Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of glycerol carbonate from the reaction of glycerol and a dialkylcarbonate, for example dimethyl carbonate, or a cyclic alkylene carbonate. More specifically, the invention relates to a process where the synthesis of glycerol carbonate is conducted in the presence of a homogeneous transesterification catalyst and involves the partial reaction of a glycerol reactant stream and a dialkyl carbonate or cyclic alkylene carbonate reactant stream and an intermediate step of alcohol by-product separation before further reaction in order to improve glycerol conversion and glycerol carbonate selectivity and yield.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective oligomerisation of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for removing mercury, from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid. More specifically, the invention relates to a process for the removal of mercury from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed with a metal perhalide having the following formula: [M]+[X]? wherein: [M]+ represents one or more metal cations wherein the metal has an atomic number greater than 36; an atomic radius of at least 50 pm and a 1st ionization energy of less than 750 kJmol?1; [X]? represents one or more perhalide anions; and (ii) obtaining a hydrocarbon fluid product having a reduced mercury content compared to mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective oligomerization of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: This invention relates to aprocess for the preparation of glycerolcarbonate from the reaction of glycerol and a dialkyl-carbonate, for example dimethyl carbonate, or a cyclic alkylene carbonate. More specifically, the invention relates to a process where the synthesis of glycerolcarbonate is conducted in the presence of a homogeneous transesterificationcatalyst and involves the partial reaction of a glycerol reactant stream and a dialkyl carbonateor cyclic alkylene carbonate reactant stream and an intermediate step of alcohol by-product separation before further reaction in order to improve glycerol conversion and glycerol carbonate selectivity and yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for refining glyceride oil comprising the steps of: (i) contacting glyceride oil with a liquid comprising a basic quaternary ammonium salt to form a treated glyceride oil; wherein the quaternary ammonium salt comprises a basic anion selected from hydroxide, alkoxide, alkylcarbonate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate; and a quaternary ammonium cation; (ii) separating the treated glyceride oil from a salt comprising the quaternary ammonium cation; and (iii) subjecting the treated glyceride oil after the separation step to at least one further refining step; and to the use of contacting a glyceride oil with the basic quaternary ammonium salt for preventing or reducing the formation of fatty acid esters of chloropropanols and/or glycidol upon heating of the glyceride oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing metal from metal-containing glyceride oil comprising the steps of: (i) contacting a glyceride oil, comprising chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and/or copper in a total amount of from 10 mg/kg to 10,000 mg/kg, with a liquid comprising a basic quaternary ammonium salt to form a treated glyceride oil; wherein the basic quaternary ammonium salt comprises a basic anion selected from hydroxide, alkoxide, alkylcarbonate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate; and (ii) separating the treated glyceride oil from a salt comprising the quaternary ammonium cation, providing a treated glyceride oil containing a reduced amount of metals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing metal from metal-containing glyceride oil comprising the steps of: (i) contacting a glyceride oil, comprising chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and/or copper in a total amount of from 10 mg/kg to 10,000 mg/kg, with a liquid comprising a basic quaternary ammonium salt to form a treated glyceride oil; wherein the basic quaternary ammonium salt comprises a basic anion selected from hydroxide, alkoxide, alkylcarbonate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate; and (ii) separating the treated glyceride oil from a salt comprising the quaternary ammonium cation, providing a treated glyceride oil containing a reduced amount of metals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for refining glyceride oil comprising the steps of: (i) contacting glyceride oil with a liquid comprising a basic quaternary ammonium salt to form a treated glyceride oil; wherein the quaternary ammonium salt comprises a basic anion selected from hydroxide, alkoxide, alkylcarbonate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate; and a quaternary ammonium cation; (ii) separating the treated glyceride oil from a salt comprising the quaternary ammonium cation; and (iii) subjecting the treated glyceride oil after the separation step to at least one further refining step; and to the use of contacting a glyceride oil with the basic quaternary ammonium salt for preventing or reducing the formation of fatty acid esters of chloropropanols and/or glycidol upon heating of the glyceride oil.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for removing mercury, from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid. More specifically, the invention relates to a process for the removal of mercury from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed with a metal perhalide having the following formula: [M]+[X]? wherein: [M]+ represents one or more metal cations wherein the metal has an atomic number greater than 36; an atomic radius of at least 50 pm and a 1st ionization energy of less than 750 kJmol?1; [X]? represents one or more perhalide anions; and (ii) obtaining a hydrocarbon fluid product having a reduced mercury content compared to mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed.

