Abstract: A process for the purification of a fluid stream containing a sulphur contaminant, such as hydrogen sulphide, and mercury, phosphine, stibine, and/or arsenic compounds as a second contaminant wherein said fluid stream is passed through a bed of a particulate absorbent containing a sulphide of a variable valency metal, especially copper, that is more electropositive than mercury, to remove said second contaminant and then the sulphur contaminant is removed from at least part of the effluent from that bed by passing that part of the effluent through a bed of a particulate sulphur absorbent comprising a compound selected from oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and basic carbonates of said variable valency metal is disclosed. The removal of the sulphur contaminant converts said variable valency metal compound to the corresponding sulphide. The resulting bed of variable valency metal sulphide is subsequently used for the removal of the second contaminant.

Abstract: Paraxylene and ethylbenzene are produced from an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock by using adsorption zones in a simulated fluid bed. The feedstock is first passed into a first adsorption zone to produce a first paraxylene-rich fraction and a second ethylbenzene-rich fraction. The second fraction is then passed into a second adsorption zone to produce a third fraction containing essentially pure ethylbenzene and a fourth fraction containing a majority of orthoxylene and metaxylene. The fourth stream is then passed into an isomerization zone to produce an isomerate which is then recycled back to the first adsorption zone.

Abstract: For producing three effluents which are respectively rich in straight chain paraffins, in mono-branched paraffins, and in di-branched and tri-branched paraffins possibly with naphthenic and/or aromatic compounds, from C5-C8 cuts or intermediate cuts (C5-C7, C6-C8, C7-C8, C6-C7, C7 or C8), comprising paraffic and possibly naphthenic, aromatic and olefinic hydrocarbons, the separation process of the invention uses at least two separation units operating either by adsorption or by permeation. It is of particular application when coupled with a hydro-isomerization process, which selectively recycles straight chain and mono-branched paraffins, necessary with paraffins containing more than 7 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A molecular sieve guard bed used in an adsorptive process for separating olefinic hydrocarbons from paraffinic hydrocarbons is regenerated in a method which recovers valuable hydrocarbons from the guard bed void volumes. The method comprises first contacting the sieve with a purge stream, with the initial effluent of the guard bed passed into a raffinate column to recover the olefinic hydrocarbons in the void volume of the bed. The flow of the effluent of the guard bed is then switched to a different fractionation column.

Abstract: A process for treating gas streams containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons. The process includes a membrane conditioning step to remove C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons, followed by a selective adsorption or membrane separation step to separate hydrogen from methane. The membrane conditioning step uses a membrane selective for C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons over hydrogen.

Abstract: The capacity of a simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process is increased by flushing the contents of the transfer line just previously used to remove the raffinate stream from the adsorbent chamber back into the adsorbent chamber. This step is performed immediately upstream of the point of raffinate withdrawal. Preferably the feed stream to the process is used as the flushing liquid. This flush step eliminates the passage of a quantity of the raffinate material into the adsorbent chamber when the process conduit is subsequently used to charge the feed stream to the adsorbent chamber.

Abstract: Process for the purification of a hydrocarbon stream by removing contaminating compounds contained in the hydrocarbon stream by contact with a solid adsorbent material and withdrawing a purified hydrocarbon stream, the improvement of which comprises passing the hydrocarbon stream through a first zone of the adsorbent material having supported thereon a fluorinated sulphonic acid and subsequently through zone of the adsorbent material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a liquid hydrocarbon stream useful as a precursor for transportation fuel and which contains an unacceptably high level of heteroatom compounds is provided for the removal of a significant portion of the heteroatom compounds from the hydrocarbon stream. The method and apparatus employ an adsorbent which is brought into countercurrent contact with a hydrocarbon stream in an adsorption zone to form a product hydrocarbon stream and a spent adsorbent stream. The adsorbent is recirculated to a desorption zone and is thereafter brought into cross-current contact with a reactivating medium, such as hydrocarbon gas, at elevated temperatures to form a reactivated adsorbent stream and a hydrogen/heteroatom stream. The regenerated adsorbent is recirculated back to the adsorption zone to form the adsorbent stream.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon stream is cracked to produce a hot gaseous stream which is compressed and cooled to condense almost all of the hydrocarbons contained in the stream. A noncondensed stream remaining after the condensation step, comprised predominantly of hydrogen and C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 hydrocarbons, is subjected to pressure swing adsorption or temperature swing adsorption at an adsorption temperature of about 0.degree. to about 250.degree. C. in a bed of adsorbent which selectively adsorbs ethene and propene, thereby adsorbing substantially all of the ethene and propene from the gas stream. The ethene and/or propene is recovered upon bed regeneration. Higher alkenes are separated from alkanes by various methods.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of normal paraffins from a feed mixture of normal paraffins, iso-paraffins and aromatics is disclosed. The process integrates a normal paraffin sorption process and an aromatics sorption process. The normal paraffin product of the process of our invention meets the commercial requirements for production of detergents, including sufficiently-low concentrations of both iso-paraffins and aromatics. The process achieves these results without the need for two additional factionation columns that are necessary to prior unintegrated processes.

