Abstract: A method for neutralizing or reducing the carbon footprint from carbon dioxide emissions due to human activities related to the combustion or use of carbon containing fuels. This method includes an initial step of capturing carbon dioxide and then chemically recycling it to form and provide a permanent inexhaustible supply of carbon containing fuels or products, which subsequently can be combusted or used without increasing the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere. Thus, the current lifestyles that rely extensively on conventional carbon containing fuels and products can continue indefinitely without harming the environment to preserve and even improve the earth's atmosphere for the benefit of future generations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing dimethyl ether from methanol, which is characterized in that the absorbing liquid used in said absorbing column is the bottom liquid of DME-fractionating column and/or bottom waste water of the methanol-recovering column. Said process can significantly reduce energy consumption of the apparatus.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to novel methods for making discrete polyethylene compounds selectively and specifically to a predetermined number of ethylene oxide units. Methods which can be used to build up larger dPEG compounds (a) containing a wider range of utility to make useful homo- and heterofunctional and branched species, and (b) under reaction configurations and conditions that are milder, more efficient, more diverse in terms of incorporating useful functionality, more controllable, and more versatile then any conventional method reported in the art to date. In addition, the embodiments of the invention allow for processes that allow for significantly improving the ability to purify the intermediates or final product mixtures, making these methods useful for commerial manufacturing dPEGs. Protecting groups and functional groups can be designed to make purification at large scale a practical reality.

Abstract: A dialkyl or diaryl ether is produced by reacting carbon dioxide with a metal alcoholate having the formula, M(RO)x, where “M” is a Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3 metal; “x” is the valence of the metal M; “R” is a C1 to C6 lower alkyl or aryl, wherein the reaction produces a dialkyl or diaryl ether having a formula, R—O—R, and a metal carbonate having a formula M2CO3 where M is a Group 1 metal, MCO3 where M is a Group 2 metal, and M2(CO3)3 where M is a Group 3 metal. The metal carbonate may be removed by conventional means, such as filtration. The dialkyl or diaryl ether may be recovered and used as a fuel, fuel additive, propellant, or building block for other fuels or petrochemicals. In some cases the metal alcoholate is in an alcohol solution and the alcohol and metal carbonate are recycled to regenerate the metal alcoholate. A specific example of dimethyl ether production is disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a molding and a method for producing the same; a catalyst for the production of an unsaturated aldehyde and an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and a method for producing the same; and a catalyst for the production of methacrylic acid, and a method for producing the same. The molding of the present invention shows a shape including a plurality of columnar portions disposed with a predetermined gap; and bridge portions which are provided at both ends in longitudinal directions of two adjacent columnar portions and join adjacent columnar portions each other; and including through holes surrounded by a plurality of columnar portions in the longitudinal directions of the columnar portions, and openings formed on a peripheral surface by a gap between the plurality of adjacent columnar portions.

Abstract: A new process for producing a SAPO molecular sieve is disclosed wherein a mixture of a P source with an Al source is subjected to a digestion step under stirring before adding a Si source and a template. The slurry resulting after addition of all chemicals is subjected to a pH adjustment followed by the usual hydrothermal treatment at higher temperature in an autoclave. In this way, very pure highly crystalline SAPO molecular sieves such as SAPO-34 are obtained with a very high yield. In addition, the SAPOs produced this way have an exceptional activity in the dehydration reactions and can be employed as a active component of catalysts for the production of valuable dehydration products from methanol such as, but not limited to, olefins and dimethylether (DME).

