Abstract: A process for preparing a calcined zirconia extrudate comprising the steps of: a. preparing a shapable dough which comprises mixing and kneading a particulate zirconia with a solvent to obtain a mixture having a total solids content of from about 50% to about 85% by weight, b. extruding the shapable dough to form a zirconia extrudate, and c. drying and calcining the zirconia extrudate; characterized in that the particulate zirconia comprises no more than about 15% by weight of zirconia which is other than monoclinic zirconia. The calcined zirconium extrudates prepared according to the present invention exhibit significantly improved crush strength and is suitable as a catalyst or catalyst support in a wide range of chemical processes.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a sulphur cement product comprising the following steps: (a) selectively oxidising hydrogen sulphide to elemental sulphur by contacting, in a reaction zone, a hydrogen sulphide containing feed gas and a molecular-oxygen containing gas with a particulate oxidation catalyst under selective oxidation conditions; (b) discharging a stream comprising liquid and/or solid elemental sulphur and particulate oxidation catalyst from the reaction zone; (c) admixing the stream comprising elemental sulphur and particulate oxidation catalyst with at least any one of elemental sulphur, a sulphur cement filler, a sulphur cement modifier, or aggregate at a temperature at which sulphur is molten; (d) solidifying the mixture obtained in step (c) by cooling it to a temperature below the melting temperature of sulphur to obtain the sulphur cement product.

Abstract: A process for reducing the total acid number (TAN) of a liquid hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, wherein the feedstock is contacted, in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas and at a temperature in the range of from 200 to 400° C. and at elevated pressure, with a catalyst comprising an oxide of a metal of Column 3 or 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements or of a lanthanide, which catalyst is essentially free of Column 5 to 10 metals or compounds thereof, to obtain a liquid hydrocarbonaceous product with a reduced total acid number.

Abstract: An elongated-shaped particle having two protrusions; each extending from and attached to a central position, wherein the central position is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the particle, the cross-section of the particle occupying the space encompassed by the outer edges of six circles around a central circle, in which each of the six circles touches two neighboring circles and two alternating circles are equidistant to the central circle and may be attached to the central circle, and the two circles adjacent to the two alternating circles (but not the common circle) touching the central circle, minus the space occupied by the four remaining outer circles and including four remaining interstitial regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaped catalyst or catalyst precursor containing a catalytically active component or a precursor therefore, the component selected from elements of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, supported on a carrier, which catalyst or catalyst precursor is an elongated shaped particle having three protrusions each extending from and attached to a central position, wherein the central position is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the particle, the cross-section of the particle occupying the space encompassed by the outer edges of six circles around a central circle, each of the six circles touching two neighboring circles while three alternating circles are equidistant to the central circle and may be attached to the central circle, minus the space occupied by the three remaining outer circles and including the six interstitial regions.

Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of hydrogen sulphide in a hydrogen sulphide containing feed gas to elemental sulphur, wherein the hydrogen sulphide containing feed gas (3), an inert liquid medium (5), and a molecular-oxygen containing gas (4) are supplied to a reaction zone (1) comprising at least one catalytic zone (2) comprising an oxidation catalyst to form elemental sulphur and a gaseous stream depleted in hydrogen sulphide (8), in which process the oxidation catalyst of each catalytic zone (2) is contacted with hydrogen sulphide and/or molecular-oxygen in the presence of inert liquid medium at a temperature in the range of from 120 to 160° C., under such conditions that the elemental sulphur formed is essentially in liquid form and is removed from the reaction zone with the inert liquid medium.