Abstract: A particularly useful process for continuous production of a source of formaldehyde which is an un-purified liquid stream derived from a mixture formed by oxidative dehydrogenation (oxy-dehydrogenation) of at least dimethyl ether using a catalyst containing silver as an essential catalyst component is disclosed. Advantageously, the source of formaldehyde according to the invention is provided to an integrated, continuous process for catalytic production of oxygenated organic compounds, particularly polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers, which are suitable components for blending into fuel having improved qualities for use in compression ignition internal combustion engines (diesel engines).

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a feedstream comprising methanol, a soluble condensation promoting component capable of activating a heterogeneous acidic catalyst and a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper and zinc, and heating this feedstream with the heterogeneous acidic catalyst in a catalytic distillation column to convert methanol and formaldehyde present to methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers and to separate the methylal from the higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column. By including within the column a section containing an anion exchange resin, an essentially acid-free product is obtained.

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a feedstream comprising providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of dimethyl ether in the presence of a catalyst comprising tungsten oxide; and (i) heating the feedstream with the heterogeneous acidic catalyst in a catalytic distillation column to convert methanol and formaldehyde present to methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers and to separate the methylal from the higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed, and/or (ii) contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers.

Abstract: Oxygenated organic compounds exhibiting the desired combination of advantageous properties have structures represented by the formula CH3 E (CH2O)x (CHO)y E′ where E is selected from the group consisting of CH3O— and CH3CH2O—, E′ is selected from the group consisting of —CH3 and —CH2CH3, x is a number from 0 to about 10, y is number from 0 to about 10 such that the sum (x+y) is at least 2. Economical processes are disclosed for production of a mixture of oxygenated organic compounds which are suitable components for blending into fuel having improved qualities for use in compression ignition internal combustion engines (diesel engines).

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a feedstream comprising methanol, a soluble condensation promoting component capable of activating a heterogeneous acidic catalyst and a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper and zinc; and heating this feedstream with the heterogeneous acidic catalyst in a catalytic distillation column to convert methanol and formaldehyde present to methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers and to separate the methylal from the higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column. By including within the column a section containing an anion exchange resin, an essentially acid-free product is obtained.

Abstract: A DIN rail adapter for a circuit interrupter including a backplate having two guide members and two substantially planar stabilizing tab. The backplate further includes a first spring attachment region. A slider is slideably disposed between the guide members and the stabilizing tabs, and includes a second spring attachment region. A spring is disposed between the first and second spring attachment regions for biasing the slider in a first direction.

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a feedstream comprising a soluble condensation promoting component capable of activating a heterogeneous acidic catalyst and a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of dimethyl ether in the presence of a catalyst comprising silver as an essential catalyst component; and heating the feedstream with the heterogeneous acidic catalyst in a catalytic distillation column to convert methanol and formaldehyde present to methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers and to separate the methylal from the higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising oxides of molybdenum as an essential catalyst component; and contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. The resulting dimethyl ether-free liquid mixture is heated in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert at least the methanol and formaldehyde present to polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of dimethyl ether in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper and zinc; and contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. The resulting dimethyl ether-free liquid mixture is heated in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert at least the methanol and formaldehyde present to polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising silver as an essential catalyst component; and contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. The resulting dimethyl ether-free liquid mixture is heated in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert at least the methanol and formaldehyde present to polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A particularly useful process of contacting a feedstream containing dioxygen, carbon monoxide, ether, and alkanol which can be vaporized under conditions of reaction, with a blend of catalysts which are heterogeneous to the feedstream, under conditions of reaction sufficient to form a mixture containing at least one higher molecular weight oxygenated organic compound. In another aspect this invention relates to a blend of catalysts consisting of at least one molecular sieve, natural or synthetic, which has been found useful for hydrocarbon conversion reactions and a catalyst comprising a metal halide or a mixed metal halide supported on active carbon which is effective in catalyzing direct formation of organic carbonates.

