Surface hydroxyl groups on porous and nonporous metal oxides, such as silica gel and alumina, were metalated with catalyst precursors, such as complexes of earth abundant metals (e.g., Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn and Mg). The metalated metal oxide catalysts provide a versatile family of recyclable and reusable single-site solid catalysts for catalyzing a variety of organic transformations. The catalysts can also be integrated into a flow reactor or a supercritical fluid reactor.

This disclosure provides methods for the chemical modification of triglycerides that are highly enriched in specific fatty acids and subsequent use thereof for producing functionally versatile polymers.

This disclosure provides methods for the chemical modification of triglycerides that are highly enriched in specific fatty acids and subsequent use thereof for producing functionally versatile polymers.

The present invention generally relates to processes for reducing the rate of pressure drop increase in a vessel used for hydrogenation of aldehydes to alcohols. In one embodiment, the process comprises replacing a first set of catalyst pellets with a second set of catalyst pellets, wherein the second set of catalyst pellets have a higher average aspect ratio than the first set of catalyst pellets, a different shape than the first set of catalyst pellets, or a combination thereof, and wherein a void fraction of the second set of catalyst pellets is greater than the void fraction of the first set of catalyst pellets, wherein a pressure drop rate increase of the vessel partially filled with the second set of catalyst pellets is less than a pressure drop rate increase of the vessel partially filled with the first set of catalyst pellets when operated under substantially similar conditions.

The present invention generally relates to processes for reducing the rate of pressure drop increase in a vessel used for hydrogenation of aldehydes to alcohols. In one embodiment, the process comprises replacing a first set of catalyst pellets with a second set of catalyst pellets, wherein the second set of catalyst pellets have a higher average aspect ratio than the first set of catalyst pellets, a different shape than the first set of catalyst pellets, or a combination thereof, and wherein a void fraction of the second set of catalyst pellets is greater than the void fraction of the first set of catalyst pellets, wherein a pressure drop rate increase of the vessel partially filled with the second set of catalyst pellets is less than a pressure drop rate increase of the vessel partially filled with the first set of catalyst pellets when operated under substantially similar conditions.

Provided is a high-purity 1,3-butylene glycol product that is odorless and is unlikely to cause acid concentration increase over time in a state containing water. A 1,3-butylene glycol product, having, according to a gas chromatographic analysis performed under predetermined conditions, a peak area ratio of 100 ppm or lower appearing in a relative retention time ranging from 1.35 to 1.45, provided that the relative retention time for a peak of 1,3-butylene glycol is 1.0.

Provided is a high-purity 1,3-butylene glycol product that is odorless and is unlikely to cause acid concentration increase over time in a state containing water. A 1,3-butylene glycol product, having, according to a gas chromatographic analysis performed under predetermined conditions, a peak area ratio of 100 ppm or lower appearing in a relative retention time ranging from 1.35 to 1.45, provided that the relative retention time for a peak of 1,3-butylene glycol is 1.0.

A vehicle-based airborne wind turbine system having an aerial wing, a plurality of rotors each having a plurality of rotatable blades positioned on the aerial wing, an electrically conductive tether secured to the aerial wing and secured to a ground station positioned on a vehicle, wherein the aerial wing is adapted to receive electrical power from the vehicle that is delivered to the aerial wing through the electrically conductive tether; wherein the aerial wing is adapted to operate in a flying mode to harness wind energy to provide a first pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle; and wherein the aerial wing is also adapted to operate in a powered flying mode wherein the rotors may be powered so that the turbine blades serve as thrust-generating propellers to provide a second pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle.

A continuous process for converting carbohydrates to ethylene and propylene glycol. The carbohydrates are mixed with water and passed through a reactor at a temperature that hydrolyzes the carbohydrate mixture at least partially to monosaccharides. The reactor has a first zone comprising a retro-aldol catalyst and a second zone comprising a reducing catalyst. The aldose is converted in the first zone into glycolaldehyde by the retro-aldol catalyst and the glycolaldehyde, in the presence of hydrogen, is converted to ethylene glycol in the second zone of the reactor. The reaction products are removed from the reactor and the ethylene glycol is recovered. The selectivity to propylene glycol can be enhanced via feeding ketose as the carbohydrate.

A continuous process for converting carbohydrates to ethylene and propylene glycol. The carbohydrates are mixed with water and passed through a reactor at a temperature that hydrolyzes the carbohydrate mixture at least partially to monosaccharides. The reactor has a first zone comprising a retro-aldol catalyst and a second zone comprising a reducing catalyst. The aldose is converted in the first zone into glycolaldehyde by the retro-aldol catalyst and the glycolaldehyde, in the presence of hydrogen, is converted to ethylene glycol in the second zone of the reactor. The reaction products are removed from the reactor and the ethylene glycol is recovered. The selectivity to propylene glycol can be enhanced via feeding ketose as the carbohydrate.