Abstract: A process for ring hydrogenation of a benzenepolycarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, which process comprises contacting a feed stream comprising said acid or derivative thereof with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst under hydrogenation conditions to produce a hydrogenated product, wherein said catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal, a support material and a halogen, and wherein the halogen is present in an amount of from 0.02 to 0.60% by weight, based on the total weight of the catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to a process for the production of a C6-C15 alcohol mixture comprising the steps of: hydroformylating an olefin mixture comprising a branched C5-C14 olefin to form a hydroformylation product comprising aldehydes and formate esters, whereby the hydroformylation product has a net cold sap number from 15 to 38 mg KOH/g, and converting the aldehydes and formate esters to alcohols in a hydrogenation step comprising at least one first hydrogenation reactor comprising a fixed bed of a heterogeneous sulphided bimetallic catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to a process for the production of a C6-C15 alcohol mixture comprising the steps of: hydroformylating an olefin mixture comprising a branched C5-C14 olefin to form a hydroformylation product comprising aldehydes and formate esters, whereby the hydroformylation product has a net cold sap number from 15 to 38 mg KOH/g, and converting the aldehydes and formate esters to alcohols in a hydrogenation step comprising at least one first hydrogenation reactor comprising a fixed bed of a heterogeneous sulphided bimetallic catalyst.

Abstract: Oxo-alcohols in the plasticizer range typically contain small amounts of methyl esters having the same alkyl chain as the alcohol itself. These methyl esters are causing product quality problems and environmental problems because of transesterification in the esterification process where the plasticizer ester derivatives are produced. A process using controlled oxonation and hydrogenation conditions is disclosed for the production of alcohols containing low amounts of methyl esters. Plasticizer esters with low amounts of aliphatic di-alkyl esters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Oxo-alcohols in the plasticiser range typically contain small amounts of methyl esters having the same alkyl chain as the alcohol itself. These methyl esters are causing product quality problems and environmental problems because of transesterification in the esterification process where the plasticiser ester derivatives are produced. A process using controlled oxonation and hydrogenation conditions is disclosed for the production of alcohols containing low amounts of methyl esters. Plasticiser esters with low amounts of aliphatic di-alkyl esters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Herein are fluid compositions and methods of making such compositions, wherein the compositions comprise C1 to C4 esters of a mixture of C3–C6 branched carboxylic acids and C3–C6 linear carboxylic acids.

Abstract: A method of making a higher olefin product from a C4+ fraction separated from the hydrocarbon product produced by an oxygenate to olefin reaction unit. The C4+ fraction primarily contains butenes which may be directed to a higher olefin reaction unit without removing isobutenes, butanes, and/or butadiene. The C4+ fraction is particularly well suited for the production of higher olefins because of its high olefin content, low branching number, and low contaminent levels. The invention is also directed to an olefin product composition that is produced by contacting the C4+ fraction with an oligomerization catalyst. The olefin composition is characterized by a relatively high octene content, and octene with a branching number less than 1.4.

Abstract: Propylene streams obtained by the conversion of oxygenates to olefins are used as feeds for hydroformylation. The streams may contain measurable amounts of dimethyl ether without adversely impacting the hydroformylation.

Abstract: Increasing the propylene content of the propylene feed delivered to a continuous hydroformylation process from the 95 mole % maximum level that is usual in typical chemical grade propylene to at least 97 mole %, for example to the 97.5% level obtainable from the conversion of oxygenates to olefins or the 99.5% level of polymer grade propylene, enables adjustments to be made in the syngas feed to the process. This leads to surprising improvements in hydroformylation product yield, in reactor capacity utilization and in the reduction of amounts of waste gases.

Abstract: The use of a controlled amount of water in a hydrogenation stage of the oxo process for the production of alcohols which uses at least two reactors in series improves the efficiency of the hydrogenation reaction and catalyst life as does a reduction in the amount of sulphur, chlorine and hydroformylation catalyst residues in the feed to hydrogenation.

Abstract: Mixed butene streams containing butene-1 and isobutylene and optionally butene-2 are hydroformylated under conditions that hydroformylates all the monomers to yield a mixture of valeraldehydes. Higher temperatures and/or longer residence times and/or higher partial pressure of carbon monoxide than in conventional processes are used to ensure hydroformylation of all the monomers.

Abstract: High purity isobutylene streams are obtained by the hydroformylation of mixed butene streams containing butene-1 and isobutylene (and optionally butene-2) under conditions that hydroformylate primarily butene-1 to yield a mixture of valeraldehyde and isobutylene, which may be separated out as an enriched isobutylene stream and used in the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol, di-isobutylene or polyisobutylene.

Abstract: Disclosed are ester-containing fluid compositions, methods of making such compositions, and methods of using such compositions. The fluid compositions comprise a mix of branched and linear ester compounds, and the fluid compositions are characterized by certain performance limitations. The preferred method of making the fluid compositions enables the ester mix to be made in a one step process with little finishing required to obtain desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: A method of making a higher olefin product from a C4+ fraction separated from the hydrocarbon product produced by an oxygenate to olefin reaction unit. The C4+ fraction primarily contains butenes which may be directed to a higher olefin reaction unit without removing isobutenes, butanes, and/or butadiene. The C4+ fraction is particularly well suited for the production of higher olefins because of its high olefin content, low branching number, and low contaminent levels. The invention is also directed to an olefin product composition that is produced by contacting the C4+ fraction with an oligomerization catalyst. The olefin composition is characterized by a relatively high octene content, and octene with a branching number less than 1.4.

Abstract: A method of making a higher olefin product from a C4+ fraction separated from the hydrocarbon product produced by an oxygenate to olefin reaction unit. The C4+ fraction primarily contains butenes which may be directed to a higher olefin reaction unit without removing isobutenes, butanes, and/or butadiene. The C4+ fraction is particularly well suited for the production of higher olefins because of its high olefin content, low branching number, and low contaminent levels. The invention is also directed to an olefin product composition that is produced by contacting the C4+ fraction with an oligomerization catalyst. The olefin composition is characterized by a relatively high octene content, and octene with a branching number less than 1.4.

Abstract: Disclosed are ester-containing fluid compositions, methods of making such compositions, and methods of using such compositions. The fluid compositions comprise a mix of branched and linear ester compounds, and the fluid compositions are characterized by certain performance limitations. The preferred method of making the fluid compositions enables the ester mix to be made in a one step process with little finishing required to obtain desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: A method of making a higher olefin product from a C4+ fraction separated from the hydrocarbon product produced by an oxygenate to olefin reaction unit. The C4+ fraction primarily contains butenes which may be directed to a higher olefin reaction unit without removing isobutenes, butanes, and/or butadiene. The C4+ fraction is particularly well suited for the production of higher olefins because of its high olefin content, low branching number, and low contaminent levels. The invention is also directed to an olefin product composition that is produced by contacting the C4+ fraction with an oligomerization catalyst. The olefin composition is characterized by a relatively high octene content, and octene with a branching number less than 1.4.

Abstract: Disclosed are ester-containing fluid compositions, methods of making such compositions, and methods of using such compositions. The fluid compositions comprise a mix of branched and linear ester compounds, and the fluid compositions are characterized by certain performance limitations. The preferred method of making the fluid compositions enables the ester mix to be made in a one step process with little finishing required to obtain desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: Cobalt is recovered from the oil/water mixed reaction product of oxonation by increasing the carbon dioxide level in the reaction product and adjusting the temperature to enhance the carbon dioxide level in the oil water phase to promote the formation of cobalt carbonate which is allowed to settle and may be removed and/or recycled increasing cobalt utilization and reducing environmental problems.