Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion process for making olefin(s) using a molecular sieve catalyst composition. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for converting a feedstock comprising an oxygenate in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition, wherein the air feed to the catalyst regenerator is free of or substantially free of metal salts.

Abstract: A new reactor design is presented for a counter-current flowing reactor. The reactor has a catalyst flowing down through the reactor, and over baffles. Gas is admitted under the baffles and flows up through the solid catalyst bed. The design includes slotted plates that extend from the bottom of the baffle in the reactor to a position near the catalyst outlet. The gas flows through the slotted plates and is directed up through the catalyst bed, while directing the flowing catalyst to the catalyst outlet ports.

Abstract: Nano-molecular sieve-polymer mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for CO2 removal from natural gas have been prepared by incorporating dispersible template-free nano-molecular sieves into polymer matrices such as Matrimid 5218 polyimide matrix or Ultem 1000 polyetherimide matrix. The nano-molecular sieves used in this invention include template-free nano-AlPO-18, nano-AlPO-5, nano-Silicalite, nano-SAPO-34, and PEG-functionalized nano-Silicalite. These template-free nano-molecular sieves were synthesized by an organic ligand grafting method.

Abstract: A screenless reactor design is presented. The reactor includes a series of overlapping vanes where solid catalyst can cascade down the vanes. Gas flows across the catalyst by flowing through the vanes contacting the catalyst and then disengaging from contact with the solid catalyst particles.

Abstract: An apparatus is for directing a fluid into a radial reactor is and which maintains a bed of solid particulate material within a reactor. The apparatus comprises a duct for directing fluid into a reactor and has a screenless face for the egress of the fluid, while providing for the retention of solid particles.

Abstract: Mixed matrix membranes that are capable of separation and purification of gas mixtures are disclosed. These membranes comprise polymers that include dispersed therein nanomolecular sieve particles. In a preferred embodiment, the nanomolecular sieve particles contain attached functional groups to prevent their agglomeration.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a vessel for receiving a fluid. The vessel may include a shell and a demister including at least one section positioned proximate to the shell. Each section can have a first surface for primarily receiving the fluid and orientated, independently, about 5—about 85° with respect to horizontal.

Abstract: A secondary containment system is used with a screenless reactor. The secondary containment system includes a screen sized to prevent the passage of catalyst particles, and is affixed to the screenless reactor with supports to hold the screen a desired distance from the reactor.

Abstract: The distribution of fluids within a radial-flow reactor is improved using vertically extended cylinders distributed around the circumference of the vessel. Cylinders with a circular cross-section provide substantial vertical strength, and the configuration minimizes low-flow areas which could cause undesirable reactions. The cylinders are isolated from particles in the reactor by a particle-retaining outer conduit. The cylinders may be fabricated in panels for ease of installation and servicing.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by shrouds that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.

Abstract: A radial flow reactor design is presented. The reactor has individual and interchangeable screens that are arrayed circumferentially around the inside of the reactor. The reactor includes a plurality of screens held out from the reactor wall to form a circumferential screen, with channels defined between the reactor wall and the circumferential screen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method of making high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) using stabilized concentrated suspensions of solvents, uniformly dispersed polymer stabilized molecular sieves, and at least two different types of polymers as the continuous blend polymer matrix. MMMs as dense films or asymmetric flat sheet or hollow fiber membranes fabricated by the method described in the current invention exhibit significantly enhanced permeation performance for separations over the polymer membranes made from the continuous blend polymer matrix. MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a wide range of gas, vapor, and liquid separations such as alcohol/water, CO2/CH4, H2/CH4, O2/N2, CO2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins, and other light gases separations.

Abstract: The invention involves a spacing element situated between a vapor-liquid contacting tray and a tray support to reduce the dead zone typically caused by the tray supports blocking of the perforations in the vapor-liquid contacting tray directly above the tray support.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for increasing an efficiency of an acid gas removal zone. The process can include sending a sour gas stream including at least one gas to a first absorber providing an overhead stream absorbing the at least one gas; withdrawing a side-stream from the first absorber and passing the side-stream through a holding tank, a side-stream fluid transfer device, and a side-stream chiller before returning the side-stream to the absorber; and passing the first absorber overhead stream to a pump-around circuit for a second absorber. Usually, the pump-around circuit may include a flash drum, a pump-around fluid transfer device and a pump-around chiller before providing a slipstream to the first absorber and another portion to the second absorber.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process and materials for simultaneous desulfurization and water gas shift of a gaseous stream comprising contacting the gas stream with a nickel aluminate catalyst. The nickel aluminate catalyst is preferably selected from the group consisting of Ni2xAl2O2x+3, Ni(2?y)Ni0yAl2O(5?y), Ni(4?y)Ni0yAl2O(7?y), Ni(6?y)Ni0yAl2O(9?y), and intermediates thereof, wherein x?0.5 and 0.01?y?2. Preferably, x is between 1 and 3. More preferably, the nickel containing compound further comprises Ni2xAl2O2x+3?zSz wherein 0?z?2x.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method to improve the selectivities of polybenzoxazole (PBO) membranes prepared from aromatic polyimide membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid separations. The PBO membranes that were prepared by thermal treating aromatic polyimide membranes containing between 0.05 and 20 wt-% of a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) polymer. These polymers showed up to 95% improvement in selectivity for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations compared to PBO membranes prepared from corresponding aromatic polyimide membranes without a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is for novel high performance cross-linkable and cross-linked mixed matrix membranes and the use of such membranes for separations such as for CO2/CH4, H2/CH4 and propylene/propane separations. More specifically, the invention involves the preparation of cross-linkable and cross-linked mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The cross-linkable MMMs were prepared by incorporating microporous molecular sieves or soluble high surface area microporous polymers (PIMs) as dispersed microporous fillers into a continuous cross-linkable polymer matrix. The cross-linked MMMs were prepared by UV-cross-linking the cross-linkable MMMs containing cross-linkable polymer matrix such as BP-55 polyimide. Pure gas permeation test results demonstrated that both types of MMMs exhibited higher performance for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations than those of the corresponding cross-linkable and cross-linked pure polymer matrices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing heavy hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas. The combination of a silica-gel and an activated carbon adsorber allow for a significant reduction in the overall bed volume required for removal of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of light weight olefins comprising olefins having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms per molecule from an oxygenate feedstock. The process comprises passing the oxygenate feedstock to an oxygenate conversion zone containing a metal aluminophosphate catalyst to produce a light weight olefin stream. A propylene stream and/or mixed butylene is fractionated from said light weight olefin stream and a medium weight C4 to C7 stream is cracked in a separate olefin cracking reactor to enhance the yield of ethylene and propylene products.

Abstract: A thermal sink is used to recover heat from a product gas leaving an adsorption vessel in a thermal swing adsorption process. Heat that is recovered from the product gas is used to heat a regeneration gas during the subsequent regeneration of the adsorbent material within the adsorption vessel. The step in which the regenerated bed of adsorbent material is cooled prior to returning to adsorption mode is eliminated.