All The Claims

1. An oxygen sensor comprising:
a base body portion; and
a plurality of function layers laminated on a surface of the base body portion, the function layers including
a solid electrolyte layer adapted to conduct oxygen ions,
a reference electrode layer located on a base body portion side of the solid electrolyte layer,
a sensing electrode layer located on the opposite side of the solid electrolyte layer to the reference electrode layer,
a heater portion adapted to activate the solid electrolyte layer by heating, and
a gas diffusion layer formed between the reference electrode layer and the base body portion, and adapted to diffuse a reference gas within the gas diffusion layer,
the gas diffusion layer being formed to have a porosity indicating a limit current value ranging between 60 \u03bcA and 200 \u03bcA, the limit current value being a value of a current flowing between the reference electrode layer and the sensing electrode layer when the current flowing therebetween becomes substantially constant during the process of bringing higher a voltage applied between the reference electrode layer and the sensing electrode layer.
2. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the gas diffusion layer is formed of a ceramic material and a vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 10% and 60% of a total amount of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material in weight;
an average particle diameter of the vacancy forming material ranges from 1 \u03bcm to 20 \u03bcm; and
the vacancy forming material is adapted to disappear when undergoing a sintering to form the gas diffusion layer as a porous ceramic layer.
3. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ratio is defined by a content of the vacancy forming material relative to the ceramic material before undergoing the sintering.
4. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gas diffusion layer is formed of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 30% and 50% of the total amount of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material in weight.
5. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the gas diffusion layer is formed of a ceramic material and a vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 20% and 80% of a total amount of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material in volume;
an average particle diameter of the vacancy forming material ranges from 1 \u03bcm to 20 \u03bcm; and
the vacancy forming material is adapted to disappear when undergoing a sintering to form the gas diffusion layer as a porous ceramic layer.
6. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solid electrolyte layer includes a plurality of laminated sublayers.
7. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the gas diffusion layer is formed of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 50% and 70% of the total amount of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material in volume.
8. An oxygen sensor comprising:
a base body portion; and
a plurality of function layers laminated on a surface of the base body portion, the function layers including
a solid electrolyte layer adapted to conduct oxygen ions,
a reference electrode layer located on a base body portion side of the solid electrolyte layer,
a sensing electrode layer located on the opposite side of the solid electrolyte layer to the reference electrode layer,
a heater portion adapted to activate the solid electrolyte layer by heating, and
a gas diffusion layer formed between the reference electrode layer and the base body portion, and adapted to diffuse a reference gas within the gas diffusion layer,
the gas diffusion layer being formed of a ceramic material and a vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 10% and 60% of a total amount of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material in weight, the vacancy forming material being adapted to disappear when undergoing a sintering to form the gas diffusion layer as a porous ceramic layer.
9. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the gas diffusion layer is formed of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 30% and 50% of the total amount of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material in weight under a state before the sintering.
10. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 8, wherein an average particle diameter of the vacancy forming material ranges from 1 \u03bcm to 20 \u03bcm.
11. An oxygen sensor comprising:
a base body portion; and
a plurality of function layers laminated on a surface of the base body portion, the function layers including
a solid electrolyte layer adapted to conduct oxygen ions,
a reference electrode layer located on a base body portion side of the solid electrolyte layer,
a sensing electrode layer located on the opposite side of the solid electrolyte layer to the reference electrode layer,
a heater portion adapted to activate the solid electrolyte layer by heating, and
a gas diffusion layer formed between the reference electrode layer and the base body portion, and adapted to diffuse a reference gas within the gas diffusion layer,
the gas diffusion layer being formed of a ceramic material and a vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 20% and 80% of a total amount of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material in volume, the vacancy forming material being adapted to disappear when undergoing a sintering to form the gas diffusion layer as a porous ceramic layer.
12. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the gas diffusion layer is formed of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 50% and 70% of the total amount of the ceramic material and the vacancy forming material in volume under a state before the sintering.
13. The oxygen sensor as claimed in claim 11, wherein an average particle diameter of the vacancy forming material ranges from 1 \u03bcm to 20 \u03bcm.
