Abstract: Toluene disproportionation and C9/C10 transalkylation are a significant source of xylenes in a modern aromatics complex. Methods and apparatuses for improving the energy efficiency of these disproportionation and transalkylation processes are provided.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for enhanced heat recover}/in a paraxylene manufacturing plant use a side condenser to recover high quality heat. By placing the side condenser below the location of a feed stream comprising low molecular weight gases, the heat recovered is free of such non-condensable gases. Such gases are undesirable when using the condensed vapor in other applications.

Abstract: Toluene disproportionation and C9/C10 transalkylation are a significant source of xylenes in a modern aromatics complex. Methods and apparatuses for improving the energy efficiency of these disproportionation and transalkylation processes are provided.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for enhanced heat recover}/in a paraxylene manufacturing plant use a side condenser to recover high quality heat. By placing the side condenser below the location of a feed stream comprising low molecular weight gases, the heat recovered is free of such non-condensable gases. Such gases are undesirable when using the condensed vapor in other applications.

Abstract: Processes for recovering paraxylene from at least two feedstreams containing xylene isomers. The process includes directing to a paraxylene recovery zone comprising at least one crystallization zone, a paraxylene-lean feedstream having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio of 0.50 or less, and also directing to the paraxylene recovery zone, a paraxylene-rich feedstream having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio of greater than 0.50. A paraxylene-containing product stream is recovered from the paraxylene recovery zone having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio greater than that of the paraxylene-rich feedstream. The process provides improvements in paraxylene recovery efficiency and/or cost effectiveness.

Abstract: Polymerization processes having as constituent parts high conversion membrane reactors, that provide a source of monomer, and subsequent polymerization of the monomer, without passing products of the conversion through an alkane/alkene splitter, are disclosed. Polymers of light alkene hydrocarbons, such as ethylene, propylene and alkenes consisting of up to 6 carbon atoms, are prepared from gaseous feedstreams consisting predominantly of volatile alkane compounds substantially free of dihydrogen and/or dioxygen. Equipment required for separation of alkene products from unreacted alkanes in conventional plants is eliminated because of the high alkane conversions provided in the membrane reactors. Particularly useful are flow reactors comprising dense membranes of multiphasic materials that provide independent, controllable, counter-current transport of hydrogen, electrons and oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for use of distillation packing material made from a non-selective meso/microporous membrane that separates light hydrocarbon mixtures.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for recovery of purified products from a fluid mixture by means of integrated perm-selective separations with purified product recovery operations. More particularly, integrated processes of the invention comprise separations by means of one or more devices using polymeric membranes coupled with recovery of purified products by means of fractional crystallization and/or selective sorption. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for recovery of a very pure aromatic isomer when processing aromatic starting materials, for example, a pure para-xylene product from liquid mixtures even containing ethylbenzene as well as the three xylene isomers.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for production of purified products from a fluid mixtures of C8 aromatics by means of integration of perm-selective separations with purified product recovery operations. The perm-selective separations of the invention comprise of one or more devices using polymeric perm-selective membrane devices to separate a meta-xylene enriched stream from fluid mixtures of C8 aromatics thereby producing a fluid comprising the remaining aromatic compounds which advantageously includes para-xylene. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for recovery of very pure meta-xylene and para-xylene co-products from liquid mixtures even containing ethylbenzene as well as the three xylene isomers.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures utilizing perm-selective membranes. Broadly, apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of membrane modules comprising a solid perm-selective membrane and means for controlling enthalpy of selected fluids within the apparatus. Advantageously, the membrane modules are disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and at least one intermediate group. Apparatus of the invention is particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, and/or a desired non-permeate stream, from fluid mixtures of two or more compounds which when subjected to appropriately altered conditions of temperature and/or pressure exhibit a bubble point.