Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving the flow distribution in the high temperature zone of a cyclic flow reactor, such as a reverse flow reactor. The systems can include a plurality of mixing plates that can facilitate mixing of flows that have been maintained separately until a mixing location. Based in part on the use of a plurality of mixing plates, methods are provided for operating a reverse flow reactor with a temperature profile that has improved uniformity across the cross-section of the reactor. In some aspects, a flame diffuser can be included downstream from the plurality of mixing plates to further improve the uniformity of the temperature distribution.

Abstract: Ceramic monolith compositions are provided with improved stability under reaction conditions involving elevated temperatures. Such monoliths can be used, for example, in reverse flow reactors under high temperature reforming conditions, where the interior components of the reaction zone can be exposed to average temperatures of 1000° C. or higher while also being exposed to rapid oscillations in temperature of 100° C. or more in the presence of alternating oxidizing and reducing chemistries. The ceramic monolith compositions can be composed of materials that have improved ability to withstand conditions in severe reaction environments. Additionally or alternately, the ceramic monolith compositions can have structural features that reduce or minimize the tendency for the monolith to suffer structural failure under the conditions in severe reaction environments.

Abstract: Catalyst systems are provided for reforming of hydrocarbons, along with methods for using such catalyst systems. The catalyst systems can be deposited or otherwise coated on a surface or structure, such as a monolith, to achieve improved activity and/or structural stability. The metal oxide support layer can correspond to a thermally stable metal oxide support layer, such as a metal oxide support layer that is thermally phase stable at temperatures of 800° C. to 1600° C. The catalyst systems can be beneficial for use in cyclical reaction environments, such as reverse flow reactors or other types of reactors that are operated using flows in opposing directions and different times within a reaction cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using size-reversing materials in vessels where direct heating is used to at least partially provide heat for reforming reactions under cyclic reforming conditions. An example of a size-reversing material is the combination of NiO and Al2O3. It has been discovered that size-reversing materials can undergo a phase transition that can assist with re-dispersion of metal at elevated temperatures. This can assist with maintaining catalytic activity for reforming over longer time periods in the presence of cyclic reforming conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using a reverse flow reactor (or another reactor with flows in opposing directions at different parts of a process cycle) for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons. The systems and methods can include a reactor that includes a combustion catalyst to initiate and/or maintain combustion within the reactor in a controlled manner during the heating and/or regeneration portion(s) of the reaction cycle. A fuel can also be used that has a greater resistance to auto-combustion, such as a fuel that is composed primarily of methane and/or other hydrocarbons. During operation, the temperature in at least an initial portion of the reactor can be maintained at a temperature so that auto-ignition of the auto-combustion resistant fuel injected during the heating step(s) is reduced or minimized. This can allow combustion to be initiated when the auto-combustion resistant fuel comes into contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: An active material useful in an oxidative dehydrogenation reactor system has an active phase, a support phase, and an intermediate composite phase. The active phase includes a transition metal oxide such as manganese oxide, which is reversibly oxidizable and/or reducible between oxidized and reduced states. The support phase includes an oxide of a IUPAC Group 2-14 element. The composite phase is a mixed metal oxide of the transition metal and the Group 2-14 element. The active phase can also include a promoter such as Na-W04 and/or a selectivity modifier such as A1 or ceria. Also, a reactor including the active material in a reactor, a method of making the active material, and a method of using the active material in a regenerative reaction process.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for improving metal dusting corrosion, abrasion resistance and/or erosion resistance for various materials, preferably for applications relating to high-temperature reactors, including dense fluidized bed reactor components. In particular, cermets comprising (a) at least one ceramic phase selected from the group consisting of metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal oxides, metal carbonitrides, and mixtures of thereof and (b) at least one metal alloy binder phase are provided. Ceramic phase materials include chromium carbide (Cr23C6). Metal alloy binder phase materials include ?-NiAl intermetallic alloys and Ni3Sn2 intermetallic alloys, as well as alloys that contain ?-Cr and/or ??-Ni3Al hard phases. Preferably, bimetallic materials are provided when the cermet compositions are applied using a laser, e.g.

Abstract: A reverse flow reactor (RFR) and process having a forward reaction feed cycle, a reverse reaction feed cycle, and a reverse regeneration cycle. The heat convected in the forward feed cycle matches the heat convected in the reverse flow cycles. Compared to an RFR without the reverse feed cycle, the three-cycle RPR substantially reduces the regeneration air flow rate, associated compression requirements, and the overall reactor volume, that are required.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using a reverse flow reactor (or another reactor with flows in opposing directions at different parts of a process cycle) for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons. The systems and methods can include a reactor that includes a combustion catalyst to initiate and/or maintain combustion within the reactor in a controlled manner during the heating and/or regeneration portion(s) of the reaction cycle. A fuel can also be used that has a greater resistance to auto-combustion, such as a fuel that is composed primarily of methane and/or other hydrocarbons. During operation, the temperature in at least an initial portion of the reactor can be maintained at a temperature so that auto-ignition of the auto-combustion resistant fuel injected during the heating step(s) is reduced or minimized. This can allow combustion to be initiated when the auto-combustion resistant fuel comes into contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: Ceramic compositions with catalytic activity are provided, along with methods for using such catalytic ceramic compositions. The ceramic compositions correspond to compositions that can acquire increased catalytic activity by cyclic exposure of the ceramic composition to reducing and oxidizing environments at a sufficiently elevated temperature. The ceramic compositions can be beneficial for use as catalysts in reaction environments involving swings of temperature and/or pressure conditions, such as a reverse flow reaction environment. Based on cyclic exposure to oxidizing and reducing conditions, the surface of the ceramic composition can be converted from a substantially fully oxidized state to various states including at least some dopant metal particles supported on a structural oxide surface.

