Abstract: Integrated processes are disclosed for the catalytic conversion of carbohydrate to ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol using a homogeneous, tungsten-containing retro-aldol catalyst. In these processes, the carbohydrate is subjected to retro-aldol conversion and hydrogenation to provide a reaction product containing ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol, other reaction process including organic acids, itols and tungsten species. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are separated from the reaction product for purification, and at least a portion of the remaining fraction is subjected to ion exclusion chromatography to provide an eluant containing tungsten species and a subsequent eluant containing organic acids and a substantially reduced concentration of tungsten species. At least a portion of the eluant containing tungsten species can be recycled for reuse directly or with intervening unit operations to enhance the catalytic activity of the tungsten species.

Abstract: Control methods are disclosed for continuous, unmodulated, multiple catalytic conversion step processes using at least two catalysts, a first catalyst and a second catalyst, that accommodate changes in the performance of each catalyst and the relative performances of the catalysts. In the methods, certain process parameters are used in a manner that is indicative of changes in catalyst performance, and the control methods provide for adjustment of at least one of: the absolute amount of catalytically active species and relative amounts of each of the first catalyst and second catalyst and at least one of the rate of feed or concentration of the raw material to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a hydrocarbon feedstock includes a High Pressure Separation (HPS) unit in fluid communication with a feedstock inlet. The HPS unit includes an oil outlet. A Heated Low Pressure (LP) Separator unit is downstream from the oil outlet of the HPS unit. The Heated LP Separator unit includes an oil outlet.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a hydrocarbon feedstock includes a High Pressure Separation (HPS) unit in fluid communication with a feedstock inlet. The HPS unit includes an oil outlet. A Heated Low Pressure (LP) Separator unit is downstream from the oil outlet of the HPS unit. The Heated LP Separator unit includes an oil outlet.

Abstract: A process for converting lignocellulosic feedstock includes providing a lignocellulosic feedstock into a first inlet of a first reactor at a first end, and providing a hot feedstock into a second inlet of the first reactor at a second end of the first reactor. The process includes heating and reacting the lignocellulosic feedstock with the hot feedstock and outputting a first product stream from a first product outlet of the first reactor. The first product stream is an alkane rich product stream. A reactor system includes a first reactor having a first inlet at a first end, a second inlet at a second end and at least one product outlet. The first reactor is configured to receive a lignocellulosic feedstock at the first inlet and a hot feedstock at the second inlet. The system includes a second reactor having a first inlet downstream from the at least one product outlet.

Abstract: Retro-aldol processes are disclosed that use very low concentrations of retro-aldol catalyst in combination with hydrogenation catalyst of certain activities, sizes and spatial dispersions to obtain the high selectivities to ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Retro-aldol processes are disclosed that use very low concentrations of retro-aldol catalyst in combination with hydrogenation catalyst of certain activities, sizes and spatial dispersions to obtain the high selectivities to ethylene glycol.

Abstract: An electric cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas includes a mixing device for mixing hydrocarbon feedstock with slightly superheated and/or saturated steam. The system includes a steam drum, an electric furnace, a primary transfer line exchanger (PTLE), a secondary transfer line exchanger (STLE), and a tertiary transfer line exchanger (TTLE). The electric furnace includes a feed inlet for a hydrocarbon feedstock-saturated steam mixture and an outlet for a cracked gas. The steam drum includes a saturated steam outlet connected to the mixing device, and a water outlet and a steam inlet both connected to the STLE. The PTLE is configured to preheat the hydrocarbon feedstock-saturated steam mixture before entry into the electric furnace and to cool the cracked gas provided by the electric furnace. The STLE is configured to generate steam and to cool the cracked gas provided by the PTLE.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a riser reactor within the reaction vessel. The riser reactor defines a longitudinal axis and including a riser reactor inlet at one end and at least one riser reactor outlet at an opposite end. The apparatus includes a separation vessel including at least one separation chamber and at least one collection chamber distributed in an alternating manner about the longitudinal axis. Each separation chamber comprises two vertical lateral walls which also comprise a wall of an adjacent one of the at least one collection chamber. A lateral separation chamber outlet is defined in at least one of the vertical lateral walls to provide fluid and particle communication from the lateral separation chamber to the adjacent one of the at least one collection chamber. The separation vessel includes at least one collection chamber deflector positioned in the at least one collection chamber.

Abstract: A packing system includes a first packing element layer including a plurality of blades and a second packing element layer including a plurality of blades. The packing system includes intra-layer variation and/or inter-layer variation. Intra-layer variation includes (i) varying spacing between blades within the first and/or the second packing element layer, (ii) varying sizes of the blades within the first and/or the second packing element layer, and/or (iii) varying angle of inclination of the blades within the first and/or second packing element layer. Inter-layer variation includes the blades of the first packing layer having a first spacing, a first size and a first angle of inclination, and the blades of the second packing layer having a second spacing, a second size, and a second angle of inclination. The second spacing, size, and/or angle of inclination is different from the first spacing, size, and/or angle of inclination.