Abstract: A method for producing biofuels from biomass in which a refined biomass material is introduced into a non-Faradaic electrochemical device, preferably at a temperature greater than or equal to about 150° C., and deoxygenated and/or decarboxylated in said device to produce an increased carbon chain fuel.

Abstract: The invention is a method for processing a mixture containing water, 3-methyl-1-butene and at least one other methylbutene. The method comprises primary distillation of the mixture, giving a gaseous primary overhead product containing methylbutene and water and a water-free primary bottom product containing 3-methyl-1-butene; condensation of the gaseous primary overhead product so as to give a condensate comprising a liquid aqueous phase and a liquid organic phase; separation of the condensate into a liquid aqueous phase and a liquid organic phase; discharge of the liquid aqueous phase; recirculation of the organic phase to the primary distillation; and finally secondary distillation of the water-free primary bottom product from the primary distillation so as to give a secondary overhead product comprising 3-methyl-1-butene and a secondary bottom product. The secondary overhead product obtained has a purity which enables it to be used directly as monomer or comonomer for preparing polymers or copolymers.

Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive process comprises a process for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing nonvolatiles in a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system. The inventive process comprises: (a) heating the nonvolatile-containing hydrocarbon feedstock upstream of a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system to a temperature sufficient to form a vapor phase that is essentially free of nonvolatiles and a liquid phase containing the nonvolatiles; (b) separating said vapor phase from said liquid phase; (c) feeding the separated vapor phase to the pyrolysis reactor system; and (d) converting the separated vapor phase in said pyrolysis reactor system to form a pyrolysis product.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus, comprising: a plurality of plates in a stack defining at least one process layer and at least one heat exchange layer, each plate having a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge of each plate being welded to the peripheral edge of the next adjacent plate to provide a perimeter seal for the stack, the ratio of the average surface area of each of the adjacent plates to the average penetration of the weld between the adjacent plates being at least about 100 cm2/mm. The stack may be used as the core assembly for a microchannel processor. The microchannel processor may be used for conducting one or more unit operations, including chemical reactions such as SMR reactions.

Abstract: In the co-production of propylene oxide and styrene monomer, there is produced a sodium-containing heavy residue stream previously suitable only as a low grade fuel. In accordance with the invention, the heavy residue stream is mixed with a hydrocarbon and an aqueous acid, and the resulting mixture is separated into an aqueous sodium salt-containing slurry phase and an organic phase reduced in sodium.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process of producing propylene by contacting ethylene with a catalyst, where propylene is produced with high selectivity. The present invention relates to a production process of propylene, comprising contacting ethylene with a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises a zeolite as an active ingredient and an acid content in the outer surface of the zeolite is 5% or less based on an acid content of the entire zeolite.

Abstract: The apparatus converts FCC olefins to heavier compounds. The heavier compounds are more easily separated from the unconverted paraffins. The heavier compounds can be recycled to an FCC unit or delivered to a separate FCC unit. Suitable conversion zones are oligomerization and aromatic alkylation zones.

Abstract: A compact multi-functional fuel converter and a process for converting liquid fuel to a product, which includes providing a supply of oxygen gas, providing a supply of liquid fuel, electrically atomizing the fuel, evaporating the fuel and catalytically reacting the liquid fuel and oxygen in the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing neohexene, comprising contacting isobutene with a supported catalyst comprising a tungsten compound chosen from tungsten hydrides, organometallic tungsten compounds and organometallic tungsten hydrides, and a support comprising an oxide of aluminum, so as to form a reaction mixture comprising neohexene, and preferably separating neohexene from the reaction mixture, so as to isolate it. The contacting leads to the direct production of neohexene, in particular in a single (reaction) stage and with a high molar selectivity for neohexene. The contacting can be performed at a temperature of 50 to 600 ° C., under a total absolute pressure of 0.01 to 100 MPa.

Abstract: 1-butene is recovered as a purified product from an MTO synthesis and especially from an integrated MTO synthesis and hydrocarbon pyrolysis system in which the MTO system and its complementary olefin cracking reactor are combined with a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor in a way that facilitates the flexible production and recovery of olefins and other petrochemical products, particularly butene-1 and MTBE.