Abstract: An improved simulated moving bed separation system is disclosed. The improved novel system is characterized by being provided with rotary valves or check valves or both. The rotary valves are provided at the position where desorbing liquid is introduced, the position where the extract is taken out, the position where the feedstock is introduced and the position where the raffinate is taken out and the rotary valves are intermittently switched on and off, whereby the liquid take out of the unit packed bed preceding the position where the desorbing liquid is introduced is supplied to the circulation pump. The check valves are provided in the fluid flow passage between a unit packed bed and an extract draw-out port positioned in the next unit packed bed in the direction in the next unit packed bed in the direction of fluid flow. Thus liquid flow is smoothly controlled and the more effective separation is realized.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of mercury and arsenic for which elementary mercury and/or mercury mercaptides are recovered prior to the recovery of arsenic and wherein the recovery temperature of the arsenic is higher than the recovery temperature of the mercury.

Abstract: A method and system for removing low molecular weight olefins from gases generated during the first five minutes of start-up of an internal combustion engine. The mixture is contacted with hydrophilic material to remove at least some of the water therefrom. The hydrophilic material can be molecular sieve having pores large enough for adsorption of water molecules and small enough to prevent molecules larger than water from being adsorbed, high surface area aluminas, precursors for high surface area aluminas, high surface area silicas, and combinations thereof. The mixture is then contacted with a downstream hydrocarbon-removing agent for removing the olefins. The hydrocarbon-removing agent can be at least one molecular sieve which can be pentasil zeolites, faujasite zeolites, mordenite, beta zeolites, carbon molecular sieve, metallophosphates, aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophosphates, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: According to the method of the invention, it is possible to separate and selectively remove alkyltetralins coexisting in a small amount in a LAB mixture which is an intermediate raw material for surfactants for detergents, the method conveniently being carried out in a continuous manner using a solid adsorbent.

Abstract: Process for removing mercury from an organic medium which at least contains mercury and arsenic, wherein the organic medium is contacted with a solid polymeric substrate containing thiol groups bound to the polymeric substrate through aliphatic groups.

Abstract: For the at least partial separation of aliphatic paraffins into at least one effluent comprising the least branched paraffins and at least one effluent comprising the most branched paraffins, use is made of at least one adsorbent bed comprising at least one grafted microporous solid. A preferred use of the invention relates to the treatment of a charge obtained from an isomerization zone, whereby at least one adsorbent bed makes it possible to separate the charge into a first effluent comprising the normal paraffins and a second effluent, and at least one adsorbent bed on which passes the second effluent, comprising at least one grafted microporous solid, making it possible to obtain a third effluent comprising the monomethyl branched paraffins and a fourth effluent comprising the polymethyl branched paraffins.

Abstract: A process for the elimination of mercury from an overall steam cracking installation, characterized in that regeneration is terminated by the injection of regeneration gas onto an active demercurizing mass, such that there is substantially no trace of mercury in the air or liquids leaving the installation. The process involves the use of three demercurizing masses, namely two upstream of the installation which are in series and one downstream, which latter is demercurized by at least one of the upstream masses. The use more particularly applies to the depollution of steam cracking installations which are already polluted by mercury.

Abstract: A method for removing mercury from natural gas comprises addition of a sulfur-containing agent to form sulfides of mercury, addition of organic base to absorb hydrogen sulfide, and subsequent contact of said natural gas with a molecular sieve to remove water therefrom, further comprising contacting said organic base-containing natural gas with a guard bed to substantially remove said organic base prior to said removing of water.

