Systems are provided that permit temperature control of a catalyst bed for conversion of alcohols to fuel hydrocarbons by modulating the water content of the alcohol feed stream provided to the catalyst bed. In some embodiments a secondary catalyst bed is provided for the conversion of light hydrocarbons found in the initial hydrocarbon product to fuel hydrocarbons that are liquid at ambient temperature and pressure.

A reactor layout for a process of methanol production from low quality synthesis gas, in which relatively smaller adiabatic reactors can be operated more efficiently, some of the inherent disadvantages of adiabatic reactors for methanol production are avoided. This is done by controlling the outlet temperature in the pre-converter by rapid adjustment of the recycle gas, i.e. by manipulating the gas hourly space velocity in the pre-converter.

A process for commencing a continuous reaction in a reactor system includes introducing a catalyst to a catalyst processing portion of the reactor system, the catalyst initially having a first temperature of 500 C or less, and contacting the catalyst at the first temperature with a commencement fuel gas stream, which includes at least 80 mol % commencement fuel gas, in the catalyst processing portion. Contacting of the catalyst with the commencement fuel gas stream causes combustion of the commencement fuel gas. The process includes maintaining the contacting of the catalyst with the commencement fuel gas stream until the temperature of the catalyst increases from the first temperature to a second temperature at which combustion of a regenerator fuel source maintains an operating temperature range in the catalyst processing portion.

A method for removing perfluorinated compounds from a fluoropolymer material is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing the fluoropolymer material in a chamber; (b) providing an anaerobic environment in the chamber; and (c) providing a fluorination gas in the chamber, thereby exposing the fluoropolymer material to the fluorination gas. The method results in the removal the perfluorinated compounds from the fluoropolymer material.

The present invention is directed to methods of producing THC from CBD utilizing non-harsh methodology and resulting in substantially increased yields, as well as devices built upon these novel methods. The methods and devices are material efficient, and in certain embodiments, solvent-free. In particular, in certain embodiments, these methods and related devices are suitable for commercial production of THC from CBD. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of producing THC from CBD in manner that affords tunability to select the ratio of THC-8 to THC-9.

A load-following reactor system and associated facilities for improved control of a reactor under varying loads. The load-following reactor may be a tube-cooled reactor for methanol synthesis. A reactant may be controlled by at least one valve element such that a portion of the reactant is fed to the reactor through the reactor tubes, and a portion of the reactant is fed to the reactor after being heated in a heat exchanger. The heated portion of the reactant may be fed to the reactor after the tubes. The valve element may be controlled based on a temperature of the reactor and/or a flowrate of reactant feed to adapt the temperature of the reactor to the changing reactant flowrate.

A support structure for a structured catalytic packing is disclosed. The support structure is in a fixed position relative to the reactor tube containing it. It supports catalyzed casings that are free to move relative to the support structure. The support structure and casings are inserted in the reactor tube such that the support structure is located proximate the longitudinal axis of the tube and the casings are located between the support structure and the reactor tube wall. The support structure comprises a central support tube or rod proximate to, and impervious or perforated discs perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube, and may comprise spacers separating the discs.

The present invention relates to a method for producing mixtures of hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds, for use as fuel components (preferably in the range C5-C16), by means of catalytic conversion of the oxygenated organic compounds contained in aqueous fractions derived from biomass treatments, wherein said method can comprise at least the following steps: (i) bringing the aqueous mixture containing the oxygenated organic compounds derived from biomass in contact with a catalyst comprising at least Sn and Nb, Sn and Ti, and combinations of Sn, Ti and Nb; (ii) reacting the mixture with the catalyst in a catalytic reactor at temperatures between 100 and 350° C. and under pressures from 1 to 80 bar in the absence of hydrogen; and (iii) recovering the products obtained by means of the liquid/liquid separation of the aqueous and organic phases.

Systems and methods are provided that permit temperature control of a catalyst bed for conversion of alcohols to fuel hydrocarbons by modulating the water content of the alcohol feed stream provided to the catalyst bed. Heat generated by exothermic reactions in the catalyst bed can be utilized to pre-heat the alcohol feed stream. In some embodiments a secondary catalyst bed is provided for the conversion of light hydrocarbons found in the initial hydrocarbon product to fuel hydrocarbons that are liquid at ambient temperature and pressure.

In a catalytic reaction, after a reaction product leaves a catalyst bed, an inert substance with a low temperature is sprayed, and through heat absorption and vaporization processes of the inert substance, the temperature of the reaction product drops rapidly when staying in a catalyst cushion layer at a discharge end of a fixed bed reactor, or in a space formed by the catalyst cushion layer at the discharge end of the fixed bed reactor and a reactor head, or in a space formed by a tube plate at the discharge end of the fixed bed reactor and the reactor head. The residence time of the reaction product is shortened due to the entrance of the inert substance in a gaseous state.