Abstract: The present invention relates to catalytic conversion of ketoacids, including methods for increasing the molecular weight of ketoacids. The method can include providing in a reactor a raw material having at least one ketoacid. The raw material is then subjected to one or more C—C-coupling reaction(s) in the presence of an ion exchange resin catalyst to produce at least one ketocid dimer. The method can include providing in a reactor a feedstock having the at least one ketoacid dimer and subjecting the feedstock to one or more C—C-coupling reaction(s) at a temperature of at least 200° C.

Abstract: A high octane non-leaded gasoline meeting ASTM D910 LL standard is provided that includes a base gasoline fuel having a minimum MON of 96.5 and meeting the ASTM D910 standard. An octane-boosting component is mixed with the base gasoline fuel that raises the MON above 99.6 and the blended fuel complies with ASTM D910. The octane-boosting component is selected from a group including an additive, TEL only and a TEL containing gasoline.

Abstract: Methods for removing organolead compounds from aqueous and non-aqueous organolead compositions. The methods of the present invention include: providing aqueous or non-aqueous compositions including organolead compounds; ozonating the organolead compositions with ozone, wherein the organolead compounds are oxidized producing insoluble lead oxide polymers; contacting the aqueous or non-aqueous compositions including insoluble lead oxide polymers through activated carbon to remove the insoluble lead oxide polymers; filtering the aqueous or non-aqueous compositions including lead oxide polymers through at least one filtering means to remove the insoluble lead oxide polymers; and recovering the aqueous or non-aqueous compositions substantially free of organolead compounds and/or other unwanted contaminants or impurities.

Abstract: A particularly useful low lead aviation gasoline fuel blend complies with all requirements of ASTM D 910 and includes 67.0 volume % isooctane, 18.0 volume % xylene, 12.0 volume % isopentane, 3.0 volume % isobutane and 0.47 mL/gal of tetraethyl lead. Another useful low lead aviation gasoline fuel blend which complies with all requirements of ASTM D 910 except for oxygenate content includes 60.0 volume % isooctane, 15.0 volume % xylene, 14.0 volume % methyl t-butyl ether, 8.0 volume % isopentane, 3.0 volume % isobutane and 0.2 mL/gal of tetraethyl lead. The isooctane used in either case is a purified isooctane prepared either by fractionating a crude DIB material and hydrogenating the fractionated material or hydrogenating the crude DIB material and fractionating the hydrogenated material.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for thermally converting volatile fatty acid (VFA) salts to ketones by mixing dry calcium salts of VFAs with hot heat transfer agent in an evacuated container, thereby causing thermal decomposition of the calcium salts of VFAs to form ketone-containing vapor and calcium carbonate; and separating the ketone-containing vapor from the calcium carbonate and heat transfer agent by condensing a mixture of ketones from the ketone-containing vapor. This invention also provides a process for conversion of VFA salts, produced by anaerobic fermentation of cellulosic biomass, into liquid fuels, volatile fatty acids, aldehydes, alcohols, and lactic acid.