Abstract: Nanowires useful as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The nanowire catalysts are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to mesostructured zeolites. The invention also relates to a method of preparing mesostructured zeolites, as well as using them as cracking catalysts for organic compounds and degradation catalysts for polymers.

Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive process comprises a process for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing nonvolatiles in a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system. The process comprises: (a) heating the nonvolatile-containing hydrocarbon feedstock upstream of a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system to a temperature sufficient to form a vapor phase that is essentially free of nonvolatiles and a liquid phase containing the nonvolatiles; (b) separating said vapor phase from said liquid phase; (c) feeding the separated vapor phase and methane to the pyrolysis reactor system; and (d) converting the methane and separated vapor phase in said pyrolysis reactor system to form a pyrolysis product. In another aspect, the invention includes a separation process that feeds multiple pyrolysis reactors.

Abstract: Described is a process for the production of a zeolitic material having an LEV-type framework structure comprising YO2 and optionally comprising X2O3, wherein said process comprises: (1) preparing a mixture comprising one or more sources for YO2, one or more solvents, and optionally comprising seed crystals; and (2) crystallizing the mixture obtained in step (1); wherein Y is a tetravalent element, and X is a trivalent element, wherein the zeolitic material optionally comprises one or more alkali metals M, wherein the molar ratio of the total amount of the one or more solvents to the total amount of the one or more sources for YO2 based on YO2 is 9.5 or less, and wherein for crystallization temperatures of 175° C.

Abstract: Described is a process for the production of a zeolitic material having an LEV-type framework structure comprising YO2 and optionally comprising X2O3, wherein said process comprises (1) preparing a mixture comprising one or more sources for YO2, one or more solvents, and optionally comprising seed crystals; and (2) crystallizing the mixture obtained in step (1); wherein Y is a tetravalent element, and X is a trivalent element, and wherein the mixture crystallized in step (2) contains 3 wt.-% or less of one or more metals M based on 100 wt-% of YO2, preferably 1 wt.-% or less, more preferably 0.5 wt.-% or less, more preferably 0.1 wt.-% or less, more preferably 0.05 wt.-% or less, more preferably 0.01 wt.-% or less, more preferably 0.005 wt.-% or less, more preferably 0.001 wt.-% or less, more preferably 0.0005 wt.-% or less, more preferably 0.0001 wt.-% or less of one or more metals M based on 100 wt.

Abstract: In a process for producing olefins by a metathesis reaction comprising feeding an olefin gas to pass the olefin through a catalyst bed in the presence of hydrogen gas to convert the olefin into another kind of olefin, the catalyst bed having a catalyst including at least one metal selected from the group consisting of tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium, niobium, tantalum and vanadium, and a co-catalyst including a basic compound having at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Group Ia (alkali metals), Group IIa (alkaline earth metals), Group IIb and Group IIIa of the periodic table, the improvement lies in controlling the superficial velocity of the gas passing through the catalyst bed to 0.01 to 2.0 m/sec. According to the present invention, the presence of hydrogen gas dramatically increases the durability of the metathesis catalytic activity and the by-production of paraffins is suppressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of ethylene, comprising the steps of a) thermally converting, by a pyrolysis or a partial oxidation process, a feed charge containing methane into an acetylene containing effluent, and b) in situ hydrogenating, by a non-catalytic reaction, the acetylene produced in the first step into ethylene by intimately mixing the acetylene containing effluent with an ethane feed. The process according to the invention is more efficient than other synthesis schemes, while simplifying the overall process design. This process thus offers an economically attractive scheme for mass production of ethylene from natural gas, based on a well-known and proven acetylene route.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line method for generating comonomer, from monomer, such as ethylene. The comonomer generated is stored prior to transporting to a polyethylene polymerization reactor. The in-line method includes the steps of providing an in-line comonomer synthesis reactor and a downstream gas/liquid phase separator prior to the polymerization reactor; feeding ethylene monomer and a catalyst in a solvent and/or diluent to the comonomer synthesis reactor; reacting the ethylene monomer and the catalyst in solvent and/or diluent under reaction conditions to produce an effluent stream including ethylene monomer and comonomer; passing the effluent stream from the comonomer synthesis reactor to the downstream gas/liquid phase separator to separate a gas stream from a bottom stream, wherein the gas stream is a mixture of ethylene monomer and comonomer; and passing the gas stream to the polymerization reactor to provide the necessary comonomer input.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer catalyst made from niobium for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons, comprising a) a support component made from a doped or undoped oxide or hydroxide of an element of the V sub-group of the periodic table, or mixtures thereof, b) a layer of a promoter compound, selected from oxygen, sulphur or phosphorus compounds of an element of the VI, VII and VIII sub-group or a phosphoxy compound and mixtures thereof and c) a layer comprising a compound of platinum metal. The invention further relates to a method for production of the catalyst and the use thereof.

