Abstract: A process for the treatment of a halogenated strongly acidic cation exchange resin catalyst on a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymerizate base which comprises treating the catalyst with deionized water at a temperature ranging from about 100.degree. to about 150.degree. C. in the absence of oxygen and metal ions is provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for the continuous production of saturated aliphatic alcohols having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms by hydrating the corresponding aliphatic olefin in the presence of a sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer catalyst having a specific surface area measured in the dry state employing the BET method of:(a) less than 1 m.sup.2 /g if the water-wet resin is dried, and(b) greater than 1 m.sup.2 /g if the water is displaced from the water-wet resin by a slightly polar or a nonpolar organic solvent and the so dewatered resin is dried.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: Metals are removed from metal- and asphaltene-containing petroleum oils by contacting the oil with pellets of sorptive type attapulgus clay which has been extruded and then dried at a temperature between about 100.degree. and 650.degree. C. to a volatile content of less than 20 weight %.