14. A manufacturing method for an oxygen sensor including
a base body portion; and
a plurality of function layers laminated on a surface of the base body portion, the function layers including
a solid electrolyte layer adapted to conduct oxygen ions,
a reference electrode layer located on a base body portion-side of the solid electrolyte layer,
a sensing electrode layer located on the opposite side of the solid electrolyte layer to the reference electrode layer,
a heater portion adapted to activate the solid electrolyte layer by heating, and
a gas diffusion layer formed between the reference electrode layer and the base body portion, and adapted to diffuse a reference gas within the gas diffusion layer,

the manufacturing method comprising:
a first step of mixing a ceramic material with a vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 10% and 60% in weight or between 20% and 80% in volume relative to a total amount of ceramic material and vacancy forming material; and
a second step of sintering the mixture to cause the vacancy forming material to disappear, thereby to form the gas diffusion layer as a porous ceramic layer.
15. The manufacturing method as claimed in claim 14, wherein in the first step,
a ceramic material is mixed with the vacancy forming material having an amount accounting for a ratio between 30% and 50% in weight or between 50% and 70% in volume relative to the total amount of ceramic material and vacancy forming material.
16. The manufacturing method as claimed in claim 14, wherein in the first step,
an average particle diameter of the vacancy forming material ranges from 1 \u03bcm to 20 \u03bcm.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An elongate wooden post for embedment in the ground comprising:
a first portion for embedment into the ground, said first portion having a longitudinal axis and a solid cross-sectional shape having a first cross-sectional area oriented perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;
a second portion integrally formed with and extending from said first portion for extending along said longitudinal axis upwardly above the ground;
at least one notch cut into said first at a predetermined location portion, said at least one notch comprising a predetermined concave arcuate shape extending radially inward a predetermined radial depth into said first portion to define a minimum cross-sectional area of said area of first portion, said minimum cross-sectional area being oriented perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and substantially smaller than said first cross-sectional area, interaction between said at least one notch and the ground creating a compressive interaction, variation in said predetermined radial depth enabling a post pull-out force to be selectively increased to a desired value resulting from increasing the compressive force interaction between said at least one notch and the ground wherein said desired value exceeds a pull-out force resulting from a shear force interaction between the post and the ground; and
a protective cover formed from a non-perforated plastic heat-shrunk material covering the entirety of said first portion and an adjacent portion of said second portion to prevent deterioration of said wooden post, said material having a shrink ratio wherein said shrink ratio is equal to or greater than a ratio of said first cross-sectional area to said minimum cross-sectional area thereby enabling said cover to fully conform to the surface of said post and said at least one notch.
2. The post of claim 1, wherein said post has a generally rectangular cross section and said at least one notch is formed on an apex of two adjacent sides of said post.

1. A system for automated compiling and generating item list information comprising:
receiving means adapted for receiving, from an associated user, assortment data inclusive of at least one item;
storage means adapted for storing the received assortment data in electronic form;
categorizing means adapted for assigning a category to the at least one item included in the received assortment data;
generating means adapted for compiling and generating item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category; and
display means adapted for displaying the item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category.
2. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 1 further comprising voice recognition means, wherein the receiving means is further adapted for receiving, from the associated user, the assortment data in a form of voice data, and wherein the voice recognition means is adapted for recognizing the received assortment data present in the voice data.
3. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 1, wherein the receiving means is further adapted for receiving, from the associated user, the assortment data in a form of alphanumeric data.
4. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 1 further comprising output means adapted for outputting the item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category.
5. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 1 wherein the assigned category is at least one of the group including alphabetical order, similar items, temporal order, and user-defined order.
6. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 1 wherein the system is a portable electronic device.
7. A method for automated compiling and generating item list information comprising the steps:
receiving, from an associated user, assortment data inclusive of at least one item;
storing the received assortment data in electronic form;
assigning a category to the at least one item included in the received assortment data;
compiling item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category;
generating item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category; and
displaying the item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category.
8. The method for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving further comprises receiving the assortment data in a form of voice data, and recognizing the received assortment data present in the voice data.
