Abstract: A method for reducing the interaction between carbon monoxide present in a heat exchange medium and metals on the shell side of heat exchange reformer apparatus used for reforming of hydrocarbons by treatment of the shell-side of said apparatus with an effective amount of at least one passivation compound containing at least one element selected from phosphorus, tin, antimony, arsenic, lead, bismuth, copper, germanium, silver or gold is described. Where volatile compounds are formed by the passivation compound, the method further comprises compound recovery to prevent contamination and deactivation of subsequent process steps. The method reduces side reactions, provides improved reformer tube lifetime and allows tubes to be treated in-situ without the need for process shutdown.

Abstract: A catalyst for oxidation reactions, particularly the oxidation of ammonia comprises oxides of (a) at least one element A selected from rare earths and yttrium, and (b) cobalt and element A being in such proportions that the element A to cobalt atomic ratio is in the range 0.8 to 1.2, at least some of said cobalt and element A oxides being present as a mixed oxide phase with less than 25% of the cobalt (by atoms) being present as free cobalt oxides, is disclosed. The catalyst may be supported on a secondary support in the form of an alkali-free alumina or lanthana wash coat on a primary support in the form of a mesh, gauze, pad, or monolith formed from a high temperature iron/aluminum alloy or a mesh, gauze, pad, monolith, or foam of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A heat exchange catalytic process and reactor of the shell-and-tube type having a plurality of tubes extending longitudinally through the shell from a tube fluid inlet region to a tube fluid outlet region and baffles extending transversely across the shell dividing the shell between said inlet and outlet regions into at least three heat exchange zones through which each tube passes in sequence in heat exchange with that zone. A shell fluid is passed through the heat exchange zones in heat exchange with the tube fluid passing through the tubes. Transfer passages are provided connencting the heat exchange zones and are disposed so that the shell fluid passes through the second zone before or after it has passed through both the first and third zones. A particulate catalyst is disposed in either the shell heat exchange zones or, preferably, the tubes.

Abstract: Compensation for catalyst activity decline in multi-bed selective hydrogenation of acetylenes in the presence of olefins by providing inter-bed heating so that the product from the first bed is heated before it is fed to the second bed, and the temperature at which the product from the first bed is fed to the second bed is increased as the catalyst activity declines. In a modification, when the catalyst is fresh, the product from the first bed is cooled before it is fed to the second bed, but, as the catalyst activity declines the temperature at which the product from the first bed is fed to the second bed is increased, so that after a period of use the product from the first bed is heated before it is fed to the second bed.

Abstract: Synthesis of small quantities of compounds such as methanol from reagents, especially radio-labelled reagents such as .sup.11 C oxides, in a carrier gas by a catalytic reaction using a catalyst that has been pre-conditioned for the reaction by previous use for the desired reaction and has then been passivated, or has been maintained in the pre-conditioned state, until contacted with said carrier gas. Where the product is adsorbed by the catalyst, it may be desorbed by heating or displaced by contacting the catalyst with a material, e.g. a catalyst poison that is more strongly adsorbed. Such a more strongly adsorbed material may react with the adsorbed catalytic product to produce a desired product.