Abstract: A process for production of dialkyl ether by hydration and etherification of olefinic feedstock containing at least one lower alkene by contacting the olefinic feedstock and water in a catalytic reaction zone with porous solid metallosilicate acidic catalyst under olefin hydration and etherification conditions. Improvement is achieved by recovering a first fluid effluent stream from the reaction zone; splitting the first fluid effluent stream into a liquid product recovery stream and a fluid recycle stream; and passing the fluid recycle stream consisting essentially of olefin, alcohol and ether in effluent stream proportions for feeding to the reaction zone along with fresh olefinic feedstock and fresh water, wherein the amount of fluid recycle stream is sufficient to maintain a homogeneous single fluid reaction phase in the reaction zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Lewis acid-catalyzed isoparaffin/olefin alkylation process in which acid consumption and energy costs are decreased by employing an acid sorption stage to separate the Lewis acid catalyst from the alkylate product stream, or from a selected fraction of the alkylate product stream, and desorbing the Lewis acid from the sorption stage with an isoparaffin-containing alkylation process feedstream.

Abstract: A process for alkylation of isoparaffins and olefins employing a fixed bed of catalyst. The catalyst composition includes an unpromoted synthetic zeolite. The alkylate product contains highly branched paraffins and has an octane suitable for blending into motor gasolines. Alternatively multiple fixed beds can be employed with direct effluent recycle or split olefin feeds.

Abstract: A reactor system and process for conducting exothermic or endothermic chemical reactions achieves greater kinetic efficiency through transfer of heat between adjacent feed temperature modification and reaction zones.

Abstract: It is disclosed that in a fixed bed process for the conversion of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 oxygenates in contact with acidic, medium pore, shape selective metallosilicate catalyst particles to produce gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons, including the step of reactivating spent catalyst at elevated temperature, the cycle time between regenerations can be substantially improved by reactivating the spent catalyst at reduced pressure and elevated temperature in contact with a stream of inert purge gas. Preferably, the reactivation is carried out at a reduced pressure from sub-atmospheric to 1400 kPa using nitrogen as a purge gas. Other purge gases include light paraffinic hydrocarbons, refinery fuel gas and Group VIII gases of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: A process for upgrading of unstable olefins, naphthas, and dienes, such as coker naphthas, is disclosed. The olefins in the unstable naphthas are oligomerized over a shape selective zeolite to gasoline and distillate products. The dienes are catalytically converted by the same zeolite. Preferably, hydrogen is added to increase catalyst life. Feed pretreatment, to remove basic nitrogen compounds also improves catalyst life. Water washing of coker naphtha is the preferred method of removing basic nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: Natural gas, particularly gas to be processed in liquefied natural gas plants, is treated to remove residual mercury by scrubbing with an aqueous solution containing alkali metal polysulfide and sufficient pH adjusting compound to maintain the pH above 8.4.

Abstract: A process for production of alcohol or ether by hydration of olefinic feedstock containing at least one lower alkene by contacting the olefinic feedstock and water in a hydration zone with porous solid metal oxide acidic olefin hydration catalyst under olefins hydration conditions. The process is characterized by the step of pretreating porous solid catalyst, such as acid zeolite, prior to contacting with the olefinic feedstock with a wetting agent containing at least one polar aliphatic oxygenated hydrocarbon to substantially wet said solid catalyst and sorb said wetting agent into pores of said solid catalyst. After initiating hydration reaction by feeding the olefinic feedstock and water, increased catalytic activity is obtained. The process is particularly useful for making isopropanol and DIPE from propene and water.

Abstract: A process for oligomerizing C2 to C10 olefins obtained by catalytic cracking of heavy crude oil is disclosed. The olefins are oligomerized in the presence of added hydrogen over a shape selective zeolite to gasoline and distillate products. Feed pretreatment, to remove basic nitrogen compounds present in light olefin stream in refinery, with water wash or a guard bed is practiced improves catalyst life.

Abstract: An improved continuous process for alkylation of isoparaffins with olefins to yield a product which includes a large proportion of highly branced paraffins for making gasoline having improved octane is taught. The improved process comprises contacting isoparaffins and olefins with a composite catalyst comprising a Lewis acid and a non-zeolitic inorganic oxide in the presence of a controlled amount of water. The process results in reduced catalyst aging and obviates environmental problems associated with prior art processes.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for increasing the octane number of an FCC unit gasoline pool by upgrading selected gasoline boiling-range streams. FCC gasoline is mixed with the feed to a light olefin upgrading reactor. Upgraded gasoline is then fractionated in an existing FCC gas plant.

Abstract: Light olefins are catalytically converted to ethers, e.g., propylene is converted to diisopropyl ether, in a dual stage process in which product ether is recycled to a first stage reaction zone to significantly reduce the operating temperature of the olefin hydration/etherification reactions taking place in that zone. Alcohol produced in the first stage reaction zone undergoes conversion in the second stage reaction zone, e.g., by etherification with light olefin or by catalytic distillation, to provide additional product ether. The process contemplates the use of zeolites as olefin hydration/etherification catalysts.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for the substantially uniform distribution of a two-phase feed in a chemical reaction zone. As applied, for example, to the hydration/etherification of light olefin to alcohol(s) and/or ether(s), the invention results in greater process control and in particular cases, to improved reaction product selectivities.