Abstract: A catalyst composition and process facilitates the oxidative reforming of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, such as methane, to other hydrocarbons having 2 or more carbon atoms (“C2+ compounds”). Compositions having a formula comprising a metal, tungsten, manganese and oxygen effectively catalyze the oxidative reforming of methane with a high rate of conversion and selectivity. Controlling feed gas flow and catalyst bed temperature controls the exothermic OCM reaction, avoiding runaway reactions or coking. A single or multiple reactor system can be utilized for the oxidative reforming reactions. Using two reactors in series, catalyst embodiments produced favorable yields of C2+ compounds, in the presence or absence of a distributed oxygen feed, and with or without interstage effluent cooling. Removal of desirable end products from the reactor effluent, followed by recycling of the residual effluent, increases the conversion to, and ultimate yield of desirable end product.

Abstract: A system for introducing an inhibitor into a fluid to be treated, the system having at least one high shear mixing device comprising a rotor and a stator separated by a shear gap, wherein the at least one high shear mixing device is configured to subject a mixture of the inhibitor and the fluid to a shear rate of greater than about 20,000 s?1; and a pump configured to deliver at least one of the fluid, the inhibitor, and combinations thereof, to the high shear mixing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of ethyl acetate are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and mixing of a carbonyl co-reactant (e.g. acetic acid, acetaldehyde) with ethanol. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time with existing catalysts.

Abstract: A method for producing benzoic acid or a methylbenzoic acid isomer is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising oxygen-containing gas bubbles dispersed in either toluene or an xylene isomer, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter less than 1 micron. The dispersion is then subjected to reaction conditions comprising a pressure of less than about 1013 kPa and a temperature of less than about 160° C., whereby at least a portion of the toluene or xylene isomer is partially oxidized to form benzoic acid or the corresponding methylbenzoic acid isomer, respectively. In some embodiments, the methylbenzoic acid isomer is an intermediate compound, and the method further includes subjecting any unreacted xylene isomer and the intermediate compound to further oxidization, to form 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, or 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid. A system of apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for production of a polymer that may include a first high shear mixing device configured for producing a nanodispersion comprising particles or bubbles having a mean diameter less than 1 micron dispersed in a monomer-containing liquid or gaseous phase; a pump configured for delivering a pressurized liquid stream comprising the monomer to the first high shear mixing device; and a vessel configured for receiving the nanodispersion and for maintaining a predetermined pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a sour gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide by oxidizing hydrogen sulfide in a converter by contacting the sour gas stream with an aqueous catalytic solution, thereby producing a desulfurized gas stream and a liquid stream comprising reduced catalyst and elemental sulfur, introducing an oxidant and the liquid stream comprising reduced catalyst and elemental sulfur into a high shear device and producing a dispersion wherein the mean bubble diameter of the oxidant gas in the dispersion is less than about 5 ?m, introducing the dispersion into a vessel from which a sulfur-containing slurry is removed and a regenerated catalyst stream is removed, wherein the sulfur slurry comprises elemental sulfur and aqueous liquid, and recycling at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst stream to the converter. A system of apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for hydrodesulfurization by forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen-containing gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than 1 micron dispersed in a liquid phase comprising sulfur-containing compounds. Desulfurizing a liquid stream comprising sulfur-containing compounds by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 to produce a dispersion of hydrogen in a continuous phase of the liquid and introducing the dispersion into a fixed bed hydrodesulfurization reactor from which a reactor product is removed. Systems of apparatus for hydrodesulfurization are also presented.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of sulfolene as a reactor device is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the sulfolene production process. A system for the production of sulfolene from butadiene and sulfur dioxide, the system comprising a reactor and an external high shear mixer the outlet of which is fluidly connected to the inlet of the reactor; the high shear mixer capable of providing a dispersion of sulfur dioxide gas bubbles within a liquid, the bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the synthesis of alcohol are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of olefins in water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time. In an embodiment, a method of making an alcohol comprises introducing an olefin into a water stream to form a gas-liquid stream. The method further comprises flowing the gas-liquid stream through a high shear device so as to form a dispersion with gas bubbles having a mean diameter less than about 1 micron. In addition, the method comprises contacting the gas-liquid stream with a catalyst in a reactor to hydrate the olefin gas and form an alcohol.

