Abstract: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane and a particulate catalytic material are supplied to a reaction zone operating under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and to deposit carbonaceous material on the particulate catalytic material causing catalyst deactivation. At least a portion of the deactivated particulate catalytic material is removed from the reaction zone and is heated to a temperature of about 700° C. to about 1200° C. by direct and/or indirect contact with combustion gases produced by combustion of a supplemental fuel. The heated particulate catalytic material is then regenerated with a hydrogen-containing gas under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the carbonaceous material thereon to methane and the regenerated catalytic particulate material is recycled back to the reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to series reactor beds containing different oligomerization catalysts and having independent temperature control, and processes for the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins using such series reactor beds.

Abstract: Esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids are used as plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride to enable products with comparable mechanical properties to be obtained using less polyvinyl chloride. Use of these esters also produces formulations with increased stability to ultra-violet light, improved low temperature properties, lower viscosity and improved processability as well as reduced smoke on burning. The esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids may be used alone or in admixture with other plasticisers when the esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids may act as viscosity depressants. Fast fusing plasticisers may also be included. The formulations are particularly useful in the production of a range of goods from semi-rigid to highly flexible materials and are particularly useful in the production of medical materials such as blood bags and tubing.

Abstract: The use of a controlled amount of water in a hydrogenation stage of the oxo process for the production of alcohols which uses at least two reactors in series improves the efficiency of the hydrogenation reaction and catalyst life as does a reduction in the amount of sulphur, chlorine and hydroformylation catalyst residues in the feed to hydrogenation.

Abstract: Propylene streams obtained by the conversion of oxygenates to olefins are used as feeds for hydroformylation. The streams may contain measurable amounts of dimethyl ether without adversely impacting the hydroformylation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of selectively oligomerizing olefin monomers by controlling feedstock composition and reaction conditions. Reaction conditions are chosen to include at least one of: (a) dimer recycle; (b) staged injection of monomer; and (c) utilization of a two catalyst system.

Abstract: A catalyst composition, a process for producing the composition and a process for the conversion of a feedstock containing C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce a resulting product containing lighter aromatic products and less than about 0.5 wt % of ethylbenzene based on the weight of C8 aromatics fraction of the resulting product. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene. The catalyst composition comprises (i) an acidity component having an alpha value of at least 300; and (ii) a hydrogenation component having hydrogenation activity of at least 300. The composition can be produced by to incorporating at least one hydrogenation component into an acidity component having an alpha value of at least 300.

Abstract: Sulphur-containing olefinic feedstocks are oligomerized over zeolite catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for stripping hydrocarbons from a catalyst, comprising the step of contacting the catalyst with steam at stripping conditions, wherein the catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a structure type of MWW, the steam comprises at least 90 wt. % vapor phase H2O, the stripping conditions comprise a temperature range from about 100° C. to about 250° C., a pressure less than 310 kpa-a, and a WHSV range from about 0.01 to about 100 hr?1.

Abstract: In a process for oligomerizing a C2 to C6 n-olefin feedstock over surface deactivated ZSM-23, the feedstock contains from about 0.1 wt % to about 25 wt % of an iso-olefin and the C12+ fraction of the oligomerized olefin product contains less than 0.5 atom % of quaternary carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of isobutene-containing olefin feedstock in oligomerization reactions, particularly in the production of octenes as feedstock for the manufacture of plasticizer alcohols, the process comprising contacting a feed comprising isobutene with a molecular sieve at a temperature in excess of 240° C. to produce a product low in triple-branched octenes.

Abstract: In a process for converting C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products a feed comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons is contacted under transalkylation reaction conditions with a catalyst composition comprising (i) a first molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of ZSM-12, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07; and (ii) a second molecular sieve having a constraint index ranging from 3 to 12. At least the first molecular sieve has a hydrogenation component associated therewith and the first and second molecular sieves are contained in the same catalyst bed. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making Group 3 and Group 4 mixed metal oxide catalyst suitable for the decomposition of ethers to alkenes and alkanols. In an embodiment, it relates to a method of making a cerium-zirconium mixed metal oxide catalyst. In an embodiment, the catalyst made by the process of the invention is used for the production of isopropanol (IPA) from isopropyl ether (IPE).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the selective alkylation of toluene and/or benzene with an oxygen-containing alkylation agent. In particular, the process uses a selectivated molecular sieve which has been modified by the addition of a hydrogenation component, wherein at least one of the following conditions is met: (a) the selectivated molecular sieve has an alpha value of less than 100 prior to the addition of the hydrogenation component, or (b) the selectivated and hydrogenated catalyst has an alpha value of less than 100. The process of this invention provides high selectivity for the alkylated product while reducing catalyst degradation.

Abstract: A process for controlling the hydrogenation activity of a catalyst comprised of a crystalline molecular sieve and at least one hydrogenation metal selected from the group consisting of a Group VIIB metal, a Group VIII metal, and mixtures thereof. The process is carried out by contacting the catalyst with hydrogen under sufficient conditions of temperature and pressure and for sufficient time to reduce the hydrogenolysis activity of the catalyst. The catalyst prepared by the process finds application in the catalytic conversion of organic compounds, such as ethylbenzene dealkylation, xylenes isomerization, and the transalkylation of polyalkylaromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A selectivated molecular sieve, e.g., ZSM-22 or ZSM-23, is used as olefin oligomerization catalyst to provide product, e.g., octenes and dodecenes from butene, having a low degree of branching and hindered double bonds.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.

Abstract: Limiting the sulphur level in olefin feedstocks to zeolite-catalysed oligomerization enhances selectivity to trimer and catalyst life and activity.

Abstract: In a process for oligomerizing an olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising sulfur-containing molecules, the feedstock is contacted in the absence of hydrogen with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature in excess of 150° C. and then is contacted under olefin oligomerization conditions with a second catalyst comprising a crystalline molecular sieve, such as ZSM-22 or ZSM-57.

Abstract: Esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids are used as plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride to enable products with comparable mechanical properties to be obtained using less polyvinyl chloride. Use of these esters also produces formulations with increased stability to ultra-violet light, improved low temperature properties, lower viscosity and improved processability as well as reduced smoke on burning. The esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids may be used alone or in admixture with other plasticisers when the esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids may act as viscosity depressants. Fast fusing plasticisers may also be included. The formulations are particularly useful in the production of a range of goods from semi-rigid to highly flexible materials and are particularly useful in the production of medical materials such as blood bags and tubing.