9. The method for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving further comprises receiving the assortment data in a form of alphanumeric data.
10. The method for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 7 further comprising the step of outputting the item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category.
11. The method for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 10 wherein the step of outputting the item list information further comprises printing the item list information representative of the received assortment data in a form of a hard copy.
12. The method for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 10 wherein the step of outputting the item list information further comprises the step of communicating the item list information representative of the received assortment data to a remote computer.
13. A portable electronic device for automated compiling and generating item list information comprising:
a user interface including input means and a local graphical display means, the input means adapted for receiving, from an associated user, assortment data inclusive of at least one item;
storage means adapted for storing the received assortment data in electronic form;
categorizing means adapted for assigning a category to the at least one item included in the received assortment data;
generating means adapted for compiling and generating item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category; and
output means adapted for outputting the item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category;
wherein the local graphical display means is adapted for displaying the item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the assigned category.
14. The portable electronic device for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 13 further comprising voice recognition means, wherein the input means is further adapted for receiving, from an associated user, the assortment data in a form of voice data, and wherein the voice recognition means is adapted for recognizing the received assortment data present in the voice data.
15. The portable electronic device for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 13, wherein the input means is further adapted for receiving, from an associated user, the assortment data in a form of alphanumeric data.
16. The portable electronic device for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 13, further comprising printing means adapted for printing the item list information representative of the received assortment data a form of a hard copy.
17. The portable electronic device for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 13 further comprising mounting means adapted for mounting the portable handheld device on at least one of the group including a vertical surface, a horizontal surface, and a household appliance.
18. The portable electronic device for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 13 wherein the assigned category is at least one of the group including alphabetical order, similar items, temporal order, and user-defined order.
19. The portable electronic device for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 13 wherein the input means is further adapted for editing the item list information so as to remove at least one item from the list.
20. The portable electronic device for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 13, wherein the portable electronic device is a handheld device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

That which is claimed:

1. A composition comprising:
(a) an iron oxide; and
(b) a promoter
wherein at least a portion of said promoter is present as a reduced valence promoter.
2. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said promoter is present in an amount which will effect the removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream when contacted with said composition under desulfurization conditions.
3. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said promoter comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, silver, tin, antimony, vanadium, gold, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, chromium, palladium, titanium, zirconium, rhodium, rhenium, and combinations of any two or more thereof.
4. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 90 weight percent.
5. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 30 to about 80 weight percent.
6. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from 40 to 70 weight percent.
7. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from about 1 to about 60 weight percent.
8. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 40 weight percent.
9. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from 8 to 20 weight percent.
10. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said promoter comprises nickel.
11. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said promoter comprises iron.
12. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said composition is a particulate in the form of one of granules, extrudates, tablets, spheres, pellets, or micro spheres.
13. A composition in accordance with claim 12 wherein said particulate is a microsphere.
14. A composition comprising:
(a) an iron oxide;
(b) a silicon-containing material;
(c) an aluminum-containing material selected from the group consisting of alumina, aluminate, and combinations thereof; and
(d) a promoter
wherein at least a portion of said promoter is present as a reduced valence promoter.
15. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said promoter is present in an amount which will effect the removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream when contacted with said composition under desulfurization conditions.
16. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said promoter comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, silver, tin, antimony, vanadium, gold, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, chromium, palladium, titanium, zirconium, rhodium, rhenium, and combinations of any two or more thereof.
17. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 90 weight percent.
18. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 30 to about 80 weight percent.
19. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from 40 to 70 weight percent.
20. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from about 1 to about 60 weight percent.
21. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 40 weight percent.
22. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from 8 to 20 weight percent.
23. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 40 weight percent and said aluminum-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 1 to about 30 weight percent.
24. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 12 to about 35 weight percent and said aluminum-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 25 weight percent.
25. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from 15 to 30 weight percent and said aluminum-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from 10 to 22 weight percent.
26. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said promoter comprises nickel.
27. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said promoter comprises iron.
28. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in the form of expanded perlite.
