Abstract: The invention relates to a process for butane hydrogenolysis for producing one or more desired hydrogenolysis products. The process involves introducing an initial feed stream comprising a butane feed and hydrogen feed in a reactor system comprising a number of reactors, for example not more than 10 reactors, arranged in a series. Each of these reactors contain a butane hydrogenolysis catalyst loaded at specific catalyst loading in a manner such that every reactor apart from the first reactor in the series has higher catalyst loading than the catalyst loading of the immediately preceding reactor. Further, each of the reactors are configured to operate at a higher reactor temperature rise than the preceding reactor. The process may include the use of diluent, preferably methane, with the feed stream in one or more of the reactors. The invention further relates to a reactor system process for conducting the process for butane hydrogenolysis.

Abstract: One or more trays for use in distillation columns and methods of manufacture of such trays. The trays include a plate having a plurality of through holes that extend between a first surface of the plate and a second surface of the plate. The plurality of through holes include a first set of through holes each having substantially a first diameter and a second set of through holes each having substantially a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. The trays also include a weir coupled to the plate and extending from the first surface. The weir is positioned between the first set of through holes and the second set of through holes.

Abstract: A process for producing ethylene comprising introducing fuel, ethane/higher hydrocarbons, oxygen, steam to annular jet vortex chamber having combustion upstream of cracking to provide swirling fluid flow pattern producing cracking product (ethylene, acetylene, ethane, methane, 10-60 wt. % water, CO2, CO, hydrogen, oxygenates) having first temperature; cooling cracking product with residence <2,000 milliseconds yielding first cooled product having second temperature lowered by ?30° C.; cooling first cooled product yielding second cooled product having third temperature lowered by ?300° C.

Abstract: A method for processing a condensate feedstock may include passing the condensate feedstock to a first separation unit, and separating the condensate feedstock into at least a light fraction stream and a heavy fraction stream. Another method for processing a condensate feedstock may include passing the condensate feedstock to a first separation unit, and separating the condensate feedstock into at least a light fraction stream, an intermediate fraction stream, and a heavy fraction stream. Various downstream processing steps are further disclosed in the present disclosure.

Abstract: A condensate feedstock may be processed by a method that includes passing the condensate feedstock to a first separation unit, and separating the condensate feedstock into at least a light fraction stream and a heavy fraction stream. The method may further include cracking the light fraction stream in a light fraction FCC reactor to form a first FCC effluent, and cracking the heavy fraction stream in a heavy fraction FCC reactor to from a second FCC effluent. The light fraction FCC reactor may operate with more severe cracking conditions than the heavy fraction FCC reactor.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for preventing damage of components of a heat exchanger. In some aspects, a system includes an impingement device for the distribution of fluid flow through an inlet of a heat exchanger that includes a first set of members configured to be disposed between an inlet and one or more process tubes of a heat exchanger and arranged in a first orientation, and a second set of members disposed between the first set of members and the inlet. Each member of the second set of members is arranged in a second orientation that is angularly disposed relative to the first orientation.

Abstract: A piezoelectric composite material is formed from a cellulosic material and an inorganic piezoelectric material dispersed in a piezoelectric polymer. The piezoelectric polymer of the composite material has a dielectric constant of from 10 or more. A method of making a piezoelectric is also disclosed wherein a matrix of a cellulosic material, an inorganic piezoelectric material, and a piezoelectric polymer material is formed. The matrix is formed into a piezoelectric composite body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic module comprising (a) a front layer (1) arranged on the sunlight facing side of the photovoltaic module, wherein the front layer (1) comprises a first polypropylene composition, comprising a polypropylene, wherein the transmission of the front layer for light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 1200 nm is on average at least 65% as compared to a situation without the front layer as determined according to ASTM D1003-13, (b) a sealing layer (2,4) which at least partly encapsulates a plurality of photovoltaic cells (3), wherein the sealing layer (2, 4) comprises a polyolefin elastomer composition comprising an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer and (c) a back layer (5), wherein the back layer (5) comprises a first reinforced polypropylene layer comprising a second polypropylene composition comprising a polypropylene and optionally a reinforcing filler, wherein the sealing layer is arranged between the front layer and the back layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemical reactor (100) having (a) two or more gas reactor elements (12) with each gas reactor element (12) having (i) a first reaction chamber (38), and (ii) a feed assembly unit (36), (b) a second reaction chamber (20) coupled with each of the two or more gas reactor elements (12) and configured to independently receive two or more product streams from the two or more gas reactor elements (12); and optionally, (c) a gas converging section (40) located downstream to the second reaction chamber (20). The invention is further directed to a method of producing chemical products using the chemical reactor (100) of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods of producing lead-free piezoelectric composites are described. The method can include adding a lead-free piezoelectric additive to a solution that includes a solvent and polymer solubilized therein. The solvent can have i) a boiling point ?80° C. at 0.1 MPa and ii) a solubility in water of ?0.1 g/g and/or a dielectric constant ?20. The solvent can be removed to form a polymeric matrix having the lead-free piezoelectric particles dispersed therein. Electrical treatment of the polymeric matrix can form the piezoelectric component. Lead-free piezoelectric composites and devices that include the lead-free piezoelectric composites are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing isooctane by introducing a butane feed stream (containing n-butane, i-butane) and hydrogen into a catalytic hydrogenolysis reactor to produce a hydrogenolysis product stream; separating the hydrogenolysis product stream into a butane stream (i-butane, optionally n-butane); feeding the butane stream to a catalytic dehydrogenation reactor to produce a dehydrogenation product stream comprising saturated and unsaturated four-carbon hydrocarbons; and feeding the dehydrogenation product stream to an oligomerization unit to produce isooctene and dehydrogenating the isooctene to produce isooctane.

