Abstract: A process and an apparatus for reducing the diolefin and oxygenate content of liquefied petroleum gas are disclosed. A first conduit is in fluid communication with a liquefied hydrocarbon source and a vessel. The vessel includes a solid adsorbent disposed on a support. The adsorbent is suitable for adsorbing diolefins and oxygenates. A second conduit is in fluid communication with the vessel for receiving the liquefied hydrocarbons of reduced diolefin and oxygenate content from the vessel. A steam inlet conduit is in fluid communication with a steam source and the vessel for treating the solid adsorbent containing adsorbed diolefins and oxygenates with steam to desorb the diolefins and oxygenates from the solid adsorbent. An amine absorber unit for reducing the hydrogen disulfide content of the liquefied hydrocarbon can be in fluid communication with the vessel.

Abstract: A method for producing a gas comprising at least 80 vol % carbon monoxide from a Fischer-Tropsch off-gas comprises: (1) feeding Fischer-Tropsch off-gas through a column comprising an adsorbent bed at high pressure and discharging effluent; (2) reducing the pressure in the column and the bed slightly; (3) rinsing the column and the adsorbent bed with methane or a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide; (4) reducing the pressure of the column and adsorbent bed to a low pressure; (5) rinsing the column and adsorbent bed with a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen; (6) pressurizing the column and adsorbent bed to a high pressure using a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. The product stream obtained in step (3) comprising at least 80 vol % carbon monoxide can be sent as feed to a Fischer-Tropsch reaction. In an embodiment, a gas comprising at least 80 vol % hydrogen is also produced.

Abstract: A ceramic material, methods for adsorbing and converting carbon dioxide are provided. The ceramic material is represented by a chemical formula M1xM2yOz, wherein M1 is selected from a group consisting of Nd, Sm, Gd, Yb, Sc, Y, La, Ac, Al, Ga, In, Tl, V, Nb, Ta, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ca, Sr, Na, Li and K; M2 is selected from a group consisting of Ce, Zn, Ti, Zr and Si; O represents oxygen atom; x<0.5, y>0.5, x+y=1.0, z<2.0; and the ceramic material has an adsorption capacity of not less than 20 ?mol/g for CO2 at 50° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reacting carbon dioxide with hydrogen. In the process a catalyst having carbon dioxide adsorbed thereto is contacted with hydrogen at an elevated temperature. The catalyst can be regenerated by contacting depleted catalyst with a carbon dioxide source, for example a flue gas of a power plant. In a preferred embodiment carbon dioxide is reacted by in situ hydrolysis of water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a methanol production process that includes a membrane separation step or steps. Using the process of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. As an additional advantage, the membrane separation step generates a hydrogen-rich stream which can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the process of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogen-rich stream from a hydrogen-depleted stream. More particularly, the invention relates to a hydrocarbon synthesis process, by way of example, a Fischer Tropsch process, from which both hydrocarbons and high purity hydrogen are obtained. The process comprises contacting the hydrogen-depleted stream with a reverse-selective membrane to provide a CO2-enriched permeate and a hydrogen-containing retentate. The high purity hydrogen is produced from the hydrogen-containing retentate. The high purity hydrogen thus obtained may be used in a process selected from the group consisting of upgrading hydrocarbons produced from the hydrocarbon synthesis process, hydrotreating a natural gas stream, recycling to the hydrocarbon synthesis reaction unit, high purity hydrogen production, catalyst rejuvenation, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of dimethyl ether product by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas to dimethyl ether comprising contacting a stream of synthesis gas comprising carbon dioxide with one or more catalysts active in the formation of methanol and the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether to form a product mixture comprising the components dimethyl ether, methanol, carbon dioxide and unconverted synthesis gas, washing the product mixture comprising carbon dioxide and unconverted synthesis gas in a scrubbing zone with a liquid solvent being rich in potassium carbonate or amine and thereby selectively absorbing carbon dioxide in the liquid solvent, subjecting the thus treated product mixture to a distillation step to separate methanol and water from dimethyl ether and unconverted synthesis gas stream with a reduced content of carbon dioxide and separating the unconverted synthesis gas from the dimethyl ether product.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of carbonyl sulfide (COS) in a gas stream is described. It comprises contacting the gas stream with an iron oxide-based material. The present invention relates to the removal of COS from any type of gas stream, in particular those which include one or more of the group comprising ethane, methane, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and noble gases. These include natural gas, and in particular syngas. Syngas is useable in a Fischer-Tropsch process. The present invention provides a simple but effective process for the reduction of COS, especially with a material that can easily be located in existing guard beds—avoiding any re-engineering time and costs. The iron oxide-based materials can also be useable against other impurities, providing a single bed solution.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides methods and apparatus for producing one or more C1-C4 alcohols (such as ethanol) from syngas, while simultaneously removing CO2, thereby providing low CO2 yields. The present invention provides reactors for producing one or more C1-C4 alcohols from syngas, the reactors containing a first composition capable of catalyzing the conversion of syngas to C1-C4 alcohols under reaction conditions and a second composition capable of (a) adsorbing CO2 under the reaction conditions and then (b) releasing at least some of the CO2 under different regeneration conditions.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of dimethyl ether product by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas to dimethyl ether comprising contacting a stream of synthesis gas comprising carbon dioxide with one or more catalysts active in the formation of methanol and the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether to form a product mixture comprising the components dimethyl ether, methanol, carbon dioxide and unconverted synthesis gas, washing the product mixture comprising carbon dioxide and unconverted synthesis gas in a scrubbing zone with a liquid solvent being rich in potassium carbonate or amine and thereby selectively absorbing carbon dioxide in the liquid solvent, subjecting the thus treated product mixture to a distillation step to separate methanol and water from dimethyl ether and unconverted synthesis gas stream with a reduced content of carbon dioxide and separating the unconverted synthesis gas from the dimethyl ether product.

