A process for bio-1,3-butanediol purification from a fermentation broth includes the steps of: (a) subjecting the fermentation broth to separation, (b) subjecting the product obtained in step (a) to treatment with ion-exchange resins, (c) subjecting the product obtained in step (b) to a first evaporation, (d) subjecting the product obtained in step (c) to a second evaporation; and (e) subjecting the product obtained in step (d) to a third evaporation, obtaining purified bio-1,3-butanediol. The purified bio-1,3-butanediol can be used to produce bio-1,3-butadiene. Bio-1,3-butadiene can be used as a monomer or as an intermediate to produce elastomers and (co)polymers.

A process for preparing C.sub.2 to C.sub.5 olefins includes introducing a feed stream comprising hydrogen and at least one carbon-containing component selected from the group consisting of CO, CO.sub.2, and mixtures thereof into a reaction zone. The feed stream is contacted with a hybrid catalyst in the reaction zone, and a product stream is formed that exits the reaction zone and includes C.sub.2 to C.sub.5 olefins. The hybrid catalyst includes a methanol synthesis component and a solid microporous acid component that is selected from molecular sieves having 8-MR access and having a framework type selected from the group consisting of CHA, AEI, AFX, ERI, LTA, UFI, RTH, and combinations thereof. The methanol synthesis component comprises a metal oxide support and a metal catalyst. The metal oxide support includes titania, zirconia, hafnia or mixtures thereof, and the metal catalyst includes zinc.

Bio-based ethanol, such as ethanol produced from lignocellulosic materials, for example, is processed to produce bio-based ethylene, which can then be processed further to produce other bio-based materials including bio-based polymers and copolymers, including bio-based polyethylene, bio-based α-olefins, bio-based 1,2-diols, as well as other compounds.

Catalytic forms and formulations are provided. The catalytic forms and formulations are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

A catalyst for preparing light olefin using direct conversion of syngas is a composite catalyst and formed by compounding component I and component II in a mechanical mixing mode. The active ingredient of component I is a metal oxide; and the component II is one or more than one of zeolite of CHA and AEI structures or metal modified CHA and/or AEI zeolite. A weight ratio of the active ingredients in the component I to the component II is 0.1-20. The reaction process has high product yield and selectivity, wherein the sum of the selectivity of the propylene and butylene reaches 40-75%; and the sum of the selectivity of light olefin comprising ethylene, propylene and butylene can reach 50-90%. Meanwhile, the selectivity of a methane side product is less than 15%.

It is provided solid, heterogeneous catalysts for the deoxygenation of esters of free fatty acids and triglycerides, and for the production of hydrocarbons that can be used as biofuels. More particularly, the catalyst comprises at least one metal oxide, the catalyst having a formula Al.sub.aCu.sub.bNi.sub.cSi.sub.dTi.sub.eZn.sub.fZr.sub.gLa.sub.hCe.sub.iW.sub.jSn.sub.kGa.sub.lFe.sub.mMO.sub.nMn.sub.oCO.sub.pO.sub.x, wherein a, b, c, d, g, h, i, j, k, l, m n, o, p and x are the molar ratios of the respective elements, wherein a, b, c, d, h, i, j, k, I, m, n, o and p are >0, e, f and g are >0 and x is such that the catalyst is electrically neutral.

Described herein are catalysts and methods for converting waste biogas (e.g., a mixture of carbon dioxide and methane) into useful products. In some embodiments, the biogas is converted into a highly purified methane, that can be further processed to generate fuel products, including recycled natural gas (RNG) and liquid fuels. The described catalysts and methods may be advantageous over conventional methods, including by reducing catalyst costs, decreasing temperature requirements and/or providing higher purity products by reducing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in product streams.

An organic base modified composite catalyst for producing ethylene by hydrogenation of carbon monoxide is a composite catalyst and formed by compounding component I and component II in a mechanical mixing mode. The active ingredient of the component I is a metal oxide; the component II is an organic base modified zeolite of MOR topology; and a weight ratio of the active ingredients in the component I to the component II is 0.1-20, and preferably 0.3-8. The reaction process has an extremely high product yield and selectivity. The selectivity of C.sub.2-C.sub.3 olefins is as high as 78-87%; the selectivity of hydrocarbon products with more than 4 C atoms is less than 10%; the selectivity of a methane side product is extremely low (<9%); and meanwhile, the selectivity of the ethylene is 75-82%.

A catalyst for synthesizing a conjugated diene from a raw material including an alcohol, which includes at least Ce and Zn as metal elements constituting the catalyst. An apparatus for producing a conjugated diene, including: a reaction tube (1) provided with the catalyst; a supply means for supplying a raw material gas containing the raw material into the reaction tube (1); and an outlet means for releasing a product from the reaction tube (1). A method for producing a conjugated diene, including contacting a raw material gas containing a raw material with the catalyst to obtain a conjugated diene. The amount of the raw material is preferably 10 to 50% by volume (in terms of gas volume) with respect to 100% by volume (in terms of gas volume) of the raw material gas.

Disclosed are novel catalyst compositions, catalyst precursors, processes for making catalyst precursors, processes for making catalyst compositions, and processes for converting syngas. The catalytic component in the catalyst composition can comprise a metal carbide and/or a metal nitride. This disclosure is particularly useful for converting syngas via the Fischer-Tropsch reactions to make olefins and/or alcohols.