Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an apparatus, comprising: at least one microchannel, the microchannel comprising at least one heat transfer wall; a porous thermally conductive support in the microchannel in contact with the heat transfer wall; a catalyst or a sorption medium supported by the porous support; and a heat source and/or heat sink in thermal contact with the heat transfer wall.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus and chemical systems for making vinyl acetate from ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of combusting a fuel in a reactor that includes at least 3 zones each of which contains a solid catalyst. A method of making a thermally-stable alumina support from fumed alumina is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus and chemical systems for making vinyl acetate from ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid.

Abstract: Novel methods of electroless plating are described. Catalyst coatings can be applied within microchannel apparatus. Various reactions, including combustion and steam reforming, can be conducted over electroless catalyst coatings.

Abstract: Methods of oxidative dehydrogenation are described. Surprisingly, Pd and Au alloys of Pt have been discovered to be superior for oxidative dehydrogenation in microchannels. Methods of forming these catalysts via an electroless plating methodology are also described. An apparatus design that minimizes heat transfer to the apparatus' exterior is also described.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting a hydrocarbon reactant to a product comprising CO and H2. The process comprises: (A) flowing a reactant composition comprising the hydrocarbon reactant and oxygen or a source of oxygen through a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst under reaction conditions to form the product, the microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel with the catalyst positioned within the process microchannel, the hydrocarbon reactant comprising methane, the contact time for the reactant composition within the process microchannel being up to about 500 milliseconds, the temperature of the reactant composition and product within the process microchannel being up to about 1150° C., the conversion of the hydrocarbon reactant to carbon oxide being at least about 50%. The product formed in step (A) may be converted to a product comprising CO2 and H2O in a microchannel reactor.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, reactors, and methods of steam reforming over a catalyst. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described. For example, a coated catalyst was demonstrated to be highly stable under steam reforming conditions (high temperature and high pressure of steam). Methods of making steam reforming catalysts are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Mg-stabilized alumina catalyst support and a catalyst comprising Rh on a Mg-stabilized alumina support. The catalyst is characterized by surprisingly superior results in catalyzing methane steam reforming.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting a hydrocarbon reactant to a product comprising CO and H2. The process comprises: (A) flowing a reactant composition comprising the hydrocarbon reactant and oxygen or a source of oxygen through a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst under reaction conditions to form the product, the microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel with the catalyst positioned within the process microchannel, the hydrocarbon reactant comprising methane, the contact time for the reactant composition within the process microchannel being up to about 500 milliseconds, the temperature of the reactant composition and product within the process microchannel being up to about 1150° C., the conversion of the hydrocarbon reactant to carbon oxide being at least about 50%. The product formed in step (A) may be converted to a product comprising CO2 and H2O in a microchannel reactor.

Abstract: A catalyst and method of its production for use in making vinyl acetate monomer. The carrier is impregnated with a basic solution and a solution containing gold salts and palladium salts and finally impregnated with alkali acetate. The activity and selectivity of the catalyst, its mechanical strength, the noble-metal adhesion and the dispersion of noble metal on the carrier can be improved if the carrier is impregnated in a pretreatment with salts containing as cation elements of groups IA, IIA, IIIA and IVB of the periodic table and as anions elements of group VIIA or complex anions such as nitrate, sulfate or anions of organic acids such as acetate and lactate and is subsequently dried and calcined at temperatures of at least 160.degree. C.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide is generated from an aqueous solution of sodium chlorite in the presence of a catalyst having a higher activity and a reduced rate of deactivation. The catalyst is preferably a Pd/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of palladium and another platinum group metal (e.g., Pd+Pt/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) or palladium and a Group IB metal (e.g., Pd+Au/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) catalyst containing La.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst supports, methods for making them, and to catalysts prepared therefrom. More particularly, it relates to binary oxidic catalyst support materials comprising titania and zirconia with high porosity and high surface area prepared by either a pH swing technique or a constant pH technique followed by calcination at a temperature below 450.degree. C., with such materials being impregnated with catalytically active metal components.

Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst supports, methods for making them, and to catalysts prepared therefrom. More particularly, it relates to binary oxidic catalyst support materials comprising titania and zirconia with high porosity and high surface area prepared by either a pH swing technique or a constant pH technique followed by calcination at a temperature below 450.degree. C., with such materials being impregnated with catalytically active metal components.

Abstract: An alkylaromatic hydrocarbon feed stream is hydrodealkylate in the presence of a catalyst having a reduced rate of deactivation, or a lower coking tendency. The catalyst comprises a gamma-alumina support containing 8 to 12 wt. % Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0.2 to 0.7 wt. % Na.sub.2 O and having a surface area from 175 to 275 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume from 0.5 to 1.2 cc/g. The catalyst is also useful in the hydrodesulfurization of thiophene containing hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: An alkylaromatic hydrocarbon feed stream is hydrodealkylate in the presence of a catalyst having a reduced rate of deactivation, or a lower coking tendency. The catalyst comprises a gamma-alumina support containing 8 to 12 wt % Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0.2 to 0.7 wt % Na.sub.2 O and having a surface area from 175 to 275 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume from 0.5 to 1.2 cc/g. The catalyst is also useful in the hydrodesulfurization of thiophene containing hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for the production of benzene from anthracene, 9,10-anthraquinone from anthracene, and benzene from 9,10-anthraquinone. In the conversion of anthracene to 9,10-anthraquinone, anthracene is reacted with a molecular oxygen-containing gas (e.g., air) in the presence of a catalyst and promotor at an elevated temperature (65.degree. to 205.degree. C.). To convert 9,10-anthraquinone to benzene, the anthraquinone is thermally cracked, with or without a suitable catalyst, at a temperature of at least 425.degree. C. An example of a suitable catalyst is synthetic zeolite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process, for the thermal dealkylation of alkylated phenols, which process comprises reacting a feed solution containing alkylated phenols and gaseous hydrogen in the presence of water vapor, the reaction being carried out at total pressure of 400 to 800 psig, temperature ranging from about 1000 .degree. to about 1500.degree. F., and the weight percent water vapor in the reaction being from about 10 to about 40 Wt % of the alkylated phenol feedstock.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for the selective dealkylation of alkylated phenols, which method comprises reacting a feed solution comprising a mixture of alkylated phenols with steam in the presence of a catalyst comprising a hydrous carrier, at least one catalyst deactivation suppressor, and at least one promoter. A salt of an alkali metal may be added to the feed to enhance the selectivity of phenol in the product.