Abstract: The present invention provides alumina particles having a fixed card-house structure formed of three or more flat plate-like alumina particles and having an average particle diameter of 3 to 1000 ?m. Also, there is provided alumina particles having an average particle diameter of 3 to 1000 ?m and having a fixed card-house structure in which the three or more flat plate-like alumina are aggregated to be crossed each other at two or more plurality of positions, and the plane directions of the flat plates crossed each other are in a state of disordered arrangement.

Abstract: A catalyst for synthesizing a conjugated diene from a raw material including an alcohol, which includes at least Ce and Zn as metal elements constituting the catalyst. An apparatus for producing a conjugated diene, including: a reaction tube (1) provided with the catalyst; a supply means for supplying a raw material gas containing the raw material into the reaction tube (1); and an outlet means for releasing a product from the reaction tube (1). A method for producing a conjugated diene, including contacting a raw material gas containing a raw material with the catalyst to obtain a conjugated diene. The amount of the raw material is preferably 10 to 50% by volume (in terms of gas volume) with respect to 100% by volume (in terms of gas volume) of the raw material gas.

Abstract: Low temperature processes for converting mixtures of metal inks into alloys. The alloys can be dealloyed by etching. A method comprising: depositing at least one precursor composition on at least one substrate to form at least one deposited structure, wherein the precursor composition comprises at least two metal complexes, including at least one first metal complex comprising at least one first metal and at least one second metal complex different from the first metal complex and comprising at least one second metal different from the first metal, treating the deposited structure so that the first metal and the second metal become elemental forms of the first metal and the second metal in a treated structure. Further, one can remove at least some of the first metal to leave a nanoporous material comprising at least the second metal. Precursor compositions can be formulated to be homogeneous compositions.

Abstract: A method for the production of ethylene oxide wherein the partial pressure of water vapor at the inlet of the reactor is at least about 8 kPa using a high purity carrier comprising alpha-alumina, a promoting amount of at least one Group IA metal, and a promoting amount of rhenium.

Abstract: Direct epoxidation of propene is carried out on electrochemically tuned mixed oxide catalyst surfaces in a single chamber reactor with mixed reaction gas of hydrocarbon and oxygen. Yield and selectivity improvement compared to platinum- or silver-based noble metal catalysts have been demonstrated for the same reactor set up. Increase in propylene oxide yield has been demonstrated when a cell voltage is applied.

Abstract: Low temperature processes for converting mixtures of metal inks into alloys. The alloys can be dealloyed by etching. A method comprising: depositing at least one precursor composition on at least one substrate to form at least one deposited structure, wherein the precursor composition comprises at least two metal complexes, including at least one first metal complex comprising at least one first metal and at least one second metal complex different from the first metal complex and comprising at least one second metal different from the first metal, treating the deposited structure so that the first metal and the second metal form elemental forms of the first metal and the second metal in a treated structure. Further, one can remove at least some of the first metal to leave a nanoporous material comprising at least the second metal. Precursor compositions can be formulated to be homogeneous compositions.

Abstract: A method for the epoxidation of alkylenes is provided. The method makes use of an epoxidation catalyst comprising a support, silver, manganese and greater than 35 ppm sodium. The catalyst is produced by a method comprising impregnating the support with manganese prior to impregnating the support with sodium and impregnating the support with silver prior to, at the same time as, or after impregnation with manganese. A method for using the alkylene oxides for the production of 1,2-diols, 1,2-carbonates, 1,2-diol ethers is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising reacting a feed gas composition containing an olefin, oxygen, and a halocarbon moderator having a first moderator concentration M1 in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst at a first temperature T1; increasing the first temperature to a second temperature T2; and increasing the first moderator concentration to a second moderator concentration M2, wherein the second moderator concentration is defined by: M2=M1(1+r)T2?T1 wherein the temperature has the units of degrees Celsius, and r is a constant factor which is in the range of from 0.001% to 100%.

