Abstract: A hydrocarbon feed stream may be processed by a method that may include catalytically cracking a hydrocarbon feed stream in a counter-current reactor to produce a first effluent stream, and processing a portion or all of the first effluent stream by at least one or more separations. The at least one or more separations may form at least a second effluent stream including at least 95 wt. % C4-C6 hydrocarbons, and a third effluent stream including at least 95 wt. % of ethane, propane, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method may further include catalytically cracking a portion or all of the second effluent stream in a second reactor to form a second reactor effluent stream, combining a portion of all of the second reactor effluent stream with the first effluent stream, steam cracking a portion or all of the third effluent stream to form a steam cracked effluent stream, and combining a portion or all of the steam cracked effluent stream with the first effluent.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing 1-butene and propylene including: supplying a C4 mixture stream to a first hydrogenation reactor to convert 1,3-butadiene into 1-butene; supplying a discharge stream from the first hydrogenation reactor to a first distillation column, supplying a lower discharge stream from the first distillation column including 2-butene and n-butane to a metathesis reactor, and supplying an upper discharge stream from the first distillation column including 1-butene and i-butane to a second distillation column; recovering an upper discharge stream the second distillation column including i-butane and recovering 1-butene from a lower discharge stream from the second distillation column; and producing propylene in the metathesis reactor, supplying a discharge stream from the metathesis reactor to a purification unit to recover propylene, and recycling an unreacted material to the metathesis reactor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to yolk-shell structured catalysts having compositions that can be particularly useful in the dry reforming of methane. These catalysts can demonstrate long-term stability that would be an advantage in industrial applications such as mitigating fossil fuel plant emissions. Example catalysts can include a yolk containing nickel (Ni) or nickel oxide (NiO), platinum (Pt) or platinum oxide (PtO2), and a third material (M3) such as a cerium oxide (CeOx). The shell can be formed of a ceramic such as silica and is generally a porous material that can support the yolk.

Abstract: A synthesis method and a synthesis device of cyclododecene according to the present invention have a high conversion rate of cyclododecatriene which is a reactant and a high selectivity of cyclododecene which is a required product, and even so, have an effect of significantly decreasing a reaction time. In addition, the method and the device have an excellent conversion rate of cyclododecatriene and an excellent selectivity of cyclododecene, while maintaining excellent reactivity without an organic solvent such as ethanol. Therefore, a volume of the reactor relative to an output of cyclododecene may be further decreased. Moreover, the method and the device may minimize costs for facilities and process, are practical, decrease a process time, and are industrially advantageous for mass production as compared with the conventional art.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst composition for the production of olefins from lighter alkanes by oxidative dehydrogenation route and methods of making the dehydrogenation catalyst composites.

Abstract: A benzene selective hydrogenation reaction system and a method are provided. The system includes a benzene refiner, a first hydrogenation reactor, a second hydrogenation reactor and a separator which are connected in sequence. The first hydrogenation reactor is provided with a first inlet and a first outlet, and the second hydrogenation reactor is provided with a second inlet and a second outlet. The first inlet is connected to the discharge port of the benzene refiner; the first outlet is connected to the second inlet; the second outlet is connected to the separator. The catalyst outlet is connected to the first hydrogenation reactor for recycling the catalyst into the first hydrogenation reactor. Two micro-interface units are respectively disposed within the first hydrogenation reactor and the second hydrogenation reactor, and the micro-interface units are used for dispersing and breaking hydrogen into micro-bubbles with a micron-scale diameter.