Abstract: Provided are a pH dependent ion exchange material having a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a polyethylene oxide moiety, which is used for isolating a nucleic acid, a solid substrate having the material immobilized on its surface, and a method of isolating a nucleic acid using the material or the solid substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogen-rich stream from a hydrogen-depleted stream. More particularly, the invention relates to a hydrocarbon synthesis process, by way of example, a Fischer Tropsch process, from which both hydrocarbons and high purity hydrogen are obtained. The process comprises contacting the hydrogen-depleted stream with a first reverse-selective membrane and a second reverse-selective membrane to provide a CO2-enriched permeate and a hydrogen-containing retentate. The high purity hydrogen is produced from the hydrogen-containing retentate. The high purity hydrogen thus obtained may be used in a process selected from the group consisting of upgrading hydrocarbons produced from the hydrocarbon synthesis process, hydrotreating a natural gas stream, recycling to the hydrocarbon synthesis reaction unit, high purity hydrogen production, catalyst rejuvenation, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A chemical reaction is performed with separation of the product(s) and reactant(s) by pressure swing adsorption (PSA), using an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers cooperating with first and second valve assemblies in a PSA module. The PSA cycle is characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between higher and lower pressure of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the intermediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, entering from compressor stage(s) or exiting into exhauster or expander stages, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing the adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor. The reaction may be performed within a portion of the rotor containing a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogen-rich stream from a hydrogen-depleted stream. More particularly, the invention relates to a hydrocarbon synthesis process, by way of example, a Fischer Tropsch process, from which both hydrocarbons and high purity hydrogen are obtained. The process comprises contacting the hydrogen-depleted stream with a reverse-selective membrane to provide a CO2-enriched permeate and a hydrogen-containing retentate. The high purity hydrogen is produced from the hydrogen-containing retentate. The high purity hydrogen thus obtained may be used in a process selected from the group consisting of upgrading hydrocarbons produced from the hydrocarbon synthesis process, hydrotreating a natural gas stream, recycling to the hydrocarbon synthesis reaction unit, high purity hydrogen production, catalyst rejuvenation, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Process for the catalytic production of methanol under pressure using a synthesis gas which at least contains hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and also undesired impurities, with at least one stage being equipped with a reactor, in which an absorption stage is connected upstream of each catalytic reaction system for the production of methanol, which contains catalyst material suitable as absorbent for the synthesis of methanol, the absorption stage being operated at a temperature which is below the temperature required for the catalytic conversion to methanol.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid hydrocarbon products includes converting a natural gas feedstock to synthesis gas, which is reacted, in a hydrocarbon synthesis stage and by a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, to produce a range of hydrocarbon product. An overheads vapour phase is separated from a liquid phase, and fed to a product condensation stage, where condensation of some components thereof takes place. A vapour phase, an aqueous phase, and a condensed product phase are withdrawn. The vapour phase is fed to a vapour phase work-up stage where a gas component comprising increased concentrations of CO and H2, relative to the vapour phase feed to the vapour phase work-up stage, is recovered, with this gas component being recycled to the hydrocarbon synthesis stage.

