Abstract: A die is provided for extruding elongate particles suitable for use in catalysis. The die comprises a plurality of channels extending from an inlet to an outlet. From the inlet to the outlet each channel comprises a first section with a helical bore with a non-circular cross-section, and a second section with a cylindrical bore. The cylindrical bore of the second section which has a diameter equal or greater than that of the first section. The second section is at least twice as long as a diameter of the first section.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to catalysts comprising ruthenium oxide and to processes for catalyzing the oxidation and conversion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to sulfur trioxide (SO3) using such catalysts. SO2 at low concentrations in process gas streams can be effectively oxidized to SO3 at relatively low temperatures using the ruthenium oxide catalysts of the present invention. In one application, the ruthenium oxide catalysts are used in the final contact stage for conversion of SO2 to SO3 in multiple stage catalytic converters used in sulfuric acid manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to catalysts comprising ruthenium oxide and to processes for catalyzing the oxidation and conversion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to sulfur trioxide (SO3) using such catalysts. SO2 at low concentrations in process gas streams can be effectively oxidized to SO3 at relatively low temperatures using the ruthenium oxide catalysts of the present invention. In one application, the ruthenium oxide catalysts are used in the final contact stage for conversion of SO2 to SO3 in multiple stage catalytic converters used in sulfuric acid manufacture.

Abstract: A process for treating a dust containing, gaseous or liquid feed stream in a reactor containing a plurality of particle beds, which have the capability, once the pressure drop across a bed has reached a maximum allowable level, to distribute most of the feed stream to a point directly upstream of each of the subsequent beds in a series, stepwise manner. The beds contain particles in the form of pellets, cylinders, granules, rings, or mixtures thereof, and at the end of an operation period, the primary fraction of the feed flow is directed through the downstream-most bed in the reactor. By providing for removal of dust in each of the beds, the process enables the reactor to operate with a conventional pressure drop profile, but for an extended on-stream period of time.

Abstract: A catalyst for reacting SO2 with molecular oxygen to form SO3 is suited for a continuous operation at temperatures of 700° C. and above, when the same consists of a carrier and an active component connected with the carrier, the active component consists of 10 to 80 wt-% iron, the carrier has a BET surface of 100 to 2000 m2/g and an SiO2 content of at least 90 wt-%, and the weight ratio carrier:active component is 1:1 to 100:1.

Abstract: The use of base/clay composites materials as sorbents for the removal of SO.sub.2 and SO.sub.3 (SO.sub.x) from flue gas and other sulfur containing gas streams is described. The base is either an alkaline earth metal carbonate (eg. CaCO.sub.3) or hydroxide (eg. Ca(OH).sub.2) is incorporated onto the clay by precipitating from corresponding metal oxide (eg. CaO) in an aqueous clay slurry. A second metal oxide or oxide precursor, preferably selected from transition metal ions, capable of promoting the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide, is incorporated to the base/clay composite during the synthesis in the form of finely divided metal oxide powder, metal oxide sol, water soluble metal salt or as clay-intercalated metal cation. The use of clay as dispersing agent for both the basic oxide and the second metal oxide component decreases the particle agglomeration of base particles and increases the rate of SO.sub.x uptake compared to the bulk bases in current use.

Abstract: A catalytic cartridge internally heated is utilized as a SO.sub.3 decomposer for thermochemical hydrogen production. The cartridge has two embodiments, a cross-flow cartridge and an axial flow cartridge. In the cross-flow cartridge, SO.sub.3 gas is flowed through a chamber and incident normally to a catalyst coated tube extending through the chamber, the catalyst coated tube being internally heated. In the axial-flow cartridge, SO.sub.3 gas is flowed through the annular space between concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls, the inner cylindrical wall being coated by a catalyst and being internally heated. The modular cartridge decomposer provides high thermal efficiency, high conversion efficiency, and increased safety.

Abstract: A catalytic cartridge surrounding a heat pipe driven by a heat source is utilized as a SO.sub.3 decomposer for thermochemical hydrogen production. The cartridge has two embodiments, a cross-flow cartridge and an axial flow cartridge. In the cross-flow cartridge, SO.sub.3 gas is flowed through a chamber and incident normally to a catalyst coated tube extending through the chamber, the catalyst coated tube surrounding the heat pipe. In the axial-flow cartridge, SO.sub.3 gas is flowed through the annular space between concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls, the inner cylindrical wall being coated by a catalyst and surrounding the heat pipe. The modular cartridge decomposer provides high thermal efficiency, high conversion efficiency, and increased safety.

Abstract: A sulfuric acid catalyst is made by wetting a silica carrier having an alumina content between about 2.5 and about 5.0 percent by weight with an aqueous solution of potassium vanadate and a potassium salt of an acid having a pK.sub.a between about 3 and about 7, drying the wet carrier and then sulfating the carrier.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulfur trioxide in the presence of elemental nitrogen with minimal oxidation thereof which comprises combining the sulfur dioxide with a predetermined amount of oxygen containing gas to give at least 1% stoichiometric excess of oxygen for the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide and passing the resulting mixture over a ceramic catalyst of the following empirical formula at a temperature between about 120.degree. C and about 800.degree.;W.sub.k X.sub.n J(1-k-n).sup.ZO (3.+-.m)whereinW is Zirconium, Tin or Thorium or mixtures thereof;X is an alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof;J is scandium, ytrrium, a rare-earth element or mixture thereof;Z is a metal of the first transition series or a mixture thereof, at least 0.01% of said metal having an oxidation state other than +3;k is a number having a value between 0 and about 0.1;m is a number having a value of from 0 to about 0.26; andn is a number having a value from 0 to about 0.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur trioxide in the presence of elemental nitrogen with minimal oxidation thereof which comprises combining the hydrogen sulfide with a predetermined amount of oxygen containing gas to give at least 1% stoichiometric excess of oxygen for the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur trioxide and passing the resulting mixture over a ceramic catalyst of the following empirical formula at a temperature between about 100.degree. C and about 700.degree. C.;w.sub.k X.sub.n J(1-k-n).sup.ZO (3.+-.m)whereinW is Zirconium, Tin or Thorium or mixtures thereof;X is an alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof;J is scandium, yttrium, a rare-earth element or mixture thereof;Z is a metal of the first transition series orA mixture thereof, at least 0.01% of said metalHaving an oxidation state other than +3;k is a number having a value between 0 and about 0.1;m is a number having a value of from 0 to 0.26; andn is a number having a value from 0 to about 0.

Abstract: An improved supported thorium sulfate catalyst is prepared by converting a thorium compound impregnated in the carrier to thorium sulfate in situ. The improved catalyst is used in the production of N-alkylated amines, by contacting an alkanol with a primary or secondary amine, in the vapor phase.