Abstract: A catalyst suitable for the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons is described. The catalyst comprises UZM-54 zeolite; a mordenite zeolite; a binder comprising alumina, silica, or combinations, thereof; and a metal selected from one or more of: Groups VIB(6) VIIB(7), VIII(8-10) and IVA(14) of the Periodic Table. A process for transalkylation using the catalyst is also described.

Abstract: A process for producing xylenes, in particular para-xylene that is less energy intensive than conventional processes is provided. In an embodiment the process comprises contacting a feed mixture in an isomerization zone with a catalyst at isomerization conditions and producing an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the feed mixture, wherein the catalyst comprises an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane. Xylene isomerization can also be coupled with a p-xylene extraction process, where the raffinate (p-xylene deprived stream) from the extraction process is fed to an isomerization reactor to produce p-xylene.

Abstract: A method for producing a highly aromatic base oil of the present invention includes a step of hydrorefining a clarified oil to obtain a highly aromatic base oil having an aromatic content of 50% by mass or more determined by a column chromatography analysis method. The step of hydrorefining a clarified oil is preferably performed under conditions of a hydrogen pressure of 5.0 to 20.0 MPa, a temperature of 280 to 400° C., a hydrogen oil ratio of 300 to 750 NL/L, and a space velocity of 0.3 to 2.0 h?1. According to the present invention, a highly aromatic base oil used for rubber processing, asphalt reclamation and the like, and a novel method for producing a highly aromatic base oil can be provided.

Abstract: A process for the alkylation of an aromatic substrate can include providing an alkylation reaction zone containing an alkylation catalyst, and introducing a feedstock including an aromatic substrate and an alkylating agent into an inlet of the alkylation reaction zone and into contact with the alkylation catalyst. The alkylation reaction zone can be operated at temperature and pressure conditions to cause alkylation of the aromatic substrate in the presence of the alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylation product including a mixture of the aromatic substrate and monoalkylated and polyalkylated aromatic components. The alkylation product can be withdrawn from the alkylation reaction zone. Nitrogen containing compounds in the aromatic substrate, alkylating agent, or both can be monitored in a range 15 wppb to 35 wppm by dry colorimetry. The process can include transalkylation of polyalkylated aromatic components in a transalkylation reaction zone containing a transalkylation catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to fuel compositions for use in combustion engines, such as for motor vehicle and aircraft usage. The fuel composition contains at least 99.5% of aromatic hydrocarbons and paraffinic hydrocarbons. The composition also preferably contains no lead, no multi-ring compound (only single ring compounds are present), less than about 15 ppm sulfur, and/or less than about 5 ppm nitrogen species. The resulting fuel is a drop-in fuel that provides clean burning with little to no engine deposit, high lubricity, high stability, and low corrosion.

Abstract: A process is presented for controlling the output of monoalkylated benzenes. The alkylbenzenes are linear alkylbenzenes and the process controls the 2-phenyl content of the product stream. The control of the process to generate a linear alkylbenzene with a 2-phenyl content within a desired range by recycling a portion of the effluent from the alkylation reactor to the inlet of the reactor.

Abstract: When producing an aromatic hydrocarbon by a contact reaction of a lower hydrocarbon with a catalyst, the aromatic hydrocarbon is produced stably for a long time while maintaining a high aromatic hydrocarbon yield. In a process for producing an aromatic hydrocarbon by being equipped with a reaction step for obtaining the aromatic hydrocarbon by a contact reaction of a lower hydrocarbon with a catalyst and a regeneration step for regenerating the catalyst used in this reaction step, and by repeating the reaction step and the regeneration step, yield of the aromatic hydrocarbon is calculated at constant intervals of time. A yield as the standard is set up from this calculated yield. Based on the change of yield relative to this standard, the regeneration time of the regeneration step is prolonged. A threshold value is set up in the change of yield.

Abstract: A process for transalkylating aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, the process comprising introducing an aromatic hydrocarbon feed stream and a water source to a transalkylation zone. The feed stream contacts a catalyst in the transalkylation zone in the presence of water, and produces a reaction product stream comprising benzene and xylene. The invention includes methods to control the transalkylation process.

Abstract: A process is presented for controlling the output of monoalkylated benzenes. The alkylbenzenes are linear alkylbenzenes and the process controls the 2-phenyl content of the product stream. The control of the process to generate a linear alkylbenzene with a 2-phenyl content within a desired range by recycling a portion of the effluent from the alkylation reactor to the inlet of the reactor.

