Abstract: We disclose a method for converting toluene to xylenes, comprising contacting toluene with methanol in the presence of a silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst. As an example, in one embodiment the method can include: (i) first silylating HZSM-5, to form silylated HZSM-5; (ii) first calcining the silylated HZSM-5, to form calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iii) binding the calcined silylated HZSM-5 to silica, to form silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iv) extruding the silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (v) second calcining the extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5; (vi) second silylating the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5; and (vii) third calcining the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5, to form the silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process wherein monomer, diluent and catalyst are circulated in a continuous loop reactor and product slurry is recovered by means of a continuous product take off. The product slurry is exposed to a pressure drop in a flash zone, producing a second slurry and vaporized diluent. The vaporized diluent produced in said flash chamber is condensed by heat exchange, without compression.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process wherein monomer, at least one olefin comonomer different from the olefin monomer, diluent and catalyst are circulated in a continuous loop reactor and product slurry is recovered by means of a continuous product take off. The continuous product allows operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the circulating slurry.