Abstract: This invention relates to base oils for lubricating compositions. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the selective oligomerisation of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: This invention relates to base oils for lubricating compositions. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the selective oligomerisation of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: Process for producing glycolic acid by contacting carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, optionally in the presence of a solvent, with a catalyst including a solid acid. The solid acid is an acidic polyoxometalate compound insoluble in formaldehyde, glycolic acid and the optional solvent, and has a concentration of acid sites of greater than 60 ?mol g?1 on the external surface and/or a Hammett Acidity value of less than ?12.8.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen-containing feedstocks to oxygen containing hydrocarbon compounds in the presence of a particulate rhodium-based catalyst, by reacting carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen in the presence of a particulate rhodium-based catalyst in a conversion reactor to form oxygen containing hydrocarbon compounds. At least one paraffinic aliphatic monohydric alcohol of the formula R-OH where R is a hydrocarbon radical having 1 or 3 to 5 carbon atoms is/are separated from the other oxygenates produced in the conversion reactor, and is/are then sent back to the conversion reactor.

Abstract: A catalytic composition and method for methane dehydroaromatisation, the catalytic composition comprising a catalyst metal active for methane dehydroaromatisation, a zeolite having pores with diameters of at least 10 non-oxygen frame-work atoms, and silicon carbide, and in which the method comprises contacting a methane-containing feedstock with said catalytic composition to produce one or more aromatic compounds and hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for producing glycolic acid from carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, optionally in a solvent, using a catalyst comprising an acidic polyoxometalate compound insoluble in formaldehyde, glycolic acid and the optional solvent, wherein the insoluble acidic polyoxometalate compound has a concentration of acid sites of greater than 60 ?mol g?1 on the external surface and/or has a Hammett Acidity value of less than ?12.8.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen-containing feedstocks to C2-oxygenates in the presence of a particulate catalyst, by reacting carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen in the presence of a particulate rhodium-based catalyst in a conversion reactor to form C2-oxygenates. A saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and/or an ester of a saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms with a monohydiic aliphatic paraffinic alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms are separated from the ethanol and acetaldehyde produced in the conversion reactor and is/are sent back to the conversion reactor.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of hydrocarbons to ethanol and optionally acetic acid by converting hydrocarbon in a syngas reactor into a stream A comprising a mixture of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen preferably having a H2/CO molar ratio between 1.5 and 2.5, converting at least part of stream A in the presence of a particulate catalyst in a reactor under a temperature between 150 and 400° C. and a pressure of 5 to 200 bar, into a C2-oxygenates stream B, where stream B includes water, alkanes, ethanol, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and acetic acid, which together represent least 80% by weight of the products obtained from the C2-oxygenates conversion reactor. The C2-oxygenates stream B is separated into a stream C comprising H2, CO, CO2 and alkanes, and a stream D including 15 to 40 wt % of acetic acid, 10 to 40 wt % of acetaldehyde and 15 to 40 wt % of ethanol.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks to oxygen-containing hydrocarbon compounds in the presence of a particulate catalyst, by reacting carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen in the presence of a particulate catalyst in a conversion reactor to form oxygen-containing hydrocarbon compounds. A saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and/or an ester of a saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms with a monohydric aliphatic paraffinic alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms is added to the conversion reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks to oxygen containing hydrocarbon compounds in the presence of a particulate catalyst.