Abstract: A process and a system for increasing para-xylene production from a C8 aromatic feedstream by coupling at least one xylene isomerization reactor with at least one pressure swing adsorption unit or temperature swing absorption unit to produce a product having a super-equilibrium para-xylene concentration. This product is then subjected to para-xylene separation and purification.

Abstract: A process and a system for increasing para-xylene production from a C8 aromatic feedstream by coupling at least one xylene isomerization reactor with at least one pressure swing adsorption unit or temperature swing absorption unit to produce a product having a super-equilibrium para-xylene concentration. This product is then subjected to para-xylene separation and purification.

Abstract: Methods are described for the characterization of microporous membranes such as crystalline molecular sieve membranes. The methods are based on the exposure of a membrane to a non-condensable inert gas e.g. helium, which may be transported through selective and non-selective pathways within the membrane, while at the same time exposing the membrane to increasing partial pressures of a condensable material in the form of a vapor or a gas. The condensable material may also be transported through the selective and non-selective pathways in the membrane. The condensable material progressively fills the pathways of the membrane and progressively attenuates the permeance of the non-condensable inert gas allowing detection and determination of non-selective pathways in the membrane.