Abstract: A method for producing ethylene oxide comprising: providing one or more feed components, wherein the one or more feed components contains at least ethylene obtained by dehydrating ethanol; contacting the one or more feed components with a desulfurization catalyst comprising a high surface area support and an amount of silver, wherein at least 20% of the silver is present as oxidized silver; and contacting the one or more feed components with a silver-containing epoxidation catalyst disposed inside an ethylene oxide reactor to form a reaction gas comprising ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A high selectivity catalyst start-up process is provided in which an excess level of chloride moderator (greater than 1 ppm) is present in the feed gas composition during each of the various stages of the start-up process. The excess level of chloride used in the start-up process maintains a low level of selectivity (less than 86%) during the entire start-up process. Despite the low selectivity values achieved during the start-up process of the present disclosure, high selectivity catalysts that are conditioned by such a start-up process exhibit improved catalyst performance during the normal operation of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising the steps of reacting a feed gas composition containing an olefin, oxygen, and a moderator having a post-conditioning step where the catalyst is exposed to reactor feed having a chlorides concentration of from about 5 ppm to about 7 ppm and at a temperature of about 215° C. to about 225° C.

Abstract: A process for treating a carrier, or a precursor thereof, to at least partly remove impurities from the carrier, or the precursor thereof, comprising: contacting the carrier, or the precursor thereof, with a treatment solution comprising a salt in a concentration of at most 0.05 molar, wherein the salt comprises a cation and an anion, and wherein the cation is selected from ammonium, phosphonium, organic cations and combinations thereof, and wherein the anion is selected from organic anions, inorganic carboxylates, oxyanions of elements from Groups IIIA through VIIA of the Periodic Table of Elements, and combinations thereof; and separating at least part of the treatment solution from the carrier, or the precursor thereof.

Abstract: A method for starting-up a high efficiency alkylene oxide catalyst is described. A feed gas comprising an alkylene, oxygen, and at least one organic chloride is introduced to the catalyst. The molar ratio of oxygen to alkylene, reaction temperature, and overall chloriding effectiveness are adjusted to specified ranges of values within a specified catalyst aging period.

Abstract: A silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst is provided that has enhanced stability. The enhanced stability is obtained in the present invention by providing a silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst that includes from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm of zinc, and from greater than 450 ppm to less than 800 ppm of cesium. Zinc and cesium are promoters that are introduced to a finished carrier either prior to, coincidentally with, or subsequent to the deposition of the silver. The silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst can be used in the epoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of ethylene oxide, comprising the steps of producing ethylene resulting in a stream comprising ethylene and ethane; producing ethylene oxide by subjecting ethylene and ethane from the stream comprising ethylene and ethane to oxidation conditions resulting in a stream comprising ethylene oxide, unconverted ethylene and ethane; and recovering ethylene oxide from the stream comprising ethylene oxide, unconverted ethylene and ethane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process, comprising reacting ethylene and oxygen or a source of oxygen in the presence of a catalyst in a reactor to form a product comprising ethylene oxide, wherein the catalyst contains silver or silver compound and a support and the catalyst is in the form of particulate solids having a mean particle diameter from 1 to 1000 ?m and wherein the molar ratio of oxygen to ethylene is from 1:4 to 10:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaped catalyst body for preparing ethylene oxide, which comprises at least silver and rhenium applied to an alumina support, and also to a process for producing it, wherein the alumina support has the geometry of a hollow cylinder and the shaped catalyst body has a rhenium content CR and CR/ppm by weight, based on the wall thickness of the hollow cylinder dW in mm, and calculated as element, in the range 120?CR/dW?200.

Abstract: A process for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising contacting a reactor feed comprising an olefin, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, with a catalyst comprising a carrier and, deposited on the carrier, silver, a rhenium promoter, and a potassium promoter; wherein the carbon dioxide is present in the reactor feed in a quantity of at most 3 mole percent based on the total epoxidation reactor feed; the potassium promoter is deposited on the carrier in a quantity of at least 0.5 mmole/kg, relative to the weight of the catalyst; and the carrier contains water leachable potassium in a quantity of less than 55 parts per million by weight, relative to the weight of the carrier; a process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, a 1,2-carbonate, or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: A silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst that can be used in the vapor phase conversion of ethylene to ethylene oxide in the presence of oxygen is provided that includes a carrier; a catalytic effective amount of silver; and a promoting amount of at least one promoter, wherein the catalyst has a surface sodium content of 100 ppm or less.

