Abstract: A porous solid acid catalyst having high concentration of acidic sites and a large surface area includes a porous silica support and a sulfonated carbon layer disposed within the pores of the silica support. The catalyst, in certain embodiments, has a concentration of —SO3H groups of at least about 0.5 mmol/g and a predominant pore size of at least about 300 ?. The catalyst is used to catalyze a variety of acid-catalyzed reactions, including but not limited to alkylation, acylation, etherification, olefin hydration and alcohol dehydration, dimerization of olefin and bicyclic compounds, esterification and transesterification. For example, the catalyst can be used to catalyze esterification of free fatty acids (FFAs) and, in certain embodiments, to catalyze transesterification of triglycerides in fats and oils.

Abstract: Processes for making xylene employ catalysts containing rhenium and a molecular sieve component comprising an acidic MFI molecular sieve having a Si/Al2 molar ratio of less than about 80 and mordenite to provide a transalkylation product with a low content of benzene co-boilers. The invention encompasses the use of sulfided catalyst embodiments in xylene production processes.

Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts containing rhenium and a molecular sieve component comprising an acidic MFI molecular sieve having a Si/Al2 molar ratio of less than about 80 and mordenite provide a transalkylation product with a low content of benzene co-boilers. The invention encompasses sulfided catalyst embodiments and methods of making the catalysts.

Abstract: A catalyst, a process for using the catalyst whereby the catalyst effectively transalkylates C7, C9, and C10 aromatics to C8 aromatics are disclosed. The catalyst comprises a support such as mordenite plus a metal component. The catalyst provides an enhanced life and activity for carrying out the transalkylation reactions at relatively low temperatures. This is achieved by reducing the maximum particle diameter of cylindrical pellets to 1/32 inch (0.08 cm) or a trilobe to 1/16 inch (0.16 cm).

Abstract: A catalyst, a process for using the catalyst whereby the catalyst effectively transalkylates C7, C9, and C10 aromatics to C8 aromatics are disclosed. The catalyst comprises a support such as mordenite plus a metal component. The catalyst provides an enhanced life and activity for carrying out the transalkylation reactions at relatively low temperatures. This is achieved by reducing the maximum particle diameter of cylindrical pellets to 1/32 inch (0.08 cm) or a trilobe to 1/16 inch (0.16 cm).

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a catalyst comprising a zeolite, a platinum-group metal and a silica binder, resulting in a greater yield of para-xylene at favorable conditions compared to processes of the known art.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using an oil-dropped catalyst comprising a zeolite, a platinum-group metal and an aluminophosphate binder, resulting in a greater yield of para-xylene at favorable conditions compared to processes of the known art.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for particulate matter which distributes the particulate matter, at substantially the same rate, uniformly across a given area of a vessel and comprises a particle container having an opening at one end for receiving particulate material into an upwardly directed end and an outlet end at an opposite end for flowing particulate material. A rotor having multiple elongated, hollow arms, an opening at one end for receiving particulate material from the particle container, the multiple arms each having at least one aperture located in a lower portion thereof for discharging particulate material, wherein the rotor is rotatably positioned below and adjacent to the outlet end of the particle container to permit the flow of particulate material from the particle container to the rotor.