Abstract: The present invention is an improved process and apparatus for producing para-xylene, particularly with respect to a process that involves the methylation of toluene and/or benzene to selectively produce para-xylene, wherein streams having differing amounts of ethylbenzene are separately treated in the recovery of para-xylene. A first hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene is provided to a first para-xylene adsorption section, and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and less EB than the first hydrocarbon feed is provided to a second para-xylene adsorption section. Segregating the feeds with differing ethylbenzene contents increases the overall efficiency of the adsorption of para-xylene by the adsorption units. Efficiency and energy savings may be further improved by subjecting the lower-content ethylbenzene stream to liquid phase isomerization.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process and apparatus for producing para-xylene, particularly with respect to a process that involves the methylation of toluene and/or benzene to selectively produce para-xylene, wherein streams having differing amounts of ethylbenzene are separately treated in the recovery of para-xylene. A first hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene is provided to a first para-xylene adsorption section, and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and less EB than the first hydrocarbon feed is provided to a second para-xylene adsorption section. Segregating the feeds with differing ethylbenzene contents increases the overall efficiency of the adsorption of para-xylene by the adsorption units. Efficiency and energy savings may be further improved by subjecting the lower-content ethylbenzene stream to liquid phase isomerization.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent under conditions effective to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the methylated effluent stream to produce a para-xylene depleted stream and part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a first isomerized stream, while part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under vapor phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a second isomerized stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the para-xylene recovery step.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent under conditions effective to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the methylated effluent stream to produce a para-xylene depleted stream and part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a first isomerized stream, while part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under vapor phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a second isomerized stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the para-xylene recovery step.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a toluene-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream. The C9+-containing stream with a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to convert C9+-aromatics to C8?-aromatics and produce a transalkylated stream, which is recycled together with the isomerized stream to the para-xylene recovery section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transalkylation process for making an aromatic material between a light aromatic material and a heavier aromatic material in the presence of hydrogen and a transalkylation catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component and a transalkylation component. The process comprises conducting the transalkylation reaction under conditions conducive to reducing the amount of cyclic compounds in the transalkylation reaction mixture in the beginning phase of the operation that is different from the conditions after the beginning phase. The invention is useful, e.g., in transalkylation between toluene and C9+ aromatic feed materials to produce xylenes and/or benzene.

Abstract: A process is provided for the isomerization of aromatic hydrocarbons including contacting an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstream with a catalyst comprising a hydrogenation metal wherein sulfur is continuously introduced after catalyst start-up for an extended period of time at a concentration of no more than 56 ppm by weight of the aromatic hydrocarbon feedstream.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a C7— aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Ethylbenzene is removed from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, para-xylene is recovered from the ethylbenzene-depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a toluene-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream. The C9+-containing stream with a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to convert C9+-aromatics to C8?-aromatics and produce a transalkylated stream, which is recycled together with the isomerized stream to the para-xylene recovery section.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Ethylbenzene is removed from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, para-xylene is recovered from the ethylbenzene-depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, at least one feed comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is supplied to a dividing wall distillation column to separate the feed into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. At least part of the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is then supplied to a para-xylene recovery unit to recover para-xylene from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and produce a para-xylene depleted stream. The para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst in a xylene isomerization zone under conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream, which is then at least partially recycled to the para-xylene recovery unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to minimizing ammonia poisoning of a catalyst and to a xylene isomerization process using said catalyst.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Ethylbenzene is removed from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, para-xylene is recovered from the ethylbenzene-depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Ethylbenzene is removed from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, para-xylene is recovered from the ethylbenzene-depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a feed stream comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is separated into a toluene-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. The toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and the methylated effluent stream in a para-xylene recovery section to produce a para-xylene depleted stream, which is then contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream. The C9+-containing stream with a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to convert C9+-aromatics to C8?-aromatics and produce a transalkylated stream, which is recycled together with the isomerized stream to the para-xylene recovery section.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, a toluene-containing stream is contacted with a methylating agent under conditions effective to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. Para-xylene is recovered from the methylated effluent stream to produce a para-xylene depleted stream and part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under liquid phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a first isomerized stream, while part of the para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst under vapor phase isomerization conditions effective to produce a second isomerized stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the para-xylene recovery step.

Abstract: The process concerns ethylbenzene conversion and xylene isomerization with a catalyst pretreated by sulfiding.

Abstract: The process concerns ethylbenzene conversion and xylene isomerization with a catalyst pretreated by sulfiding.

Abstract: The invention relates to minimizing ammonia poisoning of a catalyst and to a xylene isomerization process using said catalyst.

Abstract: The process concerns ethylbenzene conversion and xylene isomerization with a catalyst pretreated by sulfiding.