Abstract: A process for preparing a naphtha reforming catalyst has been developed. The process involves the use of a chelating ligand such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The aqueous solution of the chelating ligand and a tin compound is used to impregnate a support, e.g., alumina extrudates. A platinum-group metal is also an essential component of the catalyst. Rhenium may also be a component. A reforming process using the catalyst has enhanced yield, activity, and stability for conversion of naphtha into valuable gasoline and aromatic products.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a method of controlling a catalyst transfer vessel cycle of loading and unloading based on an expected level of a catalyst in a downstream vessel for a hydrocarbon conversion unit. The method can include calculating an expected catalyst level in the downstream vessel based on the unloading of the catalyst transfer vessel to adjust a setpoint to change the catalyst transfer vessel cycle of loading and unloading.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include an apparatus for transferring catalyst from a regeneration zone to a reaction zone in a hydrocarbon conversion unit. The hydrocarbon conversion unit can include a transfer vessel, and first, second, and third lines. The transfer vessel can transfer regenerated catalyst from the regeneration zone at a first pressure to the reaction zone at a second pressure where the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. Generally, the first line communicates the catalyst to the transfer vessel and is coupled to a first valve to allow catalyst into the transfer vessel and the second line communicates the catalyst from the transfer vessel and is coupled to a second valve to allow catalyst out of the transfer vessel. The third line for allowing the passage of gas therethrough may be at a pressure higher than the first pressure having a first portion communicating with the transfer vessel and having a second portion coupled to third and fourth valves.

Abstract: In an oligomerization process comprising at least two oligomerization reactors, at least portions of product streams from two reactors are separated in the same separator vessel. In an embodiment, a liquid product stream from the first oligomerization reactor is fed to a fractionation column and a side cut from the fractionation column feeds the second oligomerization reactor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reforming catalyst can include indium, tin, and a catalytically effective amount of a group VIII element for one or more reforming reactions. Typically, at least about 25%, by mole, of the indium is an In(3+) species based on the total moles of indium after exposure for about 30 minutes in an atmosphere including about 100% hydrogen, by mole, at a temperature of about 565° C. Usually, no more than about 25%, by mole, of the tin is a Sn(4+) species based on the total moles of tin after exposure for about 30 minutes in an atmosphere including about 100% hydrogen, by mole, at a temperature of about 565° C.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a process for regenerating a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst for a hydrocarbon conversion zone can generally include passing the hydrocarbon conversion catalyst through, sequentially, a catalyst-disengaging zone having a first atmosphere, an adsorption zone having a second atmosphere, and a regeneration zone including a combustion zone; introducing an inert gas between the first atmosphere and the second atmosphere; and passing a flue gas from the combustion zone to the adsorption zone.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an alkylation unit connected to a first benzene recycle conduit, a feed conduit and an alkylation effluent conduit; a transalkylation unit connected to an polyalkylbenzene recycle conduit, a second benzene recycle conduit, and a transalkylation effluent conduit. A dividing wall distillation column is in fluid communication with the transalkylation effluent conduit, the alkylation effluent conduit, a product stream, a bottoms stream conduit and first and second benzene recycle conduits. A polyalkylbenzene fractionation column is connected to the bottoms stream conduit, the polyalkylbenzene recycle conduit and a heavy component conduit.

Abstract: A process for reacting feed in and an apparatus comprising a radial flow reactor including a first catalyst bed disposed between an outer wall and a centerpipe of the vessel and a second catalyst bed disposed within a centerpipe. Also disclosed is a method of loading catalyst into the radial flow reactor.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for lowering an amount of carbon monoxide in a stream rich in hydrogen. The process can include passing the stream rich in hydrogen through a carbon monoxide removal zone to produce a product stream having no more than about 10 vppm carbon monoxide and communicating the product stream to a reduction zone receiving a catalyst comprising unreduced metal species.

Abstract: This invention relates to regeneration of coked catalyst by combustion so that the catalyst can be reused in a hydrocarbon conversion reaction. The completion of coke burn is generally measured with a combination of temperature or change in oxygen concentration. Dropping outlet temperatures require time to wait for increases in inlet temperature to correspondingly move down the regenerator. Faster response times might be expected from increasing oxygen concentration, but a small increase in concentration can lead to a significant increase in peak burn temperature which negatively impacts catalyst life. Controlled peak burning is difficult over the entire bed by merely controlling inlet and outlet oxygen concentrations. The invention accordingly combines a measured lag time for temperature travel with an inlet temperature ramping step to ensure complete coke combustion with high oxygen efficiency, thus providing a rapid regeneration that permits more time for operation at desired reaction conditions.

