Abstract: Integrated processes are disclosed for the catalytic conversion of carbohydrate to ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol using a homogeneous, tungsten-containing retro-aldol catalyst. In these processes, the carbohydrate is subjected to retro-aldol conversion and hydrogenation to provide a reaction product containing ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol, other reaction process including organic acids, itols and tungsten species. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are separated from the reaction product for purification, and at least a portion of the remaining fraction is subjected to ion exclusion chromatography to provide an eluant containing tungsten species and a subsequent eluant containing organic acids and a substantially reduced concentration of tungsten species. At least a portion of the eluant containing tungsten species can be recycled for reuse directly or with intervening unit operations to enhance the catalytic activity of the tungsten species.

Abstract: Control methods are disclosed for continuous, unmodulated, multiple catalytic conversion step processes using at least two catalysts, a first catalyst and a second catalyst, that accommodate changes in the performance of each catalyst and the relative performances of the catalysts. In the methods, certain process parameters are used in a manner that is indicative of changes in catalyst performance, and the control methods provide for adjustment of at least one of: the absolute amount of catalytically active species and relative amounts of each of the first catalyst and second catalyst and at least one of the rate of feed or concentration of the raw material to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a hydrocarbon feedstock includes a High Pressure Separation (HPS) unit in fluid communication with a feedstock inlet. The HPS unit includes an oil outlet. A Heated Low Pressure (LP) Separator unit is downstream from the oil outlet of the HPS unit. The Heated LP Separator unit includes an oil outlet.

Abstract: A withdrawal system for withdrawing particulate matter from a high-temperature unit of a high-temperature industrial process is disclosed. The withdrawal system comprises a material storage silo that comprises a vent line containing a first vent valve, one or more temperature sensors to measure temperature of the particulate matter in the material transfer line, and a controller that receives output measurements from the one or more temperature sensors to monitor and control flow of the particulate matter. The system does not contain a receiving vessel located in the material transfer line between the high-temperature unit and the material storage silo.

Abstract: An addition system for introducing particulate material into an industrial process is disclosed. The addition system comprises a vessel for holding the particulate material, wherein the vessel has a top and a bottom; one or more weighing devices; a controller for controlling operation of the addition system; a base plate to support the vessel and optionally the controller; and three or more legs, each leg having an uppermost section that connects to the vessel and a foot that is connected to the base plate. The widest diameter of the vessel is less than the diameter of a circle drawn through the feet of the legs. The one or more weighing device are mounted on the base plate and support the legs of the vessel.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a hydrocarbon feedstock includes a High Pressure Separation (HPS) unit in fluid communication with a feedstock inlet. The HPS unit includes an oil outlet. A Heated Low Pressure (LP) Separator unit is downstream from the oil outlet of the HPS unit. The Heated LP Separator unit includes an oil outlet.

Abstract: A process for converting lignocellulosic feedstock includes providing a lignocellulosic feedstock into a first inlet of a first reactor at a first end, and providing a hot feedstock into a second inlet of the first reactor at a second end of the first reactor. The process includes heating and reacting the lignocellulosic feedstock with the hot feedstock and outputting a first product stream from a first product outlet of the first reactor. The first product stream is an alkane rich product stream. A reactor system includes a first reactor having a first inlet at a first end, a second inlet at a second end and at least one product outlet. The first reactor is configured to receive a lignocellulosic feedstock at the first inlet and a hot feedstock at the second inlet. The system includes a second reactor having a first inlet downstream from the at least one product outlet.

Abstract: Retro-aldol processes are disclosed that use very low concentrations of retro-aldol catalyst in combination with hydrogenation catalyst of certain activities, sizes and spatial dispersions to obtain the high selectivities to ethylene glycol.

Abstract: The invention includes an additive for maximizing production of olefins. The additive comprises a ZSM-5 molecular sieve, at least one inorganic oxide, and phosphorus oxide. The ZSM-5 molecular sieve has iron in the framework, and the additive comprises at least 0.5 weight percent iron, as measured as iron oxide, in the molecular sieve framework. The additive is useful for maximizing production of olefins in a FCC process.

Abstract: Retro-aldol processes are disclosed that use very low concentrations of retro-aldol catalyst in combination with hydrogenation catalyst of certain activities, sizes and spatial dispersions to obtain the high selectivities to ethylene glycol.