Abstract: A catalyst which comprises an amorphous support based on alumina, a C1-C4 dialkyl succinate, citric acid and optionally acetic acid, phosphorus and a hydrodehydrogenating function comprising at least one element from group VIII and at least one element from group VIB; the most intense bands comprised in the Raman spectrum of the catalyst are characteristic of Keggin heteropolyanions (974 and/or 990 cm?1), C1-C4 dialkyl succinate and citric acid (in particular 785 and 956 cm?1). Also a process for preparing said catalyst in which a catalytic precursor in the dried, calcined or regenerated state containing the elements of the hydrodehydrogenating function, and optionally phosphorus, is impregnated with an impregnation solution comprising at least one C1-C4 dialkyl succinate, citric acid and optionally at least one compound of phosphorus and optionally acetic acid, and is then dried. Further, the use of said catalyst in any hydrotreatment process.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a seed-growth based method for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles of controlled shape (cubes, cuboids, octahedrons) and size in an aqueous environment, without the use of shape directing agents. The method involves a first step of preparing a solution comprising water, metal seed growth nanoparticles, a metal salt comprising the same metal as the metal seed growth nanoparticles, and a reducing agent; and a second step of heating the solution to between 9 and 130° C. at a rate of between 1° C./min and 5° C./min and at a pressure of between 1 and 5 atm. The method may also be carried out in a reduced oxygen atmosphere and the concentration of oxygen disclosed in the solution may be less than the concentration of oxygen in an oxygen saturated solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the synthesis of novel stable open metal clusters by selective oxidation of bound ligands. The synthesis comprises, for example, using an amine based oxidant for decarbonylation of specific carbonyl ligands. The synthesis can also comprise further removal of a bound amine group by an acid. The resulting metal cluster contains a coordinatively unsaturated site comprising a carbonyl vacancy. The resulting metal cluster can be used as a catalyst in a variety of chemical transformations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of branched saturated hydrocarbons, said method comprising the steps where a feed comprising olefins having at least 10 carbons is simultaneously hydrogenated and isomerized in the presence of hydrogen at a temperature of 100-400° C., under hydrogen partial pressure of 0.01-10 MPa, in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal selected from the metals of Group VIIIb of the Periodic Table of Elements, a molecular sieve selected from ten member ring molecular sieves, twelve member ring molecular sieves and mesoporous molecular sieves embedded with zeolite, and a carrier, to yield branched saturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Technologies to convert biomass to liquid hydrocarbon fuels are currently being developed to decrease our carbon footprint and increase use of renewable fuels. Since sugars/sugar derivatives from biomass have high oxygen content and low hydrogen content, coke becomes an issue during zeolite upgrading to liquid hydrocarbon fuels. A self-sustainable process was designed to reduce the coke by co-feeding sugars/sugar derivatives with the paraffin products from hydrogenation of sugars/sugar derivatives. Paraffins without complete conversion result in products with less aromatics and relatively low density compared with the products directly from zeolite upgrading. Thus, the process is more economically favorable.

Abstract: A process is proposed for preparing acetylene by the Sachsse-Bartholomé process by combustion of a natural gas/oxygen mixture in one or more burners to obtain a cracking gas which is cooled in two or more stages in burner columns, each burner having one or more burner columns assigned thereto, and said cracking gas being quenched with pyrolysis oil in the first cooling stage, to obtain a low boiler fraction comprising benzene, toluene and xylene from the one or more burner columns, which is cooled with direct cooling water and separated in a phase separator into an aqueous phase and an organic phase which comprises benzene, toluene and xylene and is fully or partly introduced to the top of the one or more burner columns as a return stream, wherein the organic phase comprising benzene, toluene and xylene from the phase separator, prior to full or partial recycling to the top of the one or more burner columns, is supplied to a selective hydrogenation over a catalyst which comprises at least one platinum group m

