Abstract: Methods are provided for refining natural oil feedstocks and partially hydrogenating polyunsaturated olefins and polyunsaturated esters. The methods comprise reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesized product comprising olefins and esters. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise separating the polyunsaturated olefins from the polyunsaturated esters in the metathesized product. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise partially hydrogenating the polyunsaturated olefins in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the polyunsaturated olefins are converted to monounsaturated olefins. In other embodiments, the methods further comprise partially hydrogenating the polyunsaturated esters in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the polyunsaturated esters are converted to monounsaturated esters.

Abstract: Methods are provided for refining natural oil feedstocks and partially hydrogenating polyunsaturated olefins and polyunsaturated esters. The methods comprise reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesized product comprising olefins and esters. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise separating the polyunsaturated olefins from the polyunsaturated esters in the metathesized product. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise partially hydrogenating the polyunsaturated olefins in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the polyunsaturated olefins are converted to monounsaturated olefins. In other embodiments, the methods further comprise partially hydrogenating the polyunsaturated esters in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the polyunsaturated esters are converted to monounsaturated esters.

Abstract: Methods are provided for refining natural oil feedstocks and partially hydrogenating polyunsaturated olefins and polyunsaturated esters. The methods comprise reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesized product comprising olefins and esters. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise separating the polyunsaturated olefins from the polyunsaturated esters in the metathesized product. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise partially hydrogenating the polyunsaturated olefins in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the polyunsaturated olefins are converted to monounsaturated olefins. In other embodiments, the methods further comprise partially hydrogenating the polyunsaturated esters in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the polyunsaturated esters are converted to monounsaturated esters.

Abstract: Mixtures of tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-butanediol at a predetermined mole ratio are produced by the hydrogenation of dimethylsuccinate in the presence of a copper chromite catalyst wherein said ratio is controlled by conducting the hydrogenation within a particular temperature range. Methanol is added to the ester feed to increase conversion and reduce transesterification. Tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-butanediol are separated from a mixture which also contains water and methanol by a series of distillations including a superatmospheric distillation.

Abstract: Alkali metal or alkaline earth metal oxides are impregnated within refractory support material such as alumina and introduced into a fluidized-bed process for the combustion of coal. Sulfur dioxide produced during combustion reacts with the metal oxide to form metal sulfates within the porous support material. The support material is removed from the process and the metal sulfate regenerated to metal oxide by chemical reduction. Suitable pore sizes are originally developed within the support material by heat-treating to accommodate both the sulfation and regeneration while still maintaining good particle strength.