Abstract: A process for transalkylating aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, the process comprising introducing an aromatic hydrocarbon feed stream and a sulfur source to a transalkylation zone. The feed stream contacts a catalyst in the transalkylation zone in the presence of sulfur, and produces a reaction product stream comprising benzene and xylene. The invention includes methods to control the transalkylation process.

Abstract: A method of extending the life of an aromatization catalyst comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) of the catalyst, and oxidizing the catalyst prior to reaching the RDT. A method of aromatizing a hydrocarbon comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) for an aromatization catalyst, and operating an aromatization reactor comprising the catalyst to extend the Time on Stream of the reactor prior to reaching the RDT. A method of characterizing an aromatization catalyst comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) of the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for catalytically converting an alkylaromatic hydrocarbon into a vinylaromatic hydrocarbon by directing said alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and steam into a reactor containing dehydrogenation catalyst, said process comprising the steps of: (a) forming a mixed reactant stream consisting essentially of said alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and steam; (b) bringing said mixed reactant stream into contact with a dehydrogenation catalyst consisting essentially of iron oxide catalyst promoted with alkali metal and at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the alkylaromatic hydrocarbon to vinylaromatic hydrocarbon; wherein an effective amount of an alkali metal compound in the form of a powder is injected continuously or intermittently in at least one of the feedstocks sent to the dehydrogenation catalyst; said effective amount of alkali metal compound being sufficient to maintain substantially constant levels of conversion of alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and selectivity o

Abstract: In a process for the production of para-xylene, methanol is preheated to a first temperature, an aromatic feedstock comprising toluene and/or benzene is preheated to a second temperature and the preheated methanol and aromatic feedstocks are fed to a reactor at a first methanol to aromatic feedstock molar ratio. The preheated aromatic feedstock is contacted with the preheated methanol under alkylation conditions in the reactor in the presence of a catalyst so that the methanol reacts with the aromatic feedstock to produce an effluent comprising para-xylene. During the reaction, a temperature is measured within the reactor and is compared with a predetermined optimal temperature. The methanol to aromatic feedstock molar ratio is then adjusted in a manner to reduce any difference between the measured and predetermined optimal temperatures in the reactor.

Abstract: A method of extending the life of an aromatization catalyst comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) of the catalyst, and oxidizing the catalyst prior to reaching the RDT. A method of aromatizing a hydrocarbon comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) for an aromatization catalyst, and operating an aromatization reactor comprising the catalyst to extend the Time on Stream of the reactor prior to reaching the RDT. A method of characterizing an aromatization catalyst comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) of the catalyst.

Abstract: A two-step method and apparatus for controlling cracking severity in the effluent from a cracking furnace such as an ethylene cracker. The method includes two steps. The first step consists of determining the near infrared spectrum of effluent in-line. The second step consists of changing the temperature and/or residence time of the furnace according to the determination of the first step. The apparatus includes a light source mounted on a conduit for the effluent, a light detector mounted on the opposite side of the conduit from the light source to receive light emitted from the light source, means for sheltering the light source from the effluent, means for sheltering the lights detector from the effluent, means for flowing a fluid past the light source at a higher pressure than the pressure of the effluent; and means for flowing a fluid past the light detector at a higher pressure than the pressure of the effluent.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for the distillation separation of styrene monomer from ethylbenzene utilizing a split feed to two distillation columns in conjunction with cascade reboiling utilizing thermal energy from the overhead of one column to supply heat to the second.

Abstract: In the production of aromatic hydrocarbon from coking crude by-product benzene after a vaporization stage in which the crude benzene is evaporated to leave a residue, the crude benzene is subjected to pressure refining in the presence of hydrogen. The residue is distilled to form high and low boiling fractions and at least the gas pressure and temperature of the distillation stage is controlled so that the sump product apart from styrene is substantially free from aromatic hydrocarbons with less than 9 carbon atoms. The rate of withdrawal of the vaporization residue from the vaporizing column is controlled, depending upon the concentration of polymer formers in the crude benzene to be in the range of 6 to 40% of the rate of feed of the coking by-product benzene to the vaporizing column.