Abstract: Nitrogen-containing Lewis bases act as poisons for molecular sieve catalysts used in oligomerisation reactions. A lowering of their presence in the feed prior to the contacting thereof with the molecular sieve brings a significant extension of catalyst life. Excessive elimination of these poisons may be disadvantageous. Lowering the levels of these catalyst poisons to more manageable concentrations is therefore preferred.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes to produce liquid poly-alpha-olefins (PAOs) having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of more than 20 cSt in the presence of a metallocene catalyst with a non-coordinating anion activator and hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to make light olefins, in a combined XTO-OC process, from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock comprising: a0) providing a first portion and a second portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock, a) providing a catalyst comprising zeolitic molecular sieves containing at least 10 membered ring pore openings or larger in their microporous structure, b) providing an XTO reaction zone, an OC reaction zone and a catalyst regeneration zone, said catalyst circulating in the three zones, such that at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst is passed to the OC reaction zone, optionally at least a portion of the catalyst in the OC reaction zone is passed to the XTO reaction zone and at least a portion of the catalyst in the XTO reaction zone is passed to the regeneration zone; c) contacting the first portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-contain

Abstract: A method of preparing a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve which comprises the steps of combining a source of silica, a source of phosphorous, a source of alumina and water to form a primary mixture; adding a structure directing agent to said mixture and optional seeds to form a synthesis mixture. The synthesis mixture is synthesized by heating the mixture to a crystallization temperature to form the sieve. The molar ratio of the structure directing agent relative to the source of alumina may vary between 1.3 and 1.9 and the ratio of water to the source of alumina may vary between 20 to 34.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of acetylene and other higher hydrocarbons from methane feed using a reverse-flow reactor system, wherein the reactor system includes (i) a first reactor and (ii) a second reactor, the first and second reactors oriented in a series relationship with respect to each other, the process comprising supplying each of first and second reactant through separate channels in the first reactor bed of a reverse-flow reactor such that both of the first and second reactants serve to quench the first reactor bed, without the first and second reactants substantially reacting with each other until reaching the core of the reactor system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst compound for the metathesis of olefins represented by the formula: wherein M is a Group 8 metal; X and X1 are anionic ligands; L is a neutral two electron donor; L1 is N, O, P, or S, preferably N or O; R is a C1 to C30 hydrocarbyl or a C1 to C30 substituted hydrocarbyl; G* is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C1 to C30 hydrocarbyl, and a C1 to C30 substituted hydrocarbyl; R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C1 to C30 hydrocarbyl, and a C1 to C30 substituted hydrocarbyl; and G is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C1 to C30 hydrocarbyls and C1 to C30 substituted hydrocarbyls. This invention also relates to process to make alphaolefins comprising contacting an olefin, such as ethylene, with a feed oil containing a triacylglyceride (typically a fatty acid ester (such as methyl oleate)) with the catalyst compound described above.