29. A composition in accordance with claim 28 wherein said expanded perlite is milled.
30. A composition in accordance with claim 14 wherein said composition is a particulate in the form of one of granules, extrudates, tablets, spheres, pellets, or miscrospheres.
31. A composition in accordance with claim 30 wherein said particulate is a microsphere.
32. A process for the production of a composition comprising:
(a) admixing: 1) a liquid, 2) an iron-containing compound, 3) a silicon-containing material, 4) alumina, and 5) a promoter so as to form a mixture thereof;
(b) drying said mixture so as to form a dried mixture;
(c) calcining said dried mixture so as to form a calcined mixture;
(d) reducing said calcined mixture with a suitable reducing agent under suitable conditions to produce a composition having a reduced valence promoter content therein, and
(e) recovering said composition.
33. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said calcined mixture is reduced in step (d) such that said composition will effect the removal of sulfur from a stream of hydrocarbons when such stream is contacted with same under desulfurization conditions.
34. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said promoter comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, silver, tin, antimony, vanadium, gold, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, chromium, palladium, titanium, zirconium, rhodium, rhenium, and combinations of any two or more thereof.
35. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said silicon-containing material is in the form of expanded perlite.
36. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said mixture from step (a) is in the form of one of a wet mix, dough, paste, or slurry.
37. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said mixture from step (a) is particulated prior to said drying in step (b).
38. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said mixture from step (a) is particulated in the form of one of granules, extrudates, tablets, spheres, pellets, or microspheres prior to said drying in step (b).
39. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said mixture from step (a) is particulated by spray drying in step (b) so as to form said dried mixture.
40. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said mixture is dried in step (b) at a temperature in the range of from about 150 F. to about 450 F.
41. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said dried mixture is calcined in step (c) at a temperature in the range of from about 400 to about 1500 F.
42. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said composition recovered in step (e) comprises:
(a) an iron oxide;
(b) said silicon-containing material;
(c) an aluminum-containing material selected from the group consisting of alumina, aluminate and combinations thereof, and
(d) a promoter
wherein at least a portion of said promoter is present as a reduced valence promoter.
43. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 90 weight percent.
44. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 30 to about 80 weight percent.
45. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from 40 to 70 weight percent.
46. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from about 1 to about 60 weight percent.
47. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 40 weight percent.
48. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from 8 to 20 weight percent.
49. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 40 weight percent and said aluminum-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 1 to about 30 weight percent.
50. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 12 to about 35 weight percent and said aluminum-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 25 weight percent.
51. A process in accordance with claim 42 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from 15 to 30 weight percent and said aluminum-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from 10 to 22 weight percent.
52. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said promoter is comprised of nickel.
53. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said promoter is comprised of iron.
54. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein said calcined mixture is reduced in step (d) at a temperature in the range of from about 100 F. to about 1500 F. and at a pressure in the range of from about 15 to about 1500 psia and for a time sufficient to permit the formation of a reduced valence promoter.
55. A process in accordance with claim 32 wherein during said calcining of step (c) at least a portion of said alumina is converted to aluminate.
56. A composition prepared by the process of claim 32.
57. A composition prepared by the process of claim 37.
58. A composition prepared by the process of claim 43.
59. A composition prepared by the process of claim 44.
60. A composition prepared by the process of claim 46.
61. A composition prepared by the process of claim 47.
62. A composition prepared by the process of claim 49.
63. A process for the production of a composition comprising:
(a) admixing: 1) a liquid, 2) an iron-containing compound, 3) a silicon-containing material, and 4) alumina so as to form a mixture thereof;
(b) drying said mixture so as to form a dried mixture;
(c) calcining said dried mixture so as to form a calcined mixture;
(d) incorporating a promoter onto or into said calcined mixture so as to form a promoted mixture;
(e) drying said promoted mixture so as to form a dried promoted mixture;
(f) calcining said dried promoted mixture so as to form a calcined promoted mixture;
(g) reducing said calcined promoted mixture with a suitable reducing agent under suitable conditions to produce a composition having a reduced valence promoter content therein; and
(h) recovering said composition.
64. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said calcined promoted mixture is reduced in step (g) such that said composition of step (g) will effect the removal of sulfur from a stream of hydrocarbons when such stream is contacted with same under desulfurization conditions.
65. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said calcined mixture from step (c) is incorporated with a promoter comprised of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, silver, tin, antimony, vanadium, gold, platinum, ruthenium, iridium, chromium, palladium, titanium, zirconium, rhodium, rhenium, and combinations of any two or more thereof.
66. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in the form of expanded perlite.
67. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said mixture from step (a) is in the form of one of a wet mix, dough, paste, or slurry.
68. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said mixture from step (a) is particulated prior to drying in step (b).
69. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said mixture from step (a) is particulated in the form of one of granules, extrudates, tablets, spheres, pellets, or microspheres.
70. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said mixture from step (a) is particulated by spray drying in step (b) so as to form said dried mixture.
71. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said mixture and said promoted mixture are each dried in steps (b) and (e), respectively, at a temperature in the range of about 150 F. to about 450 F.
72. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said dried mixture and said dried promoted mixture are each calcined in steps (c) and (f), respectively, at a temperature in the range of about 400 to about 1500 F.
73. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said composition recovered in step (h) comprises:
(a) an iron oxide;
(b) said silicon-containing material;
(c) an aluminum-containing material selected from the group consisting of alumina, aluminate and combinations thereof; and
(d) a promoter
wherein at least a portion of said promoter is present as a reduced valence promoter.
74. A process in accordance with claim 73 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 90 weight percent.
75. A process in accordance with claim 73 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 30 to about 80 weight percent.
76. A process in accordance with claim 73 wherein said iron oxide is present in an amount in the range of from about 40 to about 70 weight percent.
77. A process in accordance with claim 73 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from about 1 to about 60 weight percent.
78. A process in accordance with claim 73 wherein and said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 40 weight percent.
79. A process in accordance with claim 73 wherein said promoter is present in an amount in the range of from 8 to 20 weight percent.
80. A process in accordance with claim 73 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 40 weight percent and said aluminum-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 1.0 to about 30 weight percent.
81. A process in accordance with claim 73 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 12 to about 35 weight percent and said aluminum-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 25 weight percent.
82. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said silicon-containing material is present in an amount in the range of from 15 to 30 weight percent and said alumina is present in an amount in the range of from 10 to 22 weight percent.
83. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said promoter is comprised of nickel.
84. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein said promoter is comprised of iron.
85. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein the reduction of said calcined promoted mixture in step (g) is carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 100 F. to about 1500 F. and at a pressure in the range of from about 15 to about 1500 psia and for a time sufficient to permit the formation of a reduced valence promoter.
86. A process in accordance with claim 63 wherein during said calcining in step (c) at least a portion of said alumina is converted to aluminate.
87. A composition prepared by the process of claim 63.
88. A composition prepared by the process of claim 68.
89. A composition prepared by the process of claim 74.
90. A composition prepared by the process of claim 75.
91. A composition prepared by the process of claim 77.
92. A composition prepared by the process of claim 78.
93. A composition prepared by the process of claim 80.
94. A process for the removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream comprising:
(a) contacting said hydrocarbon stream with a composition comprising an iron oxide and a promoter wherein at least a portion of said promoter is present as a reduced valence promoter and in an amount which will effect the removal of sulfur from said hydrocarbon stream in a desulfurization zone under conditions such that there is formed a desulfurized hydrocarbon stream and a sulfurized composition;
(b) separating said desulfurized hydrocarbon stream from said sulfurized composition thereby forming a separated desulfurized hydrocarbon stream and a separated sulfurized composition;
(c) regenerating at least a portion of said separated sulfurized composition in a regeneration zone so as to remove at least a portion of the sulfur contained therein andor thereon thereby forming a regenerated composition;
(d) reducing said regenerated composition in a reduction zone so as to provide a reduced composition having a reduced valence promoter content therein which will effect the removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream when contacted with same; and thereafter
(e) returning at least a portion of said reduced composition to said desulfurization zone.
