Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the isomerization of butenes, using a catalyst comprising a non-zeolitic molecular sieve to increase the proportion of isobutene or of 1-butene in the product with low formation of undesirable by-products.

Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to reduce the aromatics content of a key component of gasoline blends. Paraffins contained in catalytic reformates are conserved and upgraded by separation and isomerization, reducing the reforming severity required to achieve a given product octane with concomitant reduction in paraffin aromatization and cracking. Light reformate may be separated and isomerized, and heavier paraffins are separated from the reformate by solvent extraction or adsorption and isomerized. A gasoline component having a reduced aromatics content relative to reformate of the same octane number is blended from the net products of the separation and isomerization steps.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the isomerization of butenes, using a catalyst comprising a non-zeolitic molecular sieve to increase the proportion of isobutene or of 1-butene in the product with low formation of undesirable by-products.

Abstract: A novel extruded catalyst and process use thereof is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide and halogen, platinum-group metal, and Group IVA(14) metal components, wherein the Group IVA(14) metal is homogeneously dispersed within a bed of catalyst particles relative to catalysts of the prior art. Utilization of this catalyst in the reforming of hydrocarbons results in significantly improved selectivity to the desired gasoline product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for enhancing at least one catalytic property of a crystalline microporous three-dimensional solid catalyst having the structure and composition of zeolite beta for use in hydrocarbon conversion processes. An essential step in the methods of the present invention comprises activating the catalyst which had previously been calcined and subjected to ion-exchange with a hydrogen-forming cation by heating in air or in inert atmosphere at a temperature of from about 575.degree.-657.degree. C. and for a period of time sufficient to enhance at least one catalytic property of the catalyst for use in the hydrocarbon conversion process. Typical of the enhanced catalytic properties which can be achieved in accordance with the present invention are catalytic activity and catalytic selectivity.

Abstract: An aromatic-hydrocarbon solvent is utilized to purge contaminants, such as sulfur, from a conversion system. Complementary contaminant-removal steps may include oxidation, reduction, and contaminant removal with a sacrificial particulate bed. This solvent purge avoids deactivation of a subsequently loaded contaminant-sensitive catalyst, such as a reforming catalyst selective for dehydrocyclization.

Abstract: The activity and stability of a catalyst are enhanced by substantially precluding water contact between a catalyst finishing step and startup of a process unit utilizing the catlayst. Water is precluded from contacting the catalyst during catalyst finishing and loading at the fabrication site, transportation to the conversion site, and loading, activation, and startup in the reactors of the process unit.

Abstract: Reforming and dehydrocyclization catalysts and processes are disclosed wherein reforming catalysts comprise a Group VIII metal and at least one medium pore non-zeolitic molecular sieve characterized in the calcined form by an adsorption of isobutane of at least 2 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 500 torr and a temperature of 20.degree. C. and characterized by an adsorption of triethylamine less than about 5 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 2.6 torr and a temperature of 22.degree. C. In one embodiment the catalyst includes a Group VII metal on a halogenated carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for isomerizing normal paraffin hydrocarbons to produce products containing non-normal hydrocarbons using a zeolite beta catalyst that has been activated in order to enhance its catalytic properties. In accordance with the present invention, the zeolite beta catalyst is activated at a temperature effective to substantially reduce the concentration of strong acid species, i.e., hydronium cations, without substantially reducing the concentration of weak acid species, i.e., hydroxoaluminum cations, both of said strong acid species and weak acid species being initially present on the catalyst prior to activation. In addition, the isomerization step is preferably conducted at a temperature at least 300.degree. C. lower than the activation temperature.

Abstract: This invention presents a novel catalyst formulation for the isomerization of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons. The catalyst is comprised of at least one Group VII metal, and a pentasil zeolite having an x-ray diffraction characteristic of ZSM-12 wherein a portion of the aluminum atoms have been replaced with gallium atoms. When utilized in a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes containing ethylbenzene, a greater yield of para-xylene is obtained compared to prior-art processes.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the isomerization of olefins in gasoline streams using a medium-pore molecular-sieve catalyst. The process features high yields of C.sub.5 + isomerized product and avoids conversion of highly branched paraffins to equilibrium values.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the isomerization of a non-equilibrium mixture of cresols to achieve a high yield of one or more cresol isomers using a catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal, a modifier, a pentasil zeolite, and an inorganic oxide binder.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon solvent is utilized to purge contaminants, such as sulfur, from a conversion system. Complementary contaminant-removal steps may include oxidation, reduction, and contaminant removal with a sacrificial particulate bed. This solvent purge avoids deactivation of a subsequently loaded contaminant-sensitive catalyst, such as a reforming catalyst selective for dehydrocyclization.

Abstract: An improved catalyst particle is disclosed for the conversion of hydrocarbons which comprises a refractory inorganic-oxide support, a Friedel-Crafts metal halide, and a surface-layer platinum-group metal component, wherein the concentration of platinum-group metal component on the surface layer of each catalyst particle is at least 1.5 times the concentration in the central core of the catalyst particle. An isomerization process also is disclosed which is particularly effective for the conversion of C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 alkanes.

Abstract: An improved catalyst particle is disclosed for the conversion of hydrocarbons which comprises a refractory inorganic-oxide support, a Friedel-Crafts metal halide, and a surface-layer platinum-group metal component, wherein the concentration of platinum-group metal component on the surface layer of each catalyst particle is at least 1.5 times the concentration in the central core of the catalyst particle. An isomerization process also is disclosed which is particularly effective for the conversion of C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 alkanes.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is catalytically reformed in a process which comprises contacting the feedstock in an initial catalyst zone with a catalyst comprising platinum, germanium and halogen on a solid catalyst support. The product from the first catalyst zone is contacted in a terminal catalyst zone with a catalyst having the essential absence of germanium and comprising platinum, halogen and a metal promoter on a solid catalyst support.

Abstract: A novel extruded catalyst and process use thereof is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a refractory inorganic oxide and halogen, platinum-group metal, and Group IVA(14) metal components, wherein the Group IVA(14) metal is homogeneously dispersed within a bed of catalyst particles relative to catalysts of the prior art. Utilization of this catalyst in the reforming of hydrocarbons results in significantly improved selectivity to the desired gasoline product.

Abstract: This invention presents a novel catalyst formulation for the isomerization of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons. The catalyst is comprised of at least one Group VIII metal, and a pentasil zeolite having an x-ray diffraction characteristic of ZSM-12 wherein a portion of the aluminum atoms have been replaced with gallium atoms. When utilized in a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes containing ethylbenzene, a greater yield of paraxylene is obtained compared to prior-art processes.

Abstract: This invention presents a novel catalyst formulation for the isomerization of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons. The catalyst comprises at least one Group VIII metal, a pentasil zeolite wherein a portion of the aluminum atom has been replaced with gallium atoms and a matrix material of zirconia-alumina. When utilized in a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes containing ethylbenzene, a greater yield of para-xylene is obtained compared to prior art processes.

Abstract: A sacrificial particulate bed is utilized to remove contaminants, such as sulfur, from a conversion system. Subsequently, the sacrificial particulate bed is replaced by a contaminant-sensitive catalyst, such as a reforming catalyst selective for dehydrocyclization.