Abstract: Piezoelectric composites are described. A piezoelectric composite can include a polymeric matrix, piezoelectric additive(s), and polyol. Methods of making and using the piezoelectric composite are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a C3 and C4 hydrocarbon mixture have been disclosed. The C3 and C4 hydrocarbon mixture is separated to remove propane from C4 hydrocarbons. The resulting C4 hydrocarbons are then processed in an isomerization unit to produce additional isobutane. The isobutane of the isomerization unit effluent is dehydrogenated in a dehydrogenation unit to produce isobutene. The resulting isobutene is reacted with an alkanol to produce an alkyl tert-butyl ether.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing light olefins and BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylene). Crude oil is first separated to produce light naphtha and heavy naphtha. Light naphtha is fed to a steam cracking unit and heavy naphtha is fed to a catalytic cracking unit. The effluent from the steam cracking unit and the effluent from the catalytic cracking unit are flowed into an oil quench tower and are further separated in a separation unit to produce an ethylene stream, a propylene stream, and a BTX stream. The C4 hydrocarbons, ethane, and propane from the effluent of the steam cracking unit and the effluent from the catalytic cracking unit are recycled to the steam cracking unit. The non-BTX C6+ hydrocarbons from the effluent of the steam cracking unit and the effluent from the catalytic cracking unit are recycled to the catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A system and a method for catalytically cracking hydrocarbons. The system includes a fluidized bed riser reactor, and a separation zone configured to separate the effluent from the riser reactor to produce a product stream and a spent catalyst. A stripping zone is fluidly coupled to the outlet of the separation zone such that the spent catalyst is stripped to remove the hydrocarbons adsorbed thereon. The stripping zone encompasses at least a portion of the riser reactor such that stripping internals in the stripping zone are used to provide reaction heat to the riser reactor.

Abstract: A chemical synthesis plant comprising: one or more reactors configured for producing, from one or more reactants, a process stream comprising at least one chemical product; a feed preparation system configured to prepare one or more feed streams comprising one or more of the one or more reactants for introduction into the one or more reactors; and/or a product purification system configured to separate the at least one chemical product from reaction byproducts, unreacted reactants, or a combination thereof within the process stream, wherein the chemical synthesis plant is configured such that a majority of the net energy needed for heating, cooling, compressing, or a combination thereof utilized via the one or more reactors, the feed preparation system, the product purification system, or a combination thereof is provided from a non-carbon based energy source, from a renewable energy source, and/or from electricity.

Abstract: An olefin synthesis plant comprising: a feed pretreatment section configured to pretreat a feed stream; a pyrolysis section comprising one or more pyrolysis reactors configured to crack hydrocarbons in the feed stream in the presence of a diluent to produce a cracked gas stream; a primary fractionation and compression section configured to provide heat recovery from and quenching of the cracked gas stream; remove a component from the cracked gas stream; and compress the cracked gas stream, thus providing a compressed cracked gas stream; and/or a product separation section configured to separate a product olefin stream from the compressed cracked gas stream, wherein the olefin synthesis plant is configured such that, relative to a conventional olefin synthesis plant, more of the energy and/or the net energy required by the olefin synthesis plant and/or one or more sections thereof, is provided by a non-carbon based and/or renewable energy source and/or electricity.

Abstract: A chemical synthesis plant comprising: one or more reactors configured for producing, from one or more reactants, a process stream comprising at least one chemical product; a feed preparation system configured to prepare one or more feed streams comprising one or more of the one or more reactants for introduction into the one or more reactors; and/or a product purification system configured to separate the at least one chemical product from reaction byproducts, unreacted reactants, or a combination thereof within the process stream, wherein the chemical synthesis plant is configured such that a majority of the net energy needed for heating, cooling, compressing, or a combination thereof utilized via the one or more reactors, the feed preparation system, the product purification system, or a combination thereof is provided from a noncarbon based energy source, from a renewable energy source, and/or from electricity.

Abstract: Rare earth element containing catalysts for dehydrogenating paraffins and the methods of making the catalysts are disclosed. A rare earth modified alumina support in eta-alumina form, theta-alumina form, or combinations thereof is impregnated with chromium-containing solution. The chromium-impregnated support is then subjected to calcination processes. The produced catalyst contains the rare earth element, chromium, and alumina. The crush strength of the produced catalyst is greater than 0.4 daN/mm.

Abstract: Rare earth element containing catalysts for dehydrogenating paraffins and the methods of making the catalysts are disclosed. A rare earth modified alumina support in eta-alumina form, theta-alumina form, or combinations thereof is impregnated with chromium-containing solution. The chromium-impregnated support is then subjected to calcination processes. The produced catalyst contains the rare earth element, chromium, and alumina. The crush strength of the produced catalyst is greater than 0.4 daN/mm.