Abstract: Ceramic compositions with catalytic activity are provided, along with methods for using such catalytic ceramic compositions. The ceramic compositions correspond to compositions that can acquire increased catalytic activity by cyclic exposure of the ceramic composition to reducing and oxidizing environments at a sufficiently elevated temperature. The ceramic compositions can be beneficial for use as catalysts in reaction environments involving swings of temperature and/or pressure conditions, such as a reverse flow reaction environment. Based on cyclic exposure to oxidizing and reducing conditions, the surface of the ceramic composition can be converted from a substantially fully oxidized state to various states including at least some dopant metal particles supported on a structural oxide surface.

Abstract: Catalyst systems are provided for reforming of hydrocarbons, along with methods for using such catalyst systems. The catalyst systems can be deposited or otherwise coated on a surface or structure, such as a monolith, to achieve improved activity and/or structural stability. The metal oxide support layer can correspond to a thermally stable metal oxide support layer, such as a metal oxide support layer that is thermally phase stable at temperatures of 800° C. to 1600° C. The catalyst systems can be beneficial for use in cyclical reaction environments, such as reverse flow reactors or other types of reactors that are operated using flows in opposing directions and different times within a reaction cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using size-reversing materials in vessels where direct heating is used to at least partially provide heat for reforming reactions under cyclic reforming conditions. An example of a size-reversing material is the combination of NiO and Al2O3. It has been discovered that size-reversing materials can undergo a phase transition that can assist with re-dispersion of metal at elevated temperatures. This can assist with maintaining catalytic activity for reforming over longer time periods in the presence of cyclic reforming conditions.

Abstract: Reactor components formed using an erosion resistant alloy having desirable high temperature mechanical strength are provided. The erosion resistant components can include, but are not limited to, tubes, re-actors walls, fittings, and/or other components having surfaces that can be exposed to a high temperature reaction environment in the presence of hydrocarbons and/or that can provide pressure containment functionality in processes for upgrading hydrocarbons in a high temperature reaction environment. The erosion resistant alloy used for forming the erosion resistant component can include 42.0 to 46.0 wt. % nickel; 32.1 to 35.2 wt. % um; 0.5 to 2.9 wt. % carbon; 0 to 2.0 wt. % titanium; 0 to 4.0 wt. % tungsten, and iron, with at least one of titanium and tungsten is present in an amount of 1.0 wt. % or more. The iron can correspond to the balance of the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates weldments useful as heat transfer tubes in pyrolysis furnaces. The invention relates to tubes that are useful in pyrolysis furnaces. The weldments include a tubular member and at least one mixing element. The tubular member comprises an aluminum-containing alloy. The mixing element comprises an aluminum-containing alloy. The mixing element's aluminum-containing alloy can be the same as or different from the tubular member's aluminum-containing alloy. Other aspects of the invention relate to pyrolysis furnaces which include such weldments, and the use of such pyrolysis furnaces for hydrocarbon conversion processes such as steam cracking.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon conversion, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon conversion, and to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon conversion, e.g., hydrocarbon pyrolysis processes. The hydrocarbon conversion is carried out in a reactor which includes at least one channeled member that comprises refractory and has an open frontal area?55%. The refractory can include non-oxide ceramic.

Abstract: The invention relates weldments useful as heat transfer tubes in pyrolysis furnaces. The invention relates to tubes that are useful in pyrolysis furnaces. The weldments include a tubular member and at least one mixing element. The tubular member comprises an aluminum-containing alloy. The mixing element comprises an aluminum-containing alloy. The mixing element's aluminum-containing alloy can be the same as or different from the tubular member's aluminum-containing alloy. Other aspects of the invention relate to pyrolysis furnaces which include such weldments, and the use of such pyrolysis furnaces for hydrocarbon conversion processes such as steam cracking.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon pyrolysis, to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and to the use of hydrocarbon pyrolysis for, e.g., hydrocarbon gas upgrading. The pyrolysis is carried out in a reactor which includes at least one thermal mass having an open frontal area ?55%.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to processes, compositions, and systems useful for the oxydehydrogenation of alkanes to form olefins (e.g., for the conversion of ethane to ethylene). The processes use an oxygen transfer agent and may be carried out in any suitable reactor, including a reverse flow reactor, a circulating fluid bed reactor, or a cyclic co-flow reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon conversion, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon conversion, and to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon conversion, e.g., hydrocarbon pyrolysis processes. The hydrocarbon conversion is carried out in a reactor which includes at least one channeled member that comprises refractory and has an open frontal area ?55%. The refractory can include non-oxide ceramic.