Abstract: A process for separating ethylbenzene and p-xylene from a xylene isomers mixture, additional containing m-xylene and o-xylene, by selective adsorption of ethylbenzene and p-xylene on a silicalite absorbent is disclosed in the present invention, wherein a compressed gaseous CO.sub.2 stream is used as a carrier for carrying a fixed amount of the mixture to the adsorbent bed for the selective adsorption, followed by a supercritical CO.sub.2 stream desorption of the adsorbed ethylbenzene and p-xylene from the adsorbent bed. A method for recycling the CO.sub.2 used therein is also disclosedby, which involves an isothermal and isobaric adsorption of the xylene isomer products from the effluent CO.sub.2 streams.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting methane to hydrocarbons having at least two carbon atoms (i.e. higher hydrocarbons). The process involves oxidizing methane with a metal sulfide oxidizing agent. After this conversion of methane, the reduced metal sulfide may be regenerated by oxidation of the reduced metal sulfide.

Abstract: An improved adsorption-desorption process is disclosed for separating low octane components from field natural gasoline and virgin naphthas. The low octane materials may be further separated into chemical feed stocks, fluid catalytic cracking feed stocks, steam active reforming feed stocks, paraffinic solvents, and diesel and jet fuel blend stocks by conventional fractionation and/or solvent extraction processes. The remaining higher octane materials make excellent reformer feed and/or gasoline blend stocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and integrated process involving the utilization of a primary adsorption bed containing a regenerable, physical adsorbent and an auxiliary sorption bed containing a chemisorbent for the removal of sulfur compounds from a fluid stream, which process provides for higher yields, higher purity and lower costs. A system for removing sulfur compounds in accordance with the above process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The metal concentration in a liquid hydrocarbon stream can be reduced to no more than 0.1 parts per billion by contacting the stream sequentially with a cation exchange resin and a silver-impregnated zeolitic molecular sieve, preferably in that order. The method is particularly useful for removal of mercury and antimony from liquified petroleum gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing polar bodies and other contaminants, including color bodies, from unsaturated hydrocarbon streams having a boiling range between 280.degree.-310.degree. F. by contacting the unsaturated hydrocarbon stream with a neutral clay comprising an oxide state of at least one and preferably two of Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, Na, S, and P, particularly attapulgite clay. The process is most effective if the unsaturated hydrocarbon stream is first dried using a molecular sieve.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for removing mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon feed material by (a) removing those components having a higher molecular weight than the desired hydrocarbon from the feed material, (b) removing water from the feed material, and thereafter (c) removing mercury from the feed material. Mercury can be removed to an extremely low concentration of 0.001 ppm or lower from a wide variety of liquid hydrocarbon feed materials containing either a relatively large amount or a trace amount of mercury.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the separation of light hydrocarbons from a feedstream containing hydrogen, light hydrocarbons and heavy hydrocarbons. The processes employ thermal swing adsorption zone to adsorb heavy hydrocarbons and a pressure swing adsorption zone to remove the remaining light hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the product from the pressure swing adsorption zone is used to purge the thermal swing adsorption zone. Specific applications of the process of the present invention are disclosed with relation to hydrodealkylation processes and dehydrocyclodimerization processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for increasing the octane of a refinery gasoline pool by segregating components of a feed stream to increase the value of select components by isomerization and to prevent isomerization of other components already having a high octane value. The preferred feed stream of this process comprises di-branched paraffins, mono-methyl-branched paraffins and normal paraffins. Two or more different separatory sieves are used prior to isomerization. A first separatory shape-selective molecular sieve has a pore size of 4.5.times.4.5A or smaller to adsorb normal paraffins. A second separatory shape-selective molecular sieve has a pore size of 5.5.times.5.5 to 4.5.times.4.5A but excluding 4.5.times.4.5A. These sieves may be situated in a series flow arrangement. Normal paraffins are adsorbed by the first sieve. Mono-methyl-branched paraffins are adsorbed by the second sieve.

Abstract: The invention is a process for separating a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons into normal paraffins, branched chain paraffins, and cyclic paraffins which comprises contacting said mixture with a series of two molecular sieves comprising a first silicalite and a second silicalite which have different retention conditions. One of the silicalites is selected so that it will retain normal paraffins and pass through branched chain paraffins and cyclic paraffins. The second silicalite is selected so that it will retain normal and branched chain paraffins and pass through cyclic paraffins. The two molecular sieves are employed in series so that the mixture of saturated hydrocarbons can be separated into normal paraffins, branched chain paraffins, and cyclic paraffins.

