A process for separating a catalyst component from a catalyst-containing slurry by centrifugation including separating the catalyst component from the mother liquor of the catalyst-containing slurry using a stacked disc centrifuge equipped with an auto-discharging functionality. The solids discharge from the stacked disc centrifuge is enhanced by adding a washing solution to the bowl and the solids discharge chute of the stacked disc centrifuge.

A process for separating a catalyst component from a catalyst-containing slurry by centrifugation including separating the catalyst component from the mother liquor of the catalyst-containing slurry using a stacked disc centrifuge equipped with an auto-discharging functionality. The solids discharge from the stacked disc centrifuge is enhanced by adding a washing solution to the bowl and the solids discharge chute of the stacked disc centrifuge.

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed. The process may include contacting, in a reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed with a bi-functional catalyst system which may include a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst including a magnetically active metal, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst including tungstate. A liquid effluent stream may be obtained from the reactor and may include hydrogenation catalyst particles and tungsten oxide precipitate particles. The hydrogenation catalyst particles may be magnetically separated from the tungsten oxide precipitate particles in the liquid effluent stream using a magnet in a separation vessel. The separated hydrogenation catalyst particles may be retained in a separation zone in the separation vessel and may be subsequently removed from the separation zone. A liquid product stream may be obtained from the separation vessel and may include the tungsten oxide precipitate particles and ethylene glycol.

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for producing ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate feed. The process may include contacting, in a reactor under hydrogenation conditions, the carbohydrate feed with a bi-functional catalyst system which may include a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst including a magnetically active metal, and a soluble retro-Aldol catalyst including tungstate. A liquid effluent stream may be obtained from the reactor and may include hydrogenation catalyst particles and tungsten oxide precipitate particles. The hydrogenation catalyst particles may be magnetically separated from the tungsten oxide precipitate particles in the liquid effluent stream using a magnet in a separation vessel. The separated hydrogenation catalyst particles may be retained in a separation zone in the separation vessel and may be subsequently removed from the separation zone. A liquid product stream may be obtained from the separation vessel and may include the tungsten oxide precipitate particles and ethylene glycol.

Systems for separating a contaminant trapping additive from a cracking catalyst may include a contaminant removal vessel having one or more fluid connections for receiving contaminated cracking catalyst, contaminated contaminant trapping additive, fresh contaminant trapping additive, and a fluidizing gas. In the contaminant removal vessel, the spent catalyst may be contacted with contaminant trapping additive, which may have an average particle size and/or density greater than the cracking catalyst. A separator may be provided for separating an overhead stream from the contaminant removal vessel into a first stream comprising cracking catalyst and lifting gas and a second stream comprising contaminant trapping additive. A recycle line may be used for transferring contaminant trapping additive recovered in the second separator to the contaminant removal vessel, allowing contaminant trapping additive to accumulate in the contaminant removal vessel. A bottoms product line may provide for recovering contaminant trapping additive from the contaminant removal vessel.

Systems for separating a contaminant trapping additive from a cracking catalyst may include a contaminant removal vessel having one or more fluid connections for receiving contaminated cracking catalyst, contaminated contaminant trapping additive, fresh contaminant trapping additive, and a fluidizing gas. In the contaminant removal vessel, the spent catalyst may be contacted with contaminant trapping additive, which may have an average particle size and/or density greater than the cracking catalyst. A separator may be provided for separating an overhead stream from the contaminant removal vessel into a first stream comprising cracking catalyst and lifting gas and a second stream comprising contaminant trapping additive. A recycle line may be used for transferring contaminant trapping additive recovered in the second separator to the contaminant removal vessel, allowing contaminant trapping additive to accumulate in the contaminant removal vessel. A bottoms product line may provide for recovering contaminant trapping additive from the contaminant removal vessel.

Disclosed is a method for recovering a spent metal-containing homogeneous catalyst using a solid adsorbent selected from bleaching agents, filter aids and mixtures thereof. In particular, the solid adsorbent is selected from bleaching earths, perlites, diatomaceous earths and mixtures thereof. Disclosed is a method for recovering a spent metal-containing homogeneous catalyst including the following steps: (A) providing a solution containing the spent metal-containing homogeneous catalyst, the solution containing at least one solvent selected from water and an organic solvent, (B) adding to the provided solution the solid adsorbent to obtain a suspension of a solid and a solvent, (C) separating the suspension to obtain a purified solvent and the solid adsorbent containing the spent metal-containing homogeneous catalyst adsorbed thereon.

Disclosed is a method for recovering a spent metal-containing homogeneous catalyst using a solid adsorbent selected from bleaching agents, filter aids and mixtures thereof. In particular, the solid adsorbent is selected from bleaching earths, perlites, diatomaceous earths and mixtures thereof. Disclosed is a method for recovering a spent metal-containing homogeneous catalyst including the following steps: (A) providing a solution containing the spent metal-containing homogeneous catalyst, the solution containing at least one solvent selected from water and an organic solvent, (B) adding to the provided solution the solid adsorbent to obtain a suspension of a solid and a solvent, (C) separating the suspension to obtain a purified solvent and the solid adsorbent containing the spent metal-containing homogeneous catalyst adsorbed thereon.

Systems for separating a contaminant trapping additive from a cracking catalyst may include a contaminant removal vessel having one or more fluid connections for receiving contaminated cracking catalyst, contaminated contaminant trapping additive, fresh contaminant trapping additive, and a fluidizing gas. In the contaminant removal vessel, the spent catalyst may be contacted with contaminant trapping additive, which may have an average particle size and/or density greater than the cracking catalyst. A separator may be provided for separating an overhead stream from the contaminant removal vessel into a first stream comprising cracking catalyst and lifting gas and a second stream comprising contaminant trapping additive. A recycle line may be used for transferring contaminant trapping additive recovered in the second separator to the contaminant removal vessel, allowing contaminant trapping additive to accumulate in the contaminant removal vessel. A bottoms product line may provide for recovering contaminant trapping additive from the contaminant removal vessel.

Systems for separating a contaminant trapping additive from a cracking catalyst may include a contaminant removal vessel having one or more fluid connections for receiving contaminated cracking catalyst, contaminated contaminant trapping additive, fresh contaminant trapping additive, and a fluidizing gas. In the contaminant removal vessel, the spent catalyst may be contacted with contaminant trapping additive, which may have an average particle size and/or density greater than the cracking catalyst. A separator may be provided for separating an overhead stream from the contaminant removal vessel into a first stream comprising cracking catalyst and lifting gas and a second stream comprising contaminant trapping additive. A recycle line may be used for transferring contaminant trapping additive recovered in the second separator to the contaminant removal vessel, allowing contaminant trapping additive to accumulate in the contaminant removal vessel. A bottoms product line may provide for recovering contaminant trapping additive from the contaminant removal vessel.