Abstract: An electric cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas includes a mixing device for mixing hydrocarbon feedstock with slightly superheated and/or saturated steam. The system includes a steam drum, an electric furnace, a primary transfer line exchanger (PTLE), a secondary transfer line exchanger (STLE), and a tertiary transfer line exchanger (TTLE). The electric furnace includes a feed inlet for a hydrocarbon feedstock-saturated steam mixture and an outlet for a cracked gas. The steam drum includes a saturated steam outlet connected to the mixing device, and a water outlet and a steam inlet both connected to the STLE. The PTLE is configured to preheat the hydrocarbon feedstock-saturated steam mixture before entry into the electric furnace and to cool the cracked gas provided by the electric furnace. The STLE is configured to generate steam and to cool the cracked gas provided by the PTLE.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a riser reactor within the reaction vessel. The riser reactor defines a longitudinal axis and including a riser reactor inlet at one end and at least one riser reactor outlet at an opposite end. The apparatus includes a separation vessel including at least one separation chamber and at least one collection chamber distributed in an alternating manner about the longitudinal axis. Each separation chamber comprises two vertical lateral walls which also comprise a wall of an adjacent one of the at least one collection chamber. A lateral separation chamber outlet is defined in at least one of the vertical lateral walls to provide fluid and particle communication from the lateral separation chamber to the adjacent one of the at least one collection chamber. The separation vessel includes at least one collection chamber deflector positioned in the at least one collection chamber.

Abstract: The invention includes a fluid catalytic cracking process that comprises reacting a hydrocarbon feedstock under catalytic cracking conditions in the presence of a FCC catalyst and an additive, wherein the additive comprises a ZSM-5 molecular sieve having iron in the framework, wherein the process increases production of propylene compared to a process without using the additive. The invention also includes an additive for maximizing production of olefins, which comprises a ZSM-5 molecular sieve having iron in the framework.

Abstract: A packing system includes a first packing element layer including a plurality of blades and a second packing element layer including a plurality of blades. The packing system includes intra-layer variation and/or inter-layer variation. Intra-layer variation includes (i) varying spacing between blades within the first and/or the second packing element layer, (ii) varying sizes of the blades within the first and/or the second packing element layer, and/or (iii) varying angle of inclination of the blades within the first and/or second packing element layer. Inter-layer variation includes the blades of the first packing layer having a first spacing, a first size and a first angle of inclination, and the blades of the second packing layer having a second spacing, a second size, and a second angle of inclination. The second spacing, size, and/or angle of inclination is different from the first spacing, size, and/or angle of inclination.

Abstract: A cracking furnace for cracking a hydrocarbon feed, the furnace including a firebox having a single radiant zone including, a first plurality of cracking coils each having a first shape arranged within the firebox. The radiant zone includes a second plurality of cracking coils each having a second shape arranged within the radiant zone. A burner section positioned below the first plurality cracking coils and below the second plurality of cracking coils. A convection section is positioned on top of the firebox configured to recover residual heat from the firebox.

Abstract: A fluid distribution device includes a riser having a first end and a second end. A cap operatively connected to the second end of the riser. The cap includes an inner surface and an outer surface with a plurality of holes defined between the inner and outer surface. The device includes at least one distribution arm extending radially outward from the cap. The at least one distribution arm has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The at least one distribution arm includes a plurality of holes between the interior surface and the exterior surface. A processing assembly includes a vessel defining an interior space and the fluid distribution device including a riser mounted in the interior space of the vessel having a first end mounted to the vessel and a second end opposite from the first end.

Abstract: A downflow reactor, e.g. a downer reactor or system, includes an outer wall defining an interior reactor space. An elongated plug is within the outer wall having a first end and a second end, defining a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends. A distribution baffle positioned at a vertical position between the first end and the second end of the elongated plug configured and adapted to direct hot down flowing catalyst towards a feedstock spray.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing olefin production and quality from a hydrocarbon feed comprising a fully integrated multi-stage catalyst regeneration zones with multi-stage reaction zones in series and/or parallel. The multi-stage regeneration with at least one partial and one full burn zone provides an independent control to achieve the lowest possible regenerated catalyst temperature, resulting in highest possible catalyst to oil ratio required to maximize olefins yields through increased catalytic cracking in a multi stage FCC riser/risers.

Abstract: A device for the intimate mixing of solid particles and a gaseous medium within a gas-solid fluidized bed, comprising a plurality corrugated and/or ribbed planar stanchions arranged in alternating intersecting planes that provide a plurality of open spaces between or adjacent the alternating intersecting planar stanchions. The element has a three-dimensional lattice configuration and the corrugated and/or ribbed planar stanchions are formed from metal having peaks and valleys or ribs, such that the peaks and valleys or ribs are angled at less than 90 degrees from the fall-line of the planar stanchion when assembled into the element. The angled peaks and valleys or ribs form channels that enhance lateral movement of catalyst particles into the spaces between the stanchions to provide improved vapor/solids mixing and contact.

Abstract: A system for the flux free processing of a plurality of solder balls on a wafer, comprising: an articulable vacuum support chuck for maintaining support of a plurality of solder balls on a wafer being processed. An articulable flux-free binder applicator arranged in binder depositing relationship with the wafer within the treatment chamber. An articulable fluid dispenser is arranged in a binder-applied minimization-treatment with respect to the flux free binder applied to the wafer within the treatment chamber.