Abstract: A process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons and a non-aromatic raffinate stream from a hydrocarbon charge stock is disclosed. The hydrocarbon charge stock is treated with an aromatics-selective solvent to provide an aromatics-rich solvent stream and a non-aromatic raffinate stream. The aromatics-rich solvent stream is treated in a stripper column at conditions to separate substantially all of the non-aromatic hydrocarbons therefrom. The rich solvent stream is subjected to steam stripping to provide a high purity aromatics stream and an aqueous stream comprising the steam condensate and residual aromatics. This aqueous stream is treated with a minor portion of the non-aromatic raffinate to remove the residual aromatics, and the resulting aqueous stream is utilized to wash the remainder of the raffinate free of solvent. The raffinate stream is recovered substantially free of aromatics.

Abstract: A method for discharging a periodic flow of a measured volume of hot regenerated catalyst particles from a moving bed regeneration system into a catalyst hopper at a substantially steady particle flow rate thus eliminating pressure surges in the hopper.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of low molecular weight paraffinic hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process is particularly directed to the separation of hydrogen from the olefinic hydrocarbon products and unreacted paraffinic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of C.sub.2 + normally gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbons to produce the corresponding monoolefinic hydrocarbons is disclosed. The energy-efficient process is particularly directed to the separation of recycle hydrogen from the olefinic hydrocarbon products and unreacted paraffinic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at reforming conditions including a pressure of from about 50 to about 250 psig. is disclosed. A portion of the hydrogen-rich vapor phase recovered from the reforming zone effluent at a relatively low pressure is compressed and recycled to the reforming zone without further purification. The balance of said hydrogen-rich vapor phase, or the net hydrogen, is compressed to a relatively high pressure and recontacted with at least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon phase recovered from said low pressure separation to effect a further purification of said net hydrogen and to maximize the recovery of C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 + material in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of a phenol-free cumene fraction from a mixture thereof with phenol and water. Said mixture is introduced into a first fractionation column at conditions to separate a bottom fraction comprising a major portion of said phenol and an overhead fraction comprising said cumene and water and a residual portion of said phenol. The overhead fraction is condensed to form an aqueous phase containing a minor portion of the residual phenol and a water-saturated organic phase comprising cumene and the balance of said residual phenol. The water-saturated organic phase is then further treated in a second fractionation column whereby cumene is recovered as an overhead fraction substantially free of phenol.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion process effected in the presence of hydrogen, especially a hydrogen-producing hydrocarbon conversion process. More particularly, this invention relates to the catalytic reforming of a naphtha feedstock, and is especially directed to an improved recovery of the net excess hydrogen, and to an improved recovery of a C.sub.3 + normally gaseous hydrocarbon conversion product and a C.sub.5 + hydrocarbon conversion product boiling in the gasoline range.

Abstract: A process for the solvent extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from a mixture thereof with non-aromatic hydrocarbons, and for the recovery of a non-aromatic fraction substantially free of aromatic hydrocarbons, is disclosed. Said mixture is treated with an aromatic-selective solvent in a first extraction zone to provide an aromatic-rich solvent stream and a non-aromatic raffinate stream. The rich solvent stream is treated in a first solvent recovery zone to provide a high purity aromatic stream and a lean solvent stream. One portion of the lean solvent stream is recycled to the first extraction zone, and residual aromatic hydrocarbons are stripped from the remaining portion. This aromatics-free solvent is then utilized to extract residual aromatics from a fraction of the non-aromatic raffinate to provide a high purity paraffin stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for the recovery of hot regenerated catalyst particles from a moving bed regenerator column is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to obviate pressure surges in the regenerator column, a condition which has been determined to result from a periodic discharge of hot regenerator catalyst particles into a catalyst hopper vented to the regenerator column.

