Abstract: A process for synthesising hydrocarbons from synthesis gas in the presence of a catalyst essentially constituted by a Raney metal alloy dispersed in a liquid phase is described in which the catalyst comprises at least 60% by weight of at least one metal selected from metals from groups 8, 9 and 10, and optionally at least one additional element selected from alkali metals and metals from groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Abstract: A system for converting lighter hydrocarbons to heavier hydrocarbons has a synthesis gas subsystem for receiving air and light hydrocarbons and producing a synthesis gas; a synthesis subsystem for receiving synthesis gas from the synthesis gas subsystem and producing heavier hydrocarbons therefrom and an aqueous byproduct stream having contaminates; and a stripper subsystem for receiving the aqueous byproduct stream and removing contaminates therefrom, wherein the stripper subsystem includes a concentrator column for concentrating contaminates in an aqueous by product stream, and a stripper column for stripping contaminates from a concentrated aqueous byproduct stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the production of dinitrotoluene wherein one is able to effectively employ a feed sulfuric acid, which is referred to as "weak acid" as the feed sulfuric acid for the nitration facility. The weak acid concentration, as feed, ranges from 86-91%, preferably 87-89% sulfuric acid by weight, to meet the total sulfuric acid requirements for the facility. This is accomplished by utilizing cocurrent processing in a mononitration zone and countercurrent nitration with respect to sulfuric acid in the dinitration zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a solid catalyst which enables a person to simply and efficiently carry out an etherification reaction; and a process by which an ether compound is simply and efficiently produced using the solid catalyst. The solid catalyst is a first solid catalyst comprising at least one rare earth element, or is a second solid catalyst comprising a metallic compound which includes a metal atom and a nonmetal atom bonded to the metal atom, wherein the metallic compound has molecular orbitals including: at least one orbital (L) having an energy of E.sub.L (eV) which satisfies E.sub.LUMO .ltoreq.E.sub.L .ltoreq.(E.sub.LUMO +0.05) wherein E.sub.LUMO is an energy (eV) of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital around the metal atom; and at least one orbital (H) having an energy of E.sub.H (eV) which satisfies (E.sub.HOMO -0.02).ltoreq.E.sub.H .ltoreq.E.sub.HOMO wherein E.sub.