Abstract: Catalysts including at least one microporous material (e.g., zeolite), an organosilica material binder, and at least one catalyst metal are provided herein. Methods of making the catalysts, preferably without surfactants and processes of using the catalysts, e.g., for aromatic hydrogenation, are also provided herein.

Abstract: In a process for separating one or more 3,3?-, 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers, a feed comprising the isomers is contacted with an adsorbent containing a zeolite having a largest diffuse along dimension of at least 4 Angstroms. The adsorbents provide selective adsorption of 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl.

Abstract: A process for separating dimethyl biphenyl (DMBP) isomers, including contacting a mixture of 3,3?-DMBP, 3,4?-DMBP and 4,4?-DMBP in a first solvent with a 12-member ring zeolite exchanged with potassium or barium, or combinations thereof, and adsorbing the 3,3?-DMBP onto the 12-member ring zeolite, such as by passing the mixture through at least one packed bed of the potassium and/or barium exchanged 12-member ring zeolite.

Abstract: In a process for separating one or more 3,3?-, 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers, a feed comprising the isomers is contacted with a zeolite adsorbent which contains one or more metal cations in the +1 or +2 oxidation states. Separation processes for each of the 3,3?-, 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers is provided.

Abstract: Methods for coating a substrate with a coating including an adsorbent material and a binder comprising an organosilica material which is a polymer comprising independent units of Formula [Z3Z4SiCH2]3 (I), wherein each Z3 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another unit or an active site on the substrate and each Z4 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another unit or an active site on the substrate are provided. Methods of gas separation are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel separation method by which auxiliary fuel is separated from blended gasoline fuel for a flexible fuel vehicle capable of using ethanol-blended gasoline fuel, the method including the following steps (a) and (b): (a) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is low, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively high separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a first auxiliary fuel enriched with the aromatic gasoline components and ethanol component, and (b) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is high, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively low second separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a second auxiliary fuel enriched with the non-aromatic high-volatile gasoline components.

Abstract: Gas separation modules and methods for use including an integrated adsorbent and membrane. In certain refining applications, it is paramount to obtain high purity product gases. Adsorbent beds are effective at removing certain contaminants, such as CO2, from gas streams containing product and contaminant constituents to form a product-rich stream. The integrated membrane permits a further separation of products from any unadsorbed contaminant to produce a high purity product, such as hydrogen, stream. The gas separation modules described herein include stacked, radial, and spiral arrangements. Each modules includes a configuration of feed and cross-flow channels for the collection of contaminant gases and/or high purity product gases.

Abstract: Catalysts including at least one microporous material (e.g., zeolite), an organosilica material binder, and at least one catalyst metal are provided herein. Methods of making the catalysts, preferably without surfactants and processes of using the catalysts, e.g., for aromatic hydrogenation, are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a pervaporation membrane process for the separation of high octane fuel components from a gasoline feed stream comprising feeding a mixed phase vapor-liquid feed to a cyclone separation means to separate the liquid from the vapor, then sending the saturated vapor to the membrane, thereby extending the useful life of the membrane.

Abstract: Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for various types of separations, such as separations by reverse osmosis. Methods for making an asymmetric membrane structure are also provided. The membrane structure can include at least one polymer layer. Pyrolysis can be used to convert the polymer layer to a porous carbon structure with a higher ratio of carbon to hydrogen.

Abstract: Cyclonic separation devices and fluid stream separating apparatuses incorporating cyclonic separation devices are described. A cyclonic separation device may include an exterior housing having an exterior cylindrical portion and an exterior conical portion extending from the exterior cylindrical portion and an interior housing having an interior cylindrical portion and an interior conical portion extending from the interior cylindrical portion. The interior housing is positioned relative to the exterior housing to form a circulating chamber. The cyclonic separation device also includes a fluid inlet coupled to the exterior housing, where the fluid inlet positioned to inject a fluid stream into the circulating chamber at an orientation generally tangential to the cylindrical portions of the exterior housing and the interior housing. The cyclonic separation device further includes a low-density outlet coupled to at least one of the exterior conical portion or the interior conical portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a replaceable fuel separation unit having a permeable substrate for separating a fluid source into at least two separate fluid streams, and delivering the two separated fluid streams to separate tanks.

