarbons to the passageway of the discharge plasma cell, and an outlet is provided for discharging reaction products from the reactor. A packed bed catalyst may optionally be used in the reactor to increase efficiency of conversion. The reactor can be modified to allow use of a light source for directing ultraviolet light into the discharge plasma cell and the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of synthesis gas (i.e., a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen), typically labeled syngas. More particularly, the present invention relates to a regeneration method for a syngas catalyst. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to the regeneration of syngas catalysts using a re-dispersion technique. The re-dispersion technique involves the formation and removal of carbonyls with the active metals. The carbonyl formation and removal effectively re-disperses the catalyst metal.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for optimally operating a three phase slurry bubble column. The constituents of the three phases, gas, liquid, and solids, are determined by the chemical reaction in the column. The method includes injecting the gas phase into the column with an appropriate velocity so that the solid phase is fluidized while still maintaining “plug flow” over the column length.