Abstract: An improved process for the production of lower aliphatic alcohols by the catalytic hydration of a lower aliphatic olefin in the presence of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin catalyst in a fixed bed reactor and in which a cationic surfactant has been added to the process water is provided.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing technical-grade isopropyl alcohol by contacting the alcohol with a strongly acidic cation exchange resin loaded with silver in ionic form is provided.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing technical-grade isopropyl alcohol by contacting the alcohol with a strongly acidic cation exchange resin loaded with palladium in ionic form is provided.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a halogenated strongly acidic cation exchange resin catalyst on a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymerizate base which comprises treating the catalyst with deionized water at a temperature ranging from about 100.degree. to about 150.degree. C. in the absence of oxygen and metal ions is provided.

Abstract: A process for producing a lower aliphatic alcohol by splitting ethers whereby ethers are reacted at an elevated temperature and pressure with an excess of water in the presence of acidic hydration catalysts is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for the continuous production of isopropanol and secondary butyl alcohol by catalytically hydrating the corresponding aliphatic olefin in an elongated reaction vessel in which co-product by-product dialkyl ether is separated from the reaction product and recycled to the reaction mixture being introduced therein at a point between the olefin feed inlet and the product outlet about 5 to 30 percent of the distance before the product outlet.

Abstract: Methyl t-butyl ether and methyl t-amyl ether are produced by reacting methanol with isobutene and isoamylene, respectively, at a total methanol/isoolefine mole ratio of 1-1.2:1 in a series of reaction stages such that in the first reaction stage, the total amount of olefin component is reacted with as much methanol as is required to ensure that the methanol/isoolefine mole ratio in the first reaction stage does not drop to less than 0.65:1, and that the methanol concentration in the effluent stream does not exceed 0.4% wt. The residual amount of methanol is then fed either all at once to another reaction stage, or in portions to several additional reaction stages.

Abstract: A process for the production of secondary butyl alcohol by the direct hydration of n-butenes in the presence of an acidic cation exchange resin catalyst which comprises depressurizing the vaporous product stream from a reactor to a pressure ranging from 15 to 40 bar and cooling the depressurizing product stream to a temperature of 120.degree. C. or below to liquefy the product stream, separating an aqueous fraction from said stream leaving an alcohol-butene/butane organic mixture, vaporizing said organic mixture, depressurizing said organic mixture to a pressure ranging from 3 to 30 bar and including a pressure of from 3 to 8 bar and introducing said depressurized organic mixture into a separation column to separate secondary butyl alcohol from said mixture.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a lower aliphatic alcohol by the direct hydration of a lower aliphatic olefin having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms in the presence of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin catalyst the improvement which comprises presaturating the olefin feed with from about 0.3 to 1.8 weight percent of water prior to introducing the olefin feed into the reactor.

Abstract: Formation of undesirable popcorn polymer on the walls of a reaction vessel during thermal dimerization of butadiene is prevented by coating the walls with a falling film of aqueous sodium nitrite solution.

Abstract: A method is provided for the continuous production of saturated aliphatic alcohols having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms by hydrating the corresponding aliphatic olefin in the presence of a sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer catalyst having a specific surface area measured in the dry state employing the BET method of:(a) less than 1 m.sup.2 /g if the water-wet resin is dried, and(b) greater than 1 m.sup.2 /g if the water is displaced from the water-wet resin by a slightly polar or a nonpolar organic solvent and the so dewatered resin is dried.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: A process for the production of C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alcohols via the direct hydration of olefins in the presence of water, and acid or a strongly acidic solid with the separation of aqueous crude alcohols from the reaction product.