Abstract: Pentanes are separated from a naphtha boiling range feedstock to provide a gasoline stock having a high RON and low RVP. The isopentane is isomerized to make normal pentane and normal pentane is withdrawn as a feed, preferably for a steam cracker.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising a combination of molecular sieve having a pore diameter of from about 4 to 8 angstroms and a catalytically-effective amount of molybdenum hydrogenation component in an amorphous aluminum phosphate binder provide processes for isomerizing xylene and dealkylating ethylbenzene in feed streams that exhibit stability, selectivity and low ring loss.

Abstract: A process for preparing a naphtha reforming catalyst has been developed. The process involves the use of a chelating ligand such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The aqueous solution of the chelating ligand and a tin compound is used to impregnate a support, e.g., alumina extrudates. A platinum-group metal is also an essential component of the catalyst. Rhenium may also be a component. A reforming process using the catalyst has enhanced yield, activity, and stability for conversion of naphtha into valuable gasoline and aromatic products.

Abstract: A liquid distributor for use in a column having distillation trays has been developed. The liquid distributor functions to uniformly distribute a descending liquid stream across the tray for interaction with an ascending vapor stream. The liquid distributor has a feed pipe which delivers the liquid stream to an underlying elongated trough. Liquid discharge holes are positioned in the floor of the trough. A perforated v-plate positioned within the trough so that liquid from the feed pipe passes through the perforated v-plate before encountering the floor of the trough. When liquid passes through the perforated v-plate, the stream is divided into smaller streams of lower velocity, providing a more uniform overall flow rate of liquid passing through the trough. Liquid is then delivered from the discharge outlets of the trough onto the upper surface of the tray with a substantially uniform flow rate across the trough.

Abstract: A liquid distributor for use in a column having distillation trays has been developed. The liquid distributor functions to uniformly distribute a descending liquid stream across the tray for interaction with an ascending vapor stream. The liquid distributor has a feed pipe which delivers the liquid stream to an underlying elongated trough. Liquid discharge holes are positioned in the floor of the trough. A perforated v-plate positioned within the trough so that liquid from the feed pipe passes through the perforated v-plate before encountering the floor of the trough. When liquid passes through the perforated v-plate, the stream is divided into smaller streams of lower velocity, providing a more uniform overall flow rate of liquid passing through the trough. Liquid is then delivered from the discharge outlets of the trough onto the upper surface of the tray with a substantially uniform flow rate across the trough.

Abstract: Catalysts comprise a combination of molecular sieve having a pore diameter of from about 4 to 8 angstroms and a catalytically-effective amount of molybdenum hydrogenation component and a sufficient amount of at least one platinum group metal hydrogenation component to enhance the isomerization activity of the catalyst.

Abstract: Citric acid is separated from a fermentation broth containing gluconic acid by using an adsorbent comprising a water-insoluble, macroreticular or gel, strongly or weakly basic anionic exchange resin possessing quaternary or tertiary amine functional groups, said a anionic exchange resin having a cross-linked acrylic or styrene resin matrix and a desorbent comprising water or dilute sulfuric acid. The pH of the feed is maintained below the first ionization constant (pKa1) of citric acid to maintain selectivity.

Abstract: An integrated isomerization-alkylation process is disclosed that uses a common distillation zone. The process can comprise halogen removal. The process is suitable for the production of motor fuels from isoparaffins and olefins using solid alkylation and isomerization catalysts.

Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent and the isomerization zone effluent are each separated to form a light ends stream and a product stream. The light ends streams are combined for processing in a net gas re-contacting zone.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising a combination of molecular sieve having a pore diameter of from about 4 to 8 angstroms and a catalytically-effective amount of molybdenum hydrogenation component in an amorphous aluminum phosphate binder provide processes for isomerizing xylene and dealkylating ethylbenzene in feed streams that exhibit stability, selectivity and low ring loss.

Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, rhenium, tin and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of conduits and outlet ports that are capable of providing improved distribution of fluids. One or more conduits are arranged within a single conduit, which provides a compact and inexpensive assembly for conveying the fluids to each conduit's outlet port.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a hetropoly anion structure.

Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, iridium and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production where high atomic ratios of germanium to iridium are present.

Abstract: The chloride retention of an alumina catalyst over the course of operation and regeneration can be controlled and stabilized by incorporating a small amount of a component selected from the group including phosphorus, boron, titanium, silicon, and zirconium. Steam treatments have been used to simulate commercial hydrothermal stability and a small amount of the stabilizer component has been discovered which balances chloride retention. Moreover, in a multi-catalyst hydrocarbon conversion process, such as the two-step reforming of naphtha, it has been discovered that proper selection of a catalyst having lower chloride retention in combination with another catalyst having higher chloride retention results in a process with increased yield and/or higher octane gasoline.

Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts comprising acidic molecular sieve, palladium and germanium have good activities and attenuate aromatic ring saturation and lights co-production provided that sufficient palladium is contained in the catalyst.

Abstract: A process of forming an array of powder samples arranged in predefined locations where all samples have a flat surface in a common plane has been developed. A main support having at least N perforations from a first surface of the main support through a second surface of the main support in predefined locations. The main support is equipped with a flat support temporarily attached to its first surface. All samples are loaded simultaneously. A flat surface of each sample, where the flat surfaces are a common plane, is formed by forcing the samples within the perforations against the flat support. The samples are retained in position within the perforations against the flat support using at least one cover. The flat surfaces of the samples are in predefined locations and are all in a common plane.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are provided that provide high yields of xylenes per unit of aromatic-containing feed while enabling a high purity benzene co-product to be obtained without the need for an extraction or distillation to remove C6 naphthenes. The processes of this invention include a transalkylation section and a disproportionation section in the benzene and toluene-containing feed is directly provided to the transalkylation section and in which a benzene recycle loop in the transalkylation section isolates the disproportionation section from C6 naphthenes.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a phosphorus component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum. The catalyst has a structure other than a hetropoly anion structure.

Abstract: A process for preparing a transalkylation catalyst, the catalyst itself, and a transalkylation process for using the catalyst are herein disclosed. The catalyst comprises rhenium metal on a solid-acid support such as mordenite, which has been treated with a sulfur-based agent. Such treatment reduces the amount of methane produced by metal hydrogenolysis in a transalkylation process wherein heavy aromatics like A9+ are reacted with toluene to produce xylenes. Reduced methane production relative to total light ends gas production results in lower hydrogen consumption and lower reactor exotherms.