Abstract: A method for lowering the sodium content of different carriers which may have different physical properties as well as varying degrees of sodium is provided. The method, which lowers the sodium content from the surface, subsurface as well as the binding layer of the carrier, includes contacting a carrier with water. A rinse solution is recovered from the contacting. The rinse solution includes leached sodium from the carrier. The sodium content in the rinse solution is then determined. The contacting, recovering and determining are repeated until a steady state in the sodium content is achieved.

Abstract: A carrier for an ethylene epoxidation catalyst is provided that includes an alumina first component and a mixed metal oxide of alumina second component. The mixed metal oxide of alumina second component comprises a corundum lattice structure having a plurality of O—Al—O bonds, wherein an Al atom of at least one O—Al—O bond of the plurality of O—Al—O bonds, but not all of the plurality of O—Al—O bonds, is replaced with a divalent or trivalent transition metal selected from the group consisting of scandium (Sc), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). A catalyst containing the carrier, as well as a process for the epoxidation of ethylene using the catalyst are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for producing an alkylene oxide by direct oxidation of an alkene with oxygen by reacting a mixture comprising alkene and oxygen in the presence of a silver-comprising catalyst for a run time ?t(i), wherein during the oxidation, the catalyst is additionally contacted at least once with a further mixture comprising ethanol for a run time ?t(ii), wherein the run time ?t(i)>?t(ii).

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin oxide, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in a reactor tube in the presence of a silver-containing catalyst, wherein the presence of water in the catalyst bed is controlled such that the ratio of the partial pressure of water (PPH2O) divided by the vapor pressure of water (VPH2O) is less than 0.006, preferably less than 0.004.

Abstract: A plant and process for producing alkylene oxides to control the production of silver chloride on a high efficiency silver catalyst is disclosed and described. The process involves reacting an alkylene and an organic chloride gas phase promoter with oxygen over the high efficiency silver catalyst. The sulfur concentration in the alkylene oxide reactor feed is controlled to reduce the production of silver chloride which acts as a catalyst poison.

Abstract: A method for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising the steps of reacting a feed gas composition containing an olefin, oxygen, and a moderator having a post-conditioning step where the catalyst is exposed to reactor feed having a chlorides concentration of from about 5 ppm to about 7 ppm and at a temperature of about 215° C. to about 225° C.

Abstract: A catalyst for the production of ethylene oxide in high efficiency and high selectivity, as well as stably for a long period of time is provided. A catalyst for the production of ethylene oxide comprising silver and a reaction promoter supported on a porous carrier comprising ?-alumina as a main component, characterized in that a relative standard deviation of silver supporting rate of each particle of the catalyst is 0.001 or more and 0.1 or less.

Abstract: A process for producing an olefin oxide which comprises reacting an olefin with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a copper oxide and a tellurium oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the overall selectivity of an EO process for converting ethylene to ethylene oxide utilizing a highly selective EO silver catalyst containing a rhenium promoter wherein following normal operation a hard strip of the chloride on the surface of the catalyst is conducted in order to remove a portion of the chlorides on the surface of the catalyst. Following the hard strip, the catalyst is optionally re-optimized. Surprisingly, it has been found that the selectivity of the catalyst following the hard strip may be substantially higher than the selectivity prior to the hard strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the overall selectivity of an EO process for converting ethylene to ethylene oxide utilizing a highly selective EO silver catalyst containing a rhenium promoter wherein following normal operation a chloride strip of the chloride on the surface of the catalyst is conducted in order to remove a portion of the chlorides on the surface of the catalyst. The chloride strip involves the addition of certain saturated hydrocarbons to the feed. Following the chloride strip, the catalyst is optionally re-optimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides rhenium-promoted epoxidation catalysts based upon shaped porous bodies comprising a minimized percentage of their total pore volume being present in pores having diameters of less than one micron, and a surface area of at least about 1.0 m2/g. Processes of making the catalysts and using them in epoxidation processes are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing epoxidation catalysts is provided. The catalyst comprises a support, a catalytic species, maganese and at least one alkali metal and/or promoter. The catalytic species may be silver. The catalyst is prepared by a method wherein at least a portion of the manganese is impregnated in a step separate from the at least one alkali metal and/or promoter. Advantageously, catalysts produced by the present method may exhibit greater efficiencies than catalysts produced by conventional methods. A method for the epoxidation of alkylenes using the catalysts so produced is provided as is a method for using the alkylene oxides for the production of 1,2-diols, 1,2-carbonates, 1,2-diol ethers, or alka-nolamines.