Abstract: Method for the production of methanol and hydrogen which comprises steam reforming a hydrocarbon-containing feed in a steam reforming zone to yield a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide; introducing a first portion of the synthesis gas into a methanol synthesis zone to form methanol; reacting a second portion of the synthesis gas with steam to convert carbon monoxide to hydrogen and carbon dioxide to yield a shifted synthesis gas; cooling the shifted synthesis gas to yield a cooled shifted synthesis gas; separating the cooled shifted synthesis gas into a high-purity hydrogen product stream and a reject stream enriched in carbon dioxide; and introducing some or all of the reject stream into either or both of the steam reforming zone and the methanol synthesis zone.

Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, and reactors including means for removing sulfur from syngas are disclosed. Sulfur-reactive metals can be used in the Fischer-Tropsch unit to sequester the sulfur. For example, the Fischer-Tropsch unit can be run in stages, using a sacrificial catalyst in a first stage to adsorb the sulfur. The Fischer-Tropsch reactor can include internal baffles that separate the reactor into zones, with a sacrificial catalyst in one or more of the zones, that can be easily sequestered and regenerated or replaced. Sulfur adsorbents can be placed in the inlet gas manifold. A portion of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst can be converted into larger size pellets that do not fluidize with the finer grain Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and remain near the gas inlet where they adsorb and sequester the sulfur. These embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner to lower the sulfur concentration in the syngas feed.

Abstract: Mixed matrix membranes capable of separating carbon dioxide from mixtures including carbon dioxide and methane, and processes for purifying methane using the membranes, are disclosed. The membranes are preferably polymer membranes that include discrete carbon-based molecular sieve particles with sizes of between about 0.5 microns to about 5.0 microns. The particles are formed by pyrolyzing a precursor polymer in the form of a powder or film. The pyrolyzed polymer is then ideally milled to desired small size particles. The preferred ratio of particles to polymer is about 0.25 to about 1.0 by volume. A preferred method for preparing the mixed matrix membrane is by dispersing the particles in a solvent, adding a small quantity of the desired polymer or “sizing agent” to “size” or “prime” the particles, adding a polymer, casting a film of the polymer solution, and evaporating the solvent to form a mixed matrix membrane film.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing dimethyl ether comprising: a slurry-bed reactor filled with a dimethyl ether synthesis catalyst and a medium oil therefor; a condenser for condensing a gasified medium oil discharged from the reactor; an adsorber for removing a catalyst-deactivation ingredient from the medium oil condensed in the condenser; and recycle means for recycling the medium oil to the slurry-bed reactor.

Abstract: Mixed matrix membranes capable of separating carbon dioxide from mixtures including carbon dioxide and methane, and processes for purifying methane using the membranes, are disclosed. The membranes are preferably polymer membranes, that include discrete carbon-based molecular sieve particles with sizes of between about 0.5 microns to about 5.0 microns. The particles are formed by pyrolyzing a precursor polymer in the form of a powder or film. The pyrolyzed polymer is then ideally milled to desired small size particles. The preferred ratio of particles to polymer is about 0.25 to about 1.0 by volume. A preferred method for preparing the mixed matrix membrane is by dispersing the particles in a solvent, adding a small quantity of the desired polymer or “sizing agent” to “size” or “prime” the particles, adding a polymer, casting a film of the polymer solution, and evaporating the solvent to form a mixed matrix membrane film.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a process for producing synthetic hydrocarbon products in a reactor. The focus of the present invention is on a novel filtering system for separating synthetic hydrocarbon products from catalyst within the reactor. The filtering system of the present invention could also be used for a variety of similar processes where it is desirable to separate a solid from a liquid within the solid/liquid mixture. Finally, the present invention discloses a novel filter and a method for making the filter.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst is formed by contacting the catalyst precursor with a reducing gas comprising a mixture of hydrogen reducing gas and ammonia, at elevated temperature and pressure effective for conventional hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst formation by reduction in hydrogen.

