Carnegie Mellon University

Other

Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company

American Intell-sensors Corporation

Capital Technologies, Inc.

Marc A Portnoff

David A Purta

Faiz Pourarian

Margaret A Nasta

Jingfeng Zhang

Richard L Grace

Alberto M Guzman

Paul D Runco

Heather A Elsen

Patricia A Bielenberg

Lymperios N Yannopoulos

John G Tabacchi

The present invention relates to new processes for regenerating oxidized interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts prior to the use of such catalysts in a hydroprocessing process. Interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts are easily oxidized in the environment and once oxidized, the hydroprocessing activity of the interstitial metal hydrides is most often severely diminished and this lost activity due to oxidization of the iMeH is not susceptible to recovery under hydroprocessing conditions. As a result, these catalysts in the present art require considerable special handling in inert environments all through processes from fabrication, shipping, loading, use, and maintenance of the catalyst systems to protect the activity of the interstitial metal hydride components. The present invention embodies a process regenerating oxidized interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts prior to their use in a hydroprocessing environment, thereby eliminating the requirement for maintaining the interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts in an inert environment, and allowing the handling of such catalysts in an oxidized condition prior to use.

Interstitial metal hydride catalyst activity regeneration process

Transesterification, esterification, and esterification-transesterification (both one-step and two-step) for producing biofuels. The process may be enhanced by one or more of the following: 1) applying microwave or RF energy; 2) passing reactants over a heterogeneous catalyst at sufficiently high velocity to achieve high shear conditions; 3) emulsifying reactants with a homogeneous catalyst; or 4) maintaining the reaction at a pressure at or above autogeneous pressure. Enhanced processes using one or more of these steps can result in higher process rates, higher conversion levels, or both.

Methods for producing biodiesel

A catalyst for the hydroprocessing of organic compounds, composed of an interstitial metal hydride having a reaction surface at which monatomic hydrogen is available. The activity of the catalyst is maximized by avoiding surface oxide formation. Transition metals and lanthanide metals compose the compound from which the interstitial metal hydride is formed. The catalyst's capabilities can be further enhanced using radio frequency (RF) or microwave energy.

Catalyst for the treatment of organic compounds

A processing apparatus, such as a microwave-based processing apparatus. The apparatus includes a vessel having an inner surface defining a chamber configured to hold a reaction mixture, a guide, and a launch coupled to the guide. The guide can be at least partially disposed in the vessel, and is configured to propagate electromagnetic energy. The launch is configured to couple at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy from the guide to the reaction mixture. Example launches include a dielectric window and a projection. Example projections include a metallic projection and a dielectric projection.

Processing apparatus with an electromagnetic launch

A process for the catalytic reaction of organic compounds, in which the organic compounds are contacted with a catalyst comprising an interstitial metal hydride, having a reaction surface, to produce a catalyst-organic compound mixture, energy is applied, monatomic hydrogen is produced at the reaction surface of the interstitial metal hydride, and the organic compounds are reacted with the monatomic hydrogen. Reactions accomplished by this process include petroleum hydrocracking and hydrotreating processes. The method's performance can be further enhanced using radio frequency (RF) or microwave energy.

Catalytic process for the treatment of organic compounds

A gas sensing thick film is positioned on an insulating substrate in contact with a pair of electrodes. A non-porous glass layer surrounds the film to stabilize it on the substrate. A heating element maintains the film at a preselected elevated temperature. The gas sensing thick film has a response characteristic for a preselected target gas to be detected which is enhanced by impregnating the film with platinum or palladium chlorine free compounds. The response characteristic of the gas sensing film is further increased by promoting combustion of interference gases on an outer filter layer fabricated of either conductive or nonconductive material. The incorporation of an insulating material between the gas sensing film and the outer filter layer also serves to increase the relative response of the gas sensing film to a preselected target gas.

Apparatus for simultaneous detection of target gases

A gas sensing instrument provides programmable control of the operating temperatures of an array of gas sensors for the detection of target gases in air. The control facilitates precise temperature setpoint resolution. The gas sensors in the array have an improved construction density with reduction in size and an extended operating life provided by reduced power consumption. A programmable circuit functions as a programmable-resistor temperature controller in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. A multiplying digital to analog converter circuit controls the ratio of voltage to current that functions as a resistance equivalent. The programmable circuit is interfaced with a computer to provide selectable temperature control for at least 256 setpoints.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Marc A Portnoff