Abstract:
An integrated process for the production of an alkenyl carboxylate, such as vinyl acetate which process comprises the steps of (a) contacting in an oxidation reaction zone a C2 to C4 alkane, such as ethane, a molecular oxygen-containing gas, optionally the corresponding alkene and optionally water, in the presence of a catalyst to produce a stream comprising alkene, carboxylic acid and water; (b) separating at least a portion of the stream from step (a) into a fraction comprising the alkene and a fraction comprising the carboxylic acid and water; (c) contacting in a second reaction zone at least a portion of said alkene fraction produced in step (b), a carboxylic acid and a molecular oxygen-containing gas, in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product stream comprising an alkenyl carboxylate, water and carboxylic acid; (d) separating at least a portion of the product stream from step (c) and at least a portion of the carboxylic acid and water fraction produced in step (b) by azeotropic distillation into an overhead fraction comprising the alkenyl carboxylate and a base fraction comprising the carboxylic acid; (e) recovering the alkenyl carboxylate from the overhead fraction separated in step (d).
Abstract:
Process for the production of vinyl acetate in which ethylene, acid and oxygen-containing gas are combined at elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst material to produce (i) a product mixture comprising vinyl acetate, (ii) a liquid by-product comprising acetic acid and (iii) a gaseous by-product comprising carbon dioxide. The liquid by-product is separated from the product mixture and treated to reduce the water content therein before being recycled to the reactor such that the water entering the reactor comprises less than 6 wt %, (preferably less than 4 wt %, more preferably less than 3 wt %) of the total of acetic acid and water entering the reactor.
Abstract:
In a process for production of vinyl acetate by the reaction of ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen, ethylene is recovered from the gases withdrawn from the reactor and recycled such that the amount of ethylene in the combined feed to the reactor is at least 60 mol %.
Abstract:
Process for producing an alkyl carboxylate, comprising contacting in an oxidation reaction zone a C2 to C4 alkane, a molecular oxygen-containing gas, the corresponding alkene and optionally water, in the presence of at least one catalyst active for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a first product stream comprising alkene, unreacted alkane, carboxylic acid and water; separating in a first separation means at least a portion of the product stream produced in the oxidation reaction zone into a gaseous stream comprising alkene and unreacted alkane and a liquid stream comprising carboxylic acid and water; and separating by chemical treatment at least a portion of the gaseous stream obtained from the first separation means into respective streams rich in alkene and alkane; wherein the chemical treatment comprises the steps of: (1) contacting the alkene/alkane gaseous stream with a solution of a metal salt capable of selectively chemically absorbing the alkene to produce a chemically absorbed alkene-rich liquid stream, and (2) recovering an alkene rich stream from the metal salt solution. In a second reaction zone, at least a portion of the alkene rich stream obtained from the second separation means and a corresponding carboxylic acid are contacted, in the presence of at least one catalyst active for the production of alkyl carboxylate, to produce a second product stream comprising alkyl carboxylate.
Abstract:
Methods and devices to determine rate of particle production and the size range for the particles produced for an individual are described herein. The device (10) contains a mouthpiece (12), a filter (14), a low resistance one-way valve (16), a particle counter (20) and a computer (30). Optionally, the device also contains a gas flow meter (22). The data obtained using the device can be used to determine if a formulation for reducing particle exhalation should be administered to an individual.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for contacting (a) at least one gaseous reactant and (b) at least one liquid selected from the group consisting of reactants, coolants and mixtures thereof in the presence of a fluidized bed of catalyst, in which the liquid is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone and the gaseous reactant is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone adjacent the support means.
Abstract:
Compounds of the general formula: ##SPC1##In which:R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 which may be the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may optionally be substituted by an aryl group, or represents an alkanoyl, aroyl or alkanesulphonyl group;R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group which may optionally be substituted by an aryl group, or represents an alkenyl, aryl or alkylthio group;R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; andR.sub.5 represents a hydrogen atom or an aryl or alkyl group, which alkyl group may optionally be substituted by a cycloalkyl group;And physiologically acceptable salts and derivatives thereof and addition products formed by nucleophilic addition.These compounds act as spasmolytics and phosphodiasterase inhibitors and have cardiotonic and diuretic properties. They are also of use in the treatment of skin disorders and gout.