Abstract: A removable filter for separating and filtering slurry liquid from solid particles includes one or more filter sections connected by a filtrate conduit. Each section comprises a plurality of vertical, hollow, sintered metal filter elements horizontally arranged across a manifold connected to a hollow filtrate conduit. The sections are vertically stacked and connected by the conduit(s) to form the filter which is removably secured in the slurry by means which permit it to be removed vertically up and out of the top of the reactor. This filter has a high surface area to volume ratio and is useful for removing the liquid hydrocarbon products from a slurry hydrocarbon synthesis reactor and can easily be replaced without having to drain out the slurry.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas into Fischer-Tropsch products includes a stationary Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having a voidage ratio greater than approximately 0.45 or 0.6 and may further have a catalyst concentration for a given reactor volume of at least 10 percent. A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst has a structured shape promoting non-Taylor flow and/or producing a productivity in the range of 200-4000 vol CO/vol. Catalyst/hour or greater over at least a 600 hour run of a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with the catalyst therein. A system for converting synthesis gas into longer-chain hydrocarbon products through the Fisher-Tropsch reaction has a reactor for receiving synthesis gas directly or as a saturated hydrocarbon liquid or a combination, and a stationary, structured Fischer-Tropsch catalyst disposed within the reactor for converting at least a portion of the synthesis gas into longer-chain hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch reaction.

Abstract: A system for converting lighter hydrocarbons to heavier hydrocarbons has a synthesis gas subsystem for receiving air and light hydrocarbons and producing a synthesis gas; a synthesis subsystem for receiving synthesis gas from the synthesis gas subsystem and producing heavier hydrocarbons therefrom and an aqueous byproduct stream having contaminates; and a stripper subsystem for receiving the aqueous byproduct stream and removing contaminates therefrom, wherein the stripper subsystem includes a concentrator column for concentrating contaminates in an aqueous by product stream, and a stripper column for stripping contaminates from a concentrated aqueous byproduct stream.

Abstract: A gas conversion process including catalytic hydrocarbon synthesis from a synthesis gas comprising a mixture of H.sub.2 and CO, produces hydrogen from the synthesis gas and upgrades synthesized hydrocarbons by one or more hydroconversion operations which utilize this hydrogen. The hydroconversion also produces a hydrogen rich tail gas which is used in the process for at least one of (i) hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst rejuvenation, (ii) the hydrocarbon synthesis, and (iii) hydrogen production. In one embodiment the tail gas is used to hydrodesulfurize sulfur-containing hydrocarbon liquids recovered from the natural gas used to form the synthesis gas. The hydrogen production is accomplished by physical separation, such as PSA, with or without chemical means such as a water gas shift reaction.

Abstract: Very low sulfur content hydrocarbon gas is achieved by sequentially contacting the gas first with zinc oxide and then with nickel metal. This has reduced the total sulfur content of natural gas feed for a fluid bed syngas generator to less than 0.1 ppm and has resulted in greater syngas productivity. A zinc oxide guard bed downstream of the syngas generator reduces the total sulfur content of the syngas to less than 10 vppb and preferably less than 5 vppb. This very low sulfur content syngas is used for sulfur sensitive processes, such as hydrocarbon synthesis. The process is especially useful for natural gas which contains H.sub.2 S, COS, mercaptans and other sulfur bearing compounds.

Abstract: A gas conversion process in which both hydrocarbons and hydrogen are produced from a synthesis gas feed which comprises a mixture of H.sub.2 and CO, uses hydrogen from a portion of the feed for one or more of (i) hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst rejuvenation and (ii) hydroconversion upgrading of at least a portion of the synthesized hydrocarbons. Hydrogen is produced from a slipstream of the synthesis gas fed into the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor by one or more of (i) physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption and (ii) chemical means such as a water gas shift reactor. If a shift reactor is used due to insufficient capacity of the synthesis gas generator, physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption will still be used to separate a pure stream of hydrogen from the shift reactor gas effluent.