Abstract: The invention provides complexes in which a calixarene-related compound is coordinated to an iridium-containing metal colloid. The complexes can be immobilized on a substrate. The complexes of the invention are useful as tunable and highly robust isolated metal colloids that find use in binding of molecules and catalysis of chemical reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel Ruthenium-based transition metal complex catalysts comprising specific ligands, their preparation and their use in hydrogenation processes. Such complex catalysts are inexpensive, thermally robust, and olefin selective.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing carbon nanofibers and/or carbon nanotubes, which process comprises pyrolysing a particulate cellulosic and/or carbohydrate substrate that has been impregnated with a compound of an element or elements, the metal or alloy, respectively, of which is capable of forming carbides, in a substantially oxygen free, volatile silicon compound containing atmosphere, optionally in the presence of a carbon compound.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to hydrogenation catalysts, and hydrogenation processes using these catalysts, having particular characteristics, in terms of the amount and type of metal hydrogenation component (or catalytic constituent), as well as the support or substrate. The catalyst compositions, comprising both a noble metal and a lanthanide element on a substantially non-porous substrate, provide advantageous performance characteristics, including conversion, selectivity, and activity stability, as demanded in industrial hydrogenation and selective hydrogenation applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of regenerating a ruthenium catalyst suitable for hydrogenation, which comprises flushing the catalyst with inert gas in a regeneration step until the original activity or part of the original activity has been attained. The method is particularly useful for ruthenium catalysts which are used for the hydrogenation of aromatics.

Abstract: The present patent application describes a method of regenerating a ruthenium catalyst for the hydrogenation of benzene, which comprises flushing the catalyst with inert gas in a regeneration step until the original activity or part of the original activity has been attained.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of a catalyst based on tungsten intended for hydrotreatment or hydrocracking processes. The invention concerns a process for the preparation of a catalyst for carrying out hydrogenation reactions in hydrotreatment and hydrocracking processes. Said catalyst is prepared from at least one mononuclear precursor compound based on tungsten (W), in its monomeric or dimeric form, having at least one W?O or W—OR bond or at least one W?S or W—SR bond where [R?CxHy where x?1 and (x?1)?y?(2x+1) or R?Si(OR?)3 or R?Si(R?)3 where R??Cx?Hy? where x??1 and (x??1)?y??(2×t+1)], optionally at least one Mo precursor and optionally at least one promoter element from group VIII. Said precursors are deposited onto an oxide support which is suitable for the process in which it is used, said catalyst advantageously being sulphurized before being deployed in said process.

Abstract: Algae oil feeds comprise a wide range of molecular species forming a complex mixture of molecules having varying sizes and therefore varying boiling points, comprise high nitrogen, oxygen, and fatty acid content, but comprise low sulfur, saturated hydrocarbons, and triglycerides. The wide range of molecular species in the algae oil feeds, very unusual compared to conventional refinery feedstocks and vegetable oils, may be upgraded into fuels by conventional refining approaches such as thermal and/or catalytic-hydroprocessing. Hydrotreating at high pressure over large-pore catalyst, and optionally followed by FCC cracking, has shown a beneficial product slate including coke yield. Thermal treatment prior to hydrotreating may improve hydrotreating feedstock quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation, in particular the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, such as the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene, using a hydrogenation catalyst comprising an ordered intermetallic compound, namely an ordered cobalt-aluminum or iron-aluminum intermetallic compound. According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a catalyst comprising a support and at least one specific ordered cobalt-aluminum and/or iron-aluminum intermetallic compound supported thereon, as well as to the use of specific ordered intermetallic cobalt-aluminum and iron-aluminum intermetallic compounds as catalysts. The ordered cobalt-aluminum and iron-aluminum intermetallic compounds proved to be highly selective and long-term stable catalysts, e.g. in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene in a large excess of ethylene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the synthesis of novel stable open metal clusters by selective oxidation of bound ligands. The synthesis comprises, for example, using an amine based oxidant for decarbonylation of specific carbonyl ligands. The synthesis can also comprise further removal of a bound amine group by an acid. The resulting metal cluster contains a coordinatively unsaturated site comprising a carbonyl vacancy. The resulting metal cluster can be used as a catalyst in a variety of chemical transformations.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride containing catalyst comprising a surface, and a Group VI/Group VIII metal sulfide coated onto the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.