Abstract: A process for the conversion of tertiary butyl alcohol to ethyl tertiary butyl ether, including: dehydrating tertiary butyl alcohol to form a product stream comprising isobutylene and water; separating the product stream to form an isobutylene-rich fraction and a water-rich fraction; separating the water-rich fraction to recover a hydrocarbon fraction and a water fraction having less than 1 ppm hydrocarbon content; reacting isobutylene in the isobutylene-rich fraction with ethanol to form a reaction product comprising ethyl tertiary butyl ether; separating the reaction product to recover unreacted ethanol and an ethyl tertiary butyl ether stream; and recycling at least a portion of the unreacted ethanol to the reacting; wherein the ethyl tertiary butyl ether stream comprises at least 99 weight percent ethyl tertiary butyl ether.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions are disclosed exhibiting activity for dehydrating an alcohol, the composition comprising a source of a Group VIII transition metal, an organic salt, an acid and/or a compound consisting of a conjugate base of an acid bonded to a radical of the alcohol to be dehydrated and, optionally, a ligand. Also disclosed are methods of converting an alcohol into a product using the catalyst composition. The product of the methods may be predominately alkene or ether depending on the method. In some embodiments of the method a second catalyst for converting a product into a further product may be present.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for rendering coal as an environmentally essentially carbon dioxide-neutral fuel. Carbon dioxide produced from coal combustion is captured, purified, combined with coalbed methane or any other natural methane or natural gas source, or with hydrogen, and reacted under reaction conditions sufficient to form methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which can be used as fuel or feedstock for derived synthetic hydrocarbons and products.

Abstract: Methods and catalysts for producing alcohols, ethers, and/or alkenes from alkanes are provided. More particularly, novel caged, or encapsulated, metal oxide catalysts and processes utilizing such catalysts to convert alkanes to alcohols and/or ethers and to convert alcohols and/or ethers to alkenes are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing dimethyl ether, including a) reacting methanol containing 0-80 mol % of water in the presence of a dehydration catalyst, b) transferring the reaction product into a single separation column, thus separating dimethyl ether, water, and unreacted methanol, c) withdrawing dimethyl ether and withdrawing unreacted methanol from the sidestream of the single separation column, and d) recyling the unreacted methanol to the a) reacting the methanol. Dimethyl ether may be prepared from water-containing methanol, and the separation and withdrawal of dimethyl ether, water, and unreacted methanol may be realized using a single column, thus reducing the investment cost and the operating cost.

Abstract: Processes for preparing dibutyl ethers from isobutanol using an ionic liquid.

Abstract: Processes for preparing dialkyl ethers from C4 to C8 straight-chain alcohols using an ionic liquid.

Abstract: Processes for preparing dibutyl ethers from 2-butanol using an ionic liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing methanol from a methane source by oxidizing methane under conditions sufficient to a mixture of methanol and formaldehyde while minimizing the formation of formic acid and carbon dioxide. The oxidation step is followed by treatment step in which formaldehyde is converted into methanol and formic acid which itself can further be converted into methanol via catalytic hydrogenation of intermediately formed methyl formate.

Abstract: Modular reactor panel (1) for catalytic processes, comprising a feed header (5), a product header (7) and adjacent channels (3), each channel (3) having a length, running from an entrance end to an exit end, and wherein the entrance ends are directly connected to and open into the feed header (5) and the exit ends are directly connected to and open into the product header (7) and wherein the feed header (5) has at least one connection (9) to a feed line (51) and the product header (7) has at least one connection to a product line (55) and wherein part (21) of at least one of the feed header (5) and the product header (7) is detachable giving access to the channel ends and reactor comprising a housing (47) containing one or more of said reactor panels (1, 29), the reactor further comprising a feed line (51) and a product line (55), the panels (29) being connected to the feed line (51) and to product line (55).

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluidized catalytic process for production of dimethyl ether from methanol, wherein said process is carried out in a reactor in which the catalyst is in a fluidized state. Said process comprises the following steps of (1) feeding the methanol feedstock via two or more locations selected from the bottom, lower part, middle part and upper part of the reactor, contacting with the catalyst for preparation of dimethyl ether by methanol dehydration, carrying out the reaction of preparing dimethyl ether by methanol dehydration to obtain the reaction stream, separating said reaction stream to obtain a coked catalyst and a crude product primarily containing the target product, i.e. dimethyl ether; (2) totally or partially feeding the coked catalyst obtained in step (1) into a regenerator in a continuous or batch manner for regeneration via coke-burning, the regenerated catalyst being directly recycled to step (1) after being totally or partially cooled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of butenes and derivatives thereof from dry ethanol, optionally obtained from a fermentation broth. The butenes thus produced find use as intermediates for the production of polyethylenes and other materials.

