Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of a method for converting an oxygenate feedstock into an olefin-rich product. In some aspects, the method comprises exposing an oxygenate feedstock to a tantalum catalyst composition to form an olefin-rich product. In some aspects, the tantalum catalyst composition comprises tantalum and a support comprising (i) aluminum and/or silicon, and (ii) oxygen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for converting ethanol to 1,3-butadiene, wherein the method utilizes H2 produced during a first step of the method for subsequent conversions involved in the method. In particular aspects, H2 produced from converting ethanol to acetaldehyde is used to promote the conversion of the acetaldehyde to 1,3-butadiene. The H2 promotes enhanced catalyst stability, as well as enhanced selectivity and yields of the 1,3-butadiene product. In particular aspects, the method comprises two steps to produce the 1,3-butadiene from the ethanol and H2 produced from a first step facilitates enhanced selectivities and yields for the second step.

Abstract: A multifunctional material may include a solid inorganic sorbent. The multifunctional material may include a metal catalyst component, wherein the solid inorganic sorbent and metal catalyst component are integrated into a single material.

Abstract: A reactive distillation method, system, and apparatus are described for a combined separation and conversion of an oxygenate(s) in aqueous solution to more volatile intermediates for gas phase conversion. A mixture of oxygenate and water flow into a microchannel apparatus comprising a hydrophilic wick adjacent a reaction channel comprising a hydrophobic solid acid catalyst. During operation, water is produced in a dehydration reaction, produced water vapor is condensed away from the reaction channel and travels out through the wick layer, thus driving equilibrium toward more product. The combination of microchannel architecture with the catalytic distillation reaction was characterized by unexpectedly superior stability.

Abstract: An efficient and selective catalyst for the condensed phase hydrogenation of captured CO2 in the presence of an advanced water-lean post combustion capture solvent, EEMPA. Selected heterogenous catalysts for suppress N-methylation of the capture solvent; especially a noble metal on a reducible metal oxide support is highly selective for C—N cleavage to produce methanol.

Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.

Abstract: Systems for preparing butenes are provided. The systems can include a reactor inlet coupled to both a reactor and at least one reactant reservoir; at least one of the reactant reservoirs containing one or both of an aldehyde and/or ethanol; a catalyst within the reactor, the catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support material; and a reactor outlet operationally configured to convey a butene-rich reaction product to a product reservoir. Methods for preparing butenes are also provided. The methods can include exposing one or both of ethanol and/or an aldehyde to a catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support to form a butene-rich product that comprises one or both of 1-butene and/or 2-butene.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of a method for contacting a methane composition with a catalyst system to produce H2 and a carbon co-product. In some aspects, the catalyst system comprises (i) a Ni—Cu alloy catalyst comprising Ni and Cu, and (ii) a support. In some additional aspects, the Ni and Cu are present at a Ni:Cu mass ratio ranging from greater than zero to 4.5. Also disclosed herein are aspects of a method for making the disclosed catalyst system.

Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.

Abstract: Systems for preparing butenes are provided. The systems can include a reactor inlet coupled to both a reactor and at least one reactant reservoir; at least one of the reactant reservoirs containing one or both of an aldehyde and/or ethanol; a catalyst within the reactor, the catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support material; and a reactor outlet operationally configured to convey a butene-rich reaction product to a product reservoir. Methods for preparing butenes are also provided. The methods can include exposing one or both of ethanol and/or an aldehyde to a catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support to form a butene-rich product that comprises one or both of 1-butene and/or 2-butene.

Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.

Abstract: Systems for preparing butenes are provided. The systems can include a reactor inlet coupled to both a reactor and at least one reactant reservoir; at least one of the reactant reservoirs containing one or both of an aldehyde and/or ethanol; a catalyst within the reactor, the catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support material; and a reactor outlet operationally configured to convey a butene-rich reaction product to a product reservoir. Methods for preparing butenes are also provided. The methods can include exposing one or both of ethanol and/or an aldehyde to a catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support to form a butene-rich product that comprises one or both of 1-butene and/or 2-butene.

Abstract: A process for producing methane or methanol includes combining a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methane or methanol, and water. A process for coproduction of methanol and a glycol includes combining an epoxide, a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and a glycol.

Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.

Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.

Abstract: A process for producing methane or methanol includes combining a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methane or methanol, and water. A process for coproduction of methanol and a glycol includes combining an epoxide, a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and a glycol.

Abstract: Simple and economical conversion of aqueous ethanol feed streams into butenes by a single step method using transition metal oxides on a silica supports under preselected processing conditions. By directly producing a C4-rich olefin mixture from an ethanol containing stream various advantages are presented including, but not limited to, significant cost reduction in capital expenses and operational expenses.

Abstract: Simple and economical conversion of aqueous ethanol feed streams into butenes by a single step method using transition metal oxides on a silica supports under preselected processing conditions. By directly producing a C4-rich olefin mixture from an ethanol containing stream various advantages are presented including, but not limited to, significant cost reduction in capital expenses and operational expenses.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to relates to heterogeneous catalysts useful for the synthesis of ammonia under microwave irradiation, processes for preparing the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts, and processes for synthesizing ammonia using the heterogeneous catalysts with microwave irradiation. In various aspects, the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts comprise: a metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10, Group 11, or combinations thereof; a metal oxide support; and optionally a promoter material. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol includes combining a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and water. A process for coproduction of methanol and a glycol includes combining an epoxide, a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and a glycol.