Abstract: There is provided a process for converting hydrocarbons which utilizes a zeolite bound zeolite catalyst that has enhanced performance when utilized in hydrocarbon conversion processes, e.g., catalytic cracking, alkylation, disproportionation of toluene, isomerization, and transalkylation reactions. The catalyst comprises a first zeolite having particles of greater than about 0.1 micron average particle size and a binder comprising second zeolite particles having an average particle size less than said first particles.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of paraxylene by the methylation of toluene in the presence of a zeolite bound zeolite catalyst. The catalyst comprises first zeolite crystals which are bound together by second zeolite crystals. When used to methylate toluene to para-xylene, the zeolite bound zeolite catalyst has a para-xylene selectivity greater than thermodynamic equilibrium. This selectivity can be enhanced by selectivating the catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a crystalline type L zeolite reforming catalyst comprising cylindrically shaped crystals having a length of 0.6 microns or less and an average length: diameter ratio of less than about 0.5, the catalyst containing at least one Group VIII metal and from about 0.1 to 2 wt % halogen e.g., chlorine. Also provided is a method for activating or regenerating the catalyst wherein a fresh or de-coked catalyst is oxychlorinated, purged to remove excess chlorine and reduced. The catalysts are particularly useful for the reforming of C.sub.6 to C.sub.11 naphthas to produce reformates having a high content of C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 light aromatics and a reduced content of heavier C.sub.9 and C.sub.10 aromatics.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing a nonequilibrium xylene feed mixture is disclosed. The isomerization is conducted in the presence of hydrogen and at pressures in excess of 75 psig over a ZSM-5 type catalyst containing about 0.1 to 5 wt % of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, silver and gallium. In another embodiment, the catalyst may further contain an oxide of at least one element selected from silicon, germanium and tin. The process produces a product containing about or above equilibrium quantities of para-xylene with low xylene loss.

Abstract: There is provided catalysts and conversion processes for converting hydrocarbons using the catalysts. The catalysts comprises a first alumino-phosphospho-molecular sieves and a binder comprising a second alumino-phopho-molecular sieves. Exemplary conversion processes include the conversion of oxygenates to olefins, dewaxing, reforming, dealkylation, dehydrogenation, transalkylation, alkylation, and isomerization.

Abstract: Large crystal zeolites are prepared by heating a zeolite synthesis mixture under agitation to a temperature equal to or less than the effective nucleation temperature of the zeolite synthesis mixture and thereafter the zeolite synthesis mixture is heated without agitation to a temperature equal to or greater than the effective nucleation temperature of the zeolite synthesis mixture.

Abstract: Binderless zeolite L particles are prepared by a method in which particles are formed from silica and from 0 to 95 wt % preformed zeolite L crystallites, and the particles are thereafter reacted with an alkaline solution comprising a source of alumina to convert the silica binder to zeolite L. These particles may comprise cylindrical zeolite L crystallites with a mean diameter of at least 0.05 micron in a zeolite L matrix and may be used as catalyst. Also acyclic hydrocarbons are dehydrocyclized and/or isomerized by contacting them at a temperature of from 370.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. with this catalyst incorporating at least one Group VIII metal having dehydrogenating activity to convert at least part of the acyclic hydrocarbons into aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Processes for washing zeolites, preferably less than about 0.5 micron in size, with a microfiltration system employing a washing liquid, such as an aqueous solution or water (preferably deionized water), to produce zeolite crystals having a zeolite pH in the pH range of 9.4 to 10.0 are provided. The zeolite pH is determined by a special procedure. The preferred washing processes include slurring the zeolite crystals with water (or an appropriate wash solution), initially concentrating the slurry with a microfilter to a preselected initial concentration, washing the crystals by adding make-up water at the same rate as the fluid loss due to permeate flow until the permeate pH is below a preselected value, then stopping the make-up flow and concentrating the slurry to a preselected maximum final concentration. A sample of the zeolite is dried and tested for its pH and if within the desired range, the batch of maximally concentrated slurry is dried.

Abstract: A deactivated reforming catalyst comprising a type L zeolite containing a Group VIII noble metal may be regenerated and have enhanced dispersion by a method involving contacting the catalyst with oxygen and water at elevated temperatures, contacting the catalyst at elevated temperatures with a source of chlorine such as HCl or Cl.sub.2, and preferably oxygen and water, contacting the catalyst at elevated temperatures with oxygen and optionally water, and contacting the catalyst at elevated temperatures with hydrogen and optionally water to reduce the catalyst. Preferably the noble metal is platinum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colloidal suspensions of discrete particles of colloidal zeolite and a method for preparing such zeolite from clear tetraalkylammonium stabilized aluminiumsilicate solutions. Smaller amounts of well defined and controlled metal hydroxide solutions are added to these alumiumsilicate solutions to enable the synthesis of a specific zeolite as well as to control zeolite yield. The colloidal suspensions are characterized by an average particle size of less than 250 nanometers and preferably, less than 200 nanometers together with the fact that the particle size distribution expressed as the geometric standard deviation is less than 1.30 and preferably less than 1.20. Zeolite sols synthesized according to this invention display Tyndall light scattering typical for colloidal suspensions as well as a very low rate of sedimentation due to the small particle size.