Abstract: Trialkyl arsines are removed from fluids, in particular gases, by contacting with a solid sorbent material containing at least one silver component (preferably nitrate and/or oxide and/or metal) and a support material (preferably alumina, fluorided alumina, silica, fluorided silica, titania or magnesium aluminate).

Abstract: Process for elimination of mercury in hydrocarbon charges wherein said charge is contacted, under hydrogen, with a catalyst containing at least one metal from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron and palladium followed by--or mixed with--a capture mass containing sulfur or a metal sulfide.

Abstract: Organic feedstocks containing at least one impurity component which is more strongly adsorbed on molecular sieve adsorbents than the host feedstock are purified of the said impurity by passage in the liquid phase through a fixed bed of the adsorbent whereby the impurity is selectively adsorbed and the purified feedstock recovered in unusually high yield by a novel bed regeneration procedure involving the use of a portion of the purified feedstock in the vapor phase to countercurrently remove the liquid held in the bed void space, a relatively non-sorbable purge gas to sequentially displace the purified feedstock vapor from the bed followed by a displacement of the non-sorbable purge gas from the bed void space using another portion of the purified feedstock in the vapor phase, and finally cooling and refilling the bed in a direction cocurrent with the flow of feedstock into the bed during the adsorption purification stage with a portion of the purified feedstock in the liquid phase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for increasing the octane of a refinery gasoline pool by segregating components which are increased in value by isomerization from those which are diminished in octane value by isomerization. The preferred feed stream of this process comprises di-branched paraffins, mono-methyl-branched paraffins and normal paraffins from which mono-methyl-branched and normal paraffins are selectively captured by a shape-selective molecular sieve. The preferred separatory shape-selective molecular sieve has a pore size of 5.5.times.5.5 to 4.5.times.4.5A but excluding 4.5.times.4.5A. Mono-methyl-branched paraffins and normal paraffins are removed from the shape-selective molecular sieve and isomerized in an isomerization zone to form di-methyl branched paraffins. An isomerization zone effluent stream is produced comprising unisomerized normal paraffins, mono-methyl-branched paraffins and di-branched paraffins.

Abstract: In the present invention, a petroleum fraction containing arsenic is brought into contact with an adsorbent comprising a substrate such as an active carbon, bituminous coal or organic polymeric compound having introduced therein a sulfur element, particularly represented by mercapto moiety, and therefore arsenic in the petroleum fraction can be removed at a high percent removal by means of simple equipment, and, even if highly reactive olefins are contained in the petroleum fraction, these olefins do not polymerize, thus troubles do not occur.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and integrated process involving the utilization of a primary adsorption bed containing a regenerable, physical absorbent and an auxiliary sorption bed containing a chemisorbent and an optional physical absorbent for the removal of sulfur compounds and water from a fluid stream, which process provides for higher yields, higher purity and lower costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical process involving a processing step which is sensitive to the presence of at least one component contained within the stream to be processed and to an economical and efficient method of temporarily removing such deleterious component from the stream so as to have the deleterious component by-pass the step which is sensitive to this component using an adsorbent for such removal wherein the adsorbent is regenerated by the product effluent stream leaving the sensitive processing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical process involving a processing step which is sensitive to the presence of at least one component contained within the stream to be processed and to an economical and efficient method of temporarily removing such deleterious component from the stream so as to have the deleterious component by-pass the step which is sensitive to this component using an adsorbent for such removal wherein the adsorbent is regenerated by the product effluent stream leaving the sensitive processing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and integrated process involving the utilization of a primary adsorption bed containing a regenerable, physical adsorbent and an auxiliary sorption bed containing a chemisorbent for the removal of sulfur compounds from a fluid stream, which process provides for higher yields, higher purity and lower costs. A system for removing sulfur compounds in accordance with the above process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical process involving a processing step which is sensitive to the presence of at least one component contained within the stream to be processed. In particular, the present invention relates to an economical and efficient method of integrating the means for removing the deleterious component with the sensitive processing step by the use of a sorbent which is capable of removing the at least one deleterious component at sorption conditions which enables the stream to be in the vapor phase for subsequent introduction to the sensitive processing step which is also carried out in the vapor phase. Most preferably, the sorption conditions are substantially the same as the conditions within the sensitive processing step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of an isomerate gasoline blending component where the octane value of the isomerate is increased relative to prior art processes utilizing single separatory sieves. After respective isomerization of feed streams comprising C.sub.6 or C.sub.6.sup.+ normal paraffins, a multiple separatory sieve is located to selectively adsorb unreacted normal paraffins and mono-methyl-branched paraffins from an isomerate product stream. The preferred first separatory sieve is exemplified by a calcium 5A sieve which can adsorb normal paraffins while allowing mono-methyl-branched paraffins and more higly branched paraffin to pass to a second separatory sieve. The second sieve comprises a shape-selective zeolite having a pore size intermediate 5.5.times.5.5 and 4.5.times.4.

