Abstract: The hydrothermal stability of transition aluminas used as adsorbents and catalyst carriers is improved through their treatment with a soluble silicon inorganic compound such as sodium silicate wherein the silicon compound is mixed with the alumina powder at the production stage of forming particulates by liquid addition. The silicon containing particulates are activated by heating at a temperature lower than 500° C. and treated, before or after the thermal activation, by a colloidal silica solution to produce a hydrothermally stable, low dust alumina. The total silica content of the final product is typically less than 5 mass-%.

Abstract: Mixing small amounts of an inorganic halide, such as NaCl, to basic copper carbonate followed by calcination at a temperature sufficient to decompose the carbonate results in a significant improvement in resistance to reduction of the resulting copper oxide. The introduction of the halide can be also achieved during the precipitation of the carbonate precursor. These reduction resistant copper oxides can be in the form of composites with alumina and are especially useful for purification of gas or liquid streams containing hydrogen or other reducing agents. These reduction resistant copper oxides can function at near ambient temperatures.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a copper oxide adsorbent to remove mercury from a feed stream. When the feed stream is low in sulfur content, a sulfidation agent such as hydrogen sulfide should be added to the feed stream.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing HF and organic fluorides from fluid streams in which the fluoride species exist as impurities and, in particular, from hydrocarbon fluid streams containing no more than about 1.0% by weight total fluorides. The method consists of first contacting the fluid stream first with a nonpromoted alumina and then with an adsorbent consisting essentially of activated alumina that has been treated with a promoter material selected from the oxides and phosphates of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and mixtures thereof. This is preferably accomplished by providing a suitable absorber vessel charged with the adsorbent in a fixed bed, and then contacting the fluoride-contaminated fluid through the fixed bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a copper oxide adsorbent to remove mercury from a feed stream. When the feed stream is low in sulfur content, a sulfidation agent such as hydrogen sulfide should be added to the feed stream.

Abstract: Wide mesoporous alumina composites are produced by an “in situ reaction” route comprising agglomeration of an alumina powder that is capable of rehydration together with a second reactive powder such as carbonate. In one method of production, the powders are fed to a rotating forming device that is continuously sprayed with liquid under conditions to form particulates. The discharging beads are then subjected to curing and thermal activation to produce the final catalyst or adsorbent. The alumina participates in a pore altering process involving the carbonate component upon formation of hydroxycarbonate intermediates such as Dawsonite. Large fraction of the pore volume of the final product consists of wide mesopores in the 15-50 nanometers range. The alumina composites exhibit a characteristic trimodal pore structure that includes also small micro-meso pores and macropores larger than 200 nanometers.

Abstract: Mixing small amounts of an inorganic halide, such as NaCl, to basic copper carbonate followed by calcination at a temperature sufficient to decompose the carbonate results in a significant improvement in resistance to reduction of the resulting copper oxide. The introduction of the halide can be also achieved during the precipitation of the carbonate precursor. These reduction resistant copper oxides can be in the form of composites with alumina and are especially useful for purification of gas or liquid streams containing hydrogen or other reducing agents.

Abstract: The process of the invention comprises contacting a hydrocarbon stream, comprising light olefins plus impurities such as acetylenes, in the absence of hydrogen with a supported copper catalyst, preferably CuO/alumina. The acetylene component undergoes a coupling reaction producing a diacetylene which can be more readily removed. Thus, the methylacetylene (MA) contaminant in liquid propylene yields at about 80° C. and 3792 kPa (550 psig) a significant amount dimethyl diacetylene (2,4-hexadiyne). Surprisingly, very little cyclization products are present. The process is useful for purification of olefin feeds. It can be used alone or in combination with known purification methods such as catalytic distillation or selective hydrogenation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for removal of mercury from a gas stream. It has been found that a metal oxide, preferably copper oxide adsorbent on an alumina substrate can be sulfided in situ while in service to remove mercury. In particular, a copper oxide adsorbent is used that adsorbs sulfur at the same time as it adsorbs mercury. It is actually the sulfur that actually chemisorbs the mercury. The rate of uptake of sulfur is dependent on the amount of sulfur in the feed to the bed. The sulfur content of the gas is typically 2 orders of magnitude that of the mercury, which provides more than enough sulfur to react and remove the mercury.

Abstract: The hydrothermal stability of transition aluminas used as adsorbents and catalyst carriers is improved through their treatment with a soluble silicon inorganic compound such as sodium silicate wherein the silicon compound is mixed with the alumina powder at the production stage of forming particulates by liquid addition. The silicon containing particulates are activated by heating at a temperature lower than 500° C. and treated, before or after the thermal activation, by a colloidal silica solution to produce a hydrothermally stable, low dust alumina. The total silica content of the final product is typically less than 5 mass-%.

