Abstract: The present invention relates to the conversion of saturated paraffin hydrocarbons having 4 or more carbon atoms to olefins having fewer carbon atoms. In particular, the invention provides for contact of a mixture of 40 to 95 wt % paraffin hydrocarbons having 4 or more carbon atoms and 5 to 60 wt % olefins having 4 or more carbon atoms with solid zeolitic catalyst such as ZSM-5 at conditions effective to form propylene and the separation of light olefins from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethylene from C.sub.4 or higher feed by a combination of cracking and metathesis wherein higher hydrocarbon is cracked to form ethylene and propylene and at least a portion of the propylene is metathesized to ethylene.

Abstract: A method of cracking heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons consisting in providing an advantageously catalytic bed of particles in a reaction chamber, feeding a bed fluidizing gas with a predetermined flow rate to provide a springing fluidized bed and feeding a plasma jet preferably containing argon into the chamber, the jet being directed towards a determined place of the bed so as to provide a reaction space with at least two reaction zones of different temperatures, the zone of higher temperature being the one where the plasma jet is directed; feeding heavy hydrocarbons into the reaction zone of lower temperature and feeding preferably in the zone of higher temperature at least one light alkane for carrying out the cracking of the heavy hydrocarbons within the fluidized bed, the latter effecting a quenching of the reaction medium and catalysing the cracking and consisting in discharging the products obtained downstream of the zone of lower temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of propylene from C.sub.4 or higher feed by a combination of cracking and metathesis wherein higher hydrocarbon is cracked to form ethylene and propylene and at least a portion of the ethylene is metathesized to propylene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cracking a hydrocarbon material. The method includes introducing a stream including a hydrocarbon fluid into a reaction zone. A microwave discharge plasma is continuously maintained within the reaction zone, and in the presence of the hydrocarbon fluid. Reaction products of the microwave discharge are collected downstream of the reaction zone.

Abstract: Methods and compounds for inhibiting coke formation in pyrolytic reactors and furnaces are disclosed wherein a molybdenum coke retarding treatment is used. Optionally, but preferably, a boron compound is used in conjunction with the molybdenum to provide optimal coke retarding performance.

Abstract: Various fractions of petroleum, including residual oils and crude oils, are catalytically converted to produce gaseous olefins, especially propylene and butylene, in fluidized or moving bed or transfer line reactors with solid, acidic catalysts in the presence of steam at a temperature of 500.degree. to 650.degree. C. and a pressure of 1.5.times.10.sup.5 Pa to 3.times.10.sup.5 Pa, with a weight space velocity of 0.2 to 20 hr.sup.-1 and catalyst-to-oil ratio of 2 to 12. Spent catalyst is continuously removed from the reactor to a regenerator where the coke is burned off and the hot catalyst is returned to the reactor. In a comparison with conventional catalytic cracking and tubular furnance pyrolysis processes, it is found that the process of the present invention produces more propylene and butylene. The total yield of the process of the present invention is about 40 percent by weight of the feedstock.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inhibiting coke formation in pyrolytic reactors or furnaces during the pyrolysis operation. Rare earth elements or compounds thereof, such as cerium and lanthanum elements or compounds, are added to the particular hydrocarbonaceous medium undergoing such pyrolysis.

Abstract: C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4 hydrocarbons (in particular propane and butanes) are converted to less saturated hydrocarbons (in particular ethylene and propylene) in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of either (a) zinc oxide and manganese oxide or (b) zinc oxide, manganese oxide and calcium oxide. Compositions of matter (a) and (b), as defined above, are provided in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting propane to ethylene over a zeolite catalyst comprising ZSM-50. This zeolite may be contacted with an anhydrous acidic oxide gas capable of accepting hydrogen by reacting therewith, such as sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2), in order to enhance the ethylene selectivity of the conversion. The zeolite may either be pretreated with this acidic oxide gas or contacted in situ by cofeeding the acidic oxide gas along with the propane reactant. Particularly in view of the tendency of zeolites such as ZSM-5 to further convert olefins produced into aromatics and other hydrocarbons, the large degree of ethylene selectivity achieved by the process of the present invention is surprising.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting propane to ethylene over a zeolite catalyst comprising ZSM-23. This zeolite may be contacted with an anhydrous acidic oxide gas capable of accepting hydrogen by reacting therewith, such as sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2), in order to enhance the ethylene selectivity of the conversion. The zeolite may either be pretreated with this acidic oxide gas or contacted in situ by cofeeding the acidic oxide gas along with the propane reactant. Particularly in view of the tendency of zeolites such as ZSM-5 to further convert olefins produced into aromatics and other hydrocarbons, the large degree of ethylene selectivity achieved by the process of the present invention is surprising.

