Abstract: The present invention features a system and method for circulating catalyst between a reactor system and a regenerator system. A circulating catalyst system includes a reactor system, a regenerator system, and a distribution unit. The reactor system and regenerator system are adapted to exchange catalyst. The regeneration system preferably includes a regeneration zone adapted for the contact of catalyst with a regeneration gas. The system and method are adapted so that more than one regeneration gas may contact catalyst. The distribution unit is adapted to control the percentage of catalyst contacting each regeneration gas. Thus, the distribution unit is adapted to select the percentages so as to maintain the reactor system and regeneration system under a heat balance regime. Heat is preferably transferred from the regenerator system to the reactor system by an exchange of catalyst.

Abstract: A molybdenum-loaded crystalline aluminosilicate molecular sieve that exhibits the MFI crystal structure and has a silica-to-alumina ratio of about 50:1 is useful for aromatizing a hydrocarbon feed stream. The crystalline aluminosilicate preferably has an external surface acidity selectively passivated by means of an amorphous silica layer. A process for the aromatization of methane comprises a one- or multi-step process that contacts a feed stream comprising at least methane with a catalyst composition comprising the preferred molecular sieve, at hydrocarbon conversion conditions that include a temperature of 600-800° C., a pressure of less than 5 atmospheres absolute and a Weight Hourly Space Velocity (WHSV) of 0.1-10 h−1, with the external surface acidity of the crystalline aluminosilicate preferably selectively passivated by an amorphous silica layer. C6-plus aromatic hydrocarbons are preferably recovered from the process by means of an intermediate separation step.

Abstract: A gas-agitated multiphase reactor system that is effective for enabling maximum reactor productivity or minimizing reactor volume comprising at least two stages with or without recycle, wherein inlet gas superficial velocity is at least 20 cm/sec at Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, yielding a total syngas conversion of greater than about 90%, while syngas conversion in each reactor is less than 60%. More specifically, the total reactor volume is held to a minimum such that minimum reactor volume is less than 0.02 cubic meters total reactor volume/(kg C5+/hr production).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons according to the Fischer-Tropsch process. The apparatus comprises a catalytic distillation reactor where reactants are fed into the catalytic distillation reactor to undergo catalytic reaction to form hydrocarbons. Physical separation of the unreacted materials and products occurs simultaneously in the catalytic distillation reactor. The catalytic distillation reactor is divided into reaction chambers so as to optimize control of the reaction and the distribution of hydrocarbon products. A monolith, such as a foam monolith or a honeycomb monolith, preferably a honeycomb monolith, is disposed with said reaction chamber serves both as catalyst support and as distillation packing material. A honeycomb monolith preferably includes channels having an axis disposed at a nonzero angle with respect to the axis of a reaction chamber containing the honeycomb monolith.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regenerating a catalyst used in a process for synthesizing hydrocarbons. The synthesis process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons. The regeneration process involves contacting a deactivated Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with a regeneration gas under regeneration-promoting conditions that include a pressure lower than the mean Fischer-Tropsch reaction pressure, for a period of time sufficient to reactivate the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for producing alcohols, particularly methanol, according to an alcohol synthesis process. The apparatus comprises a catalytic distillation reactor where reactants are fed into the catalytic distillation reactor to undergo catalytic reaction to form methanol. Methanol production beyond the thermodynamic limit is achieved in the apparatus through use of multiple distillation stages, preferably at least three.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regenerating catalyst used in a process for synthesizing hydrocarbons. The synthesis process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons. The regeneration. process comprises contacting a deactivated Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with a steam under regeneration-promoting conditions, for a period of time sufficient to reactivate the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Abstract: Lanthanide-promoted rhodium-containing supported catalysts that are active for catalyzing the net partial oxidation of methane to CO and H2 are disclosed, along with their manner of making and high efficiency processes for producing synthesis gas employing the new catalysts. A preferred catalyst comprises highly dispersed, high surface area rhodium on a granular zirconia support with an intermediate coating of a lanthanide metal and/or oxide thereof and is thermally conditioned during catalyst preparation. In a preferred syngas production process a stream of methane-containing gas and O2 is passed over a thermally conditioned, high surface area Rh/Sm/zirconia granular catalyst in a short contact time reactor to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: There is described an on-line device for predicting at least one fluid flow parameter in a process. In embodiment, the process in question comprises a flow domain having disposed therein a pre-determined portion in which a fluid flows and the device comprises a computer having: (i) a memory for receiving a database, the database comprising relative information in respect of a plurality of nodes or a plurality of particle pathways in the pre-determined portion; (ii) means to receive input data from the process, and (iii) means to calculate the at least one fluid flow parameter from the database and the input data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting gaseous reactants to liquid products catalyzed by stable catalysts. The method comprises providing a rotatable catalyst bed comprising Gas to Liquid (GTL) catalyst, feeding a gaseous stream of reactants into the catalyst bed and providing a pressure drop across the catalyst bed such that the gaseous stream flows through the catalyst bed so as to produce a gas output and a liquid product, and rotating the catalyst bed so as to enhance passage of said liquid product from the catalyst bed. The preferred apparatus comprises a rotatable fixed bed catalyst system including a catalyst active for converting syngas to hydrocarbons, a feed gas line for providing syngas to the catalyst bed, a liquid output line for receiving liquid output from the catalyst bed, and a gas output line for receiving gas output from the catalyst bed.