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 preparation of dimethyl ether by catalytic dehydration of methanol, in which there is used a catalyst based on a zeolite immobilized on a silicon carbide support, for example a zeolite of type ZSM-5 supported on silicon carbide extrudates or on a silicon carbide cellular foam.

Abstract: A notebook computer includes a housing, a CPU, a memory, a display, a storage device, a detachable battery pack and a keyboard module. The notebook computer is characterized in that the housing includes a predefined space and a connection interface disposed in the predefined space. The connection interface is electrically connected to the CPU. The notebook computer includes a plurality of electronic device modules. Each electronic device module includes a casing portion and a main body portion, and the main body portion includes a transmission interface. The size of each electronic device module may correspond to the size of the predefined space. Each electronic device module may be secured in the predefined space for combination with the housing, and the transmission interface is electrically connected to the connection interface for power or data transmission. The plurality of electronic device modules are capable of combining individually with the housing for replacing different functions.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of tertiary butyl alcohol to ethyl tertiary butyl ether, including: dehydrating tertiary butyl alcohol to form a product stream comprising isobutylene and water; separating the product stream to form an isobutylene-rich fraction and a water-rich fraction; separating the water-rich fraction to recover a hydrocarbon fraction and a water fraction having less than 1 ppm hydrocarbon content; reacting isobutylene in the isobutylene-rich fraction with ethanol to form a reaction product comprising ethyl tertiary butyl ether; separating the reaction product to recover unreacted ethanol and an ethyl tertiary butyl ether stream; and recycling at least a portion of the unreacted ethanol to the reacting; wherein the ethyl tertiary butyl ether stream comprises at least 99 weight percent ethyl tertiary butyl ether.

Abstract: Ethoxylates and other alkoxylates are made in an efficient manner by reacting an organic bromide with a diol in the presence of a metal oxide. An integrated process of bromide formation, alkoxylate synthesis, metal oxide regeneration, and bromine recycling is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the dehydration of alcohols, polyalcohols or alcoholates having at least one CH group in the ?-position to the alcoholate or alcohol function to give alcenes or ethers, where the dehydration is carried out in ionic liquids of the general formula K+A?.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved system for creating dimethyl ether from gases is described. The process includes introducing hydrogen and carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide into a reaction chamber filled with beads covered with a catalyst. The catalyst includes palladium and one of aluminum, copper, zinc, or mixtures of these which includes an acid side of the molecule. The acid side of the molecule dehydrates methanol, reducing the concentration of this unwanted byproduct and increases the production of diethyl ether. The reactor employs very high temperatures, a defined pressure and defined flow rates to optimize the amount of diethyl ether produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates a process for preparing dimethyl ether from crude methanol in an adiabatic reactor(s)/and more particularly to a process for preparing dimethyl ether wherein crude methanol containing water is dehydrated by using (1) a catalytic system in which the reactant contacts a catalyst 1 of hydrophobic zeolite partially substituted by a specific metal cation and subsequently a catalyst 2 selected from ?-alumina or silica-alumina; and (2) an adiabatic reactor(s). In the present invention, the dehydration is accomplished effectively by avoiding the formation or byproducts and the deactivation of catalyst. Therefore, dimethyl ether useful as clean fuel and a raw material in chemical industry can be produced from crude methanol with an enhanced yield in an adiabatic reactor(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making dibutyl ethers using dry 1-butanol derived from fermentation broth. The dibutyl ethers so produced are useful in transportation fuels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and catalysts for synthesizing ethers. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for synthesizing ethers from an alcohol feedstock including heating the alcohol feedstock to a temperature greater than about 100 degrees Celsius; and contacting the alcohol feedstock with a catalyst comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of titania and alumina. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, supported amine sorbents that includes an amine or an amine/polyol composition deposited on a nano-structured support such as nanosilica. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple operations of absorption-desorption cycles.