95. A process in accordance with claim 94 wherein said hydrocarbon stream comprises a fuel selected from the group consisting of cracked-gasoline, diesel fuel, and combinations thereof.
96. A process in accordance with claim 94 wherein said desulfurization in step (a) is carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 100 F. to about 1000 F. and a pressure in the range of from about 15 to about 1500 psia for a time sufficient to effect the removal of sulfur from said stream.
97. A process in accordance with claim 94 wherein said regeneration in step (c) is carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 100 F. to about 1500 F. and a pressure in the range of from about 10 to about 1500 psia for a time sufficient to effect the removal of at least a portion of the sulfur from said separated sulfurized composition.
98. A process in accordance with claim 94 wherein air is present in step (c) as a regeneration agent in said regeneration zone.
99. A process in accordance with claim 94 wherein said regenerated composition from step (c) is subjected to reduction with hydrogen in step (d) in said reduction zone which is maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 100 F. to about 1500 F. and at a pressure in the range of from about 15 to about 1500 psia and for a period of time sufficient to effect a reduction of the valence of the promoter content of said regenerated composition.
100. A process in accordance with claim 94 wherein said separated sulfurized composition from step (b) is stripped prior to introduction into said regeneration zone in step (c).
101. A process in accordance with claim 94 wherein said regenerated composition from step (c) is stripped prior to introduction to said reduction zone in step (d).
102. The cracked-gasoline product of the process of claim 94.
103. The diesel fuel product of the process of claim 94.
104. A process for the removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream comprising:
(a) contacting said hydrocarbon stream with a composition comprising an iron oxide, a silicon-containing material, an aluminum-containing material selected from the group consisting of alumina, aluminate, and combinations thereof, and a promoter wherein at least a portion of said promoter is present as a reduced valence promoter and in an amount which will effect the removal of sulfur from said hydrocarbon stream in a desulfurization zone under conditions such that there is formed a desulfurized hydrocarbon stream and a sulfurized composition;
(b) separating said desulfurized hydrocarbon stream from said sulfurized composition thereby forming a separated desulfurized hydrocarbon stream and a separated sulfurized composition;
(c) regenerating at least a portion of said separated sulfurized composition in a regeneration zone so as to remove at least a portion of the sulfur contained therein andor thereon thereby forming a regenerated composition;
(d) reducing said regenerated composition in a reduction zone so as to provide a reduced composition having a reduced valence promoter content therein which will effect the removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream when contacted with same; and thereafter
(e) returning at least a portion of said reduced composition to said desulfurization zone.
105. A process in accordance with claim 104 wherein said hydrocarbon stream comprises a fuel selected from the group consisting of cracked-gasoline, diesel fuel, and combinations thereof.
106. A process in accordance with claim 104 wherein said desulfurization in step (a) is carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 100 F. to about 1000 F. and a pressure in the range of from about 15 to about 1500 psia for a time sufficient to effect the removal of sulfur from said stream.
107. A process in accordance with claim 104 wherein said regeneration in step (c) is carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 100 F. to about 1500 F. and a pressure in the range of from about 10 to about 1500 psia for a time sufficient to effect the removal of at least a portion of the sulfur from said separated sulfurized composition.
108. A process in accordance with claim 104 wherein air is present in step (c) as a regeneration agent in said regeneration zone.
109. A process in accordance with claim 104 wherein said regenerated composition from step (c) is subjected to reduction with hydrogen in step (d) in said reduction zone which is maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 100 F. to about 1500 F. and at a pressure in the range of from about 15 to about 1500 psia and for a period of time sufficient to effect a reduction of the valence of the promoter content of said regenerated composition.
110. A process in accordance with claim 104 wherein said separated sulfurized composition from step (b) is stripped prior to introduction into said regeneration zone in step (c).
111. A process in accordance with claim 104 wherein said regenerated composition from step (c) is stripped prior to introduction to said reduction zone in step (d).
112. The cracked-gasoline product of the process of claim 104.
113. The diesel fuel product of the process of claim 104.