Abstract: A multi-tray distillation unit having a separator for de-entraining liquid particles. The separator comprises vertically spaced tiers of elongated, substantially horizontal open-topped liquid collector channels arrayed in parallel rows transversely to the flow of the gas. The liquid collector channels are vertically staggered to deflect the gas flow from a lower tier level through the gaps between the collection channels of an upper tier and around the channels so as to cause the entrained liquid particles to separate from the gaseous stream by inertia into the channels of the lower tier. An improved channel configuration has a rigidly-mounted, horizontally-elongated flow deflector extending downwards from an upper tier channel toward a lower tier channel, this provides gas flow deflection and increased efficiency of liquid particle de-entrainment.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing alkylaromatic compounds to the corresponding hydroperoxide, an alkylaromatic compound of general formula (I): in which R1 and R2 each independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, said cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, with oxygen in the presence of an added catalyst comprising tert-butyl hydroperoxide and in the absence of any other catalyst, to produce a hydroperoxide of general formula (II): in which R1, R2 and R3 have the same meaning as in formula (I). The hydroperoxide may then be converted into a phenol and a ketone of the general formula R1COCH2R2 (III), in which R1 and R2 have the same meaning as in formula (I).

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of xylenes from reformate. The process is carried out by methylating under conditions effective for the methylation, the benzene/toluene present in the reformate outside the reforming loop, to produce a resulting product having a higher xylenes content than the reformate. Greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene can be produced by the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a desired dialkylbenzene isomer having a formula R2C6H4, where R is an alkyl substituent, by contacting a polyalkylbenzene compound of formula RnC6H6-n, where n is an integer between 2 and 4, with a monoalkylbenzene compound of formula RC6H5 in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to produce said dialkybenzene isomer. The preferred molecular sieve catalysts have pores or surface cavities greater than 5.6 Angstroms in diameter and/or an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07, and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing alkylaromatic compounds to the corresponding hydroperoxide, an alkylaromatic compound of general formula (I): in which R1 and R2 each independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, said cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, is contacted with oxygen in the presence of an added catalyst comprising tert-butyl hydroperoxide and in the absence of any other catalyst, to produce a hydroperoxide of general formula (II): in which R1, R2 and R3 have the same meaning as in formula (I). The hydroperoxide may then be converted into a phenol and a ketone of the general formula R1COCH2R2 (III), in which R1 and R2 have the same meaning as in formula (I).

Abstract: A multi component catalyst and catalytic cracking process for selectively producing C3 olefins. The catalyst comprises a first molecular sieve having an intermediate pore size, a second molecular sieve and, optionally a third molecular sieve having a large pore size. At least one of the channels of the second molecular sieve has a pore size index that is less than the pore size index of at least one channel of the first molecular sieve. The process is carried out by contacting a feedstock containing hydrocarbons having at least 5 carbon atoms is contacted, under catalytic cracking conditions, with the multi component catalyst. The catalyst finds application in the cracking of naphtha and heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line method for generating comonomer, from monomer, such as ethylene. The comonomer generated is directly transported, without isolation or storage, to a polyethylene polymerization reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line method for generating comonomer from monomer, such as ethylene. The comonomer generated is directly transported, without isolation or storage, to a polyethylene polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of xylenes from reformate by reactive distillation. The process is carried out by methylating the benzene/toluene present in the reformate in a reactive distillation zone and under reactive distillation conditions to produce a resulting product having a higher xylenes content than the reformate. Greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene can be produced by the process.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of xylenes from reformate. The process is carried out by methylating under conditions effective for the methylation, the benzene/toluene present in the reformate outside the reforming loop, to produce a resulting product having a higher xylenes content than the reformate. Greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene can be produced by the process.

Abstract: In a process for converting C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products a feed comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons is contacted under transalkylation reaction conditions with a catalyst composition comprising (i) a first molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of ZSM-12, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07; and (ii) a second molecular sieve having a constraint index ranging from 3 to 12. At least the first molecular sieve has a hydrogenation component associated therewith and the first and second molecular sieves are contained in the same catalyst bed. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene.