Abstract: Feed hydrocarbons comprising propane and butanes are cracked to selectively maximize the production of ethylene or propylene by contacting the feed hydrocarbons with a cracking catalyst, adapted to convert the feed hydrocarbons to less saturated hydrocarbons, under conditions sufficient to thus crack the feed hydrocarbons, to thereby selectively maximize the production of ethylene, and, at least intervally, hydrogen sulfide or a hydrogen sulfide precursor is added to the feed hydrocarbons to thereby maximize the production of propylene. Preferred catalysts which may be utilized in the process and which are highly selective to the production of ethylene, as opposed to propylene, (in the absence of hydrogen sulfide or hydrogen sulfide precursor) include mixed oxides of manganese and magnesium, mixed oxides of manganese and Lanthanum Series metal and/or niobium, mixed oxides of iron and magnesium and mixed oxides of iron and Lanthanum Series metal and/or niobium.

Abstract: Substituted pyrazinium compounds having at least one polar group such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamido or sulfonoxy can act as high energy electron carriers in photosynthetic processes such as those employing chlorophyll and a reduction enzyme. Such processes with the pyrazinium compounds can produce ammonia and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for the conversion of C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons to less saturated hydrocarbons, such as ethylene and propylene and particularly ethylene, includes contacting the feed hydrocarbons with mixed oxides comprising a major proportion of magnesium and a minor proportion of manganese, preferably under conditions which selectively convert the feed hydrocarbons to ethylene and ethane and particularly ethylene, including a temperature between about 625.degree. C. and 850.degree. C. The method is preferably carried out in the presence of steam at a mole ratio of steam/hydrocarbon of less than about 10:1. Selectivity to ethylene and ethane and particularly ethylene is improved and the life of the catalyst, during which the desired selectivity is attained, is extended by adding a promoting amount of at least one oxide of calcium, barium, strontium, tin and antimony. Further improvement can be obtained by limiting the amount of bound or fixed sulfur in the catalyst.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprise oxides of silicon, aluminum and/or titanium mixed with combinations of manganese oxide and magnesium oxide; iron oxide and magnesium oxide; calcium, strontium, barium, tin and/or antimony oxides, manganese oxide and magnesium oxide; and iron oxide, manganese oxide and magnesium oxide. These compositions are particularly useful as catalysts for selectively converting propane and butanes to ethylene and ethane and particularly to ethylene. A method for converting propane and butanes to less saturated hydrocarbons is also disclosed in which the catalyst life is extended and the selectivity to ethylene and ethane, particularly ethylene, is improved by carrying out the contacting with the catalyst in the presence of steam, when the catalyst contains an oxide of iron and, optionally, when the catalyst does not contain an oxide of iron.

Abstract: A method of selectively cracking C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons to C.sub.2 hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene, in which a body of cracking catalyst is established in a reaction zone and the feed hydrocarbons are passed through the body of catalyst while maintaining the conditions sufficient to convert the feed hydrocarbons to product hydrocarbons, including, a temperature in the upstream end of the body of catalyst at least about 100.degree. C. below the temperature in the downstream end of the body of catalyst. The cracking catalyst is preferably selected from the group consisting of: at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of magnesium; at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Lanthanum Series metals, preferably lanthanum or cerium, and niobium; at least one oxide of iron and at least one oxide of magnesium; and at least one oxide of iron and at least one oxide of a Lanthanum Series metals or niobium.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of high purity ethylene by the decomposition in the gaseous phase of certain aliphatic carboxylic acid esters, at a temperature between about 150.degree. and 300.degree. C. in the presence of a zeolite having a pore diameter above about 0.6 nm as the catalyst.