Abstract: In a normal butane isomerization process where the isomerization effluent (108, 114) is fractionated in a deisobutanizer (116) operated such that a lower boiling fraction (118) is provided containing at least 80 mass-% isobutane and a higher boiling fraction (122) containing normal butane and at least 10 mass-% isobutane. The higher boiling fraction (122) is contacted with a selectively permeable membrane (124) to provide a permeate (126) containing normal butane-containing and a retentate (128) containing at least 80 mass-% isobutane. The preferred membranes are sieving membranes having a C4 Permeate Flow Index of at least 0.01 and a C4 Permeate Flow Ratio of at least 1.25:1.

Abstract: The benzene content in a gasoline pool is reduced by a process that hydrogenates a benzene-containing isomerization zone feedstream. The additional cyclic hydrocarbons produced by the saturation of benzene can be processed in the isomerization zone for ring opening to increase the available paraffinic feedstock or the isomerization zone can be operated to pass the cyclic hydrocarbons through to a product recovery section. The isomerization zone feedstream is treated to remove contaminants and dried before entering the hydrogenation zone.

Abstract: In an isomerization process where the isomerization effluent (108) is fractionated in a deisohexanizer (116) to provide an overhead (118) containing dimethylbutanes and a higher boiling fraction (122) containing normal hexane, the higher boiling is contacted with a selectively permeable membrane (124) to provide a retentate containing methylcyclopentane (128). If desired, the normal hexane-containing permeate can be recycled for isomerization. The preferred membranes are sieving membranes having a C6 Permeate Flow Index of at least 0.01 and a C6 Permeate Flow Ratio of at least 1.25:1.

Abstract: In an isomerization process where the isomerization effluent (114) is fractionated in a deisohexanizer (116) to provide a lower boiling fraction (122) containing dimethylbutanes, a higher boiling fraction containing methylpentanes and a bottoms stream (120) containing normal hexane and heavies, the bottoms stream is contacted with a selective permeation membrane (124) to provide a normal hexane-containing permeate (128) suitable for recycle to the isomerization. The energy consumption of the deisohexanizer (116) can be reduced without adversely affecting the octane rating of the overhead (122).

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a hydrocarbon conversion process. Generally, the process includes passing a hydrocarbon stream through a hydrocarbon conversion zone comprising a series of reaction zones. Typically, the hydrocarbon conversion zone includes a staggered-bypass reaction system having a first, second, third, and fourth reaction zones, which are staggered-bypass reaction zones, and a fifth reaction zone, which can be a non-staggered-bypass reaction zone, subsequent to the staggered-bypass reaction system.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are provided that provide high yields of xylenes per unit of aromatic-containing feed while enabling a high purity benzene co-product to be obtained without the need for an extraction or distillation to remove C6 naphthenes. The processes of this invention include a transalkylation section and a disproportionation section in the benzene and toluene-containing feed is directly provided to the transalkylation section and in which a benzene recycle loop in the transalkylation section isolates the disproportionation section from C6 naphthenes.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a hydrocarbon conversion process. Generally, the process includes passing a hydrocarbon stream through a hydrocarbon conversion zone comprising a series of reaction zones. Typically, the hydrocarbon conversion zone includes a staggered-bypass reaction system having a first, second, third, and fourth reaction zones, which are staggered-bypass reaction zones, and a fifth reaction zone, which can be a non-staggered-bypass reaction zone, subsequent to the staggered-bypass reaction system.

Abstract: Processes for making xylene isomer using integrated transalkylation and isomerization reaction zones to enhance xylene recovery and enable reduction in capital costs and energy consumption.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are provided that provide high yields of xylenes per unit of aromatic-containing feed while enabling a high purity benzene co-product to be obtained without the need for an extraction or distillation to remove C6 naphthenes. The processes of this invention include a transalkylation section and a disproportionation section in the benzene and toluene-containing feed is directly provided to the transalkylation section and in which a benzene recycle loop in the transalkylation section isolates the disproportionation section from C6 naphthenes.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a heteropoly anion structure.