Abstract: A multi-tray distillation unit having a separator for de-entraining liquid particles which are picked up by an upwardly flowing gaseous stream which is flowing countercurrent to a descending liquid flow in the unit. The separator which is placed above the contact plate on which the gas contacts the liquid, comprises vertically spaced tiers of elongated, substantially horizontal open-topped liquid collector channels arrayed in parallel rows transversely to the flow of the gas. The liquid collector channels are vertically staggered to deflect the gas flow from a lower tier level through the gaps between the collection channels of an upper tier and around the channels so as to cause the entrained liquid particles to separate from the gaseous stream by inertia into the channels of the lower tier. The collected liquid is then returned through a liquid downcomer to a contact plate.

Abstract: An ethylbenzene conversion catalyst is described which comprises a molecular sieve and a hydrogenation metal, wherein the catalyst exhibits a benzene hydrogenation activity at 100° C. of less than about 100 and a metal dispersion, as measured by hydrogen chemisorption, greater than 0.4 and wherein the molecular sieve is steamed to an alpha value of less than 400 prior to incorporation of the palladium with the molecular sieve.

Abstract: There is provided a process for aromatics conversion by contacting a feed suitable for aromatics conversion under conversion condition and in the presence of a catalyst comprising ITQ-13. Examples of such conversion processes include isomerization of aromatic (xylenes) feedstock, disproportionation of toluene to benzene and xylenes, alkylation and transalkylation of aromatics, conversion of light paraffins and light olefins to aromatics, conversion of naphtha to aromatics, and conversion of alcohol to aromatics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons, preferably with an oxygen or sulfur containing alkylating agent, in the presence of a multi-component molecular sieve catalyst composition that includes a molecular sieve and an active metal oxide. The invention is also directed to methods of making and formulating the multi-component molecular sieve catalyst composition useful in producing alkylated aromatics.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a dual bed process using two different catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene and/or methyl acetylene (MA) and/or propadiene (PD) in a light olefin-rich feedstream can be accomplished with less selectivity to making oligomers (green oil) as compared with existing commercial technologies, if a low oligomers selectivity catalyst is used first in the process. A palladium catalyst may be used as a second, sequential catalyst to further hydrogenate acetylene and/or MAPD while consuming at least a portion of the balance of the hydrogen present. The first catalyst should be different from the second catalyst.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cyclonic vapor/liquid contacting device and distillation or related mass transfer or heat transfer processes employing its use, such as fluid catalytic cracking. Liquid feed is introduced near the floor of the cyclone via downcomer or plenum. Vapor enters through sieve holes in the bottom of the cyclonic device. Near the floor are angled tabs or vanes that impart a spin to the vapor rising up through the floor. The tabs or vanes mix the liquid and vapor. The liquid is then thrown toward the cyclone wall, where it exits through slots in the wall. A second set of tabs or vanes, located about in the middle of the cyclone, imparts additional spin to the vapor and entrained liquid rising through the cyclone. This improves liquid collection by the cyclone, especially in cases where a heavy liquid load dampens the spin action of the vapor in the base of the cyclone.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cyclonic vapor/liquid contacting device and distillation or related mass transfer or heat transfer processes employing its use, such as fluid catalytic cracking. Liquid feed is introduced near the floor of the cyclone via downcomer or plenum. Vapor enters through sieve holes in the bottom of the cyclonic device. Near the floor are angled tabs or vanes that impart a spin to the vapor rising up through the floor. The tabs or vanes mix the liquid and vapor. The liquid is then thrown toward the cyclone wall, where it exits through slots in the wall. A second set of tabs or vanes, located about in the middle of the cyclone, imparts additional spin to the vapor and entrained liquid rising through the cyclone. This improves liquid collection by the cyclone, especially in cases where a heavy liquid load dampens the spin action of the vapor in the base of the cyclone.

Abstract: An ethylbenzene conversion catalyst is described which comprises a molecular sieve and a hydrogenation metal, wherein the catalyst exhibits a benzene hydrogenation activity at 100° C. of less than about 100 and a metal dispersion, as measured by hydrogen chemisorption, greater than 0.4 and wherein the molecular sieve is steamed to an alpha value of less than 400 prior to incorporation of the palladium with the molecular sieve.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a dual bed process using two different catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene and/or methyl acetylene (MA) and/or propadiene (PD) in a light olefin-rich feedstream can be accomplished with less selectivity to making oligomers (green oil) as compared with existing commercial technologies, if a low oligomers selectivity catalyst is used first in the process. A palladium catalyst may be used as a second, sequential catalyst to further hydrogenate acetylene and/or MAPD while consuming at least a portion of the balance of the hydrogen present. The first catalyst should be different from the second catalyst.