Abstract: A process for hydroshifting dimethyl ether is described which comprises passing a feed stream which includes dimethyl ether and steam to a hydroshifting reaction zone including an essentially alkali metal-free catalytic composition substantially composed of copper or nickel in elemental form. The process produces a hydroshifted product stream which is relatively rich in hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.The feed stream can be transported relatively easily in liquid form at comparatively low pressures. The hydroshifting reaction zone can include a hydrolysis reaction zone and a water-gas shift reaction zone. The hydrolyzed product and the water-gas shift product can be recovered to obtain hydrogen and carbon dioxide, respectively. Additionally, the hydroshifted product stream can be blended with an oxidizing stream and combusted to drive a turbine in order to generate mechanical energy.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide by partial oxidation of hydrocarbyl compounds using a source of oxygen comprising molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, or mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising thermally stable mixtures formed by heat treating a hydrotalcite-like compound.

Abstract: A method and nickel-containing catalyst are disclosed for preparing synthesis gas by the reforming of a hydrocarbyl compound using an oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: A collapsed composition is described which is substantially composed of microcrystallites collectively of the formula:m.sub.2m.sup.2+ Al.sub.2-p M.sub.p.sup.3+ T.sub.r O.sub.7+r.multidot.swhere M.sup.2+ is a divalent metal, M.sup.3+ is a trivalent metal, and T is vanadium, tungsten, or molybdenum. The microcrystallites are so small as to be undetectable through conventional x-ray diffraction techniques, yet high resolution electron microscopy reveals that a substantial portion of the microcrystallites are composed of a solid solution having aluminum oxide molecularly dispersed in a divalent metal monoxide crystal structure. Another portion of the microcrystallites are constituted by a spinel phase. The collapsed composition is suitable as a sulfur oxide absorbent, having comparatively high capacity and comparatively fast absorption and desorption rates, and is also suitable as a nitrogen oxide reduction catalyst.

Abstract: A process for hydroshifting dimethyl ether is described which comprises passing a feed stream which includes dimethyl ether and steam to a hydroshifting reaction zone including an essentially alkali metal-free catalytic composition substantially composed of copper or nickel in elemental form. The process produces a hydroshifted product stream which is relatively rich in hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.The feed stream can be transported relatively easily in liquid form at comparatively low pressures. The hydroshifting reaction zone can include a hydrolysis reaction zone and a water-gas shift reaction zone. The hydrolyzed product and the water-gas shift product can be recovered to obtain hydrogen and carbon dioxide, respectively. Additionally, the hydroshifted product stream can be blended with an oxidizing stream and combusted to drive a turbine in order to generate mechanical energy.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide by partial oxidation of hydrocarbyl compounds using a source of oxygen comprising molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, or mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising thermally stable mixtures formed by heat treating a hydrotalcite-like compound.

Abstract: A collapsed composition is described which is substantially composed of microcrystallites collectively of the formula:M.sub.2m.sup.2+ Al.sub.2-p M.sub.p.sup.3+ T.sub.r O.sub.7+r.swhere M.sup.2+ is a divalent metal, M.sup.3+ is a trivalent metal, and T is vanadium, tungsten, or molybdenum.The microcrystallites are so small as to be undetectable through conventional x-ray diffraction techniques, yet high resolution electron microscopy reveals that a substantial portion of the microcrystallites are composed of a solid solution having aluminum oxide molecularly dispersed in a divalent metal monoxide crystal structure. Another portion of the microcrystallites are constituted by a spinel phase. The collapsed composition is suitable as a sulfur oxide absorbent, having comparatively high capacity and comparatively fast absorption and desorption rates. The collapsed composition may be produced by heat treating a layered mixed hydroxide clay having interlayer anions in monometalate form.