Abstract: Binderless particles of zeolite L of very high mechanical strength are prepared by a process which comprises forming a mixture by reacting substantially binderless particles of zeolite L, preferably as shaped particles such as extrudates, with an aqueous alkaline solution containing sources of alkali metal, at least 50 mole % of which is potassium, and aluminium to obtain the desired particles of very high mechanical strength. The zeolite L thus obtained can form part of a dehydrocyclisation and/or isomerisation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon fraction substantially free of dimethylbutanes. The hydrocarbon is separated into a fraction comprising the C.sub.5 - hydrocarbons and the dimethylbutanes, a light fraction excluding dimethyl butanes, and a heavy fraction. The light fraction is reformed in the presence of a monofunctional catalyst, and the heavy fraction is reformed in the presence of a bifunctional catalyst.

Abstract: Binderless zeolite L particles are prepared by a method in which particles are formed from silica and from 0 to 95 wt % preformed zeolite L crystallites, and the particles are thereafter reacted with an alkaline solution comprising a source of alumina to convert the silica binder to zeolite L. These particles may comprise cylindrical zeolite L crystallites with a mean diameter of at least 0.05 micron in a zeolite L matrix and may be used as catalyst. Also acyclic hydrocarbons are dehydrocyclized and/or isomerized by contacting them at a temperature of from 370.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. with this catalyst incorporating at least one Group VIII metal having dehydrogenating activity to convert at least part of the acyclic hydrocarbons into aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Crystalline tectosilicate ZSM-5 zeolite may be prepared which comprise substantially needle-shaped agglomerates. Tectosilicate ZSM-5 zeolite having a .sup.29 Si NMR spectrum having at least three peaks indicates the presence of Si atoms in the structure having 0, 1 or 2 T-atoms as nearest neighbors.

Abstract: The invention is directed a process for regenerating deactivated reforming catalysts comprising at least one Group VIII metal on zeolite L, preferably wherein the catalysts are extruded using a binder material such as alumina or silica. The process includes: a) coke burn at severe conditions to improve the accessibility of the Group VIII catalytic metal particles by transporting them to the outside of the zeolite microchannels; b) catalytic metal redispersion by wet oxychlorination with elemental chlorine and oxygen; c) stripping with a gas stream comprising oxygen and water at low pressure to remove as much residual chlorine as possible; and d) reduction of catalytic metals with hydrogen at low pressure. The process is particularly effective for recovering activity of catalysts which have been severely deactivated.

Abstract: Zeolite L containing caesium is prepared by a process in which said zeolite L is crystallised from a synthesis mixture with a molar composition (expressed as oxides) of:______________________________________ K.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2 0.15 to 0.40 K.sub.2 O/Cs.sub.2 O 3 to 10 H.sub.2 O/K.sub.2 O 40 to 100 and SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 7 to 13 ______________________________________and containing 0.5 to 15 ppm (by weight) of divalent metal carbons, e.g. Mg ions. The zeolite L can form part of a dehydrocyclisation and/or isomerisation catalyst.

Abstract: A deactivated reforming catalyst comprising a type L zeolite containing a Group VIII noble metal may be regenerated and have enhanced dispersion by a method involving contacting the catalyst with oxygen and water at elevated temperatures, contacting the catalyst at elevated temperatures with a source of chlorine such as HCl or Cl.sub.2, and preferably oxygen and water, contacting the catalyst at elevated temperatures with oxygen and optionally water, and contacting the catalyst at elevated temperatures with hydrogen and optionally water to reduce the catalyst. Preferably the noble metal is platinum.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for regenerating deactivated catalyst or redispersing catalytic metal in a fresh catalyst comprising at least one Group VIII catalytic metal, zeolite, an inert binder. The process comprises coke burn, hydrogen reduction, catalyst conditioning, oxychlorination, low pressure stripping, and low pressure final hydrogen reduction.

Abstract: A method is provided for simply and effectively increasing monoalkylation of aromatic compounds while also increasing the life of the acid catalyst used to alkylate said compounds. The method and apparatus involve drastically reducing the amount of the alkylation agent present in the reaction mixture, e.g., to at least about a 99:1 excess of aromatic, preferably to about a 999:1 excess of aromatic. In a preferred embodiment, the alkylation agent is introduced intermittently, or in stages, at a ratio of at least 999:1 so that the excess of aromatic may be maintained at all points in the reactor in order to most effectively prolong the life of the catalyst. For continuous operation, a single reactor equipped with multiple injection ports may be used, or multiple reactors may be connected in series adapted so that the alkylation agent may be introduced prior to each reactor.

Abstract: Zeolite crystals having an offretite structure have smaller crystals and/or can be produced using a synthesis mixture of lower alkalinity than could otherwise be used, if a divalent metal cation, such as magnesium, barium or cobalt is included in the synthesis mixture.