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of dimethyl ether in the presence of a catalyst comprising silver as an essential catalyst component; and contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. The resulting dimethyl ether-free liquid mixture is heated in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert at least the methanol and formaldehyde present to polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A process of contacting a feedstream containing dioxygen, carbon monoxide, ether, and alkanol, which can be vaporized under conditions of reaction, with a blend of catalysts which are heterogeneous to the feedstream, under conditions of reaction sufficient to form a mixture containing at least one higher molecular weight oxygenated organic compound is described. In another aspect, this invention relates to a blend of catalysts consisting of at least one molecular sieve, natural or synthetic, which has been found useful for hydrocarbon conversion reactions and a catalyst comprising a metal halide or a mixed metal halide supported on active carbon, which is effective in catalyzing direct formation of organic carbonates.

Abstract: Dual-flow chemical reactor cores containing catalytic heat-transfer walls comprising both a gas-impervious material and a suitable catalyst which allows oxidative coupling of methane into higher hydrocarbons, dual-flow reactors having these catalytic heat-transfer walls to control and facilitate simultaneously coupling of methane and cracking of hydrocarbon compounds in separate gas streams, and chemical processes which combine coupling of methane and cracking of hydrocarbon compounds to make olefins in a dual-flow reactor having catalytic heat-transfer walls.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for producing synthesis gas from lower alkanes which utilizes molten baths as reactors. A molten metal oxide bath delivers oxygen to a feed stream containing lower alkanes and enhances oxidation of the lower alkanes to produce carbon dioxide and a molten elemental metal. In a molten metal bath, the metal is regenerated to metal oxide by contact with a regenerant such as air. Heat evolved in the molten baths is transferred to an endothermic reactor where a portion of the carbon dioxide is converted to a mixture of carbon oxides and hydrogen.

Abstract: A methed for converting a feedstock alkane containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms to a higher molecular weight hydrocarbon comprising contacting a feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalytic composition is disclosed. The catalytic composition includes a Group IA metal, a Group IIA metal and a third component, the precursor of which is a sol such as an aqueous suspension of a metal such as aluminum, silicon, titanium, zinc, zirconium, cadmium or tin with which the other components of the composition are throughly dispersed.

Abstract: A process for the halogen-assisted conversion of lower alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons is provided. A first reaction mixture including lower alkanes, a hydrogen halide and an oxygen-containing gas are contacted with a catalytic composition of crystalline copper aluminum borate at appropriate reaction conditions to form an intermediate composition including halogenated alkanes. The halogenated alkanes are subsequently contacted with a catalytic composition of a pentasil molecular sieve material under appropriate reaction conditions to form a product mixture including hydrocarbons having molecular weights greater than the lower alkanes.

Abstract: A method for halogenating hydrocarbons wherein a reaction mixture including a hydrocarbon-containing feed, a hydrogen halide and an oxygen-containing gas is contacted at appropriate reaction conditions with a catalyst of copper aluminum borate to form halogenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process using a catalytic composition effective in the catalytic conversion of a feedstock alkane, such as methane, to a higher molecular weight hydrocarbon is disclosed. The composition includes a first component comprising a Group IA metal, a second component comprising Group IIA metal, a third component, the precursor of which comprises a sol (an aqueous suspension of aluminum, silicon, titanium, zinc, zirconium, cadmium or tin) and a fourth component including a Group VIII metal, silver or a combination thereof, present in an amount effective to substantially increase the catalytic activity of the composition.In addition, methods of preparing such catalytic compositions and catalytic compositions prepared by such methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for converting a feedstock alkane containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms to a higher molecular weight hydrocarbon comprising contacting a feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalytic composition is disclosed. The catalytic composition includes a Group IA metal, a Group IIA metal and a third component, the precursor of which is a sol such as an aqueous suspension of a metal such as aluminum, silicon, titanium, zinc, zirconium, cadmium or tin with which the other components of the composition are thoroughly dispersed.