Abstract: A hydrodeoxygenation catalyst comprises a metal catalyst, an acid promoter, and a support. The metal catalyst is selected from platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhenium rhodium, osmium, iridium, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, copper, tin, or mixtures thereof. The support is a promoted-zirconium material including texture promoters and acid promoters. The hydrodeoxygenation catalyst may be used for hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of sugar or sugar alcohol in an aqueous solution. In one embodiment the HDO catalyst may be used for HDO of fatty acids such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), triglycerols (in plant oil and animal fat), pyrolysis oil, or lignin. The hydrodeoxygenation catalyst for fatty acid process does not require the use of an acid promoter, it is optional.

Abstract: The invention concerns a thioresistant catalyst which comprises an active phase deposited on a support, said active phase comprising at least one noble metal from group VIIIB and at least one metallic oxide from group IB or from group IIB, said support being selected from the group formed by refractory oxides, coal, clays, silica-alumina and/or their mixtures, and said support having a specific surface area in the range 110 to 300 m2/g. The invention also concerns the process for the preparation of said catalysts and their uses in the selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons comprising acetylenic, dienic and/or alkenylaromatic functions. The invention is applicable to the refining field, and more particularly to the treatment of gasolines obtained by steam cracking (pyrolysis gasoline).

Abstract: Processes and systems for stabilization and subsequent hydrogenation of an immiscible olefin are described. In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation is conducted in a fixed bed reactor in presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst, its preparation and use in selective hydrogenation, which catalyst has a porous support grain on which are deposited palladium and silver, and at least one alkali and/or alkaline earth metal; the porous support contains a refractory silica, alumina and/or silica-alumina oxide, where at least 80 wt. % of the palladium is distributed in a crust at the periphery of the support, and at least 80 wt. % of the silver is distributed in a crust at the periphery of the support, the local content of palladium at each point along the diameter of the grain follows the same course as the local content of silver.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are manganese, iron, nickel, or cobalt compounds having a bidentate ligand and the use of these compounds for the hydrogenation of alkenes, particularly the asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins.

Abstract: The present application relates to a process for the selective hydrogenation of a gasoline which contains polyunsaturated compounds and sulphurous light compounds, the process allowing conjointly the hydrogenation of polyunsaturated compounds into mono-unsaturated compounds, increasing weight of the sulphurous light compounds by reaction with the unsaturated compounds, and maximisation of the isomerisation of the monounsaturated compounds comprising an external C?C double bond into their internal C?C double bond isomer, said process implementing a catalyst containing at least one group VIb metal and at least one group VIII metal deposited on a porous support.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst for producing hydrogen, which catalyst has higher performance than conventional catalysts since, for example, it exhibits a certain high level of activity in an aqueous formic acid solution at high concentration even without addition of a solvent, amine and/or the like. The metal phosphine complex is a metal phosphine complex represented by General Formula (1): MHm(CO)Ln, wherein M represents an iridium, iron, rhodium or ruthenium atom; in cases where M is an iridium or rhodium atom, m=3 and n=2, and in cases where M is an iron or ruthenium atom, m=2 and n=3; and the number n of Ls each independently represent a tri-substituted phosphine represented by General Formula (2): PR1R2R3. The catalyst for producing hydrogen comprises the metal phosphine complex as a constituent component.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst using an additive layer method includes: (i) forming a layer of a powdered catalyst or catalyst support material, (ii) binding or fusing the powder in said layer according to a predetermined pattern, (iii) repeating (i) and (ii) layer upon layer to form a shaped unit, and (iv) optionally applying a catalytic material to said shaped unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation, in particular selective hydrogenation of at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon compound comprising reacting the at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon compound with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst comprises a mixture of an ordered intermetallic compound and an inert material. According to another aspect, the present invention is concerned with the use of a mixture of at least one ordered intermetallic compound and at least one inert material, as a catalyst. The mixtures for use as a catalyst in the present invention can be prepared easily and achieve a superior activity in relation to the prior art, while preserving the high selectivity to the target compounds, e.g. in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene.

