Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovery of hydrogen bromide from one or more alkyl bromide compounds by hydrolyzing the alkyl bromide compounds to hydrogen bromide and corresponding alcohols, and simultaneously separating at least the alcoholic products of hydrolysis from aliphatic monocarboxylic acid solvent component. Also disclosed are process for preparing aromatic carboxylic acids by the exothermic, liquid-phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock compound wherein the energy produced by the exothermic oxidation is efficiently recovered, and uses of water produced during the preparation of aromatic carboxylic acids are efficiently integrated into the process.

Abstract: Processes using a titanium dioxide-supported purification catalyst are disclosed for purification of relatively impure dicarboxylic aromatic acid produced by liquid-phase oxidation of a suitable benzene or naphthalene having two oxidizable ring substituents, and/or by recovery from polyester resin comprising repeating units of the dicarboxylic aromatic acid residue and repeating units of dihydric alcohol residue. Purification comprises passing an aqueous solution of dicarboxylic aromatic acid with small amounts of organic impurities consisting of oxygen-containing aromatic co-products of oxidation and/or other organic components, through a particulate bed of purification catalyst comprising a noble metal on a titanium dioxide support under conditions suitable for decarbonylation of organic impurities. Generally, at least one weight percent of the titanium dioxide support is in the rutile crystalline phase.

Abstract: Processes using a titanium dioxide-supported purification catalyst are disclosed for purification of relatively impure dicarboxylic aromatic acid produced by liquid-phase oxidation of a suitable benzene or naphthalene having two oxidizable ring substituents, and/or by recovery from polyester resin comprising repeating units of the dicarboxylic aromatic acid residue and repeating units of dihydric alcohol residue. Purification comprises passing an aqueous solution of dicarboxylic aromatic acid with small amounts of organic impurities consisting of oxygen-containing aromatic co-products of oxidation and/or other organic components, through a particulate bed of purification catalyst comprising a noble metal on a titanium dioxide support under conditions suitable for decarbonylation of organic impurities. Generally, at least one weight percent of the titanium dioxide support is in the ruffle crystalline phase.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovery and purification of dibasic aromatic acids or esters thereof from waste polyester film, fiber, bottles, manufacturing residues, and other manufactured articles.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovery and purification of dibasic aromatic acids from waste polyester film, fiber, bottles, manufacturing residues, and other manufactured articles. The processes comprises: depolymerization of polyester resin in a molten polyester resin containing solvent with superheated stem, and vaporization of the aromatic carboxylic acid and other volatile products of hydrolysis to obtain a vaporized mixture containing aromatic acid, dihydric alcohol, other volatile products of hydrolysis, and water. This vapor mixture is, advantageously, substantially free of less volatile and non-volatile impurities including metals, and many colored and color causing compounds, which are, typically, found in post-consumer polyester resins.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of aromatic dicarboxylic acids is disclosed using a low bromine to metals ratio facilitated by the use of cerium along with the cobalt and manganese catalyst. Aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as terephthalic acid are useful in the manufacture of fiber, films, bottles and molded products.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovery and purification of dibasic aromatic acids from waste polyester film, fiber, bottles, manufacturing residues, and other manufactured articles. The processes comprises: depolymerizing polyester resin in a solvent under conditions suitable for hydrolysis of ester bonds to obtain a mixture containing a solution of aromatic acid and impurities consisting of alcohol and/or other components of the resin; burning impurities in a liquid-phase oxidation with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidation catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures, to obtain an oxidation product containing the desired aromatic acid; and crystallizing and separating from the oxidation system a resulting crude dibasic aromatic acid.

Abstract: There is provided a method for purifying an organic polycarboxylic acid wherein the amounts of organic monofunctional impurities associated therewith are substantially reduced, which method comprises conducting steam distillation of a stream comprising said polycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment of the method, a reactor effluent comprising a polycarboxylic acid is introduced into a crystallization zone, said effluent being subjected to crystallization and steam distillation coextensively in said crystallization zone.The method of the present invention may be used suitably to purify 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid in a reactor effluent from the hydrogenation of a terephthalic acid by reducing the amounts of 4-methyl-1-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, as well as other organic impurities, contaminating the dicarboxylic acid.There is also provided the polycarboxylic acid purified by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing fiber-grade terephthalic acid from waste polyethylene terephthalate film, fiber, bottles, manufacturing residues, and other manufactured articles. The process comprises depolymerizing waste polyethylene terephthalate in an aqueous mixture to obtain crude terephthalic acid having a b*-value less than 10.00 and an RFCVIS value of about 5000, or greater, which is thereupon hydrogenated in aqueous solution for a period of up to 8 hours. Organic and inorganic impurities are retained in the aqueous components. The purified terephthalic acid has a b*-value less than 2.00, a relative fluorescence concentration in visible light (RFCVIS) of less than 2500, metals content less than 100 ppmw and total organic impurities of less than 1000 ppmw.

