Abstract: A molecular separation method can include: passing a deasphalted oil stream through a reactor containing an active substrate, wherein the catalytic active substrate adsorbs heteroatom species from the deasphalted oil stream and produces a pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream essentially free of 4+ ring aromatic molecules (ARC 4+ species), metal species, and heteroatom species; and chromatographically separating with a simulated moving bed apparatus or a true moving bed apparatus (SMB/TMB) the pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream into a saturate fraction and an aromatics fraction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for separating a wax product from a hydrocarbon feedstream by a) conducting a hydrocarbon feedstream to a membrane separation zone; b) retrieving at least one retentate product stream from the first side of the membrane element; c) retrieving at least one permeate product stream having a wax phase and an oil phase from a second side of the membrane element, wherein a pour point of the wax phase of the permeate product stream is higher than a pour point of the oil phase of permeate product stream; and d) separating a wax product from the wax phase of the permeate product stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein utilizing a membrane cascade to separate a hydrocarbon feed into boiling point fractions. Also provided herein are methods for selecting membranes for said cascades to achieve the desired boiling point fraction separation.

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 present invention is directed to methods of fabricating novel cross-linked membranes and to cross-linked membranes produced by the disclosed methods. Specifically, methods of fabricating cross-linked membranes according to the present invention may comprise direct crosslinking, crosslinking by addition of a small molecule, interfacial crosslinking of free-standing film, and interfacial crosslinking on a solid support.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing on-board separation of a fuel into a higher octane fuel fraction and a lower octane fuel fraction using a membrane under osmosis conditions. By performing the separation under osmosis conditions, the feed for separation can be exposed to the membrane without requiring prior heating. This can avoid the need for having a separate heat exchanger system for heating the feed to the membrane to a desired temperature range. Additionally or alternately, the permeate from the membrane separation can be at a pressure of roughly 100 kPa-a or higher. This can avoid the need for having an eductor to provide a pressure below 100 kPa-a for the permeate side of the membrane. The fuel fractions produced during the membrane separation can then be used as fuel in a dual-fuel spark ignition engine.

Abstract: Methods of transforming a hydrocarbon feedstream into an aromatization product in a multi-stage reverse flow reactor (RFR) apparatus are disclosed. The methods include at least two reaction stages in series, at least one being a pyrolysis stage and at least another being a catalytic aromatization stage. Using a highly saturated hydrocarbon feedstream the pyrolysis stage focuses on desaturation, while the catalytic aromatization stage focuses on aromatization. The catalytic aromatization stage contains a aromatization catalyst that can include substantially no magnesium, scandium, yttrium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, gallium, indium, tin, lanthanides, or actinides, or, in some cases, substantially no added active metals at all.

Abstract: A molecular separation method can include: passing a deasphalted oil stream through a reactor containing an active substrate, wherein the catalytic active substrate adsorbs heteroatom species from the deasphalted oil stream and produces a pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream essentially free of 4+ ring aromatic molecules (ARC 4+ species), metal species, and heteroatom species; and chromatographically separating with a simulated moving bed apparatus or a true moving bed apparatus (SMB/TMB) the pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream into a saturate fraction and an aromatics fraction.

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.

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 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: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for separating a wax product from a hydrocarbon feedstream by a) conducting a hydrocarbon feedstream to a membrane separation zone; b) retrieving at least one retentate product stream from the first side of the membrane element; c) retrieving at least one permeate product stream having a wax phase and an oil phase from a second side of the membrane element, wherein a pour point of the wax phase of the permeate product stream is higher than a pour point of the oil phase of permeate product stream; and d) separating a wax product from the wax phase of the permeate product stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for producing base stocks by using a separation process that includes: conducting a hydrocarbon feedstream to a membrane separation zone wherein the feedstream contacts a first side of at least one membrane element; retrieving at least one retentate product stream from the first side of the membrane element; retrieving at least one permeate product stream from a second side of the membrane element; and converting at least a portion of the permeate product stream into the base stock. Also provided are base stocks produced by the separation process.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein utilizing a membrane cascade to separate a hydrocarbon feed into boiling point fractions. Also provided herein are methods for selecting membranes for said cascades to achieve the desired boiling point fraction separation.

Abstract: Methods of transforming a hydrocarbon feedstream into an aromatization product in a multi-stage reverse flow reactor (RFR) apparatus are disclosed. The methods include at least two reaction stages in series, at least one being a pyrolysis stage and at least another being a catalytic aromatization stage. Using a highly saturated hydrocarbon feedstream the pyrolysis stage focuses on desaturation, while the catalytic aromatization stage focuses on aromatization. The catalytic aromatization stage contains a aromatization catalyst that can include substantially no magnesium, scandium, yttrium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, gallium, indium, tin, lanthanides, or actinides, or, in some cases, substantially no added active metals at all.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of fabricating novel cross-linked membranes and to cross-linked membranes produced by the disclosed methods. Specifically, methods of fabricating cross-linked membranes according to the present invention may comprise direct crosslinking, crosslinking by addition of a small molecule, interfacial crosslinking of free-standing film, and interfacial crosslinking on a solid support.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for using functional molecules and other structural carbon-based molecules with rigid backbones and kinked segments to alter the interactions between molecules, and consequently improve/modify the properties of materials. In particular, the disclosure provides methods for using functional molecules and other structural carbon-based molecules with rigid backbones and kinked segments as (1) precursors for carbon fiber, (2) “molecular agents” to separate and/or link ?-? stacked aromatic systems, 3) stabilizers in composite materials to achieve better blending of matrix with fiber reinforcement, and/or (4) one of the components in carbon fibers to achieve better mechanical properties.

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.