Abstract: In the process for hydrogenating butadiyne over a catalyst which comprises at least one platinum group metal on an inorganic metal oxide as a support, the hydrogenation is performed at a pressure in the range from 1 to 40 bar and a temperature in the range from 0 to 100° C., and from 0.05 to 5% by weight, based on the overall catalyst, of platinum group metal is present on the support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrotalcite-like compounds, wherein Pd2+ occupies at least part of the octahedral sites in the brucite-like layers. According to another aspect, the invention is concerned with methods of converting these hydrotalcite-like compounds into materials comprising particles, in particular nanoparticles, of an ordered intermetallic compound of palladium and at least one constituent metal of the palladium-modified hydrotalcites. Moreover, the invention pertains to the material obtainable by the conversion method, the use of the material as a catalyst, and a process for the selective hydrogenation of alkyne(s) to the corresponding alkene(s) using the material as a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing light paraffins using a catalyst comprising an *SFV-type zeolite and at least one Group VIII metal. It has been found that the catalyst can selectively convert C6 paraffins into the more favorable higher octane C6 isomer, namely 2,3-dimethylbutane (RON=105), over the less favorable C6 isomer, namely octane 2,2-dimethylbutane (RON=94).

Abstract: A process for isomerizing light paraffins using a catalyst comprising an SFS-type zeolite and at least one Group VIII metal. It has been found that the catalyst can selectively convert C6 paraffins into the more favorable higher octane C6 isomer, namely 2,3-dimethylbutane (RON=105), over the less favorable C6 isomer, namely octane 2,2-dimethylbutane (RON=94).

Abstract: The catalyst of the invention is a particulate catalyst in the form of particles having a minimum dimension of at least 0.8 mm, including a transition metal or a compound thereof dispersed on a porous support material, characterised in that said catalyst particles comprise at least 35% w/w total transition metal; and the transition metal surface area of said catalyst is at least 110 m2 per gram of transition metal and the tapped bulk density of a bed of the catalyst particles is at least 0.7 g/ml. The method of making a catalyst includes multiple steps of impregnation of a porous support with a metal ammine solution followed by drying, calcination and reduction of the dried material. The catalyst is useful in hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: The object of this invention is a suspension of metal nanoparticles with a mean size of between 1 and 20 nanometers, in at least one non-aqueous ionic liquid, whereby said suspension also contains at least one nitrogen-containing ligand, in which said metal nanoparticles comprise at least one transition metal in the zero valence state that is selected from among rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, nickel, and platinum by themselves or in a mixture and in which said nitrogen-containing ligand is selected from the group that is formed by the linear compounds that comprise at least one nitrogen atom, whereby the non-aromatic cyclic compounds comprise at least one nitrogen atom, the non-condensed aromatic compounds comprise at least one nitrogen atom, the condensed aromatic compounds comprise at least one group of two aromatic cycles that are condensed two by two, and at least one nitrogen atom, whereby the condensed aromatic compounds comprise at least 3 aromatic cycles and 1 nitrogen atom, and whereby the condensed ar

Abstract: The catalyst comprises at least a metal component and at least a non-metallic conducting component as supplement component. The metal component generally contains one or more metals of the groups VIb, VIIb or VIIIb of the periodic table. The supplement component is e.g. a conducting carbon material like graphite, a conducting polymer or a conducting metal oxide. Preferably it is hydrophobic or made hydrophobic. The catalyst is used for hydroprocessing of bio-feedstock like vegetable oils to produce fuels, which are aliphatic hydrocarbons comparable to conventional fuel from mineral oil.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for conducting a multiphase reaction in a microchannel. The process comprises: forming a multiphase reaction mixture comprising a first reactant and a second reactant; the first reactant comprising at least one liquid; the second reactant comprising at least one gas, at least one liquid, or a combination of at least one gas and at least one liquid; the first reactant forming a continuous phase in the multiphase reaction mixture; the second reactant forming gas bubbles and/or liquid droplets dispersed in the continuous phase; and reacting the first reactant with the second reactant in a process microchannel in the presence of at least one catalyst to form at least one product.