Abstract: A method for starting-up a high efficiency alkylene oxide catalyst is described. A feed gas comprising an alkylene, oxygen, and at least one organic chloride is introduced to the catalyst. The molar ratio of oxygen to alkylene, reaction temperature, and overall chloriding effectiveness are adjusted to specified ranges of values within a specified catalyst aging period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of ethylene oxide, comprising the steps of: producing ethylene by converting a stream comprising an oxygenate into a stream comprising ethylene and ethane; producing ethylene oxide by subjecting ethylene and ethane from the stream comprising ethylene and ethane to oxidation conditions resulting in a stream comprising ethylene oxide, unconverted ethylene and ethane; and recovering ethylene oxide from the stream comprising ethylene oxide, unconverted ethylene and ethane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of ethylene oxide, comprising the steps of producing ethylene resulting in a stream comprising ethylene and ethane; producing ethylene oxide by subjecting ethylene and ethane from the stream comprising ethylene and ethane to oxidation conditions resulting in a stream comprising ethylene oxide, unconverted ethylene and ethane; and recovering ethylene oxide from the stream comprising ethylene oxide, unconverted ethylene and ethane.

Abstract: The present invention provides rhenium-promoted epoxidation catalysts based upon shaped porous bodies comprising a minimized percentage of their total pore volume being present in pores having diameters of less than one micron, and a surface area of at least about 1.0 m2/g. Processes of making the catalysts and using them in epoxidation processes are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the epoxidation of an olefin is disclosed which includes: reacting a feed gas composition containing an olefin, oxygen, and a moderator selected from the group consisting of diatomic chlorine and perhalogenated hydrocarbons, in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a carrier which process comprises incorporating into the carrier at any stage of the carrier preparation a strength-enhancing additive. Also provided is the resultant carrier having incorporated therein a strength-enhancing additive and a catalyst comprising the carrier. Also provided is a process for the epoxidation of an olefin employing the catalyst. Also provided is a method of using the olefin oxide so produced for making a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: An improved carrier for an ethylene epoxidation catalyst is provided. The carrier includes an alumina component containing a first portion of alumina particles having a particle size of, or greater than, 3 ?m and up to 6 ?m, and a second portion of alumina particles having a particle size of, or less than, 2 ?m. An improved catalyst containing the above-described carrier, as well as an improved process for the epoxidation of ethylene using the catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ethylene oxide by reaction of ethylene with oxygen in the presence of at least one silver-comprising catalyst, wherein the reaction takes place in a reactor which has a catalyst packed bed having at least two zones (i) and (ii) and the silver content of the catalyst in zone (i) is lower than the silver content of the catalyst in zone (ii). The catalyst packed bed preferably has a further zone (a) with which the reaction mixture comes into contact before the zones (i) and (ii). According to the invention, the silver content of the catalyst in the zone (a) is higher than the silver content of the catalyst in zone (i).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for preparing alkylene oxides, which is a supported silver catalyst having a novel promoter combination. The present invention further relates to a process for producing the catalyst and the use of the catalyst for the oxidation of alkylenes to alkylene oxides. In addition, the present invention relates to a process for preparing ethylene oxide from ethylene, which comprises the oxidation of ethylene in the presence of the stated catalyst.

Abstract: A process for treating a carrier, or a precursor thereof, to at least partly remove impurities from the carrier, or the precursor thereof, comprising: contacting the carrier, or the precursor thereof, with a treatment solution comprising a salt in a concentration of at most 0.05 molar, wherein the salt comprises a cation and an anion, and wherein the cation is selected from ammonium, phosphonium, organic cations and combinations thereof, and wherein the anion is selected from organic anions, inorganic carboxylates, oxyanions of elements from Groups IIIA through VIIA of the Periodic Table of Elements, and combinations thereof; and separating at least part of the treatment solution from the carrier, or the precursor thereof.

