Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process and system for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from a feedstock comprising H2 and COx, wherein x=1-2. The process according to the invention comprises (a) subjecting the gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas originating from step (c) to DME synthesis by contacting it with a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to DME to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising DME; (b) subjecting a gaseous mixture comprising the gaseous mixture originating from step (a) to a separation-enhanced reverse water gas shift reaction; and (c) subjecting the gaseous mixture originating from step (b) to DME/synthesis gas separation to obtain DME and a gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas, which is recycled to step (a). Herein, the feedstock is introduced in step (a) or step (b) and the molar ratio of H2 to COx in the gaseous mixture which is subjected to step (b) is at least (x+0.8). Also a system for performing the reaction according to the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of carbon dioxide and ammonia for the production of urea or ammonium carbamate from residual gases in the steel and metal industries, in particular basic oxygen furnace (BOF) gas and/or blast furnace (BF) gas. The process according to the invention comprises: (a) subjecting a mixture comprising (i) basic oxygen furnace gas and/or blast furnace gas and (ii) steam to a separation-enhanced water gas shift reaction to obtain a first product gas comprising H2 and N2 and a second product gas comprising CO2; (b) subjecting the first product gas originating from step (a) to NH3 synthesis to obtain a product gas comprising NH3; and (c) optionally subjecting at least part of the CO2 originating from step (a) and at least part of the NH3 originating from step (b) to the synthesis of urea or ammonium carbamate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process and system for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from a feedstock comprising H2 and COx, wherein x=1-2. The process according to the invention comprises (a) subjecting the gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas originating from step (c) to DME synthesis by contacting it with a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to DME to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising DME; (b) subjecting a gaseous mixture comprising the gaseous mixture originating from step (a) to a separation-enhanced reverse water gas shift reaction; and (c) subjecting the gaseous mixture originating from step (b) to DME/synthesis gas separation to obtain DME and a gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas, which is recycled to step (a). Herein, the feedstock is introduced in step (a) or step (b) and the molar ratio of H2 to COx in the gaseous mixture which is subjected to step (b) is at least (x+0.8). Also a system for performing the reaction according to the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process and system for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from a feedstock comprising H2 and COx, wherein x=1-2. The process according to the invention comprises (a) subjecting the gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas originating from step (c) to DME synthesis by contacting it with a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to DME to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising DME; (b) subjecting a gaseous mixture comprising the gaseous mixture originating from step (a) to a separation-enhanced reverse water gas shift reaction; and (c) subjecting the gaseous mixture originating from step (b) to DME/synthesis gas separation to obtain DME and a gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas, which is recycled to step (a). Herein, the feedstock is introduced in step (a) or step (b) and the molar ratio of H2 to COx in the gaseous mixture which is subjected to step (b) is at least (x+0.8). Also a system for performing the reaction according to the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating dimethyl carbonate using pervaporation includes: an atmospheric distillation column and a high pressure distillation column distilling a mixture containing dimethyl carbonate and methanol and separating dimethyl carbonate from the mixture; and a pervaporation membrane module disposed between the atmospheric distillation column and the high pressure distillation column and allowing for permeation of the methanol to separate the methanol from the mixture, thereby reducing heat consumption and a process cost as compared to the case of only using an existing pressure swing distillation method.

Abstract: The invention provides a membrane suitable for dewatering acidic mixtures, comprising a bridged organosilica directly applied on a macroporous support in the absence of an intermediate mesoporous or finer layer. The bridged organic silica comprises divalent C1-C9 organic groups A2 and/or trivalent C1-C9 organic groups A3 directly bound to the silicon atoms of the organosilica. In particular, the membrane comprises bis-silylmethane or bis-silylethane groups. The membranes effectively separate water from acidic mixtures at high temperatures and without decrease in performance for at least several months.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process and system for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from a feedstock comprising H2 and COx, wherein x=1-2. The process according to the invention comprises (a) subjecting the gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas originating from step (c) to DME synthesis by contacting it with a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to DME to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising DME; (b) subjecting a gaseous mixture comprising the gaseous mixture originating from step (a) to a separation-enhanced reverse water gas shift reaction; and (c) subjecting the gaseous mixture originating from step (b) to DME/synthesis gas separation to obtain DME and a gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas, which is recycled to step (a). Herein, the feedstock is introduced in step (a) or step (b) and the molar ratio of H2 to COx in the gaseous mixture which is subjected to step (b) is at least (x+0.8). Also a system for performing the reaction according to the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating dimethyl carbonate using pervaporation includes: an atmospheric distillation column and a high pressure distillation column distilling a mixture containing dimethyl carbonate and methanol and separating dimethyl carbonate from the mixture; and a pervaporation membrane module disposed between the atmospheric distillation column and the high pressure distillation column and allowing for permeation of the methanol to separate the methanol from the mixture, thereby reducing heat consumption and a process cost as compared to the case of only using an existing pressure swing distillation method.