Abstract: This invention relates to a metathesis catalyst compound comprising an asymmetrically substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) metathesis catalyst and a process to make linear alpha-olefins comprising contacting a feed material and an optional alkene (such as ethylene) with said catalyst, where the feed material is a triacylglyceride, fatty acid, fatty acid alkyl ester, and/or fatty acid ester, typically derived from biodiesel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new crystalline molecular sieve SSZ-75 prepared using a tetramethylene-1,4-bis-(N-methylpyrrolidinium) dication as a structure-directing agent, and its use in catalysts for hydrocarbon conversion reactions.

Abstract: Process for the selective oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, and/or the selective oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid, by contacting ethane and/or ethylene with a molecular oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperature in the presence of a spray-dried supported catalyst composition. The supported catalyst composition includes molybdenum, vanadium and niobium metal components, supported on a support comprising alpha-alumina. The supported catalyst is prepared by forming a slurry of the metal components and alpha-alumina support particles or an alpha-alumina support precursor, and spray-drying the slurry.

Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.

Abstract: A multiple stage apparatus and process using aerodynamic reactors and aero-coalescers in sequence for the selective capture and removal of purified carbon dioxide gas, the sequential capture and removal of mercury, metal and particulate aerosols by a recycling chemical generation-regeneration system using alkali metal chloride solution following multiple oxidations of mercury vapor, and nitric oxide in sequence, selective capture and removal of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide by two stage absorption by a recycling chemical generation-regeneration system using alkali metal hydroxide-carbonate-bicarbonate solution together with sequential oxidation to alkali metal sulfate and alkali metal nitrate compounds through evaporation and crystallization. Carbon dioxide capture and recovery is achieved in sequence by selective thermal decarbonation from an alkaline liquid followed by recovery as a purified gas stream.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of preparing a crystalline molecular sieve comprising: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element Y, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, water, optionally at least one seed crystal, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element X, the reaction mixture having the following molar composition: Y:X2=2 to infinity, preferably from about 2 to about 1000, OH?:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.1 to 1, M+:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyoxometalates represented by the formula (An)m+[My(H2O)pXzZ2W18O66]m?1 or solvates thereof, wherein A represents a cation acting as counterion of the polyanion, n is the number of the cations A, m is the charge of the polyoxoanion, M represents a transition metal selected from Cu, Zn, Pd, Pt and mixtures thereof, y is the number of transition metals M and is a number from greater than 4 to less than 6, p is a number of water molecules and is a number from 0 to 10, X is a halide selected from F, Cl, Br, I and mixtures thereof, z is a number of halides and is a number from 0 to 6 and Z represents a heteroatom selected from SbIII, BiIII, AsIII, SeIV and TeIV.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the conversion of sugars and/or other biomass to produce hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other related compounds. In one aspect, the invention includes fermenting biomass to produce one or more organic intermediates, for example, a carboxylic acid, and optionally, hydrogen. The carboxylic acid may then be decarboxylated to produce CO2 and one or more hydrocarbon compounds, for example, an alkane or an alkene, such as propane or ethylene. Such reactions can occur, in some cases, under hydrothermal conditions, and in some instances, without the use of or need for electrolysis of the reactants. In some cases, for example, if the carboxylic acid (or other organic intermediate) includes a hydroxide moiety, the carboxylic acid may be dehydrated, i.e., reacted such that the hydroxide moiety is removed from the molecule as H2O.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts comprising at least one support and at least one layer applied to said support, said layer containing a) 20 to 95% by weight of at least one aluminum, silicon, titanium or magnesium oxide compound or a silicon carbide or a carbon support or mixtures thereof, and b) 5 to 50% by weight of at least one nanocarbon. The catalysts can be used to produce unsaturated hydrocarbons by means of the oxidative dehydrogenation of alkylaromatics, alkenes and alkanes in the gas phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate suitable for use as a turbine fuel having a flash point 38° C. minimum measured by ASTM D 56 and a freeze point of ?40° C. or less and further containing not less than 0.01 wt. % oxygen in each of 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, and 1-heptanol and not more than about 0.01 wt. % oxygen in C8+ linear alcohols. Preferably, the Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate will have a freeze point of at least ?47° C., and more preferably the freeze point of the Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate will be not less than ?50° C. All the wt. % oxygen amounts are on a water free basis.