Abstract: A multiple stage extractor column for the countercurrent contact of an upwardly moving hydrocarbon phase and a downwardly moving solvent phase is disclosed. The column is particularly useful for the solvent extraction of aromatics from a hydrocarbon feedstock containing C.sub.9 aromatics. The contactor column embodies an upper extraction section comprising a first plurality of perforated extraction trays and a backwash section comprising a second plurality of perforated extraction trays, said second plurality of trays being vertically spaced apart a greater distance than the trays of said first plurality whereby the solvent/hydrocarbon interface at the bottom of the column is more readily controlled.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons in the presence of hydrogen, preferably to produce high quality gasoline boiling range products. An improved recovery of normally gaseous hydrocarbons from the net excess hydrogen is realized by chilling and contacting said hydrogen with a normally liquid hydrocarbon stream in a plural stage absorption zone at an elevated pressure.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of a cumene/alpha-methylstyrene fraction from a mixture thereof with phenol and water. Said mixture is introduced into a fractionation column at conditions to separate an overhead fraction comprising cumene and alpha-methylstyrene and a phenol bottoms fraction. A vapor stream comprising cumene, alpha-methylstyrene and a phenol-water azeotrope is withdrawn from an intermediate level of said column and condensed to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase comprising phenol. The latter is discharged, and the former is recycled to the column. The overhead fraction thus requires substantially less caustic to neutralize the residual phenol container therein.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, preferably to produce high quality gasoline boiling range products, is disclosed. Relatively impure hydrogen is separated from the reforming zone effluent, compressed, and recontacted with at least a portion of the liquid reformate product to provide relatively pure hydrogen, a portion of which is recycled to the reforming zone. The balance is further compressed and recontacted with at least a portion of the liquid reformate product in a plural stage absorption zone to provide an improved recovery of normally gaseous hydrocarbons as well as an improved recovery of purified hydrogen at a pressure suitable, for example, the relatively high pressure hydrotreating of sulfur-containing feedstocks.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons in the presence of hydrogen, preferably to produce high quality gasoline boiling range products. An improved recovery of normally gaseous hydrocarbons from the net excess hydrogen is realized by chilling and contacting said hydrogen with a normally liquid hydrocarbon stream in a plural stage absorption zone at an elevated pressure.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, preferably to produce high quality gasoline boiling range products, is disclosed. Relatively impure hydrogen is separated from the reforming zone effluent, compressed, and recontacted with at least a portion of the liquid reformate product to provide relatively pure hydrogen, a portion of which is recycled to the reforming zone. The balance is further compressed and recontacted with at least a portion of the liquid reformate product to provide an improved recovery of normally gaseous hydrocarbons as well as an improved recovery of purified hydrogen at a pressure suitable for use in the relatively high pressure hydrotreating of sulfur-containing feedstocks.

Abstract: A multiple stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and hydrogen flow serially through a plurality of catalytic reaction zones, in each of which the catalyst particles are downwardly movable via gravity flow. At least four reaction zones are utilized, with the fresh feed and hydrogen reactant stream being split between the first and second reaction zones. The flow of that portion introduced into the second zone is restricted. The effluent stream from the first reaction zone is also restricted and then combined with the effluent from the second reaction zone. One portion of the combined effluent streams is introduced into the third reaction zone, and the remaining portion is restricted in flow, combined with the effluent stream from said third reaction zone, and introduced into the fourth reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and hydrogen flow serially through a plurality of catalytic reaction zones, in each of which the catalyst particles are downwardly movable via gravity flow. At least three reaction zones are utilized, with the effluent stream from the first reaction zone being split between the second and third reaction zones. The technique decreases mass flow to the second reaction zone, thus serving to alleviate a catalyst pinning problem therein, a situation which occurs when catalyst pinning in the first reaction zone has been alleviated by structural modification methods not available to the second reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple stage extractor column for the countercurrent contact of an upwardly moving hydrocarbon phase and a downwardly moving solvent phase is disclosed. The column is particularly useful for the solvent extraction of aromatics from a hydrocarbon feedstock containing C.sub.9 aromatics. The contactor column embodies an upper extraction section comprising a first plurality of perforated extraction trays and a backwash section comprising a second plurality of perforated extraction trays, the upcomer means of said second plurality being of larger cross-sectional area whereby the solvent/hydrocarbon interface at the bottom of the column is more readily controlled.

Abstract: A flow dampener apparatus is disclosed for converting a periodic discharge of a measured volume of catalyst particles to a substantially steady state flow.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohols from C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 olefins by the indirect hydration method is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of (a) treating a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 olefin in an absorption zone in admixture with a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkyl hydrogen sulfate at conditions to form a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 dialkyl sulfate; (b) treating said dialkyl sulfate in a hydrolyzing zone in admixture with a measured amount of water at conditions effecting the partial hydrolysis of said dialkyl sulfate and the formation of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkyl hydrogen sulfate and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohol; (c) separating the alcohol; and (d) recycling the alkyl hydrogen sulfate to said absorption zone, and treating said C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 olefin in admixture therewith in accordance with step (a). The practice of this invention substantially obviates the formation of sulfuric acid and the required reconcentration thereof.