Abstract: Methods are provided for modifying hydrogenation catalysts having silica supports (or other non-alumina supports) with additional alumina, and using such catalysts to achieve unexpectedly superior hydrogenation of feedstocks. The modified hydrogenation catalysts can have a relatively low cracking activity while providing an increased activity for hydrogenation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for modifying hydrogenation catalysts having silica supports (or other non-alumina supports) with additional alumina, and using such catalysts to achieve unexpectedly superior hydrogenation of feedstocks. The modified hydrogenation catalysts can have a relatively low cracking activity while providing an increased activity for hydrogenation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for modifying hydrogenation catalysts having silica supports (or other non-alumina supports) with additional alumina, and using such catalysts to achieve unexpectedly superior hydrogenation of feedstocks. The modified hydrogenation catalysts can have a relatively low cracking activity while providing an increased activity for hydrogenation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydroalkylation process in which the hydroalkylation catalyst is activated in the presence of a flowing fluid comprising hydrogen and a condensable agent. The presence of the condensable agent enables fast, effective activation of the hydroalkylation catalyst precursor in a cost-effective manner. It also yields superior catalyst performance.

Abstract: A process for activating a hydroalkylation catalyst in a first state comprising an acid component and a hydrogenating metal component, including: (i) treatment at a temperature of at least 120° C. in the presence of hydrogen for a first duration to produce a catalyst in a second state having a first hydroalkylation activity; (ii) contacting the catalyst in the second state with an aromatic compound and hydrogen under a hydroalkylation condition effective to convert at least part of the aromatic compound to a cycloalkylaromatic compound and produce a catalyst in a third state; and (iii) treating the catalyst in the third state at a temperature of at least 160° C. in the presence of hydrogen but advantageously in the substantial absence of the aromatic compound for a third duration to produce an activated catalyst in a fourth state having a third hydroalkylation activity greater than the first hydroalkylation activity.

Abstract: Methods are provided for modifying hydrogenation catalysts having silica supports (or other non-alumina supports) with additional alumina, and using such catalysts to achieve unexpectedly superior hydrogenation of feedstocks. The modified hydrogenation catalysts can have a relatively low cracking activity while providing an increased activity for hydrogenation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for modifying hydrogenation catalysts having silica supports (or other non-alumina supports) with additional alumina, and using such catalysts to achieve unexpectedly superior hydrogenation of feedstocks. The modified hydrogenation catalysts can have a relatively low cracking activity while providing an increased activity for hydrogenation.

Abstract: A process for producing an alkylated aromatic compound comprises contacting an aromatic starting material and hydrogen with a plurality of catalyst particles under hydroalkylation conditions to produce an effluent comprising the alkylated aromatic compound, the catalyst comprising a composite of a solid acid, an inorganic oxide different from the solid acid and a hydrogenation metal, wherein the distribution of the hydrogenation metal in at least 60 wt % of the catalyst particles is such that the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the rim portion of a given catalyst particle is Crim, the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the outer portion of a given catalyst particle is Couter, the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the center portion of the given catalyst particle is Ccenter, where Crim/Ccenter?2.0 and/or Couter/Ccenter2.0. Also disclosed are rimmed catalyst and process for making phenol and/or cyclohexanone using the catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydroalkylation process in which the hydroalkylation catalyst is activated in the presence of a flowing fluid comprising hydrogen and a condensable agent. The presence of the condensable agent enables fast, effective activation of the hydroalkylation catalyst precursor in a cost-effective manner. It also yields superior catalyst performance.

Abstract: In a process for activating a hydroalkylation catalyst, a catalyst precursor comprising a solid acid component and a compound of a hydrogenation metal is heated at a heating rate of less than 50° C./hour in the presence of hydrogen to an activation temperature in a range from 100° C. to 260° C. and then the heated catalyst precursor is treated with hydrogen for a duration effective to reduce at least a portion of the metal compound to an elemental form.