Abstract: Isobutene, isoprene, and butadiene are obtained from mixtures of C4 and/or C5 olefins by dehydrogenation. The C4 and/or C5 olefins can be obtained by dehydration of C4 and C5 alcohols, for example, renewable C4 and C5 alcohols prepared from biomass by thermochemical or fermentation processes. Isoprene or butadiene can be polymerized to form polymers such as polyisoprene, polybutadiene, synthetic rubbers such as butyl rubber, etc. in addition, butadiene can be converted to monomers such as methyl methacrylate, adipic acid, adiponitrile, 1,4-butadiene, etc. which can then be polymerized to form nylons, polyesters, polymethylmethacrylate etc.

Abstract: A catalyst for producing a light olefin including a pentasil-type zeolite, alkaline earth metal atoms and aluminum atoms contained in the pentasil-type zeolite satisfying the following atomic ratio: [alkaline earth metal atom/aluminum atom]=0.2 to 15, the average value of the gradient of an adsorption isotherm of the pentasil-type zeolite measured by the nitrogen adsorption method being 30 or more at a relative pressure of 0.2 to 0.7.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing efficiently and stably propylene from a hydrocarbon raw material containing a high concentration of ethylene. The present invention discloses a process for producing propylene, comprising catalytically converting a hydrocarbon raw material containing ethylene in an amount exceeding 50% by mass with a zeolite-containing catalyst satisfying the following (1) to (3): (1) containing of a medium pore diameter zeolite having a pore size of from 5 to 6.5 ?; (2) a SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio in the medium pore diameter zeolite being from 20 to 300; and (3) an acid amount (TPD acid amount), determined by a high-temperature desorption amount in an ammonia temperature-programmed desorption spectrum, being from 20 to 350 ?mol/g-zeolite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing propylene, comprising contacting at least one of raw material selected from the group consisting of ethylene and ethanol with a catalyst containing a medium pore diameter zeolite in a fluidized bed reactor wherein the catalyst containing the medium pore diameter zeolite satisfies the following (a) through (e): (a) a particle diameter of catalyst particles at 90% by weight or more is within a range of 10 to 197 ?m; (b) a bulk density of the catalyst particles is within a range of 0.7 to 1.1 g/cm3; (c) a mean compressive strength of the catalyst particles having a particle diameter within a range of 30 to 70 ?m is 15 MPa or more, and a compressive strength of the catalyst particles at 90% by weight or more is 10 MPa or more; (d) an angle of repose is 20 to 30°; and (e) a pore volume of pores having a pore radius within a range of 2000 to 20000 nm is 0.

Abstract: Among other things, a combination comprises interaction with a system that has a perturbation. In such perturbed system, a non-directional input is applied to a first variable of the system. Based on an asymmetry of the perturbed system, a directional effect is achieved in a second variable of the system, the first and second variables comprising a conjugate pair of variables. At least one of the following pertains: the interaction occurs other than by an apparatus and other than in a way that actually achieves the directional effect, or the conjugate pair is other than position and momentum, or the input or the asymmetry are in a dimension other than spatial coordinates, or the directional effect is other than translational motion and other than rotary motion.

Abstract: The present invention describes a n-butane absorption process for purifying the ethylene product from an ethane oxidation process. The ethane oxidation product is fed to a series of absorption towers using a n-butane solvent that remove the inert components as well as purifying the ethylene from the product. A first absorption tower uses n-butane as a solvent to absorb both the ethane and ethylene, allowing for inert gasses to be removed from the stream. An ethylene-rich side stream from this tower is sent to an ethylene purification tower where ethylene is purified using n-butane solvent. The bottom stream from the first absorption tower is then sent to an intermediate ethylene recovery tower where crude ethylene is purified, and the overhead ethylene stream being sent to the ethylene purification tower.

