Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion processes, e.g., hydrocracking, cracking, alkylation, etc., using a silicon enhanced amorphous silica-alumina (SEASAL) composition. The composition is characterized in that from about 3 to about 22 mole percent of the aluminum atoms in a host amorphous silica-alumina have been replaced by silicon atoms. Additionally, the SEASAL contains from about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent fluoride and has a cracking activity of at least 30%. The SEASAL is prepared by reacting a host amorphous silica-alumina with a fluorosilicate salt, thereby removing aluminum atoms and inserting silicon atoms.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydrocarbon conversion processes using a catalytic composite which is an amorphous solid solution of phosphorus, silicon and aluminum oxides. The composite is characterized in that it contains from about 5 to about 50 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, from about 10 to about 90 weight percent SiO.sub.2 and from about 5 to about 40 weight percent P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and has pores whose average diameters range from about 30 to about 200 Angstroms. The composite is further characterized in that it has a pore volume of about 0.35 to about 0.75 cc/g and a surface area of about 200 to about 420 m.sup.2 /g. The composite may be prepared by forming a mixture of sols of alumina and silica and a phosphorus compound, gelling the mixture to form particles and then calcining the particles to provide the amorphous solid solution. The amorphous composite may be used either as is or with additional catalytic metals (selected from the metals of Group VIB and VIII of the Periodic Table) dispersed thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a silicon enhanced amorphous silica-alumina (SEASAL) composition. The composition is characterized in that from about 3 to about 22 mole percent of the aluminum atoms in a host amorphous silica-alumina have been replaced by silicon atoms. Additionally, the SEASAL contains from about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent fluoride and has a cracking activity of at least 30%. The SEASAL is prepared by reacting a host amorphous silica-alumina with a fluorosilicate salt, thereby removing aluminum atoms and inserting silicon atoms. The SEASAL compositions have uses in hydrocarbon conversion processes such as hydrocracking, cracking and alkylation.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydrocarbon conversion process using a catalyst consisting essentially of a layered clay homogeneously dispersed in an inorganic oxide matrix. The clay is dispersed in such a way that the clay layers are completely surrounded by the inorganic oxide matrix. The inorganic oxide is selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, silica, zirconia, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and mixtures thereof. The clay can be a natural clay such as montmorillonite, a metal exchanged clay (Fe.sup.+3 exchanged) or a pillared clay such as aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH) pillared clay. The hydrocarbon conversion process is carried out by contacting a hydrocarbon feed with the catalyst at hydrocarbon conversion conditions to give a hydroconverted product. Examples of the hydrocarbon conversion processes are alkylation and hydrocracking.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic composite which is an amorphous solid solution of phosphorus, silicon and aluminum oxides. The composite is characterized in that it contains from about 5 to about 50 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, from about 10 to about 90 weight percent SiO.sub.2 and from about 5 to about 40 weight percent P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and has pores whose average diameters range from about 30 to about 200 Angstroms. The composite is further characterized in that it has a pore volume of about 0.35 to about 0.75 cc/g and a surface area of about 200 to about 420 m.sup.2 /g. The composite may be prepared by forming a mixture of sols of alumina and silica and a phosphorus compound, gelling the mixture to form particles and then calcining the particles to provide the amorphous solid solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition, a method of preparing the composition and a catalyst using the composition. The composition consists essentially of a layered clay homogeneously dispersed in an inorganic oxide matrix. The clay is dispersed in such a way that the clay layers are completely surrounded by the inorganic oxide matrix. The inorganic oxide is selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, silica, zirconia, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and mixtures thereof. The clay can be a natural clay such as montmorillonite, a metal exchanged clay (Fe.sup.+3 exchanged) or a pillared clay such as aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH) pillared clay. The composition can be used as a catalyst for alkylation or hydrocracking or metals can be dispersed on it to provide a catalyst which is also useful for hydrocracking or alkylation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst support structure, methods of preparing the support structure and a process for using the support structure. The catalyst support structure is composed of a substantially polycrystalline cordierite phase having a chemical composition by weight of 6-15% MgO, 33-40% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 45-56% SiO.sub.2 and characterized in that it has a surface area of at least 2.7 m.sup.2 /g and preferably 8 m.sup.2 /g, a compressive strength of at least 31 MPa, a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than 5.2.times.10.sup.-6 m/m/.degree.C. and a porosity of at least 20%.

Abstract: An alumina particle and a method of its manufacture. The alumina particle comprises a spheroidal alumina particle of about 1/16 inch in diameter and a crush strength of from about 13 to about 16 pounds. The method comprises preparing a mixture of an acidic alumina hydrosol and an ammonia percursor at below gelation temperature, dispersing the mixture as droplets in a water-immiscible liquid at a temperature and for a time to effect at least partial gelation of the hydrosol to form hydrogel particles, contacting the hydrogel particles with a liquid having a pH no greater than about 7 and an osmotic pressure sufficient to prevent disintegration of the hydrogel particles, aging the hydrogel particles in an aqueous solution having a pH greater than 7, and thereafter drying and calcining the hydrogel particles.