Abstract: Provided are processes for making hydrocarbons from renewable feed sources. In an embodiment, there is provided a method for producing a lube basestock including: contacting a compound of Formula (I) and a feedstock of biological origin with a catalyst component including a basic material: wherein R1 is selected from acyclic hydrocarbyl, cyclic hydrocarbyl, and aryl, wherein R1 has one or more optional substitutions selected from the group consisting of —Ra, —ORa, —C(O)Ra, and —C(O)ORa, wherein Ra is H or C1-C6 alkyl group; and n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and hydrogenating a ketone to a hydrocarbon with a catalyst including a hydrogenation catalyst and a hydrothermally stable binder.

Abstract: Methods for coating a substrate with a coating including an adsorbent material and a binder comprising an organosilica material which is a polymer comprising independent units of Formula [Z3Z4SiCH2]3 (I), wherein each Z3 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another unit or an active site on the substrate and each Z4 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another unit or an active site on the substrate are provided. Methods of gas separation are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel separation method by which auxiliary fuel is separated from blended gasoline fuel for a flexible fuel vehicle capable of using ethanol-blended gasoline fuel, the method including the following steps (a) and (b): (a) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is low, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively high separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a first auxiliary fuel enriched with the aromatic gasoline components and ethanol component, and (b) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is high, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively low second separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a second auxiliary fuel enriched with the non-aromatic high-volatile gasoline components.

Abstract: A pervaporation element includes a ceramic monolith having an array of parallel channels separated by porous channel walls extending along an axial length of the monolith, and a functional membrane coating a first plurality of the porous channel walls along the axial length of the monolith. The functional membrane functions to separate a fluid into a retentate portion and a permeate portion. The porous channel walls coated by the functional membrane define a plurality of discrete through segments, where each of the discrete through segments are separated from one another by a plurality of uncoated porous channel walls. Fluid entering the discrete through segments is separated into a retentate portion that exits in substantial portion through the discrete through segments and a permeate portion that exits the ceramic monolith radially outward through the uncoated porous channel walls and through a skin of the monolith.

Abstract: Cyclonic separation devices and fluid stream separating apparatuses incorporating cyclonic separation devices are described. A cyclonic separation device may include an exterior housing having an exterior cylindrical portion and an exterior conical portion extending from the exterior cylindrical portion and an interior housing having an interior cylindrical portion and an interior conical portion extending from the interior cylindrical portion. The interior housing is positioned relative to the exterior housing to form a circulating chamber. The cyclonic separation device also includes a fluid inlet coupled to the exterior housing, where the fluid inlet positioned to inject a fluid stream into the circulating chamber at an orientation generally tangential to the cylindrical portions of the exterior housing and the interior housing. The cyclonic separation device further includes a low-density outlet coupled to at least one of the exterior conical portion or the interior conical portion.

Abstract: Provided are methods for producing a lube base stock and/or a fuel from a feedstock of biological origin, the method including: contacting the feedstock in the presence of a catalyst to produce a lube base stock and/or a fuel, wherein the catalyst comprises: a zeolite component selected from a zeolite having 10-member ring pores, a zeolite having 12-member ring pores and a combination thereof, 0.1 to 5 weight % of a hydrogenation component selected from Pt, Pd, Ag, Ni, Co, Mo, W, Rh, Re, Ru, Ir and a mixture thereof, and a hydrothermally stable binder component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a membrane for ethanol and aromatics separation that is stable in an alcohol containing environment. The membrane is a polyether epoxy resin having an aliphatic substituted epoxide. The invention also teaches a method to control the flux and selectivity of the membrane.

Abstract: Provided are processes for making hydrocarbons from renewable feed sources. In an embodiment, there is provided a method for producing a lube basestock including: contacting a compound of Formula (I) and a feedstock of biological origin with a catalyst component including a basic material: wherein R1 is selected from acyclic hydrocarbyl, cyclic hydrocarbyl, and aryl, wherein R1 has one or more optional substitutions selected from the group consisting of —Ra, —ORa, —C(O)Ra, and —C(O)ORa, wherein Ra is H or C1-C6 alkyl group; and n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and hydrogenating a ketone to a hydrocarbon with a catalyst including a hydrogenation catalyst and a hydrothermally stable binder.