Abstract: A method for producing methanol and dimethyl ether using the air as the sole source of materials is disclosed. The invention relates to a method for producing methanol by removing water from atmospheric air, obtaining hydrogen from the removed water, obtaining carbon dioxide from atmospheric air; and converting the carbon dioxide under conditions sufficient to produce methanol. Thereafter, the methanol can be dehydrated to produce dimethyl ether or further processed to produce synthetic hydrocarbons, polymers, and products derived from them.

Abstract: A method to produce alkyl ether comprising the step of reacting short chain polyols with monohydric alcohols in the presence of a catalyst under pre-determined temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods to produced branched aliphatic alcohols are described. Systems may include a dehydrogenation-isomerization unit, an olefin dimerization unit, an olefin isomerization unit, a hydroformylation unit, a dehydrogenation unit, a hydrogenation unit and/or combinations thereof. Methods for producing branched aliphatic alcohols may include isomerization of olefins in a process stream. The isomerized olefins may be hydroformylated to produce aliphatic alcohols. After hydroformylation of the aliphatic alcohols, unreacted components from the hydroformylation process may be separated from the aliphatic alcohols products. The unreacted components from the hydroformylation process may be recycled back into the main process stream or sent to other processing units. Addition of multiple streams to the units may be performed to control reaction conditions in the units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the double metal cyanide (DMC)-catalyzed production of low unsaturation polyethers from boron-containing starters. The polyethers produced by the inventive process may be reacted with one or more isocyanates to provide polyurethane products including coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, foams and the like. The inventive process may be used to prepare fuel additives from C9-C30 boron-containing polyethers, more particularly from C13 alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for catalytic synthesis of oxygenate from alcohol. At first, a feeding material comprising at least one alcohol is provided. Next, a copper-containing catalyst is provided and the catalyst further comprises at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of the following: zinc, magnesium, and aluminum elements. Following that, a catalytic reaction of the feeding material over the copper-containing catalyst is carried out to synthesize at least one oxygenate.

Abstract: Anhydrous processing to convert methane into oxygenates (such as methanol), liquid fuels, or olefins uses an initiator to create methyl radicals. These radicals combine with sulfur trioxide to form methyl-sulfonate radicals. These radicals attack fresh methane, forming stable methane-sulfonic acid (MSA) while creating new methyl radicals to sustain a chain reaction. This system avoids the use or creation of water, and liquid MSA is an amphoteric solvent that increasing the solubility and reactivity of methane and SO3. MSA from this process can be sold or used as a valuable chemical with no mercaptan or halogen impurities, or it can be heated and cracked to release methanol (a clean fuel, gasoline additive, and chemical feedstock) and sulfur dioxide (which can be oxidized to SO3 and recycled back into the reactor). MSA also can be converted into gasoline, olefins, or other valuable chemicals.

Abstract: A process for producing dimethyl ether, which includes dehydrating methanol in vapor phase in the presence of an activated alumina catalyst having an average pore radius of 2.5 nm to 8.0 nm both inclusive and having a sodium oxide content of 0.07 wt % or less. This invention provides a process for producing DME with an improved conversion ratio using a highly active DME-production catalyst.

Abstract: A process for making substituted polyethylene glycol compound. The compound has the formula RO(C2H40)nH wherein R represents a C1–7 hydrocarbon group and n represents the average number of moles of C2H40 groups, ranging from 500 to 2000. The compound has a ratio of weight average molecular weight to a number average molecular weight in the range of from 1 to 1.1. The compound contains less than ten weight percent polyethylene glycol. The gist of the process is the use of a polyether solvent, wherein the n value of the compound ranges from 600 to 2000.

Abstract: Provided is a process of obtaining 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (“HFIP”) from a composition comprising an HFIP hydrolyzable precursor. The HFIP hydrolyzable precursor is a compound, other than sevoflurane itself, that has an intact 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropoxy moiety[(CF3)2CHO—], and contains one or more moieties susceptible to acidic hydrolysis, such that HFIP is released upon such treatment. The process is useful, among other things, for recovering HFIP from waste streams associated with the synthesis of the inhalation anesthetic, fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl ether (“sevoflurane”). The process includes heating the composition with a strong protic acid to a temperature effective to hydrolyze at least some of the HFIP hydrolyzable precursor to HFIP, and then isolating the HFIP from the heated composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing oligomeric aliphatic diols, polycarbonatediols based thereon and NCO-terminated prepolymers obtainable therefrom. The inventive compounds may find use in the preparation of polyurethanes.

