Abstract: A xylene isomerization process includes introducing gas comprising hydrogen and a base to a reaction zone in which a catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a zeolite support resides. In one embodiment, the base may be formed in situ within the reaction zone from nitrogen and hydrogen that are introduced to the reaction zone. In another embodiment, the base is introduced directly to the reaction zone. The conditions in the reaction zone are effective to reduce the catalyst. A stream comprising C8 aromatics, e.g., xylenes and ethylbenzene may then be fed to the reaction zone containing the reduced catalyst. The reaction zone may be operated at conditions effective to isomerize the xylenes and hydrodealkylate the ethylbenzene. The xylene loss during the isomerization of the xylenes is lowered as a result of using the catalyst reduced in the presence of the gas comprising a base and hydrogen.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon aromatization process comprising adding a nitrogenate, an oxygenate, or both to a hydrocarbon stream to produce an enhanced hydrocarbon stream, and contacting the enhanced hydrocarbon stream with an aromatization catalyst, thereby producing an aromatization reactor effluent comprising aromatic hydrocarbons, wherein the catalyst comprises a non-acidic zeolite support, a group VIII metal, and one or more halides. Also disclosed is a hydrocarbon aromatization process comprising monitoring the presence of an oxygenate, a nitrogenate, or both in an aromatization reactor, monitoring at least one process parameter that indicates the activity of the aromatization catalyst, modifying the amount of the oxygenate, the nitrogenate, or both in the aromatization reactor, thereby affecting the parameter.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of hydrogenating a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to an unsaturated hydrocarbon includes contacting the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon with a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen. The catalyst comprises palladium and an inorganic support having a surface area of from about 4.5 to about 20 m2/g, or alternatively 5 to 14.5 m2/g. The inorganic support may comprise ?-alumina treated with a fluoride source. The palladium may be primarily disposed near the surface of the support. In addition, the catalyst may comprise silver distributed throughout the support. In another embodiment, a method of making the foregoing selective hydrogenation catalyst includes contacting a fluorine-containing compound with an inorganic support, heating the support, and adding palladium to the inorganic support. After adding palladium to the support, the support can then be heated again, followed by adding silver to and then heating the support once again.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a monoolefin production system comprising an extraction-hydrogenation zone for extracting a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon from an olefin stream into a polar solvent and, in situ, hydrogenating the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to a monoolefin. In other embodiments, monoolefin production systems include an extraction-hydrogenation zone for performing the extraction and hydrogenating steps in situ. In alternative embodiments, the hydrogenation zone is disposed downstream from the extraction zone.

Abstract: A method for producing a selective hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to an unsaturated hydrocarbon comprising contacting an inorganic catalyst support with a chlorine-containing compound to form a chlorided catalyst support and adding palladium to the chlorided catalyst support to form a supported-palladium composition. A selective hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to an unsaturated hydrocarbon formed by the method comprising contacting an inorganic catalyst support with a chlorine-containing compound to form a chlorided catalyst support and adding palladium to the chlorided catalyst support to form a supported-palladium composition.

Abstract: A method of servicing a catalytic reactor system, comprising an abatement of at least one hazardous substance from the catalytic reactor system while preserving activity of a catalyst contained therein. A method of servicing a catalytic reactor system, comprising oxidizing the catalytic reactor system at a temperature of from about 350° F. to about 500° F. to abate at least one hazardous substance from the catalytic reactor system and reducing servicing time by about 50% of a time required for complete regenerative oxidation of the catalytic reactor system. A method of servicing a catalytic reactor system, comprising abating at least one hazardous substance from the catalytic reactor system such that a fouling rate of a catalyst contained therein is substantially the same before and after the servicing. A method of controlling an oxidation procedure in a catalytic reactor system, comprising: oxidizing the catalytic reactor system at a temperature of from about 350° F. to about 500° F.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of hydrogenating a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to an unsaturated hydrocarbon includes contacting the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon with a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen. The catalyst comprises palladium and an inorganic support having a surface area of from about 4.5 to about 20 m2/g, or alternatively 5 to 14.5 m2/g. The inorganic support may comprise ?-alumina treated with a fluoride source. The palladium may be primarily disposed near the surface of the support. In addition, the catalyst may comprise silver distributed throughout the support. In another embodiment, a method of making the foregoing selective hydrogenation catalyst includes contacting a fluorine-containing compound with an inorganic support, heating the support, and adding palladium to the inorganic support. After adding palladium to the support, the support can then be heated again, followed by adding silver to and then heating the support once again.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of producing monoolefins include contacting an olefin stream with a polar solvent to extract a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon from the olefin stream, followed by contacting the polar solvent with a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at conditions effective to hydrogenate the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to a monoolefin. The monoolefin then desorbs from the polar solvent and enters the purified olefin stream, allowing the polar solvent to be recycled. In other embodiments, monoolefin production systems include an extraction-hydrogenation zone for performing the extraction and hydrogenating steps in situ. In alternative embodiments, the hydrogenation zone is disposed downstream from the extraction zone.

Abstract: We disclose an aromatization catalyst, prepared by a process comprising impregnating an L zeolite with platinum acetylacetonate. We also disclose a method of aromatizing a light naphtha, comprising reacting the light naphtha in the presence of an aromatization catalyst prepared by the process referred to above. The process of preparing the aromatization catalyst can also include loading the L zeolite with a Group IVB metal, a rare earth metal, or a lanthanide, such as titanium or thulium.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for injecting an antifoulant has been developed for suppressing coke formation during pyrolysis in a cracking furnace. The apparatus and method result in the antifoulant being atomized and vaporized, which is critical for proper distribution of the antifoulant. The proper distribution of the antifoulant through this novel apparatus and method results in longer runtime and higher efficiencies for cracking furnaces.