Uop Lcc

Robert H Jensen

Robert F Millar

Paul J Persico

Qianjun Chen

Masao Takayama

Masaru Tatsushima

Isao Tsunokuma

Albert L Lapidus

Hiroyuki Serizawa

Oleg L Eliseev

Kenji Kikuchi

Koji Hara

Paul T Barger

Jeffery C Bricker

R Joe Lawson

Leonid B Galperin

Lance Awender Baird

Jeffrey C Bricker

J Wayne Morris

Irina Galperin, Legal Representative

Aduard G Ostapenco

A catalyst useful for carbonylation of olefins has been developed. The catalyst comprises a palladium compound, e.g. PdImCl, where Im is imidazole and HCl dissolved in water or an alcohol. Carbonylation using this catalyst involves contacting an olefin stream preferably in a solvent such as o-xylene with the catalyst and carbon monoxide at carbonylation conditions to provide a carboxylic acid or an ester. When the catalyst solvent is water one can obtain an acid as the product, but when the catalyst solvent is an alcohol one obtains an ester as the product.

Homogeneous carbonylation catalyst and process using the catalyst

Long chain alcohols and acids or other similar oxygenates such as esters are produced from paraffins of similar carbon number by a process comprising paraffin dehydrogenation, carbonylation, and separation. Preferably a mixture of paraffins extending over several carbon numbers and recovered from a kerosene fraction is processed, and unconverted paraffins are recycled to a dehydrogenation zone. Alternative reaction zone configurations, catalyst systems and product recovery methods are disclosed.

Carbonylation process

This invention relates to a layered catalyst composition, a process for preparing the composition and processes for using the composition. The catalyst composition comprises an inner core such as alpha-alumina, and an outer layer bonded to the inner core composed of an outer refractory inorganic oxide such as gamma-alumina. The outer layer has uniformly dispersed thereon a platinum group metal such as platinum and a promoter metal such as tin. The composition also contains a modifier metal such as lithium. The catalyst composition shows improved durability and selectivity for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons.

Layered catalyst composition and processes for preparing and using the composition

A process is disclosed for the dehydrocyclodimerization of light aliphatic hydrocarbons into aromatic hydrocarbons. The process provides improved per pass conversion and an improved yield structure by increasing the relative percentage of xylene which is produced as compared to benzene. This improvement is achieved by recycling benzene recovered from the reaction zone effluent to the reaction zone.

Process for conversion of light aliphatic hydrocarbons to aromatics

A catalytic reaction chamber for contacting a reactant stream with catalyst particles which are disposed as an annular-form bed and are downwardly movable therethrough via gravity-flow. The annular catalyst bed is spaced between a catalyst-retaining screen and a scalloped, perforated centerpipe. A plurality of vertically-positioned catalyst-transfer, or withdrawal, conduits are circumferentially-disposed substantially adjacent the outer surface of the scalloped centerpipe and extend the entire length of the catalyst bed. These contain a first plurality of apertures which face into the bed of catalyst particles and which are sized to permit catalyst particles to flow therethrough. A second plurality of apertures is disposed opposite the first plurality of apertures, and sized to inhibit the flow of catalyst particles therethrough. The latter serve to conduct reactant stream vapors out of the transfer conduits into the scalloped, perforated centerpipe and insure a hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the catalyst particles flowing therethrough.

Catalytic reaction chamber for gravity-flowing catalyst particles

The scaling of the internal surfaces of vertical downflow fired heater tubes is decreased by a vapor-liquid mixing means located in the straight section of the tubes which have downward flow.

Vertical tube fired heater and process

A catalytic reaction chamber for contacting a reactant stream with catalyst particles which are disposed as an annular-form bed and are downwardly movable therethrough via gravity-flow. The annular bed is spaced between a catalyst-retaining screen and a perforated centerpipe. A plurality of vertically-positioned catalyst-transfer, or withdrawal, conduits are circumferentially-disposed substantially adjacent the outer surface of the centerpipe and extend the entire length of the catalyst bed. These contain a first plurality of apertures which face into the bed of catalyst particles and which are sized to permit catalyst particles to flow therethrough. A second plurality of apertures is disposed substantially 180.degree. opposite the first plurality of apertures, and sized to inhibit the flow of catalyst particles therethrough. The latter serve to conduct reactant stream vapors out of the transfer conduits into the perforated centerpipe and insure a hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the catalyst particles flowing therethrough, thus to prevent so-called 'pinning' of the catalyst.

Distribution of a mixed-phase, vapor/liquid reactant stream to a fixed-bed of catalyst particles is accomplished through the use of a distributor tray in the form of a horizontal plate (or deck) having a plurality of vertically-disposed venturi-shaped eductors. The distributing device is installed within a substantially catalyst-free area of the reaction chamber and serves (i) to initially distribute the reactant stream as a froth to the reaction chamber and/or, (2) to distribute the effluent from one bed of catalyst particles to the next succeeding bed of catalyst particles.

Mixed-phase distributor for fixed-bed catalytic reaction chambers

An improved radial flow moving bed reactor, or other type of fluid-solid contacting vessel, in which stagnant catalyst volumes are reduced. The improvement results from the placement of a plurality of catalyst collection scoops or a single discoid cover plate just above the catalyst withdrawal conduits in a manner which directs the removal of catalyst through an annular opening adjacent the inner catalyst retention screen.

Moving-bed radial flow solids-fluid contacting apparatus

A process for the maximum utilization of a fixed bed of spherical catalyst by approaching perfect liquid distribution in the bed by means of selecting a liquid mass flux in the range of about 2000 to about 4000 lb/hr-ft.sup.2.

Growing community of inventors

Clarendon Hills, IL, United States of America

Robert H Jensen