Abstract: A process for the continuous isomerization of an alkane to produce an isomerized product through contacting the alkane with a simulated moving bed acting as a catalyst for isomerization and an adsorbent for the alkanes has been developed. The alkane may be n-butane and the isomerized product 2-methylpropane, the alkane may be n-pentane and the isomerized product 2-methylbutane or 2,2-dimethylpropane, the alkane may have from 6 up to about 8 carbon atoms with no more than one methyl branch and the isomerized product having the same number of carbon atoms and at least two methyl branches, or the reactant may be a mixture of the foregoing alkanes with the corresponding isomerized products being formed. In a zone of the simulated moving bed, the alkanes are catalytically isomerized to form the isomerized products. The unreacted alkanes are adsorbed, and the isomerized products are collected.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing a mixture of alkanes containing pentanes and at least one alkane having from 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and no more than one methyl branch has been developed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of methanol from a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide in which an equilibrium reaction to methanol is achieved by conducting the reaction and the product separation in a pressure swing adsorption and reaction zone containing a uniformly distributed adsorbent for the selective adsorption of methanol and a catalyst for the equilibrium conversion of the synthesis gas to methanol. More specifically, the process achieves the production of methanol by the reaction of the hydrogen and the carbon oxide with the simultaneous adsorption of the product at the same temperature and pressure. The passing of the synthesis stream to the bed is terminated and the bed is purged and depressurized to desorb the methanol product. In one embodiment, the bed is cocurrently purged with at least a portion of an effluent stream prior to depressurizing the bed.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons such as isobutane and benzenes are alkylated using a solid catalyst in a process which simulates the cocurrent movement of the catalyst bed versus the reactants. This has been found to greatly reduce the rate of catalyst deactivation compared to simulated countercurrent flow. The process may be performed using five or more beds of catalyst, with two undergoing regeneration at any one time. One bed is subjected to a short term liquid-phase regeneration while the other is subjected to long term vapor-phase regeneration. The catalyst preferably contains a metal hydrogenation function effective to selectively hydrogenate C.sub.6 -plus materials trapped on the used catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the efficient production of diisopropyl ether where catalytic distillation is used to increase the yield of product beyond thermodynamic equilibrium limitations has been developed. In a hydration zone the propylene in a feedstock is reacted with water in the presence of a catalyst to effect hydration to produce an effluent stream containing at least water, unreacted propylene, and isopropyl alcohol, and then, in an etherification zone, at least a portion of the effluent stream is further reacted by catalytic distillation in the presence of a catalyst to effect reaction of propylene and isopropyl alcohol to form diisopropyl ether while concurrently separating a propylene rich portion, a diisopropyl ether rich portion and an aqueous portion, and recovering the diisopropyl ether from the diisopropyl ether rich portion.

Abstract: A process for the continuous hydrolysis of esters containing from 2 to about 16 carbon atoms to form at least one alcohol and at least one carboxylic acid and the concurrent separation of the hydrolysis products has been developed. The process uses a solid bed which acts as a catalyst for hydrolysis and as an adsorbent for at least one class of the products. The process operates in the simulated moving bed mode. A specific embodiment of the invention is one where the simulated moving bed is a homogeneous mixture of at least one solid effective as a hydrolysis catalyst and at least one solid effective as an alcohol or carboxylic acid adsorbent. Another specific embodiment is one where the simulated moving bed is a strongly acidic macroreticular polymeric resin effective both as a hydrolysis catalyst and as an adsorbent for at least one hydrolysis product.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are alkylated in a fluidized riser-reactor using a solid catalyst which is regenerated within the process by contact with hydrogen. The alkylation and regeneration steps are separated to prevent the admixture of hydrogen and any olefins present in the process. Two separate modes of regeneration are performed simultaneously: a mild liquid-phase washing and a vapor-phase hot hydrogen stripping operation.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are converted in a novel catalytic distillation zone comprising two or more cylindrical beds of dense loaded catalyst. Each catalyst bed is penetrated by a plurality of vertical vapor passageways which provide a means for vapor communication between fractionation sections located above and below the catalyst beds. The dense loading of the catalyst provides a low cost method of placing a large quantity of catalyst into the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of methanol through contacting at least one feed stream containing at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and optionally carbon dioxide, with a simulated moving bed acting as a catalyst for methanol synthesis and an adsorbent for the methanol formed has been developed. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen are catalytically reacted to form methanol which is separated from the carbon monoxide and hydrogen by concurrent adsorption. The methanol is desorbed using a carbon dioxide or hydrogen desorbent and collected. A specific embodiment is one where the feed stream is introduced to the simulated moving bed at a temperature from about 210.degree. to about 270.degree. C. and the desorbent is introduced to the simulated moving bed at a temperature of about 150.degree. to about 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the continuous esterification of at least one alcohol and at least one carboxylic acid to form at least one ester and water, and the concurrent separation of the esterification products has been developed. The process uses a solid bed which as a catalyst for esterification and as an adsorbent for at least one of the products. The process preferably operates in the simulated moving bed mode. A specific embodiment of the invention is one where the simulated moving bed is a homogeneous mixture of at least one solid effective as an esterification catalyst and at least one solid effective as an ester or water adsorbent. Another specific embodiment is one where the simulated moving bed is a strongly acidic macroreticular polymeric resin effective both as an esterification catalyst and as an adsorbent for at least one esterification product.

Abstract: A chromatographic process for separating linear olefins from mixtures with branched-chain olefins with a high silica zeolitic molecular sieve, e.g., silicalites, ZSM-5, etc., having low acid catalytic reactivity, which selectively adsorbs the normal olefins, and uses ketones as desorbents.