Abstract: Synthesis of small quantities of compounds such as methanol from reagents, especially radio-labelled reagents such as .sup.11 C oxides, in a carrier gas by a catalytic reaction using a catalyst that has been pre-conditioned for the reaction by previous use for the desired reaction and has then been passivated, or has been maintained in the pre-conditioned state, until contacted with said carrier gas. Where the product is adsorbed by the catalyst, it may be desorbed by heating or displaced by contacting the catalyst with a material, e.g. a catalyst poison that is more strongly adsorbed. Such a more strongly adsorbed material may react with the adsorbed catalytic product to produce a desired product.

Abstract: The invention concerns the preparation of a catalyst comprising a support comprising at least one oxide of the element Si, Al, Ti, Zr, Sn, Zn, Mg or Ln (where Ln is a rare earth), cobalt, titanium, at least one element A selected from the group formed by copper, ruthenium, platinum, palladium, scandium and yttrium, and characterized in that it comprises at least the following successive steps:(1) forming a precursor comprising at least cobalt, element A and the support;(2) at least partial reduction of said precursor in the presence of at least one reducing compound; and(3) depositing titanium on the reduced precursor.The invention also concerns the catalyst which can be produced using this process and the use of the catalyst in a process for synthesizing C.sub.5.sup.+ hydrocarbons from synthesis gas.

Abstract: Gas or vapor phase chemical reactions are conducted inside an open loop Stirling cycle apparatus which may operate as a heat engine or as a heat pump. Adsorbent surfaces are associated with the thermal regenerators of the Stirling cycle apparatus, so that pressure swing adsorption separation of reactant and product gas species may be achieved in response to cyclic variations of flow and pressure within the apparatus. Flow control means are provided to introduce the feed gas into the working space of the apparatus and to remove separated product fractions. The feed gas is chemically reactive in a reaction zone of the working space, with reactant and product species separated by the apparatus to remove desired product(s) from the reaction zone while retaining reactant(s) in the reaction zone, so that conversion and selectivity objectives can be achieved.

Abstract: In a process for carrying out a chemical equilibrium reaction by introducing gaseous starting compounds in a reaction zone containing a fixed bed of coarse catalyst particles having interstices between them, fine particles adsorbing substantially all of the product compounds are passed downwardly through the interstices and subsequently withdrawn from the reaction zone.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption gas separations are conducted inside an open loop Stirling cycle apparatus which may operate as an engine, refrigerator or heat pump. Adsorbent surfaces are associated with the thermal regenerators of the Stirling cycle apparatus, so that a preferentially adsorbed gas fraction is concentrated by parametric pumping into a colder end of an engine or into a warmer end of a refrigerator or heat pump, while a less readily adsorbed gas fraction is concentrated into warmer end of an engine or into colder end of a refrigerator or heat pump. Flow control means are provided to introduce the feed gas into the working space of the apparatus and to remove separated product fractions. Feed gases may be chemically reactive within a portion of the working space, with reactant and product species of the reaction separated by the apparatus to drive the reaction off equilibrium.

Abstract: A process for removing catalyst fines from the wax product produced in a slurry Fischer-Tropsch reactor comprises removing the wax product from the reactor and separating the catalyst fines by passing the wax product through a high gradient magnetic field, whereby the catalyst fines are held by a magnetized filter element and the wax product passes through unhindered to form a purified wax product which is ready for upgrading. The separated catalyst fines are returned to the reactor by backwashing the filter element.

Abstract: A gas conversion process in which both hydrocarbons and hydrogen are produced from a synthesis gas feed which comprises a mixture of H2 and CO, uses hydrogen from a portion of the feed for one or more of (i) hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst rejuvenation and (ii) hydroconversion upgrading of at least a portion of the synthesized hydrocarbons. Hydrogen is produced from a slipstream of the synthesis gas fed into the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor by one or more of (i) physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption and (ii) chemical means such as a water gas shift reactor. If a shift reactor is used due to insufficient capacity of the synthesis gas generator, physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption will still be used to separate a pure stream of hydrogen from the shift reactor gas effluent.