Abstract: The invention provides complexes in which a calixarene-related compound is coordinated to an iridium-containing metal colloid. The complexes can be immobilized on a substrate. The complexes of the invention are useful as tunable and highly robust isolated metal colloids that find use in binding of molecules and catalysis of chemical reactions.

Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, e.g. of acetylene to ethylene, uses a hydrogenation catalyst comprising an ordered intermetallic compound. The ordered intermetallic compound comprises at least one metal of type A capable of activating hydrogen, and at least one metal of type B not capable of activating hydrogen. The structure of the ordered intermetallic compound is such that the type A metal is mainly surrounded by atoms of the type B metal.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to hydrogenation catalysts, and hydrogenation processes using these catalysts, having particular characteristics, in terms of the amount and type of metal hydrogenation component (or catalytic constituent), as well as the support or substrate. The catalyst compositions, comprising both a noble metal and a lanthanide element on a substantially non-porous substrate, provide advantageous performance characteristics, including conversion, selectivity, and activity stability, as demanded in industrial hydrogenation and selective hydrogenation applications.

Abstract: Efficient and recyclable heterogeneous nanocatalysts and methods of synthesizing and using the same are provided.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the production of a hydrocarbon product including contacting an oxygenated aromatic feedstock, in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst composition including: a) a metal hydrogenation catalyst and b) a solid acid catalyst which is active for the deoxygenation of oxygenated hydrocarbons. The process is useful for the conversion of pyrolysis oils and other products derived from biomass and plastics recycling etc, into fuels and chemical feedstocks.

Abstract: Catalytic hydrogenation of a double bond, notably a C?C or C?N double bond, is carried out using a homogenous catalyst which is a complex of rhodium or other transition metal containing at least one ligand which is a nitrogenous organic base. Preferably the complex is phosphorus-free and the ligand is a bicyclic base having formula where R1 and R4 are hydrocarbon chains. R1 preferably is a saturated chain of two carbon atoms and R4 preferably is a saturated chain of three to five carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a Ni-based catalyst useful in selective hydrogenation, comprising the following components supported on an alumina support: (a) 5.0 to 40.0 wt. % of metallic nickel or oxide(s) thereof; (b) 0.01 to 20.0 wt. % of at least one of molybdenum and tungsten, or oxide(s) thereof; (c) 0.01 to 10.0 wt. % of at least one rare earth element or oxide(s) thereof; (d) 0.01 to 2.0 wt. % of at least one metal from Group IA or Group IIA of the Periodic Table or oxide(s) thereof; (e) 0 to 15.0 wt. % of at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon, phosphorus, boron and fluorine, or oxide(s) thereof; and (f) 0 to 10.0 wt. % of at least one metal from Group IVB of the Periodic Table or oxide(s) thereof; with the percentages being based on the total weight of the catalyst. The catalyst is useful in the selective hydrogenation of a pyrolysis gasoline.

Abstract: This invention covers a process for dimerizing of isobutylene to Iso-octene and unique configuration is being disclosed, where the Feed is diluted to low level with recycle which has essentially no Iso-octene, dual catalyst system, new selectivator (IPA) and successive catalyst stages if needed to enhance the conversion. The process is very selective and provides higher isobutylene conversion. Additionally the invention also covers the hydrogenation of olefins to Paraffin, Iso-octene to Iso-octane product under moderate conditions and with dual or single catalyst system.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter is directed to a method for producing nanoparticles, as well as the nanoparticles produced by this method. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles produced by the disclosed method have a high defect density.

Abstract: A high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process and system for the production of cyclohexane is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the cyclohexane production process. A system for the production of cyclohexane from benzene and hydrogen, the system comprising a reactor, solid catalyst, and a high shear device, the outlet of which is fluidly connected to the inlet of the reactor; the high shear device capable of providing an emulsion of hydrogen gas bubbles within a liquid comprising benzene, the bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 100 ?m.