Abstract: Novel compositions of matter include: mixed oxides of (a) at least one oxide of chromium, at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of magnesium, Lanthanum Series metals, preferably lanthanum and cerium, and/or niobium; (b) at least one oxide of chromium, at least one oxide of calcium, strontium, tin and/or antimony, at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of magnesium, Lanthanum Series metals and/or niobium; (c) at least one oxide of chromium, at least one oxide of iron and at least one oxide of magnesium, Lanthanum Series metals and/or niobium; and (d) at least one oxide of chromium, at least one oxide of iron, at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of magnesium, Lanthanum Series metals and/or niobium. These compositions are particularly effective as catalyst compositions for the conversion of C.sub.3 and C.sub.

Abstract: The process for the interconversion of "small olefins" selected from the class consisting of ethylene, propylene, butenes and mixtures thereof comprising contacting said small olefin(s) with non-zeolitic molecular sieves.

Abstract: Compositions of matter, including: a composition consisting of iron oxide and magnesium oxide; a composition comprising iron oxide, manganese oxide and magnesium oxide; a composition comprising a small amount of iron oxide and a larger amount of an oxide of a Lanthanum Series metal, particularly lanthanum and cerium; and a composition comprising iron oxide and niobium oxide. The above compositions are particularly useful as catalytic compositions for the conversion of C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons to less saturated hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene and propylene and preferably ethylene, in the presence of steam. The steam substantially increases the active life of the catalytic composition, before regeneration is necessary, as well as significantly increasing the selectivity to ethylene. Limiting the amount of bound or fixed sulfur in the catalytic compositions also improves the catalysts.

Abstract: Compositions of matter, including: A mixture of at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of a Lanthanum Series metal, preferably lanthanum or cerium, or at least one oxide of niobium. The above compositions are particularly useful as catalytic compositions for the conversion of C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons to less saturated hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene and propylene and preferably ethylene. The life of the catalyst for the selective production of ethylene is extended by carrying out the reaction in the presence of steam. The steam substantially increases the active life of the catalytic composition, before regeneration is necessary, as well as significantly increasing the selectivity to ethylene. Limiting the amount of "bound" or "fixed" sulfur in the catalytic composition also improves the catalyst.

Abstract: The process for the interconversion of "small olefins" selected from the class consisting of ethylene, propylene, butenes and mixtures thereof comprising contacting said small olefin(s) with non-zeolitic molecular sieves.

Abstract: Mixed oxides of bismuth with other metals of the perovskite structure and having vacant lattice sites in the same lattice positions occupied by bismuth are disclosed as partial oxidation and ammoxidation catalysts. Such oxides are used as catalysts in the improved method of oxidizing an acyclic hydrocarbon of 1-10 carbons having at most one olefinic unsaturation by reacting the acyclic hydrocarbon in the vapor phase with oxygen in the presence of the solid catalyst to form products having carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A process for cracking a feed comprising at least one alkane involving contacting said feed with H.sub.2 S and a high surface area contact material under cracking conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid, particularly of binary mixtures of relatively low boiling organic substances and water, comprises fractionally distilling the impure liquid to form a vapor of a low boiling organic substance; compressing the vapor; passing at least a portion of the compressed vapor through a vapor composition adjustment zone wherein the organic substance may catalytically or otherwise react or merely stabilize following compression; compressing the vapor exiting the adjustment zone to form a recompressed vapor; cooling the recompressed vapor in heat transfer relation with the impure liquid whereby the vapor at least partially condenses, transferring sufficient heat to the impure liquid for evaporating the liquid and to form the aforementioned low boiling organic vapor; and collecting the condensed low boiling organic vapor.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of ethene with a highly profitable yield by means of fluidized bed catalytic cracking of a mixture containing 0.13 to 50 parts by weight of ethanol to 100 parts by weight of hydrocarbons blend at a temperature between 430.degree. C. and 550.degree. C., and pressure between 0 and 5.0kg/cm.sup.2 gauge in such way that the final gaseous product resulting therefrom has en ethene content between 18.8% and 64% by volume.

Abstract: A catalytic process for hydrocracking C.sub.5.sup.+ hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof into a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 mixture paraffin stream in the presence of a palladium/Group IIA, e.g. Be Mg, or IIIB, e.g. Sc, Y, ZSM-20 hydrocracking catalyst, and thermally cracking this mixture to recover ethylene and propylene.