Abstract: The invention is a solid state preparation of copper aluminum borate catalyst comprising: dry mixing solid reagents comprising suitable precursors of copper oxide (CuO), aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) and boron oxide (B.sub.2 O.sub.3) with a solid binder which aids compaction of the solid reagents, is essentially inert to said reagents, and burns away upon calcination, said dry mixing resulting in formation of a superficially dry copper aluminum borate precursor; compacting the dry precursor; and calcining the precursor at a sufficiently high temperature to form crystalline copper aluminum borate.

Abstract: Ceramic materials comprising steatite or forsterite which are highly dense in nature may be prepared by admixing a hydrolyzed alcoholic solution of a silicon alkoxide with a solution prepared by adding an organomagnesium compound to an alcohol at gelation conditions. Following the formation of the gel, it is then dried at an elevated temperature of from about 300.degree. to about 500.degree. C. to remove volatile compounds as well as to decompose any remaining organic compounds and thereafter the powder is pressed into a desired shape. The formed shape is then sintered at a temperature in the range of from about 850.degree. to about 950.degree. C. to form a densified ceramic.

Abstract: Several materials, suitable as carriers or supports for zerovalent metals dispersed thereon have been found to be appreciably more corrosion resistant in the environment of organic acids than are conventional supports, among which are included alpha-alumina, theta-alumina, titanated alumina, titania, and aluminum phosphate. The discovery of such corrosion resistant supports permits a continuous process for the hydrogenation of a fatty acid to its fatty alcohol using a fixed catalyst bed of a zerovalent metal dispersed on a carrier of this invention.

Abstract: A method of continuously hydrogenating fatty materials over a fixed catalyst bed utilizes zerovalent nickel on alpha-alumina. Partial hydrogenation of soybean oil to an IV of about 110 can be successfully performed using alpha-alumina of surface area less than about 5 m.sup.2 /g to afford a product whose SFI is acceptable for end product use.

Abstract: Selective continuous hydrogenations of fatty materials are possible over a fixed bed of zerovalent nickel on an alpha-alumina support. The selectivity of such continuous hydrogenations is further enhanced by performing such hydrogenations in an upflow mode. When soybean oil is used and hydrogenation is continued to an IV of about 110, the resulting partially hydrogenated soybean oil is comparable in its solids content to that obtained in a batch hydrogenation using presently conventional commercial catalysts.

Abstract: Selective reductions of fatty materials occur using a catalyst comprising zerovalent platinum or palladium dispersed on a support which shows strong metal-support interaction. A particularly desirable catalyst is one where the platinum or palladium is dispersed on titania which is subsequently activated in hydrogen at a temperature above about 325.degree. C. The catalyst is sufficiently selective so as to permit continuous reduction of fatty material using a fixed bed of catalyst.

Abstract: Selective reductions of fatty materials occur using a catalyst consisting of essentially of zerovalent nickel dispersed on a support which shows strong metal, support interaction. A particularly desirable catalyst is one where the nickel is dispersed on titania which is subsequently activated in hydrogen at a temperature above about 325.degree. C. The catalyst is sufficiently selective so as to permit continuous reduction of fatty material using a fixed bed of catalyst.

Abstract: Hydrogenation of fatty materials using zerovalent platinum group metals supported on alpha-alumina are substantially more selective than those where the metal is supported on a porous alumina. An alpha-alumina with surface area less than about 5 m.sup.2 /g, a micropore volume under about 0.05 ml/g, and a macropore volume less than about 0.25 ml/g is particularly desirable. Using these methods, continuous hydrogenations based on a fixed bed process are sufficiently selective to be commercially practicable.

Abstract: Carbonyl cyanide may be prepared by reacting a solution of a trihalomethyl haloformate in an organic solvent with a cyanide salt in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. Carbonyl cyanide may be prepared by this method in good yield and with great convenience.

Abstract: Edible oils may be selectively hydrogenated using a zerovalent, supported, catalytically active cobalt catalyst. Where the cobalt is supported on alumina, the selectivity of hydrogenation is virtually independent of the nature of the alumina. The process is sufficiently selective that continuous hydrogenation may be performed with about the same selectivity as that presently obtained in batch processes using presently conventional catalysts.