Showing papers in "Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Product Research and Development in 1976"

Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch and Isosynthesis

Abstract: A review relates the products from various catalytic systems including promoters, that may be useful in the catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide derived from coal into methane, higher hydrocarbons, alcohols, or other oxygenated species, with specific emphasis on Fischer--Tropsch synthesis and isosynthesis (to saturated branched hydrocarbons); discusses the effectiveness of iron, nickel, cobalt, and ruthenium catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis; and evaluates some useful catalysts, e.g., potassium oxide-promoted thoria, for isosynthesis.

Measurement of Odorant Levels in Natural Gas

Abstract: The University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Power Corp. have developed a simple, low-cost method of accurately measuring mercaptan odorant levels in natural gas under both field and laboratory conditions. When the gas is bubbled through a solution of N-ethylmaleimide, the mercaptans react with the reagent and a color is produced that is dependent on the mercaptan concentration. Consistent and accurate test results are obtained by comparing the color to a standard color chart calibrated in ppM of mercaptan odorant for one particular set of convenient operating conditions. A minimum of operator skill and less than 5 min are required to make a test run on the portable apparatus.

Sulfur Storage on Automotive Catalysts

Abstract: Laboratory study results are reported on the catalytic conversion of SO/sub 2/ over supported noble metal catalysts. The dependence of product distribution on catalyst pretreatment with SO/sub 2/ was determined. Moreover, the effect of catalyst pretreatment and operating temperature, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV), oxygen concentration, catalyst composition, and H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ formation were examined. It was found that sulfur storage on pelleted catalysts may dominate effects of operating conditions and catalyst composition. When the catalyst sulfur content is low, much of the SO/sub 3/ formed is stored in the catalyst. Sulfur storage may indeed provide an effective means of lowering sulfuric acid emissions as long as the sulfur content of the catalyst is kept low by appropriate release mechanisms. It is noted that some of the other exhaust constituents may play a part in the results obtained with auto exhaust systems.

Batch autoclave studies of catalytic hydrodesulfurization of coal. [Tetralin or methylnaphthalene; Co--Mo--Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/]

Abstract: The liquefaction and hydrodesulphurization of a high sulphur Kentucky coal has been studied in batch autoclave experiments, with tetralin or methylnaphthalene as solvents, and several Co-Mo-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ catalysts. In tetralin, an excellent hydrogen-donor solvent, gas phase hydrogen and catalyst are still important in determining both the conversion of asphaltene to oil and the extent of desulphurization. Superimposed on other effects, the disproportionation of tetralin to naphthalene and decalin has been discovered to occur to approximately equilibrium at 455/sup 0/C, even in nitrogen and with no catalyst. Two commercial catalysts and two catalysts made from controlled pore size aluminas have been studied in coal hydrodesulphurization with methylnaphthalene as solvent, at a 1 percent catalyst level. Appreciable differences were observed in product distribution. The most favorable results were obtained with large pore diameter (200 A) catalyst, even though this had the lowest total surface area.

Distribution of nitrogen in hydrocracked in situ shale oil

Abstract: Crude shale oil from underground in situ retorting of Wyoming oil shale was hydrocracked over a nickel-molybdena catalyst in a single-pass operation at 800/sup 0/F, 1500 psig pressure, and 0.5 vol of oil/(vol of catalyst/h). The liquid product was fractionally distilled into naphtha and heavier oil. The 54 fractions distilling above naphtha were collected at 5/sup 0/F intervals (at 10 mm absolute pressure), and nitrogen percentages were determined on these. The hydrocracking eliminated 98% of the nitrogen from the oil, but the boiling-range distribution of the nitrogen compounds remaining in the oil resembled that of the nitrogenous components in raw shale oil and in hydrocracked gas-combustion shale oil.