Abstract: A method for thermally cracking a feed composed of whole crude oil and/or natural gas condensate using a partitioned vaporizer to gasify the feed before cracking same.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for organic molecules such as ethylene includes an electrochemical cell, gas sample inlet means and means for detecting current produced by the oxidation of the organic molecule at the anode of the cell. The sensor is capable of sensing multiple organic molecules in some embodiments. A voltage is applied to the anode of the cell to provide energy to drive the oxidation reaction and produce a corresponding current. The sensor of the invention can be made as a small, hand-held unit that is capable of real-time detection of various organic species.

Abstract: An olefin metathesis process for converting a reactant olefin or a mixture of reactant olefins into one or more product olefins that are different from the reactant olefin(s). The process employs a catalyst system containing a carbene-generating agent and a bimetallic ruthenium complex comprising one or more ?-hydrido bridging ligands, and optionally containing di(t-butyl)phosphine. The catalyst system is advantageously active at process temperatures greater than 90° C. Cyclization metathesis and ring-opening polymerization metathesis are preferred olefin metathesis processes.

Abstract: A process is described in which an unsaturated fat is reacted with ethylene in a metathesis reaction in the presence of at least one non-aqueous ionic liquid to produce both an olefinic fraction and a composition of monoalcohol or polyol esters. Particular application to an oleic sunflower seed oil, an oleic rapeseed oil or to a mixture of monoalcohol esters of said oils, the process producing both an olefinic fraction and a monoalcohol or glycerol esters composition generally having more than half of its chains constituted by unsaturated C10 chains.

Abstract: A moving bed of catalyst loses activity as it moves through the reactor. Creating multiple passes for the process fluid moving across a catalyst bed, increases the utilization of the catalyst and creates a step-wise counter current flow of catalyst and process fluid, where the catalyst flows in the axial direction of the reactor, and the process fluid flows radially, with step-wise axial direction flow when the flow is reversed to flow back across the catalyst bed. The flow improves the temperature profile of the bed and allows higher temperature fluid contacting the less active catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for integrating a butene dimerization process with a metathesis process to remove isobutene from the feed stream to the metathesis reactor. The isobutene is preferentially dimerized in the dimerization process to leave n-butenes for metathesis with ethylene. An upstream selective hydrogenation process also isomerizes 1-butenes to 2-butenes which is the preferred butene reagent in the metathesis process. A common fractionator column for the dimerization and hydrogenation processes is also described.

Abstract: Nanoparticulates of oxygen transfer materials that are oxides of rare earth metals, combinations of rare earth metals, and combinations of transition metals and rare earth metals are used as catalysts in a variety of processes. Unexpectedly large thermal efficiencies are achieved relative to micron sized particulates. Processes that use these catalysts are exemplified in a multistage reactor. The exemplified reactor cracks C6 to C20 hydrocarbons, desulfurizes the hydrocarbon stream and reforms the hydrocarbons in the stream to produce hydrogen. In a first reactor stage the steam and hydrocarbon are passed through particulate mixed rare earth metal oxide to crack larger hydrocarbon molecules. In a second stage, the steam and hydrocarbon are passed through particulate material that desulfurizes the hydrocarbon. In a third stage, the hydrocarbon and steam are passed through a heated, mixed transition metal/rare earth metal oxide to reform the lower hydrocarbons and thereby produce hydrogen.

Abstract: A fiber reaction process whereby reactive components contained in immiscible streams are brought into contact to effect chemical reactions and separations. The conduit reactor utilized contains wettable fibers onto which one stream is substantially constrained and a second stream is flowed over to continuously create a new interface there between to efficiently bring about contact of the reactive species and thus promote reactions thereof or extractions thereby. Co-solvents and phase transfer catalysts may be employed to facilitate the process.

Abstract: In a method of forming a shaped body, a mixture is formed comprising a particulate silica-rich material, water and a potassium base or basic salt, wherein the total solids content of the mixture is from about 20 to about 90 weight percent. The mixture is extruded into extrudates and the extrudates are dried and heated to a temperature of from about 300° C. to about 800° C. to form the shaped body.