Abstract: Stable and high performance positive and negative electrolytes compositions to be used in redox flow battery systems are described. The redox flow battery system, comprises: at least one rechargeable cell comprising a positive electrolyte, a negative electrolyte, and an ionically conductive membrane positioned between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte, the positive electrolyte in contact with a positive electrode, and the negative electrolyte in contact with a negative electrode. The positive electrolyte consists essentially of water, a first amino acid, an inorganic acid, an iron precursor, a supporting electrolyte, and optionally a boric acid. The negative electrolyte consists essentially of water, the iron precursor, the supporting electrolyte, and a negative electrolyte additive. The iron precursor is FeCl2, FeCl3, FeSO4, Fe2(SO4)3, FeO, Fe, Fe2O3, or combinations thereof. The supporting electrolyte is LiCl, NaCl, Na2SO4, KCl, NH4Cl, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing catalyst with improved performance has been produced that involves an intimately mixed unsupported metal oxide with a zeolite or other acid function. The intimate mixing allows an intimate interaction between the unsupported metal oxide and the acid function. The hydroprocessing catalyst may be used alone or may be incorporated with a portion of a conventional hydrocracking catalyst.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a hydrogen-enriched product and recovering CO2 from an effluent stream from a hydrogen production process unit are described. The process utilizes a CO2 recovery system integrated with a PSA system that produces at least two product streams to recover additional hydrogen and CO2 from the tail gas stream of a hydrogen PSA unit in the hydrogen production process.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for converting carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons. Carbon dioxide and coke are reacted in a reaction zone to produce carbon monoxide. The Carbon monoxide and a hydrogen stream are reacted to produce methanol. The methanol is reacted in reaction zone to produce ethylene and propylene. The hydrogen and the oxygen can be produced in an electrolysis zone that separates water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: Systems, reactors, and processes for regenerating ionic liquid using catalyst. A plurality of tubular reactors are provided having a first end and a second end and catalyst particles disposed in the tubular reactor between the first end and the second end. A line supplies separated ionic liquid catalyst to the first end of the tubular reactor. Hydrogen is also supplied. Regenerated ionic liquid catalyst is recovered from the second end of the tubular reactor. The inner surface of the tubular reactor is preferably non-corrosive or non-reactive. A fluoropolymer lining may be used. The tubular reactors are modular, and may be changed out with the catalyst inside when the catalyst are to be replaced.

Abstract: A composition of fuel gas that when mixed with spent catalyst and oxygen has an induction time that allows bubbles to break up while combusting in the regenerator. Bubble breakage in a dense bed avoids generation of a flame that can generate hot spots in the regenerator which can damage equipment and catalyst. The fuel gas can be obtained from paraffin dehydrogenation products, so it can sustain operation of the unit even in remote locations. Heavier streams can be mixed with lighter streams to obtain a fuel gas composition with a desirable induction time to avoid such hot spots. Mixing of a depropanizer bottom stream and/or deethanizer overhead stream with lighter gas streams such as cold box light gas or PSA tail gas can provide the desired fuel gas composition.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a hydrogen-enriched product and recovering CO2 from an effluent stream from a hydrogen production unit are described. The effluent from the hydrogen production unit, which comprises a mixture of gases comprising hydrogen, carbon dioxide, water, and at least one of methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and argon, is sent to a PSA system that produces at least two product streams for separation. The PSA system that produces at least two product streams separates the gas mixture into a high-pressure hydrogen stream enriched in hydrogen, optionally a second gas stream containing the majority of the impurities, and a low-pressure tail gas stream enriched in CO2 and some impurities. The CO2-rich tail gas stream is compressed and sent to a CO2 recovery unit, where a CO2-enriched stream is recovered. The CO2-depleted overhead gas stream is recycled to the PSA system that produces at least two product streams.

Abstract: Low cost membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) with improved coulombic efficiency (CE), reduced maintenance cost, and improved deliverable capacity have been developed for redox flow batteries and other electrochemical reaction applications. The MEA comprises: a microporous substrate membrane, first and second hydrophilic ionomeric polymer coating layers on surfaces of the microporous substrate membrane, and an electrode adhered to a second surface of the second hydrophilic ionomeric polymer coating layer. Methods of preparing the MEA and a redox flow battery system incorporating the MEA are also described.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of a fired heater without an air preheat system is described. The method involves the use of an additional outboard convection section which is separate from the regular convection section of the fired heater. The outboard convection section uses the boiler feed water or an alternate cold sink to reduce the temperature of the flue gas, thereby improving the efficiency.

