Abstract: A process and apparatus for dehydrogenating alkanes such as iso-butane comprises contacting the alkane in admixture with steam under dehydrogenation conditions with a dehydrogenation catalyst. The catalyst is substantially free of Group VIII metals of Atomic Number 27 and higher. The catalyst is provided in a heated tubular reactor which preferably contains groups of tubes mounted in a furnace each group of tubes having a common header, to enable continuous dehydrogenation, while permitting catalyst reactivation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing methyl tert.-butyl ether wherein n-butane is isomerized to isobutane which is then catalytically dehydrogenated to form an isobutane/isobutene mixture, while natural gas is reformed to form synthesis gas containing CO and H.sub.2 which is in turn converted to methanol, the resulting methanol and isobutene in the isobutane/isobutene mixture being etherified to form methyl tert.-butyl ether. Isobutane is then separated from the resulting etherification mixture and is recycled to the dehydrogenation stage.

Abstract: A process is described for producing methyl tert.-butyl ether from butane-containing light hydrocarbon mixtures. The n-butane is isomerized to isobutane which is dehydrogenated to an isobutene/isobutane molar ratio of 0.4 to 2:1, the isobutene in the mixture is etherified with methanol to form methyl tert.-butyl ether and the residual isobutane is recycled for dehydrogenation. After the isomerization step, the n-butane and isobutane can be separated and the n-butane recycled. The product containing methyl tert.-butyl ether can be used as a gasoline additive.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide from a Claus reaction tail gas comprises separating the tail gas into two partial streams, conducting the first partial stream through a first catalyst bed charged with sulphur while at a temperature above the sulphur dew point, separating out the discharged sulphur from the first partial stream by condensation, combining the first partial stream freed from sulphur with the second partial stream, and passing the combined gas stream through a second catalyst bed already freed from sulphur while at a temperature below the sulphur dew point. When the second catalyst bed becomes charged with sulphur and the first catalyst bed becomes free of sulphur, the flow of gas through the beds is reversed.

Abstract: A process is provided involving the production of elemental sulfur via the Claus reaction of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. A gas feedstream containing H.sub.2 S and SO.sub.2 is passed through solid catalyst beds below the sulfur dew point to thereby deposit the sulfur formed on the catalyst bed. Sulfur is then removed from the catalyst bed by passing heated effluent gas from another catalyst bed through the first bed to vaporize the deposited sulfur and thereby regenerate the first catalyst bed. Reactor apparatus especially suitable for practicing this process is also provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of hydrogen and sulphur from a gas containing hydrogen sulphide. Such a process comprises passing the gas through a cracking zone at a temperature of from about 850.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C., cooling the cracked gas to a temperature of from about 110.degree. C. to 150.degree. C., and separating the condensed elemental sulphur. The uncracked hydrogen sulphide is separated and returned to the cracking zone; the remaining gas is withdrawn as hydrogen-rich gas.