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin oxide, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in a reactor tube in the presence of a silver-containing catalyst, wherein the presence of water in the catalyst bed is controlled such that the ratio of the partial pressure of water (PPH2O) divided by the vapor pressure of water (VPH2O) is less than 0.006, preferably less than 0.004.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for the start-up of an ethylene epoxidation process comprising: a. contacting a high selectivity epoxidation catalyst with a feed comprising ethylene, oxygen and an organic chloride for a period of time such that vinyl chloride is produced and capable of being detected in a reactor outlet stream or a recycle gas loop; b. increasing the temperature of the high selectivity epoxidation catalyst to at least about 220° C.; c. subsequently reducing the level of organic chloride in the feed over a period of from about 12 to about 36 hours so as to increase the temperature of the catalyst to a temperature of from about 250° C. to about 265° C.; and d. subsequently adjusting the level of organic chloride in the feed to a value sufficient to produce ethylene oxide at a substantially optimum selectivity at a temperature of from about 250° C. to about 265° C.

Abstract: A process for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising contacting a reactor feed comprising an olefin, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, with a catalyst comprising a carrier and, deposited on the carrier, silver, a rhenium promoter, a first co-promoter, and a second co-promoter; wherein the carbon dioxide is present in the reactor feed in a quantity of at most 3 mole percent based on the total epoxidation reactor feed; the first co-promoter is selected from sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and mixtures thereof; and the second co-promoter is selected from tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, and mixtures thereof; a process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, a 1,2-carbonate, or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: A method for the start-up of a process for the epoxidation of ethylene comprising: initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition containing ethylene, and oxygen, in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst at a temperature of about 180° C. to about 210° C.; adding to the feed gas composition about 0.05 ppm to about 2 ppm of moderator; increasing the first temperature to a second temperature of about 240° C. to about 250° C., over a time period of about 12 hours to about 60 hours; and maintaining the second temperature for a time period of about 50 hours to about 150 hours.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process comprising reacting ethylene and oxygen or a source of oxygen in a process microchannel in the presence of a catalyst to form a product comprising ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A method of producing an alkylene oxide includes passing a reaction mixture comprising alkylene, oxygen and a gaseous chlorine-containing promoter species over a supported catalyst containing silver and a promoting amount of rhenium to undergo an epoxidation reaction at a first operating condition. The method further includes subsequently performing the epoxidation reaction at a preferred operating condition. The preferred operating condition is characterized by an efficiency of the epoxidation reaction toward the alkylene oxide where the efficiency is lower than that of a maximum efficiency achievable at an operating temperature corresponding to the preferred operating condition.

Abstract: A start-up process for epoxidation of ethylene is provided. The process includes initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst at a first temperature of about 180° C. to about 210° C. The first temperature is increased to a second temperature of about 230° C. to about 290° C., over a time period of about 6 hours to about 50 hours, while simultaneously adding a sufficient concentration of moderator so that the amount of moderator adsorbed on the catalyst after achieving the second temperature is from about 10 to about 50 g/m3 of catalyst. The second temperature is maintained for about 50 hours to about 350 hours, while regulating the feed gas composition to contain about 0.5% to about 25% CO2. The second temperature is decreased to a third temperature, while simultaneously increasing moderator concentration to a level greater than the sufficient concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved carrier for an ethylene epoxidation catalyst, the carrier comprising alumina in combination with a stability-enhancing amount of mullite. The invention is also directed to an improved catalyst containing the improved carrier, as well as an improved process for the epoxidation of ethylene using the catalyst of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for producing a catalyst useful for the epoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide. In forming the catalyst, a silver-impregnated support is subjected to two calcinations. The support is subjected to a first calcination in a first atmosphere comprising air. Next the support is subjected to a second calcination in a second atmosphere which is substantially entirely comprised of inert gas, and which second atmosphere is substantially absent of hydrogen. This two-stage calcination produces an improved catalyst which contains fewer organics left over under standard conditions of air calcination alone, while costing less than calcination in an inert gas alone.