A process removing ionic liquid from a process stream is described. The process stream is introduced into a coalescer to form an ionic liquid stream and a first treated process stream which has less ionic liquid than the process stream. The first treated process stream is introduced into a separator to form a second treated process stream. The second treated process stream has less ionic liquid than the first treated process stream. The separator is selected from a filtration zone comprising sand or carbon, an adsorption zone, a scrubbing zone, an electrostatic separation zone, or combinations thereof.

There is provided a catalyst that exhibits a high denitration efficiency at a relatively low temperature and does not cause oxidation of SO.sub.2 in a selective catalytic reduction reaction that uses ammonia as a reducing agent. A denitration catalyst contains 3.3 wt % or more of vanadium oxide in terms of vanadium pentoxide and has a BET specific surface area of 10 m.sup.2/g or more.

A combustion system for ships operated at low cost is provided. A combustion system 1 for ships includes an internal combustion engine 20 that burns fuel, an exhaust line L2 through which exhaust gas flows, the exhaust gas being generated through combustion of the fuel in the internal combustion engine 20, an exhaust heat recovery device 40 that is disposed in the exhaust line L2 and that recovers exhaust heat from the exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine 20, and a denitration device 50 that is disposed in the exhaust line L2 and that removes nitrogen oxide from the exhaust gas using a denitration catalyst. The denitration device 50 is disposed downstream from the exhaust heat recovery device 40 in the exhaust line L2. The denitration catalyst contains 43 wt % or more of vanadium pentoxide and has a BET specific surface area of 30 m.sup.2/g or more.

A process for performing a heterogeneously catalysed reaction for the oxidative esterification of aldehydes to carboxylic esters can be performed. Against this background, the process has made it possible to keep the heterogeneous, precious metal catalyst used in this method active during operation in a particularly effective manner, in order to lengthen the period between downtimes and to effect particularly sustainable catalyst management. This gives rise to the possibility of performing such processes in a very simple, economically viable and environmentally benign manner.

A process for performing a heterogeneously catalysed reaction for the oxidative esterification of aldehydes to carboxylic esters can be performed. Against this background, the process has made it possible to keep the heterogeneous, precious metal catalyst used in this method active during operation in a particularly effective manner, in order to lengthen the period between downtimes and to effect particularly sustainable catalyst management. This gives rise to the possibility of performing such processes in a very simple, economically viable and environmentally benign manner.

Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

An apparatus and method for vaporizing and transporting an alkali metal salt is shown. The apparatus has a first conduit capable of transporting an alkali metal salt solution and a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit, the second conduit capable of transporting steam so that the alkali metal salt is dissipated into the steam forming a solution that can be transported, such as to a remote reaction zone. The solution can be transported via a third conduit that is capable of being heated by a heat source. The method can be used to add a promoter to a dehydrogenation catalyst during a dehydrogenation reaction.

An apparatus and method for vaporizing and transporting an alkali metal salt is shown. The apparatus has a first conduit capable of transporting an alkali metal salt solution and a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit, the second conduit capable of transporting steam so that the alkali metal salt is dissipated into the steam forming a solution that can be transported, such as to a remote reaction zone. The solution can be transported via a third conduit that is capable of being heated by a heat source. The method can be used to add a promoter to a dehydrogenation catalyst during a dehydrogenation reaction.

Methods for regenerating a sulfur-contaminated catalyst are disclosed. Such methods may employ a step of washing the sulfur-contaminated catalyst with an aqueous solution containing an alkali metal, followed by contacting the washed catalyst with a halogen solution containing chlorine and fluorine.