Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of a chromium-free catalyst comprising Cu and at least one second metal in metallic or oxidic form, comprising the steps of a) preparing a final solution comprising ions of Cu and of at least one second metal, said final solution additionally comprising ions of a complexing agent and having a pH of above 5; b) contacting said final solution with inert carrier to form a final solution/carrier combination; c) optionally, drying the final solution/carrier combination; d) calcining the final solution/carrier combination obtained in step c) or d) to yield Cu and the at least one second metal in oxidic form; and e) reducing at least part of the thus obtained oxidic Cu on the carrier Further, a catalyst obtainable by the said method as well as uses thereof are described

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the hydrogenation of a reactant selected from the group consisting of: (a) a 5- or 6-membered lactone that is substituted at the ring-closing carbon atom and has a proton at a carbon atom adjacent to the ring-closing carbon atom; (b) an ester of a carboxylic acid having a gamma-carbonyl group and a proton at a carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the carbonyl group; and (c) a carboxylic acid having a gamma-carbonyl group and a proton at a carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, wherein the reactant is contacted with a strongly acidic heterogeneous catalyst comprising a hydrogenating metal, in the presence of hydrogen, at a temperature in the range of from 100 to 350° C. and a pressure in the range of from 1 to 150 bar (absolute). The invention further provides a fuel composition, preferably a diesel composition, comprising di-alkyl 4-methylnonanedioate or di-alkyl 3-ethyl-4-methylheptanedioate.

Abstract: A system for the preparation and handling of multiple solid state samples, in particular for spectroscopic and microscopic analysis. The system comprises a sample holder assembly for multiple solid-state samples. The sample holder assembly comprises a sample holding body having first and second sides (3a, 4a), provided with multiple sample receiving open-ended bores (5) extending through said body between said first and second sides, each bore (5) having a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side. Furthermore a closure body (10) is provided adapted to be mounted against the second side of the sample holding body, said closure body (10) having a closure side adapted to rest against the second side of the sample holding body for closing off the second openings of the bores (5) in said sample holding body. Compacting (23) means are provided for compacting samples filled in bores (5) of the sample holding body as these bores are closed off on the second side by the closure body.

Abstract: A system for performing a chemical experiment comprises a reactor vessel having a wall defining a reaction chamber for receiving one or more fluids performing a chemical reaction. An analysis apparatus is located remote from said reactor vessel for analysing samples of said one or more fluids removed from said reaction chamber. Sampling means and transfer means are provided which are adapted for removing samples of said one or more fluids from said reaction chamber and transferring said samples to said analysis apparatus. The sampling and transfer means comprise a sample removal passage in communication with said reaction chamber and a sample transfer passage connected to said sample removal passage and extending to said analysis apparatus. The sample removal passage establishes an open communication between said reaction chamber and said sample transfer passage and the sample removal passage contains a flow restrictor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing catalyst bodies, in particular catalyst flakes, in particular for high throughput experimentation, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) preparing a mixture comprising catalyst components; b) distributing the mixture on a substantially flat surface; c) compressing the mixture into a substantially flat plate of uniform thickness by applying onto the mixture, obtained after step b) a pressure of at least 50 kg/cm2 d) breaking the plate into a particulate. The invention further relates to catalyst bodies obtainable by the method and to the use of the catalyst bodies in high throughput experimentation.