Abstract: A method and nickel-containing catalyst are disposed for preparing synthesis gas by the reforming of a hydrocarbyl compound using an oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the conversion of hydrocarbons is described. Catalyst in this improved process is made by thermally activating a hydrotalcite-type clay of formula:M.sup.2+.sub.2x M.sup.3+.sub.2 (OH).sub.4x+4 A.sup.n-.sub.2/n.ZH.sub.2 Owhere M.sup.2+ is one or more metal ion selected from the group consisting of Mg.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+ Cu.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, Co.sup.2+, Mn.sup.2+ and Fe.sup.2+ and M.sup.3+ is one or more metal ion selected from the group consisting of Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.3+, Co.sup.3+, Mn.sup.3+ and Cr.sup.3+, x runs between 1.5 and 5, A is one or more anions selected from the group consisting of B(OH).sub.4.sup.-, [B.sub.3 O.sub.3 (OH).sub.4 ].sup.-, V.sub.2 O.sub.7.sup.4-, V.sub.4 O.sub.12.sup.4-, and V.sub.3 O.sub.9.sup.3-, n is 1, 3 or 4, and Z runs between 0 and about 4. These hydrotalcite-type clays have an X-ray diffraction d(001) value greater than about 7.7 Angstroms.

Abstract: A direct and simplified process is described for making anionic clays having the hydrotalcite structure which contain as the intercalating anion a pH-dependent, essentially carbonate-free, inorganic anion. Hydrotalcite-type clays made by the process from a number of divalent and trivalent metal ions and pH-dependent, boron-containing anions and transition element metalates are useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising at least one metal-containing spinel which includes a first metal and a second metal having a valence higher than the valence of the first metal, a minor amount of at least one-third metal component effective to promote the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide at sulfur dioxide oxidation conditions, and a minor amount of at least one-fourth metal component effective to promote the reduction of first metal sulfate at first metal sulfate reduction conditions. These compositions are useful, e.g., in hydrocarbon conversion processes, to reduce sulfur oxide and/or nitrogen oxide atmospheric emissions.

Abstract: A process for the removal of sulfur oxides from a gas which comprises (a) contacting the sulfur oxide-containing gas with at least one of certain metal, oxygen-containing components, e.g., modified perovskite-type components, at conditions effective to associate at least a portion of the sulfur oxides with the component to reduce the amount of sulfur oxides in the gas; and (b) contacting the component containing associated sulfur oxides at conditions effective to reduce the amount of sulfur associated with the component.

Abstract: A process for the production of an alkaline earth metal, aluminum-containing spinel/clay composition comprises: (a) combining (1) an acidic, aluminum-containing composition in which the aluminum is present in a positively charged species, and (2) a basic, alkaline earth metal-containing composition to form a gel mixture; (b) mixing the gel with kaolin clay to form a co-gel; and (c) calcining the co-gel mixture to form the alkaline earth metal, aluminum-containing spinel composition in a clay matrix. Alkaline earth metal, aluminum-containing spinel/clays having both high surface areas and very high attrition resistance, and processes for using spinel/clay compositions, e.g., as sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide removal agent, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising at least one metal-containing spinel which includes a first metal and a second metal having a valence higher than the valence of the first metal, a minor amount of at least one third metal component effective to promote the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide at sulfur dioxide oxidation conditions, and a minor amount of at least one fourth metal component effective to promote the reduction of first metal sulfate at first metal sulfate reduction conditions. These compositions are useful, e.g., in hydrocarbon conversion processes, to reduce sulfur oxide and/or nitrogen oxide atmospheric emissions.

Abstract: The invention provides the novel ruthenium carbonylate anions [Ru.sub.4 (CO).sub.11 ].sup.6- and [Ru.sub.6 (CO).sub.17 ].sup.4- and [Ru.sub.6 (CO).sub.16 ].sup.6-, together with the salts and acids of these anions. The former anion can be prepared by reduction of either Ru.sub.3 (CO).sub.12 or [Ru.sub.4 (CO).sub.12 ].sup.4- with controlled amounts of an alkali metal in the presence of an electron carrier compound, while the latter two anions are prepared by a similar reduction of [Ru.sub.6 (CO).sub.18 ].sup.2-. [Ru.sub.6 (CO).sub.16 ].sup.6- can also be prepared by a similar reduction of [Ru.sub.6 (CO).sub.17 ].sup.4-.