Abstract: The in situ formation of a supported active metal phthalocyanine catalyst is disclosed. The supported metal phthalocyanine catalyst is useful in sweetening sour petroleum distillates containing mercaptans.

Abstract: A catalyst composition useful in the catalytic oxidation of mercaptans is disclosed. The composition is a stable aqueous slurry or suspension of a first component which is predominantly a metal phthalocyanine disulfonate compound, and a second component which is predominantly a tetrasulfonated metal phthalocyanine compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition useful in the catalytic oxidation of mercaptans is disclosed. The composition is a stable aqueous slurry or suspension of a first component which is predominantly a metal phthalocyanine disulfonate compound, and a second component which is predominantly a tetrasulfonated metal phthalocyanine compound.

Abstract: Solids plugging problems are often encountered during liquid-gas containing operations using a packed tower contactor. The invention alleviates or avoids such problems by providing a novel packing support grid characterized by a large total open area and large individual openings. The grid comprises vertically spaced upper and lower sets of laterally spaced bars. The vertical and lateral spacings are selected with respect to the size of the packing elements so that the packing elements cannot drop through the grid but at the same time the total open area of the grid is very large.

Abstract: Net horsepower required for recovering high purity ethylene is reduced by process gas compression of furnace effluent to only low pressures before entering recovery facilities. The compressor discharge undergoes chilling in heat exchangers or pumparound towers designed for small pressure drops. Hydrocarbons condensed during chilling are pumped to higher pressures for fractionation.

Abstract: Industrial fumes or waste gases containing combustible noxious materials are preheated and passed upwardly through a bed of particulate oxidation catalyst comprising chromic oxide on alumina or other suitable inert support. Catalytic combustion of the combustible materials is effected, and the pollutant-free gas is discharged to the atmosphere. The particle size of the catalyst is relatively coarse, and the gas velocity is sufficient to agitate or fluidize the bed. The hardness of the catalyst is such that only limited attrition occurs, which assists in keeping the catalyst surface clean, and the catalyst loss in the effluent gas is less than one pound per million standard cubic feet of gas treated.

Abstract: A structure is provided for supporting and retaining bed of particulate material, such as a catalyst, in a reactor or the like, so that the material is prevented from falling through the structure when the material is in either a fluidized or agitated condition due to an upward flow of gas through the structure and material or when the material is quiescent. The support and retaining structure also provides a uniformly distributed gas flow through the material supported thereon and includes a first set of elongated, channel-shaped retaining members arranged in parallel, laterally spaced relation with the flanges of the channels extending upwardly and with elongated gaps between the flanges. A second set of elongated, inverted channel-shaped retaining members are also arranged in parallel, laterally spaced relation with their flanges extending downwardly and with elongated gaps between the flanges.