Abstract: A pretreatment process for removal of contaminants from a light hydrocarbon feedstock is presented. The feedstock is passed to a first adsorption zone containing a molecular sieve and thereafter passed to a second adsorption zone containing activated alumina. The process produces a hydrocarbon feedstock substantially free of sulfur compounds, oxygenates, and water. Such a process finds utility as a feed pretreatment step preceding a catalytic isomerization process.

Abstract: In a process for the direct oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide, ethylene is recovered from normally vented gas by contacting first with an activated carbon adsorbent then by pressure swing adsorption with a zeolitic molecular sieve adsorbent.

Abstract: The catalyzed oxidative coupling of a lower molecular weight alkane to move valuable, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of an isomerate gasoline blending component where the octane value of the isomerate is increased relative to the overall cost of the process. After isomerization, the separatory sieve of this invention selectively adsorbs unreacted normal paraffins and mono-methyl-branched paraffins but not di-methyl-branched paraffins. The preferred separatory sieve is ferrierite. This process is an improvement over prior Total Isomerization Processes (using a calcium-5A separatory sieve) to recycle only n-paraffins to the isomerization zone.

Abstract: Pentane derived from fractionation of sulfur-containing natural gasoline is desulfurized to low levels of sulfur, e.g., 1 ppm or below, in a process comprised of contacting the pentane in a first zone with molecular sieve adsorbent to remove dimethylsulfide and then in a second zone with activated carbon to remove carbon disulfide.

Abstract: An improved process for the purification of diolefin monomers for anionic polymerization is disclosed. The purification process of this invention results in polymer which exhibits excellent chain growing.

Abstract: A continuous, cyclic, vapor-phase adsorption process for the separation of normal paraffins from a hydrocarbon feed mixture, providing improved efficiency of separation and continuity of product flows. For purposes of this process, a continuous flow of the feed mixture and a continuous flow of an eluent are passed in repetitions of a particular sequence of six process steps to at least four adsorbent beds.

Abstract: A process for removing undesirable elements, e.g. nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, from the light organic liquid product derived from a solvent refined coal liquefaction process, while preserving octane number, which comprises the steps of (1) subjecting the light liquids to an ion-exchange resin treatment and (2) contacting the resulting ion-exchanged liquids with a zeolite acting as an adsorbent under specified conditions of space velocity, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A process for virtually complete isomerization of the normal paraffin hydrocarbons contained in a feed stream consisting essentially of mixed normal and non-normal hydrocarbons, wherein the feedstock is first passed through an isomerization reactor and the hydrocarbons in the effluent from the reactor are passed through an adsorption section wherein the normals are adsorbed and the non-normals passed out of the system as an isomerate product. The fresh feed is controllably flow blended with the variable desorption effluent from the adsorber beds containing desorption normals and hydrogen purge gas in order to provide a constant flow of combined feed to the isomerization reactor.

Abstract: Normal paraffins are isolated from a feedstock mixture of normal and non-normal paraffins in the vapor phase at superatmospheric pressure using an adsorption system comprising at least four fixed adsorption beds containing a 5 Angstrom molecular sieve adsorbent, each of which cyclically undergoes the stages of (a) adsorption-fill, (b) adsorption, (c) void space purging, and (d) purge desorption. The improvement of the present process comprises recycling in the vapor phase in combination with feedstock the mixture of isoparaffins and normal paraffins purged from one bed of the system during stage (c) to another bed of the system undergoing stage (b). In conventional practice the void space contained hydrocarbons purged from each bed during stage (c) was cooled, separated from the purging gas, pumped to a holding tank in the liquid phase and thereafter reheated to form the vapor phase before being admixed with fresh feedstock for further treatment.