Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving viscosity of a heavy hydrocarbon product stream such as a vapor-liquid separator drum bottoms stream, a steam cracker tar stream, or a combination thereof by subjecting the stream to cavitation to reduce the viscosity of the product stream.

Abstract: A method and system for converting hydrocarbons into C2+ unsaturates is described. The method includes providing a structural member upstream of a reaction zone having a surface of a catalytic material, wherein the catalytic material is rendered catalytically active to promote the reaction of coke and/or coke precursors with hydrogen (H2) and/or an oxidant. Then, the method involves exposing a hydrocarbon stream to the catalytic material, wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprising coke and/or coke precursors react in the presence of the catalytic material to convert at least a portion of the coke and/or coke precursors to vapor products. Finally, the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon stream containing vapor products and hydrocarbons are converted in the reaction zone to produce a reactor product having C2+ unsaturates.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cracking a hydrocarbon feed containing resid, comprising: heating a hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid; passing said heated hydrocarbon feedstock to a vapor/liquid separator; flashing said heated hydrocarbon feedstock in said vapor/liquid separator to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase containing said resid; passing at least a portion of said resid-containing liquid phase from said vapor/liquid separator to a thermal conversion reactor operating at 649° C. or more, wherein the thermal conversion reactor contains coke particles; and converting at least a portion of said resid into olefins.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cracking a hydrocarbon feed containing resid, comprising: heating a hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid; passing said heated hydrocarbon feedstock to a vapor/liquid separator; flashing said heated hydrocarbon feedstock in said vapor/liquid separator to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase containing said resid; passing at least a portion of said resid-containing liquid phase from said vapor/liquid separator to a thermal conversion reactor operating at 649° C. or more, wherein the thermal conversion reactor contains coke particles; and converting at least a portion of said resid into olefins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the selective alkylation of toluene and/or benzene with an oxygen-containing alkylation agent. In particular, the process uses a selectivated molecular sieve which has been modified by the addition of a hydrogenation component, wherein at least one of the following conditions is met: (a) the selectivated molecular sieve has an alpha value of less than 100 prior to the addition of the hydrogenation component, or (b) the selectivated and hydrogenated catalyst has an alpha value of less than 100. The process of this invention provides high selectivity for the alkylated product while reducing catalyst degradation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the selective alkylation of toluene and/or benzene with an oxygen-containing alkylation agent. In particular, the process uses a selectivated molecular sieve which has been modified by the addition of a hydrogenation component, wherein at least one of the following conditions is met: (a) the selectivated molecular sieve has an alpha value of less than 100 prior to the addition of the hydrogenation component, or (b) the selectivated and hydrogenated catalyst has an alpha value of less than 100. The process of this invention provides high selectivity for the alkylated product while reducing catalyst degradation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the selective alkylation of toluene and/or benzene with an oxygen-containing alkylation agent. In particular, the process uses a selectivated molecular sieve which has been modified by the addition of a hydrogenation component, wherein at least one of the following conditions is met: (a) the selectivated molecular sieve has an alpha value of less than 100 prior to the addition of the hydrogenation component, or (b) the selectivated and hydrogenated catalyst has an alpha value of less than 100. The process of this invention provides high selectivity for the alkylated product while reducing catalyst degradation.

Abstract: A process for upgrading petroleum feedstocks boiling in the distillate plus range, which feedstocks, when cracked, result in unexpected high yields of olefins. The feedstock is hydroprocessed in at least one reaction zone countercurrent to the flow of a hydrogen-containing treat gas. The hydroprocessed feedstock is then subjected to thermal cracking in a steam cracker or to catalytic cracking in a fluid catalytic cracking process. The resulting product slate will contain an increase in olefins compared with the same feedstock, but processed in by a conventional co-current hydroprocessing process.

Abstract: A process for upgrading petroleum feedstocks boiling in the distillate plus range, which feedstocks, when cracked, result in unexpected high yields of olefins. The feedstock is hydroprocessed in at least one reaction zone countercurrent to the flow of a hydrogen-containing treat gas. The hydroprocessed feedstock is then subjected to thermal cracking in a steam cracker or to catalytic cracking in a fluid catalytic cracking process. The resulting product slate will contain an increase in olefins compared with the same feedstock, but processed in by a conventional co-current hydroprocessing process.