Abstract: An improved method of continuously controlling a multi-zone heater used in a chemical process has been developed. Each zone of the multi-zone heater has an ideal heat flux, FI, and an actual heat flux, FA, and the difference between the heat flux ratios, .DELTA.(FA/FI), of consecutive zones is to be less than a tolerance, T, where T is in the range of about 0.0 to about 0.1. The control is effected by determining the ideal heat flux, FI, of each zone in the heater and determining the actual heat flux, FA, of each zone in the heater. The difference between the heat flux ratios of FA/FI in consecutive zones is then calculated as .DELTA.(FA/FI). A manipulated variable of the chemical process is then adjusted according to an algorithm relating the changes in the manipulated variable to changes in the actual heat flux of each zone to afford a new value of the actual heat flux FAN where .vertline..DELTA.(FAN/FI).vertline..ltoreq..vertline..DELTA.(FA/FI).vertli ne. for consecutive zones.

Abstract: The rate at which an oxygen-containing gas stream is admixed with hydrocarbons and hydrogen upstream of a catalytic hydrogen oxidation zone is controlled on the basis of temperature differentials across the oxidation zone and an upstream catalytic dehydrogenation zone. This control overrides the normal control mode based upon the outlet temperature of the oxidation zone effluent stream, which is the inlet temperature to a subsequent bed of hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. The control method can be used to apply oxidative reheat technology to a variety of processes.

Abstract: A process control technique for upgrading C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbon feed containing olefins to produce heavier liquid hydrocarbons comprising converting a major portion of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 olefins in an oligomerization zone by contacting a shape selective medium pore zeolite catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure to make distillate and olefinic gasoline. The oligomerization stage effluent is fractionated to provide distillate and gasoline product and a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 intermediate stream containing isobutane and unconverted propene and butylene. The C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 intermediate stream is combined under control with a portion of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 feed and further converting the combined streams in an alkylation zone to make heavier paraffinic hydrocarbons. The olefin feed may be produced by catalytically converting methanol or similar oxygenated hydrocarbons in a known process.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an olefins upgrading plant wherein catalytic reactor effluent is separated to recover heavy, intermediate and light hydrocarbon streams. An improved liquid recycle system includes a level control technique for diverting a portion of a separator overhead vapor stream. Recycle flow rate may be determined by reactor temperature differential in a series of adiabatic catalytic reactors.

Abstract: A reactor bed, particularly one designed for converting alcohols to gasoline, is provided with a section downstream of the catalyst bed filled with high heat capacity thermal absorptive material. When the circulation of recycled gas to the system is temporarily suspended automatic valves terminate the injection of alcohol feedstock and begin the injection of inert gases such as methane into the system, thereby avoiding the formation of a hot spot which would subsequently damage the catalyst and equipment downstream.

Abstract: Benzene or alkylbenzene (e.g. toluene) is alkylated with propylene to produce diisopropylbenzenes or isopropylalkylbenzenes, which in turn are selectively cracked to remove the 1,4-isomer. The resultant product, containing a high level of the 1,3-isomer, is then oxidized to 1,3-dihydroxybenzene or 3-alkylphenol (e.g. 3-methylphenyl) in significant yield.

Abstract: A continuous process for the alkylation of an alkylatable hydrocarbon with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid-type catalyst, including; contacting an alkylatable hydrocarbon with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid-type catalyst at a temperature and pressure and for a time sufficient to alkylate the alkylatable hydrocarbon; separating the reaction effluent stream into an alkylate product phase and a catalyst phase containing catalyst-soluble oil; cooling the catalyst phase to a temperature essentially equal to the alkylation reaction temperature; recycling the cooled catalyst phase to the alkylation reaction; contacting a diolefinic hydrocabon with an acid-type catalyst at a temperature and pressure sufficient to form additional catalyst-soluble oil and combining the additional catalyst-soluble oil with the circulating catalyst phase.

Abstract: A method of alkylating an alkylatable hydrocarbon with different alkylating agents, at different reaction temperatures and in a single reaction zone, in which an alkylatable hydrocarbon is contacted with an acid-type catalyst and at different points in an elongated reaction zone, the reaction zone effluent is separated into a hydrocarbon phase and a catalyst recycle phase and the reaction temperatures of the various alkylating agents are maintained at different temperatures by splitting the recycle catalyst phase into an equal number of streams and adjusting the reaction temperatures by adjusting the temperatures of the recycle catalyst phase streams, the relative proportions of the recycle catalyst phase streams or both. A method of starting-up the process and apparatus for conducting the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: This case relates to a process for producing aromatics by contacting a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbon with a gallium catalyst supported on an aluminosilicate in which the ratio of silica to alumina is between 20:1 and 70:1.