Abstract: The invention provides a membrane suitable for dewatering acidic mixtures, comprising a bridged organosilica directly applied on a macroporous support in the absence of an intermediate mesoporous or finer layer. The bridged organic silica comprises divalent C1-C9 organic groups A2 and/or trivalent C1-C9 organic groups A3 directly bound to the silicon atoms of the organosilica. In particular, the membrane comprises bis-silylmethane or bis-silylethane groups. The membranes effectively separate water from acidic mixtures at high temperatures and without decrease in performance for at least several months.

Abstract: Membranes of the invention comprise a hybrid silica film on a organic polymer support. The silica comprises organic bridging groups bound to two or more silicon atoms, in particular at least 1 of said organic bridging groups per 10 silicon atoms. The membranes can be produced by dry chemistry processes, in particular plasma-enhanced vapour deposition of bridged silane precursors, or by wet chemistry involving hydrolysis of the bridged silane precursors. The membranes are inexpensive and efficient for separation of small molecules and filtration processes.

Abstract: A microporous organic-inorganic hybrid membrane based on silica of the invention has an average pore diameter of less than 0.6 nm, and comprises bridging organosilane moieties of the formula ?O1.5Si—CHR—SiO1.5? or ?O1.5Si—CH(CH3)—SiO1.5?. The membrane can be used in the separation of hydrogen from mixtures comprising hydrogen and CH4, CO2, CO, N2, and the like, and in the separation of water from alcohols having 1-3 carbon atoms, optionally in the presence of an inorganic or organic acid.

Abstract: Selective retaining a relatively hydrophilic molecule from a mixture of a relatively hydrophobic molecule and the relatively hydrophilic molecule can be achieved using a hydrophobic, microporous hybrid membrane based on silica, wherein at least 25% of the silicon atoms is bound to a bridging C1-C12-hyrdocarbylene group. The average number of carbon atoms of the bridging groups and any additional monovalent organic groups, taken together, is at least 3.5. The membrane can be part of a production facility for separating alcohol/water mixtures.

Abstract: A hydrothermally stable, microporous organic-inorganic hybrid membrane based on silica, having an mean pore diameter of between 0.2 and 1.5 nm, is characterised in that between 5 and 40 mole % of the Si—O—Si bonds have been replaced by moieties having the one of the formulas: Si—{[CmH(n-1)X]—Si—}q, Si—[CmH(n-2)X2]—Si or Si—CmHn—Si{(CmHn)—Si—}y in which m=1-8, n=2m, 2m?2, 2m?4, 2m?6 or 2m?8; provided that n?2, X=H or (CH2)pSi, p=0 or 1, and q=1, 2, 3 or 4. The membrane can be produced by acid-catalysed hydrolysis of suitable bis-silane precursors such as bis(trialkoxysily)alkanes, preferably in the presence of monoorganyl-silane precursors such as trialkoxy-alkylsilanes.

Abstract: A microporous organic-inorganic hybrid membrane based on silica of the invention has an average pore diameter of less than 0.6 nm, and comprises bridging organosilane moieties of the formula ?O1.5Si—CHR—SiO1.5? or ?O1.5Si—CH(CH3)—SiO1.5?. The membrane can be used in the separation of hydrogen from mixtures comprising hydrogen and CH4, CO2, CO, N2, and the like, and in the separation of water from alcohols having 1-3 carbon atoms, optionally in the presence of an inorganic or organic acid.

Abstract: A hydrothermally stable, microporous organic-inorganic hybrid membrane based on silica, having an mean pore diameter of between 0.2 and 1.5 nm, is characterised in that between 5 and 40 mole % of the Si—O—Si bonds have been replaced by moieties having the one of the formulas: Si—{[CmH(n-1)X]—Si—}q, Si—[CmH(n-2)X2]—Si or Si—CmHn—Si{(CmHn)—Si—}y in which m=1-8, n=2m, 2m-2, 2m-4, 2m-6 or 2m-8; provided that n?2, X=H or (CH2)pSi, p=0 or 1, and q=1, 2, 3 or 4. The membrane can be produced by acid-catalysed hydrolysis of suitable bis-silane precursors such as bis(trialkoxysily)alkanes, preferably in the presence of monoorganyl-silane precursors such as trialkoxy-alkylsilanes.