Abstract: Composite joints for gas-tight members that exhibit different coefficients of thermal expansion are disclosed. Broadly, apparatus of the invention provides composite joints which include a girdle of a resilient material disposed between mating surfaces of a high strength metallic member and a nonmetallic member in an arrangement wherein a difference in fluid pressures across the joint provides compressive force upon the girdle through tapered mating surfaces thereby improving resistance to fluid leakage. Composite joints of the invention are particularly useful for joining a high strength weldable metallic conduit and a gas-tight ceramic member having a tubular structure, closed at one end, with a tapered mating surface at a distal end thereof contiguous with a portion of the girdle. Processes beneficially using joints in accordance with the invention include converting methane gas into value-added-products, for example, production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of generating power by passing a dimethyl ether-containing fuel to a dry low NOx combustor of a fired turbine-combustor in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas for combustion in the combustor to form flue gas, and then passing the flue gas to the turbine to generate power, wherein the fuel comprises a mixture of dimethyl ether, at least one alcohol and, optionally, a component selected from the group consisting of water and C1-C6 alkanes. The fuel composition used in the inventive method permits a safe and highly efficient operation of a dry low NOx combustion system, while at the same time, minimizing the generation of NOx and carbon monoxide emissions.

Abstract: A process for converting organic compounds using composite materials in membrane reactors. The composite materials include a gas-tight ceramic, a porous metallic support, and an interfacial zone therebetween eliminate the need for mechanical seals between two such dissimilar materials. Oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes are formed on a porous metallic alloy to provide an interfacial zone identifiable by a gradient of composition in at least one metallic element across the interfacial zone between the dense ceramic membrane and the porous support. Processes using composite materials in accordance with the invention are, for example, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen, whereby the synthesis gas is, advantageously, free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen.

Abstract: A diesel fuel composition comprising from about 70 to about 95 weight percent of dimethyl ether, up to about 20 weight percent of methanol, and from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent of water is disclosed.

Abstract: Composite materials of the invention, which include a gas-tight ceramic, a porous metallic support, and an interfacial zone therebetween eliminate the need for mechanical seals between two such dissimilar materials. Oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes are formed on a porous metallic alloy to provide an interfacial zone identifiable by a gradient of composition in at least one metallic element across the interfacial zone between the dense ceramic membrane and the porous support. Processes using composite materials in accordance with the invention are, for example, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen, whereby the synthesis gas is, advantageously, free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen.

Abstract: Composite materials of the invention, which include a gas-tight ceramic, a porous metallic support, and an interfacial zone therebetween eliminate the need for mechanical seals between two such dissimilar materials. Oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes are formed on a porous metallic alloy to provide an interfacial zone identifiable by a gradient of composition in at least one metallic element across the interfacial zone between the dense ceramic membrane and the porous support. Processes using composite materials in accordance with the invention are, for example, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen, whereby the synthesis gas is, advantageously, free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for conducting, simultaneously, exothermic and endothermic chemical conversions with transfer of heat therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to autothermic modules using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes to separate, selectively, oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and supply it directly to partial combustion of gaseous organic compounds. Processes using autothermic modules in accordance with this invention are, advantageously, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is substantially free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen. In particular, for conversions, within the integral autothermic module, of natural gas or other forms of gaseous lower alkanes to synthesis gas by means of partial combustion followed by reforming.

Abstract: A direct, simplified and relatively salt-free process is described for making anionic, hydrotalcite-type pillared clay compositions which contain nickel, and their heat-treated derivatives. Compositions of the invention are manufactured from ractants which contain a relatively minor amount of metal salts or, preferably, contain essentially no metal salts. Preferred compositions made by the process form a number of new nickel-containing catalytic materials which are unusually resistant to deactivation, for example resistant to coke formation when used to catalyze chemical conversions of a hydrocarbyl compound with an oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperatures to form synthesis gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials for membrane reactors which include a gas-tight ceramic, a porous support, and an interfacial zone therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to composite materials using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes formed on a porous support comprising a metallic alloy to provide an interfacial zone identifiable by a gradient of composition in at least one metallic element across the interfacial zone between the dense ceramic membrane and the porous support. Processes using composite materials in accordance with the invention are, for example, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is, advantageously, free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to high energy, oxygenated fuel compositions suitable for use in compression ignition internal combustion engines which fuel compositions contain a synergistic combination of dimethyl ether, methanol, and water, the combination providing a single liquid phase with good ignition characteristics. More particularly fuels comprising from about 72 to about 95 weight percent of dimethyl ether, from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent of methanol, and from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent of water are disclosed.

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 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 method is described for operating a spark ignition internal combustion engine utilizing an improved composition containing dimethyl ether and propane as fuel. An engine incorporating the invention produces a lesser amount of certain atmospheric pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, as compared to the amount of pollutants produced when the engine is operated at identical conditions with propane as fuel. Also described is an improved fuel composition which exhibits a lower vapor pressure than, for example, propane and, therefore, is relatively easier to liquefy and transport.

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 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 disposed for preparing synthesis gas by the reforming of a hydrocarbyl compound using an oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: This invention discloses cross-flow electrochemical reactor cells containing oxygen permeable materials which have both electron conductivity and oxygen ion conductivity, cross-flow reactors, and electrochemical processes using cross-flow reactor cells having oxygen permeable monolithic cores to control and facilitate transport of oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas stream to oxidation reactions of organic compounds in another gas stream. These cross-flow electrochemical reactors comprise a hollow ceramic blade positioned across a gas stream flow or a stack of crossed hollow ceramic blades containing a channel or channels for flow of gas streams. Each channel has at least one channel wall disposed between a channel and a portion of an outer surface of the ceramic blade, or a common wall with adjacent blades in a stack comprising a gas-impervious mixed metal oxide material of a perovskite structure having electron conductivity and oxygen ion conductivity.

Abstract: A process is provided for transaralkylating a class of starting compounds comprised of aryl-substituted lower alkanes and aryl-substituted fused alkylene ring compounds to produce derivatives of such compounds wherein benzyl substituents thereof have different alkyl substituents compared to the starting compounds. The process is carried out by admixing such a starting compound with a lower alkyl-substituted aromatic compound under liquid phase conditions in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. The process makes possible new and economical routes for synthesizing desired lower alkyl-substituted benzyl group containing compounds, such as 2,2-di(lower alkyl-substituted) phenyl propanes and 1,3,3-trimethyl-1-(lower alkyl-substituted)-phenyl indans. Thus, there is provided a three-step process for making dixylylpropane from alpha methyl styrene and also a two-step process for making 1,3,3,6-tetramethyl-1-o-xylyl indan from alpha-4-dimethyl styrene.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the preparation of a benzophenone, which process comprises contacting a feed comprising an aromatic carboxylic acid in the vapor phase and under suitable conditions with a catalyst which is capable of catalyzing the conversion of an aromatic carboxylic acid to a benzophenone to provide a yield of at least 10% benzophenone and which comprises at least one oxide that is an oxide of an element having an atomic number of at least 60. Typical catalysts are neodymium trioxide and a mixture of thorium dioxide and magnesium oxide.