Abstract: Dimethyl ether is obtained with at low cost by transporting methanol under room temperature and atmospheric pressure from the methanol producing district to the dimethyl ether consuming district or its neighboring district by converting the raw material containing the transported methanol into dimethyl ether in the consuming district or its neighboring district.

Abstract: Process for preparing 1-methoxy-2-propanol by reacting propylene oxide with methanol in the presence of a racemic catalyst which comprises an asymmetric polydentate (tetradentate) ligand complexed with a metal atom, where the complex has an approximately planar geometry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing dimethylether from methanol using a membrane reactor, more particularly to a method for preparing dimethylether from methanol using a membrane capable of carrying out a reaction and a separation at the same time while preparing dimethylether from methanol. Because water vapor generated by dehydration of methanol can be selectively removed from the catalytic reaction zone, decrease in catalytic activity can be prevented and thus life span of a catalyst can be extended. Further, reaction efficiency can be improved even at a temperature milder than the conventional one for dimethylether preparation, and also additional steps of separation and purification after completion of the reaction is no longer necessary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing dimethyl ether from crude methanol.

Abstract: Improved oxidation methods are provided wherein a reaction mixture comprising a substrate to be oxidized (e.g., phenols, alkenes) and an oxidation catalyst (typically dispersed in an organic solvent system) is supplemented with a compressed gas which expands the reaction mixture, thus accelerating the oxidation reaction. In preferred practice pressurized subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide is used as the expanding gas, which is introduced into the reaction mixture together with an oxidizing agent. The inventive methods improve the substrate conversion and product selectivity by increasing the solubility of the oxidizing agent in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the preparation of novel surfactant alcohols and surfactant alcohol ethers by derivatization of olefins having from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms or of mixtures of such olefins to give alkanols, and optional subsequent alkoxylation, which comprises subjecting a C4-olefin mixture to metathesis, dimerizing the resulting olefins, and then derivatizing them to give surfactant alcohols, and optionally alkoxylating said alcohols. The olefin mixture obtained in the dimerization has a high proportion of branched components and less than 10% by weight of compounds which contain a vinylidene group. The invention further describes the use of the surfactant alcohols and surfactant alcohol ethers to give surfactants by glycosylation or polyglycosylation, sulfation or phosphation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing dimethylether from methanol using a membrane reactor, more particularly to a method for preparing dimethylether from methanol using a membrane capable of carrying out a reaction and a separation at the same time while preparing dimethylether from methanol. Because water vapor generated by dehydration of methanol can be selectively removed from the catalytic reaction zone, decrease in catalytic activity can be prevented and thus life span of a catalyst can be extended. Further, reaction efficiency can be improved even at a temperature milder than the conventional one for dimethylether preparation, and also additional steps of separation and purification after completion of the reaction is no longer necessary.

Abstract: A process for producing dimethyl ether, which includes dehydrating methanol in vapor phase in the presence of an activated alumina catalyst having an average pore radius of 2.5 nm to 8.0 nm both inclusive and having a sodium oxide content of 0.07 wt % or less. This invention provides a process for producing DME with an improved conversion ratio using a highly active DME-production catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a process polymerizing a feedstock which comprises glycerol or derivatives thereof, said process comprising heating said feedstock, in the presence of at least one synthetic magnesium saponite clay catalyst in the H form, to a temperature at which condensation polymerization takes place, for a time sufficient to produce polymers of glycerol or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Secondary alcohols, specifically diols and polyols, are dehydroxylated to the corresponding primary alcohols using a homogeneous organometallic ruthenium complex catalyst.

Abstract: A process for hydrolyzing an alkyl ester to produce a carboxylic acid product and an ether product, the process includes the steps of introducing into a reaction zone of a reactive distillation column a feed containing the alkyl ester wherein the reaction zone is at a temperature and pressure to preferentially produce an ether from the ester; and recovering the ether and the carboxylic acid.