Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovering olefin in an oxygenate to olefin production process. The method includes reacting a stream containing olefin with water in the presence of a hydrating catalyst to produce an alcohol containing stream. The alcohol containing stream can be used as an oxygenate feed in the oxygenate to olefin production process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering heat in an oxygenate to olefin (“OTO”) production process. The process includes removing heat while maintaining the temperature of an effluent stream that comprises solid particles (typically catalyst particles) and a gas phase comprising prime olefins from an OTO reactor above the dew point temperature of the effluent stream. The process further includes washing the effluent stream in solids wash to remove the solid particles from the gas phase into a liquid wash medium.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting oxygenates, e.g., methanol, to olefins, e.g., ethylene and propylene, comprising contacting said oxygenates and an aromatics co-feed, e.g., xylenes, with a framework gallium-containing molecular sieve catalyst comprising pores having a size ranging from about 5.0 Angstroms to about 7.0 Angstroms, e.g., ZSM-5, under production conditions effective to produce olefins. A catalyst composition is also provided, comprising a ZSM-5 zeolite-bound ZSM-5 zeolite having a bound zeolite of framework Ga-containing zeolite having a Si/Ga molar ratio ranging from 5 to 500 and a binder of Ga-modified, e.g., Ga-exchanged and/or Ga-impregnated, zeolite having a Si/Ga molar ratio ranging from 5 to ∞.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting methanol and/or dimethyl ether to a product containing olefin, e.g., C2 to C4 olefins, C9+ aromatics and non-C9+ aromatics which comprises: 1) contacting a feed which contains methanol and/or dimethyl ether with a catalyst comprising a porous crystalline material, said contacting step being conducted in the presence of aromatics comprising C9 or C9+ aromatic compound produced in said process under conversion conditions including a temperature of 350° C. to 480° C. and a methanol partial pressure in excess of 10 psia (70 kPa), said porous crystalline material having a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of about 0.1 sec−1 to about 20 sec−1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting methanol and/or dimethyl ether to a product containing C2 to C4 olefins which comprises the step of contacting a reaction mixture which contains methanol and/or dimethyl ether and at least 10 wt % of a polymethylbenzene component selected from trimethylbenzenes, tetramethylbenzenes and mixtures thereof with a catalyst comprising a porous crystalline material. The contacting step is conducted under conversion conditions including a temperature of about 250° C. to about 500° C. and a methanol and/or dimethyl ether partial pressure of about 5 to about 250 psia (35 to 1725 kPa). The porous crystalline material used in the catalyst has a pore size greater than the critical diameter of the aromatic compound and a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of at least 500 sec−1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 60 torr (8 kPa).

Abstract: A method for converting oxygenates to light olefins.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reforming organics into shorter-chain unsaturated organic compounds. A molten metal bath is provided which can cause homolytic cleavage of an organic component of an organic-containing feed. The feed is directed into the molten metal bath at a rate which causes partial homolytic cleavage of an organic component of the feed. Conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause partial homolytic cleavage of the organic component to produce unsaturated organic compounds, as products of the homolytic cleavage, which are discharged from the molten metal bath.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation and oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular ethylbenzene, to form corresponding oxidized or olefinically unsaturated compounds, in particular styrene, over an oxygen-conferring, oxygen-regenerable catalyst involving a working period, a time-displaced regenerating period and at least one intermediate rinsing period comprises effecting a partial regeneration during the working period by time-displaced addition of a substoichiometric amount of oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an unsaturated organic compound from an organic-containing feed. The method includes providing a reactor containing a liquid bath which includes a Bronsted acid that can protonate an organic component of the organic-containing feed. The feed is directed into the liquid bath at a rate which causes the Bronsted acid to protonate the organic component. Conditions are established and maintained in the reactor which cause the protonated organic component to fragment and form a carbenium ion and an unsaturated organic compound, whereby the unsaturated organic compound is discharged from the liquid bath.

Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon by contacting the hydrocarbon with a liquid comprising an alkali metal in a dehydrogenation zone to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon and an alkali metal halide. The resulting alkali metal hydride is heated to produce a heated liquid alkali metal and hydrogen. The heated liquid alkali metal is recycled to the dehydrogenation zone to provide heat and elemental metal.

Abstract: In a dehydrogenation process wherein catalyst is regenerated off-stream by use of heated air, at least two reactors are in the regeneration cycle, with regeneration air being heated to regeneration catalyst temperature for introduction into the first reactor, and thereafter being reheated to catalyst regeneration temperature and introduced into the second reactor. Such air may also be employed for preheating feed to the dehydrogenation reactor and/or for steam generation by heating such air to the temperature required for such procedure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for partial oxidation of hydrocarbonaceous gases, wherein a hydrocarbonaceous gas is preheated, reacted with oxygen, and quenched by means of a rotating matrix comprising glassy ceramic fibers. Such a rotating matrix may be constructed and compartmented by a method and apparatus which utilizes the inherent tensile strength properties of the fibers to provide strength to the compartment walls. Such partial oxidation method and apparatus is especially useful in a direct, integrated process for the production of tert-butyl ethers, wherein the product of partially oxidizing methane and isobutane are caused to be methanol and isobutylene, which intermediates are directly recovered and combined to form methyl tert-butyl ether by method and apparatus of the invention. Furthermore, by-products of such partial oxidation may also be converted to useful tert-butyl ethers.

Abstract: A method for converting a lower molecular weight alkane to synthesis gas to higher molecular weight materials comprising (a) passing a reaction mixture comprising the alkane and air at a pressure of from about 1 to about 50 pounds per square inch gauge through an elongated first reactor packed with a bed of refractory particles having three zones: (1) an upstream zone for heating the mixture, (2) a middle zone wherein alkane and oxygen react exothermically to produce hot CO, H.sub.2, and N.sub.2 and (3) a downstream zone for cooling the hot CO, H.sub.2, and N.sub.2 ; and (b) passing cooled CO, H.sub.2, and N.sub.2 to a reactor packed with Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to form higher molecular weight materials.

Abstract: Combustion air for steam cracking furnaces is preheated by indirect heat exchange with medium pressure and low pressure steam that has been expanded through steam turbines from high pressure steam produced in the hot section of an ethylene production plant.

Abstract: A process for quenching and cooling the reactor effluent in a thermal regenerative cracking (TRC) system is disclosed. The process for quenching the reactor effluent includes the steps of introducing particulate solids into the reactor effluent stream, passing the composite stream of reactor effluent and particulate solids in indirect heat exchange relationship with a coolant, separating the solids and quenched effluent and returning the separated solids to quench effluent.

Abstract: Combustion air, prior to being introduced into the cracking furnace in a hydrocarbon pyrolytic conversion and separation system, is preheated by employing bottom pumparound, top pumparound and/or quench water streams diverting from the primary fractionator externally connected to the pyrolysis reactor in order to optimize the thermal efficiency of the overall process.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for a hydrocarbon conversion process, for example thermal cracking, in which feedstock is converted in a heated furnace, the furnace being heated by burning a mixture of fuel and preheated air. The preheated air is obtained by passing air through successive compression, heating and gas turbine expansion zones, the work thereby obtained from the gas turbine expansion zone being used, at least in part, to compress hydrocarbon process gas produced in the furnace.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are cracked in the presence of a mist of molten salt containing of basic compounds of alkali and alkaline earth metals and mixtures thereof, the amount of the molten salt to hydrocarbon being, by weight, from 0.01:1 to 10:1 followed by quenching at a temperature not lower than the melting point of the molten salt, and separating the cracked gas from the molten salt.

Abstract: Pyrolysis of hydrocarbon starting products is carried out in a cylindrical casing containing a liquid heat carrier at a predetermined level in the casing. The casing is split into a heating zone and a pyrolysis zone by a cylindrical baffle which extends a small distance below the surface of the heat carrier. A jet directs a gaseous heating agent onto the surface of the heat carrier in the heating zone. Another jet directs hydrocarbon starting products onto the surface of the heat carrier in the pyrolysis zone where pyrolysis products are formed.