The present invention concerns a catalyst system in particular a catalyst system comprising Palladium (Pd), a zwitterion and/or an acid-functionalized ionic liquid, and one or more phosphine ligands, wherein the Pd catalyst can be provided by a complex precursor, such as Pd(CH.sub.3COO).sub.2, PdCl.sub.2, Pd(CH.sub.3COCHCOCH.sub.3), Pd(CF.sub.3COO).sub.2, Pd(PPh.sub.3).sub.4 or Pd.sub.2(dibenzylideneacetone).sub.3. Such catalyst systems can be used for e.g. alkoxycarbonylation reactions, carboxylation reactions, and/or in a co-polymerization reaction, e.g. in the production of methyl propionate and/or propanoic acid, optionally in processes forming methyl methacrylate and/or methacrylic acid. Catalyst systems according to the invention are suitable for reactions forming separable product and catalyst phases and supported ionic liquid phase SILP applications.

Processes for separating conjunct polymer from an organic phase are described. A mixture comprising an ionic liquid phase and the organic phase into the ionic phase and an organic phase comprising the conjunct polymer and at least one silyl or boryl compound. The organic phase is separated in a fractionation column into an overhead fraction comprising unreacted silane or borane compound and a bottoms fraction comprising the conjunct polymer and the silyl or boryl compound. The bottoms fraction is passed through an adsorption zone, and the silyl or boryl compound is recovered. Alternatively, the organic phase is passed through an adsorption zone first to remove the conjunct polymer and then a fractionation zone to separate the unreacted silane or borane compound from the silyl or boryl compound.

Systems, reactors, and processes for regenerating ionic liquid using catalyst. A plurality of tubular reactors are provided having a first end and a second end and catalyst particles disposed in the tubular reactor between the first end and the second end. A line supplies separated ionic liquid catalyst to the first end of the tubular reactor. Hydrogen is also supplied. Regenerated ionic liquid catalyst is recovered from the second end of the tubular reactor. The inner surface of the tubular reactor is preferably non-corrosive or non-reactive. A fluoropolymer lining may be used. The tubular reactors are modular, and may be changed out with the catalyst inside when the catalyst are to be replaced.

The present disclosure relates to methods for selectively hydrogenating acetylene, to methods for starting up a selective hydrogenation reactor, and to hydrogenation catalysts useful in such methods. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method for selectively hydrogenating acetylene, the method comprising contacting a catalyst composition with a process gas. The catalyst composition comprises a porous support, palladium, and one or more ionic liquids. The process gas includes ethylene, present in the process gas in an amount of at least 20 mol. %; acetylene, present in the process gas in an amount of at least 1 ppm; and 0 to 190 ppm or at least 600 ppm carbon monoxide. At least 90% of the acetylene present in the process gas is hydrogenated, and the selective hydrogenation is conducted without thermal runaway.

Systems, reactors, and processes for regenerating ionic liquid using catalyst. A plurality of tubular reactors are provided having a first end and a second end and catalyst particles disposed in the tubular reactor between the first end and the second end. A line supplies separated ionic liquid catalyst to the first end of the tubular reactor. Hydrogen is also supplied. Regenerated ionic liquid catalyst is recovered from the second end of the tubular reactor. The inner surface of the tubular reactor is preferably non-corrosive or non-reactive. A fluoropolymer lining may be used. The tubular reactors are modular, and may be changed out with the catalyst inside when the catalyst are to be replaced.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming a lignin fraction from crude lignin which has been processed by means of a treatment step selected from enzymatic treatment, treatment with ionic liquid and their combinations. The method comprises treating the crude lignin (1) by a lignin liberation in at least one lignin liberation step (3), and separating a lignin fraction (6) in at least one separation step (5). Further, the invention relates to a lignin composition and its use.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming a lignin fraction from crude lignin which has been processed by means of a treatment step selected from enzymatic treatment, treatment with ionic liquid and their combinations. The method comprises treating the crude lignin (1) by a lignin liberation in at least one lignin liberation step (3), and separating a lignin fraction (6) in at least one separation step (5). Further, the invention relates to a lignin composition and its use.

Methods for making acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof by contacting a feed stream containing lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with a molten salt catalyst comprising an ionic liquid (IL) and an acid in liquid phase are provided.

Methods comprising: evaporating a catalyst source to produce a catalyst gas; condensing the catalyst gas to produce a catalyst vapor comprising catalyst droplets suspended in a gas phase; and contacting the catalyst vapor with a hydrocarbon gas to catalyze a decomposition reaction of the hydrocarbon gas into hydrogen gas and carbon. And, systems comprising: a catalyst source evaporator that provides a first stream to a reactor; a hydrocarbon source that provides a second stream to the reactor; a cooling column coupled to the reactor via a third stream comprising hydrogen, catalyst liquid, solid carbon, optionally catalyst gas, and optionally unreacted hydrocarbon gas such that the cooling column receives the third stream from the reactor; and wherein the cooling column has effluent streams that include (a) a fourth stream that comprises hydrogen and optionally catalyst gas and (b) a fifth stream that comprises catalyst liquid.

Methods comprising: evaporating a catalyst source to produce a catalyst gas; condensing the catalyst gas to produce a catalyst vapor comprising catalyst droplets suspended in a gas phase; and contacting the catalyst vapor with a hydrocarbon gas to catalyze a decomposition reaction of the hydrocarbon gas into hydrogen gas and carbon. And, systems comprising: a catalyst source evaporator that provides a first stream to a reactor; a hydrocarbon source that provides a second stream to the reactor; a cooling column coupled to the reactor via a third stream comprising hydrogen, catalyst liquid, solid carbon, optionally catalyst gas, and optionally unreacted hydrocarbon gas such that the cooling column receives the third stream from the reactor; and wherein the cooling column has effluent streams that include (a) a fourth stream that comprises hydrogen and optionally catalyst gas and (b) a fifth stream that comprises catalyst liquid.