Abstract: A process for the purification of aromatic streams is provided that includes a new start up procedure that in embodiments significantly reduces impurities in an aromatics feedstock.

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: The efficiency of catalyzed batch esterification reactions is improved by the use of a particular temperature and pressure profile during the reaction cycle. In particular elevated pressure is maintained to prevent alcohol boil off during initial mixing and reaction of the reactants prior to any catalyst addition, and preferably the pressure is reduced rapidly after the desired reaction temperature has been reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to regeneration of catalysts used in the purification of aromatics streams. It has been surprisingly found that retaining small amount of coke on the catalyst reduces regeneration costs and improves regeneration effectiveness.

Abstract: A process of producing PX comprising providing a C8+ feedstock, the C8+ feedstock has C8 hydrocarbons and C9+ hydrocarbons, to a crystallization unit under crystallization conditions to produce a PX enriched stream having a PX concentration of at least 99.5 wt % based on the weight of the PX enriched stream, wherein the C8+ feedstock has a PX concentration of at least 70 wt % based on total weight of xylenes in the C8+ feedstock, which the C8+ feedstock having a C9+ hydrocarbons concentration in a range from 1 wppm to 10 wt % based on the total weight of the C8+ feedstock.

Abstract: A process for producing a PX-rich product, the process comprising: (a) providing a PX-depleted stream; (b) isomerizing at least a portion of the PX-depleted stream to produce an isomerized stream having a PX concentration greater than the PX-depleted stream and a benzene concentration of less than 1,000 ppm and a C9+ hydrocarbons concentration of less than 5,000 ppm; and (c) separating the isomerized stream by selective adsorption.

Abstract: The proposed process uses crystallization technology to purify paraxylene simultaneously of large concentrations of C8 aromatics and also small concentrations of oxygenated species.

Abstract: Oxidative recovery methods that use oxygen or air for recovery of homogeneous metal catalysts, such as cobalt catalysts, used in for example hydroformylation processes, can be hazardous. Explosive or flammable gas mixtures may be generated inside the process equipment, which can deflagrate upon any ignition source such as a static electricity discharge. The use of a flammable diluent has been found to be a very effective way of optimizing the recovery method, by bringing the resulting gas mixtures above their upper flammability limit. The offgas produced is then also easier to dispose of as a fuel, as compared to when a non-flammable diluent is used.

Abstract: In a process for reducing the amount of benzene produced in a startup procedure for purification of an aromatic feedstream, the improvement comprising a start-up procedure including contacting said catalyst with said feedstream at elevated LHSV for a period of time sufficient to reduce benzene and/or toluene levels to a predetermined level, and proceeding under normal operational conditions.

Abstract: According to the invention, trace olefins and dienes are removed from aromatic plant feedstocks by contacting the catalyst using conditions outside the ordinary range used for this application today.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for liquid-liquid extraction. The apparatus can include a housing having a first section, second section, and third section. One or more sieve trays can be disposed in the first section, and one or more gratings can be disposed in the second section. A hydrocarbon feed inlet can be disposed adjacent the second section, wherein each grating has a plurality of openings formed therethrough. The openings having at least three sides. The first section can be disposed at a first end of the second section, and the third section can disposed at a second end of the second section.

Abstract: In a process for producing xylene by transalkylation of a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock with a C6 and/or C7 aromatic hydrocarbon, the C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock, at least one C6 and/or C7 aromatic hydrocarbon and hydrogen are contacted with a first catalyst comprising (i) a first molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range of about 3 to about 12 and (ii) at least first and second different metals or compounds thereof of Groups 6 to 12 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Contacting with the first catalyst is conducted under conditions effective to dealkylate aromatic hydrocarbons in the feedstock containing C2+ alkyl groups and to saturate C2+ olefins formed so as to produce a first effluent.

Abstract: Mixed butene streams containing butene-1 and isobutylene and optionally butene-2 are hydroformylated under conditions that hydroformylates all the monomers to yield a mixture of valeraldehydes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved absorption-type separation and/or purification processes having dual rotary valves.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a catalyst system adapted for processing aromatic feedstreams comprising C9+ aromatic feedstock to produce at least one xylene.

Abstract: Triglyceride PVC plasticizers can be produced by recovery of C5 to C10 aldehydes having low average levels of branching from a hydroformylation product, oxidizing the aldehydes with oxygen and/or air to form an acid, recovery of the resulting acid, and esterification with glycerol. Plasticizer compositions including such products or linear triglycerides combined with a secondary plasticizer and articles made therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon fluids having high purity with respect to at least one of sulfur species, nitrogen species, oxygenated species, and unsaturated species, particularly hydrocarbon fluids low in aromatics, a method of making said hydrocarbon fluids, a catalyst for use in said method, an apparatus whereby said method may be practiced, and uses of said fluids.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising the steps of (A) feeding the feedstock to a reactor or adsorption unit; (B) contacting the feedstock in the reactor or adsorption unit with a solid particulate material useful for converting the feedstock under conversion conditions; (C) withdrawing converted feedstock from the reactor; and (D) removing, under the conversion conditions for a fractional time of step (B), at least a portion of the solid particulate material while the feedstock is being fed to the reactor or adsorption unit, wherein the portion is more than 0.1 wt. % of the solid particulate material in the reactor or adsorption unit and wherein the fractional time is less than 95% of the time of step (B).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for hydrogenating one or more organic compounds especially unsaturated organic compounds by bringing the compound into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, which comprises one or more catalytically active metals applied to a porous catalyst support. The one or more catalytically active metals having been derived via a decomposed organic complex of the metal on the support, in particular amine complexes of the metal. The decomposed complex may be treated with hydrogen to activate the catalyst before use as a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Oxo-alcohols in the plasticizer range typically contain small amounts of methyl esters having the same alkyl chain as the alcohol itself. These methyl esters are causing product quality problems and environmental problems because of transesterification in the esterification process where the plasticizer ester derivatives are produced. A process using controlled oxonation and hydrogenation conditions is disclosed for the production of alcohols containing low amounts of methyl esters. Plasticizer esters with low amounts of aliphatic di-alkyl esters are also disclosed.