Abstract: A method for producing toluene diisocyanate is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising phosgene gas bubbles dispersed in toluene diamine liquid phase, wherein said gas bubbles have a mean diameter less than 1 micron; and subjecting the dispersion to phosgenation reaction conditions, whereby at least a portion of the toluene diamine is phosgenated to form toluene diisocyanate. A system for carrying out the phosgenation of toluene diamine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of phthalic acid diesters are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and mixing of a phthalic acid derivative with alcohol. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time with existing catalysts.

Abstract: A method for producing a product comprising at least one selected from C2+ hydrocarbons, oxygenates, and combinations thereof from light gas comprising one or more of carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, and methanol by forming a dispersion of light gas in a liquid feed, wherein the dispersion is formed at least in part with high shear forces and wherein at least one of the liquid feed and the light gas is a hydrogen source. A system for carrying out the method is also presented.

Abstract: A method of producing volatilized fatty acids by heating a feedstock comprising at least one fat or oil in a reactor under inert vacuum to volatilize fatty acids, and removing volatilized fatty acids from bottoms residue comprising cross-linked oil. A system for stripping fatty acids from triglycerides, the system comprising a reactor, heating apparatus and a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor. A system for producing a hydrogenated product including a reactor comprising an inlet for a stream comprising triglycerides, an outlet for volatilized fatty acids, and an outlet for a cross-linked product, heating apparatus, a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor, and a hydrogenation reactor, wherein an inlet of the hydrogenation reactor is fluidly connected to the outlet for cross-linked product.

Abstract: A high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process and system for the production of cyclohexane is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the cyclohexane production process. A system for the production of cyclohexane from benzene and hydrogen, the system comprising a reactor, solid catalyst, and a high shear device, the outlet of which is fluidly connected to the inlet of the reactor; the high shear device capable of providing an emulsion of hydrogen gas bubbles within a liquid comprising benzene, the bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyethylene or polypropylene polymer, or co-polymer thereof, comprises contacting a monomer-containing medium with polymerization catalyst particles in at least one high shear mixing device to form a nanodispersion, wherein the particles have a mean diameter less than 1 micron. The monomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, and combinations thereof. The method further includes subjecting the nanodispersion to polymerization conditions comprising pressure in the range of about 203 kPa to about 6080 kPa (about 2 atm to about 60 atm) and temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C., whereby at least a portion of the monomer is polymerized. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for hydrodesulfurization by forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen-containing gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than 1 micron dispersed in a liquid phase comprising sulfur-containing compounds. Desulfurizing a liquid stream comprising sulfur-containing compounds by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 to produce a dispersion of hydrogen in a continuous phase of the liquid and introducing the dispersion into a fixed bed hydrodesulfurization reactor from which a reactor product is removed. Systems of apparatus for hydrodesulfurization are also presented.

Abstract: A method of producing volatilized fatty acids by heating a feedstock comprising at least one fat or oil in a reactor under inert vacuum to volatilize fatty acids, and removing volatilized fatty acids from bottoms residue comprising cross-linked oil. A system for stripping fatty acids from triglycerides, the system comprising a reactor, heating apparatus and a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor. A system for producing a hydrogenated product including a reactor comprising an inlet for a stream comprising triglycerides, an outlet for volatilized fatty acids, and an outlet for a cross-linked product, heating apparatus, a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor, and a hydrogenation reactor, wherein an inlet of the hydrogenation reactor is fluidly connected to the outlet for cross-linked product.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of cumene hydroperoxide as a mixer/reactor device is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the cumene hydroperoxide production process. A system for the production of cumene hydroperoxide from oxidation of cumene, the system comprising a reactor and an high shear mixer the outlet of which is fluidly connected to the inlet of the reactor; the high shear mixer capable of providing a dispersion air gas bubbles within a liquid, the bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the preparation of chlorohydrins are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of olefins into the chlorinating phase. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce chlorination time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the hydrogenation of aldehydes and/or ketones are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of the hydrogen-containing gas (e.g. H2 gas) in the aldehydes and/or ketones. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce hydrogenation time with existing catalysts.