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 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: In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane and a particulate catalytic material are supplied to a reaction zone operating under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and to deposit carbonaceous material on the particulate catalytic material causing catalyst deactivation. At least a portion of the deactivated particulate catalytic material is removed from the reaction zone and is heated to a temperature of about 700° C. to about 1200° C. by direct and/or indirect contact with combustion gases produced by combustion of a supplemental fuel. The heated particulate catalytic material is then regenerated with a hydrogen-containing gas under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the carbonaceous material thereon to methane and the regenerated catalytic particulate material is recycled back to the reaction zone.

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: A hydrocarbon conversion process for producing an aromatics product containing of benzene, toluene, xylenes, or mixtures thereof. The process is carried out by converting precursors of benzene, toluene, and xylenes that are contained in a hydrocarbon feed (C6+ non-aromatic cyclic hydrocarbons, A8+ single-ring aromatic hydrocarbons having at least one alkyl group containing two or more carbon atoms; and A9+ single-ring aromatic hydrocarbons having at least three methyl groups) to produce a product that contains an increased amount of benzene, toluene, xylenes, or combinations thereof compared to said hydrocarbon feed.

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: Splicing tapes including an alignment indicium are provided. Methods of using such splicing tapes and webs spliced with such tapes are also described.

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: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a halogen-free carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the carbonation catalyst and/or a transesterification catalyst and recycling the carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol, wherein the dialkyl carbonate product exhibits a halogen concentration of about 5 ppm or less.

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: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a homogeneous carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the homogeneous carbonation catalyst and/or a heterogeneous transesterification catalyst and recycling the homogeneous carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol.

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.