Abstract: A molybdenum-loaded crystalline aluminosilicate molecular sieve that exhibits the MFI crystal structure and has a silica-to-alumina ratio of about 50:1 is useful for aromatizing a hydrocarbon feed stream. The crystalline aluminosilicate preferably has an external surface acidity selectively passivated by means of an amorphous silica layer. A process for the aromatization of methane comprises a one- or multi-step process that contacts a feed stream comprising at least methane with a catalyst composition comprising the preferred molecular sieve, at hydrocarbon conversion conditions that include a temperature of 600-800° C., a pressure of less than 5 atmospheres absolute and a Weight Hourly Space Velocity (WHSV) of 0.1-10 h−1, with the external surface acidity of the crystalline aluminosilicate preferably selectively passivated by an amorphous silica layer. C6-plus aromatic hydrocarbons are preferably recovered from the process by means of an intermediate separation step.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of suppressing the activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma in a mammalian body by administering an effective amount of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether to a mammal, methods of suppressing the accumulation of fat in the mammalian fat cell or adipose tissue by administering an effective amount of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether to a mammal, methods of preventing or alleviating mammalian obesity by administering an effective amount of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether to a mammal, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether for use as an active pharmaceutical substance or composition for the treatment of obesity, and uses of bisphenol A diglycidyl either for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of obesity.

Abstract: A gasket assembly and method of making same from at least two gasket structures provides a sufficiently leak-proof seal without the use of a fluid sealing or caulking medium. The first gasket has a contact area on a major surface which includes an array of peaks and valleys which is periodic in two dimensions. The second gasket has an end surface with a contact area which includes an array of valleys and peaks which is periodic in two dimensions. When the peaks and valleys on the contact area of the major surface of the first gasket are engaged with the valleys and peaks on the end surface of the second gasket, the peaks and valleys allow for shift along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis, accommodating any misalignment of the gaskets within a predetermined stack-up error and thereby providing proper engagement to yield a substantially leak-proof seal.

Abstract: The production of polymer beads from vinyl aromatic monomers, using an inorganic phosphate aqueous suspension polymerization process is effected with the addition of 0.0001 to 0.004 percent by weight of a polystyrenesulfonate with the production of beads having a narrow bead size distribution. In addition to the improved bead size distribution, large beads can be produced which retain their sphericity.

Abstract: Styrenic polymer expandable beads that are useful in forming heat-resistant foamed articles are prepared by forming an aqueous suspension of initial styrenic polymer beads and adding thereto a portion of a comonomer solution of styrenic monomer and methacrylic acid, which solution also contains a polymerization regulator, forming an emulsion of catalyst, monomer solution and polyvinyl alcohol suspending agent, adding portions of the emulsion to the suspension and then adding the remainder of the comonomer solution to the suspension, and the suspension with added monomers is heated to copolymerize the styrenic monomer and methacrylic acid about the initial beads and form a coating about the beads.

Abstract: Styrenic polymer beads of a preferred size are produced from styrenic polymer beads of a smaller size by forming an aqueous suspension of the styrenic polymer beads and adding thereto, under polymerization conditions, an aqueous emulsion formed by admixing styrenic monomer and a catalyst therefor with water containing a nonionic surfactant that is an ethylene oxide condensate of an alkylphenol, which contains at least fifty moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkylphenol. The beads of preferred size are formed without formation of fine styrenic polymer particles and without significant amounts of clusters of beads.

Abstract: The production of polymer beads by a suspension polymerization process in which a vinyl aromatic monomer having a free-radical generating catalyst dissolved therein is suspended in an aqueous medium with the aid of from 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight, based on monomer, of a finely divided phosphate suspending agent in the presence of a modifier and heated to cause the monomer to polymerize into polymer beads is improved by the addition to the suspension of at least about 0.01 percent by weight based on monomer of an adjunct modifier, glutamic acid. Although the process of the invention is especially applicable in the preparation of large polymer beads, the glutamic acid also makes it possible to prepare the smaller polymer beads having narrow particle size distribution, also.

Abstract: The production of polymer beads by a suspension polymerization process in which a vinyl aromatic monomer having a free-radical generating catalyst dissolved therein is suspended in an aqueous medium with the aid of from 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight, based on monomer, of a finely divided phosphate suspending agent in the presence of a modifier and heated to cause the monomer to polymerize into polymer beads is improved by the addition to the suspension of at least about 0.01 percent by weight based on monomer of an adjunct modifier, such as certain aminoalkanecarboxylic acids and N-substituted derivatives thereof. The process of the invention is especially applicable in the preparation of large polymer beads.

Abstract: An electromagnetic lifting device is provided with a pole piece of tapered or conical configuration extending outwardly from the load contacting surface of the magnet body. The tapered or conical configuration of the pole piece extends the effective magnetic flux pattern outwardly of the magnet body and also enables the pole piece to penetrate more readily into a collection of loose ferrous articles which are to be lifted.

Abstract: The production of polymer beads by a suspension polymerization process in which a vinyl aromatic monomer having a free-radical generating catalyst dissolved therein is suspended in an aqueous medium with the aid of from 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight, based on monomer, of a finely divided phosphate suspending agent in the presence of a modifier and heated to cause the monomer to polymerize into polymer beads is improved by the addition to the suspension of at least about 0.02 percent by weight based on monomer of certain aminoalkanesulfonic acids and N-substituted derivatives thereof. The process of the invention is especially applicable in the preparation of large polymer beads.