Abstract: A process for producing an alkylated aromatic compound comprises contacting an aromatic starting material and hydrogen with a plurality of catalyst particles under hydroalkylation conditions to produce an effluent comprising the alkylated aromatic compound, the catalyst comprising a composite of a solid acid, an inorganic oxide different from the solid acid and a hydrogenation metal, wherein the distribution of the hydrogenation metal in at least 60 wt % of the catalyst particles is such that the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the rim portion of a given catalyst particle is Crim, the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the center portion of the given catalyst particle is Ccenter, where 0.2?Crim/Ccenter<2.0. Also disclosed are hydroalkylation catalyst and process for making phenol and/or cyclohexanone using the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing an alkylated aromatic compound comprises contacting an aromatic starting material and hydrogen with a plurality of catalyst particles under hydroalkylation conditions to produce an effluent comprising the alkylated aromatic compound, the catalyst comprising a composite of a solid acid, an inorganic oxide different from the solid acid and a hydrogenation metal, wherein the distribution of the hydrogenation metal in at least 60 wt % of the catalyst particles is such that the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the rim portion of a given catalyst particle is Crim, the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the outer portion of a given catalyst particle is Couter, the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the center portion of the given catalyst particle is Ccenter, where Crim/Ccenter?2.0 and/or Couter/Ccenter2.0. Also disclosed are rimmed catalyst and process for making phenol and/or cyclohexanone using the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing an alkylated aromatic compound comprises contacting an aromatic starting material and hydrogen with a plurality of catalyst particles under hydroalkylation conditions to produce an effluent comprising the alkylated aromatic compound, the catalyst comprising a composite of a solid acid, an inorganic oxide different from the solid acid and a hydrogenation metal, wherein the distribution of the hydrogenation metal in at least 60 wt % of the catalyst particles is such that the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the rim portion of a given catalyst particle is Crim, the average concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the center portion of the given catalyst particle is Ccenter, where 0.2?Crim/Ccenter<2.0. Also disclosed are hydroalkylation catalyst and process for making phenol and/or cyclohexanone using the catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst comprising (A) an aluminosilicate molecular sieve comprising a ferrierite phase and (B) a hydrogenation metal component, and a hydroalkylation process using the catalyst. The catalyst and the hydroalkylation process can be used in the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene hydroalkylation.

Abstract: In a process for activating a hydroalkylation catalyst, a catalyst precursor comprising a solid acid component and a compound of a hydrogenation metal is heated at a heating rate of less than 50° C./hour in the presence of hydrogen to an activation temperature in a range from 100° C. to 260° C. and then the heated catalyst precursor is treated with hydrogen for a duration effective to reduce at least a portion of the metal compound to an elemental form.

Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst comprising (A) an aluminosilicate molecular sieve comprising a ferrierite phase and (B) a hydrogenation metal component, and a hydroalkylation process using the catalyst. The catalyst and the hydroalkylation process can be used in the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene hydroalkylation.

Abstract: A process for activating a hydroalkylation catalyst in a first state comprising an acid component and a hydrogenating metal component, including: (i) treatment at a temperature of at least 120° C. in the presence of hydrogen for a first duration to produce a catalyst in a second state having a first hydroalkylation activity; (ii) contacting the catalyst in the second state with an aromatic compound and hydrogen under a hydroalkylation condition effective to convert at least part of the aromatic compound to a cycloalkylaromatic compound and produce a catalyst in a third state; and (iii) treating the catalyst in the third state at a temperature of at least 160° C. in the presence of hydrogen but advantageously in the substantial absence of the aromatic compound for a third duration to produce an activated catalyst in a fourth state having a third hydroalkylation activity greater than the first hydroalkylation activity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method, computing device, data processing system and computer program product for ensuring correct processing of data according to various system states. The system includes a first data processing module having a state control unit which blocks reception of data on input channels where a state message indicating a change from an old state to a new state has been received and sends a loop check message into each loop in a set of data processing loops the module is connected in and for which the old state applies. The state control unit also removes the blocking when for each loop in the set either the loop check message is received in the module or an associated input channel has received the new state and all other input channels have received the new state.

Abstract: A safety system is provided for a vehicular fuel line installation which includes a fuel tank, an engine and delivery and return lines extending between the tank and the engine. A pump is operatively associated with the delivery line to feed fuel from the tank to the engine. Safety valves are provided in the delivery line at the pump and at the engine as well as in the return line at the tank and at the engine. A fuel filter is disposed in the delivery line and flexible hose sections may be disposed in the delivery line and/or the return line, and safety valves are disposed at opposite ends of the fuel filter and the flexible hose sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the position of an object, e.g. for interaction with a computer graphic display, has a number of light emitting diodes in an endless array, and a lesser number of light detecting devices for providing electrical signals in response to momentary and successive energization of the light emitting diodes. The signals are electronically processed to provide cartesian co-ordinates. This apparatus provides high resolution with a minimum number of light detecting devices and enables too large objects and malfunctions to be readily detected.