Abstract: A process for purifying various hydrocarbon streams using a composite adsorbent is disclosed. The adsorbent contains a zeolite, an alumina and a metal component. The metal component (Madd) is present in an amount (over and above the amount of exchangeable M metal in the zeolite) at least 10 mole % the stoichiometric amount of metal (M) (expressed as the oxide) needed to balance the negative charge of the zeolite lattice. In a specific application an adsorbent comprising zeolite X, alumina and sodium is used to purify an ethylene stream in order to remove CO2, H2S, methanol, and other S- and O-containing compounds from the stream.

Abstract: A process for removal of trace impurities of hydrides of arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, silicon, and boron and sulfur and oxygenates and compounds containing these impurities from a hydrocarbon stream comprising contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an adsorbent material selected from the group consisting of zeolites and promoted alumina to adsorb compounds containing sulfur and/or oxygenates, contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an adsorbent material comprising one or more active metal oxides to remove the hydrides and contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an adsorbent material that removes water.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for removal of carbonyl sulfide from a hydrocarbon, which comprises contacting a hydrocarbon stream containing carbonyl sulfide with an adsorbent and then regenerating the adsorbent by passing a heated gas, containing a hydrolyzing agent. The adsorbent that is regenerated by using this process retains at least 70% of its capacity for adsorption of sulfur as compared to fresh adsorbent.

Abstract: A method is provided for production of low dust adsorbents and catalysts. A thin layer of metal oxide derived from a colloidal solution of the oxide is deposited on the adsorbent or catalyst particle, which greatly improves the physical properties of the particle with regards to attrition and dust formation while retaining the adsorbent and catalytic properties of the particle. The method is applicable to a variety of porous refractory oxides. For example, treatment with colloidal silica improves greatly the physical stability of alumina adsorbents.

Abstract: Applicant has developed an improved adsorbent useful in removing contaminants from various air streams. The adsorbent contains a zeolite, an alumina and a metal component. The metal component is present in an amount at least 10 mol-% of the stoichiometric amount of metal (expressed as the oxide) needed to balance the negative charge of the zeolite lattice. In a specific application an adsorbent comprising zeolite X, alumina and sodium is used to purify an air stream in order to remove water, carbon dioxide and other impurities including hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Applicant has developed an improved adsorbent useful in removing contaminants from various hydrocarbon streams. The adsorbent contains a zeolite, an alumina and a metal component. The metal component (Madd) is present in an amount at least 10 mole % the stoichiometric amount of metal (M) (expressed as the oxide) needed to balance the negative charge of the zeolite lattice. In a specific application an adsorbent comprising zeolite X, alumina and sodium is used to purify an ethylene stream in order to remove CO2, H2S, methanol, and other S— and O— containing compounds.

Abstract: An adsorbent and a process are disclosed for drying gases in a pressure swing dryer. The adsorbent comprises a pre-formed alumina particle having a surface area of about 250 to 550 m2 &mgr;g with a thin layer of colloidal silica disbursed on the surface of the pre-formed alumina particle. Surprisingly the thin layer of colloidal silica does not interfere with the drying properties of the pre-formed alumina particle, while significantly improving the physical properties of the pre-formed alumina particle.

Abstract: A method is provided for production of low dust adsorbents and catalysts. A thin layer of metal oxide derived from a colloidal solution of the oxide is deposited on the adsorbent or catalyst particle, which greatly improves the physical properties of the particle with regards to attrition and dust formation while retaining the adsorbent and catalytic properties of the particle. The method is applicable to a variety of porous refractory oxides. For example, treatment with colloidal silica improves greatly the physical stability of alumina adsorbents.

Abstract: An adsorbent and a process are disclosed for drying gases in a pressure swing dryer. The adsorbent comprises a pre-formed alumina particle with a thin layer of colloidal silica disbursed on the surface of the preformed alumina particle.

Abstract: Applicant has developed an improved adsorbent useful in removing contaminants from various hydrocarbon streams. The adsorbent contains a zeolite, an alumina and a metal component. The metal component (Madd) is present in an amount at least 10 mole % the stoichiometric amount of metal (M) (expressed as the oxide) needed to balance the negative charge of the zeolite lattice. In a specific application an adsorbent comprising zeolite X, alumina and sodium is used to purify an ethylene stream in order to remove CO2, H2S, methanol, and other S— and O— containing compounds.