Zeofuels Research (proprietary) Limited

Pratley Investments (proprietary) Limited

Themistoclis Themistocleous

Richard G Copperthwaite

Graham John Hutchings

Graham J Hutchin

A modified natural clinoptilolite, produced by treating a natural clinoptilolite with a suitable mineral acid or with a suitable alkali and then with a suitable mineral acid, is used as a catalyst in a process for the conversion of methanol and ammonia to give a product containing at least 50% by weight of monomethylamine.

Process for the production of methyl amines

An ion exchange material for the removal of radioisotope cations such as the cations of caesium and strontium from an aqueous environment containing the radioisotope cation comprises a modified clinoptilolite produced by treating a natural clinoptilolite with sodium hydroxide at a concentration of approximately 2M or with hydrochloric acid at a concentration of from 0.1 to 5M for a suitable treatment time and at a suitable treatment temperature. The modified clinoptilolite is especially effective in the removal of radioisotope cations from an aqueous environment.

Modified clinoptilolite as an ion exchange material

A modified natural clinoptilolite, produced by treating a natural clinoptilolite with a suitable mineral acid or with a suitable alkali and then with a suitable mineral acid, is used as a catalyst in a process for the conversion of propane or butane to give a product containing at least 40% of ethene, propene or C.sub.4 hydrocarbons or a mixture thereof.

Conversion of propane and butane

There is disclosed a method for the modification of a natural clinoptilolite by acid treatment using a mineral acid at a suitable temperature and for a suitable period of time, followed by calcination, to produce a modified clinoptilolite which may be used as a catalyst in a reaction for the preparation of or transformation of hydrocarbons, e.g. the cracking of hydrocarbon products. There is also disclosed a method of regenerating the deactivated modified catalyst after use by treatment in the presence of nitrous oxide.

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Bryanston, South Africa

Themistoclis Themistocleous