Abstract:
Preparation of carbonyl compounds from unsaturated olefin hydrocarbons is conducted in the presence of a catalyst system such as palladium chloride in an aqueous medium, a redox system such as cupric chloride using an oxidant such as oxygen or air in which the rate of reaction or throughput may be increased by use of a wetproofed Contacogen. Typical materials for use as a Contacogen include granular carbon wetproofed with a fluorocarbon resin such as PTFE. By use of a Contacogen it is possible to increase the rate and/or throughput over that obtained without the use of a Contacogen even when the reactions are conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures, e.g., below about 150*C and below about 5 atmospheres. Various catalyst and redox systems may be used and process parameters may be varied to produce various products, e.g., acetaldehyde from ethylene at low temperatures and pressure.
Abstract:
A method of treating animal wastes to reduce odors produced by the decomposition of the organic materials in the animal wastes. Contacogen particles, comprising solid catalyst particles having surface portions which are wetproofed by treatment with a hydrophobic material, are floated on the surface of a watery mass containing the animal wastes. The Contacogen particles promote the oxidation by air of the odoriferous compounds produced by the degenerative breakdown of the animal wastes. In addition, the Contacogen particles are self-renewing in that a portion of them is continually at the air interface where the oxidation takes place. Livestock manure, human sewage, and the like may be treated in this manner wherever present in a contained, open air watery mass.