Abstract: A process and reactor for contacting a feed stream with a catalyst stream comprises a reaction chamber comprising two spent catalyst inlets for delivering two spent catalyst streams to the reaction chamber and at least one regenerated catalyst inlet for delivering a regenerated catalyst stream to the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber may also include a second regenerated catalyst inlet for delivering a second regenerated catalyst stream to the reaction chamber. The second spent catalyst inlet enables thorough mixing of catalyst streams.

Abstract: A low cost, high selectivity asymmetric polyimide/polyethersulfone (PES) blend hollow fiber membrane, a method of making the membrane and its use for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations such as deep desulfurization of gasoline and diesel fuels, ethanol/water separations, pervaporation dehydration of aqueous/organic mixtures, CO2/CH4, CO2/N2, H2/CH4, He/CH4, O2/N2, H2S/CH4, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins separations, and other light gas mixture separations. The polyimide/PES blend hollow fiber membrane is fabricated from a blend of a polyimide polymer and PES and showed surprisingly unique gas separation property with higher selectivities than either the polyimide hollow fiber membrane without PES polymer or the PES hollow fiber membrane without PES polymer for gas separations such as for H2/CH4, He/CH4, H2S/CH4, CO2/CH4 separations.

Abstract: A high capacity and high efficiency vapor-liquid contacting apparatus and process is useful in distillation columns and other vapor-liquid contacting processes. The apparatus is characterized by a half module comprising a downcomer against a shell of a vessel for transporting liquid to a subjacent stage which utilizes a demister to effect vapor-liquid separation at the downcomer outlet.

Abstract: A redox flow battery system comprising a catholyte in fluid communication with a cathode, an anolyte in fluid communication with an anode, a membrane in fluid communication with the catholyte and the anolyte, and positive and negative terminals in contact with a power supply and a load. The positive and negative terminals configured to charge the redox flow battery in an opposite direction such that the anolyte is oxidized and the catholyte is reduced. The anolyte and the catholyte are kept separate and never mixed.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon isomerization system for an iC4 feed stream that provides for removal of C3s from an isomerization reactor feed stream by the addition of a depropanizer column to remove C3s from the reactor effluent stream after it has passed through a stabilizer column. This configuration prevents a buildup of C3s in the system and provides significant savings by reducing the size of the chloride treaters that are used to remove chlorides from off gas, increasing chlorides recovered to the hydrocarbon feed stream for use in combination with the isomerization catalyst. Significant utility savings are provided as well as a reduction in the amount of perchloroethane (PERC) and adsorbent that are required.

Abstract: A bio-renewable conversion process for making fuel from bio-renewable feedstocks is combined with a hydrogen production process that includes recovery of CO2. The integrated process uses a purge gas stream comprising hydrogen from the bio-renewable hydrocarbon production process in the hydrogen production process.

Abstract: Processes for making phenol and xylenes from a phenols-containing feed are described. The processes involve transalkylation of alkylphenols to form phenol and alkylbenzenes. The phenol is separated from the alkylbenzenes, and the alkylbenzenes may be separated into benzene, toluene, xylenes, and heavy alkylbenzene streams. The benzene stream may be recycled to the transalkylation reaction zone. The toluene may be sent to a disproportionation reaction zone, and the product is sent back to the aromatic separation zone. The toluene can also be recycled to the transalkylation zone. The xylenes are separated into a p-xylene stream and a mixed xylene stream comprising m-xylene and o-xylene. The mixed xylene stream is isomerized and the isomerized product is sent back to the aromatic separation zone. The heavy alkylbenzenes are dealkylated and separated, with the aromatic stream being recycled to the aromatic separation zone.

Abstract: An ionically conductive asymmetric composite membrane for use in redox flow battery, fuel cell, electrolysis applications and the like is described. It comprises a microporous substrate membrane and an asymmetric hydrophilic ionomeric polymer coating layer on the surface of the microporous substrate layer. The coating layer is made of a hydrophilic ionomeric polymer. The asymmetric hydrophilic ionomeric polymer coating layer comprises a porous layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the porous layer on the surface of the microporous substrate layer and a nonporous layer on the second surface of the porous support layer. The microporous substrate membrane is made from a different polymer from the hydrophilic ionomeric polymer.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering a product stream from a waste plastic feedstock and reducing the endpoint of the product stream is provided. A polymer oil is produced as a product stream by pyrolyzing the waste plastic feedstock in a pyrolysis reactor to produce a pyrolysis reactor effluent and passing the reactor effluent stream to a contact condensing column. In the contact condensing column, the pyrolysis reactor effluent stream is separated into a vapor product stream and a liquid product stream. The vapor product stream is recovered from the condensing column and the liquid product stream is passed back to the pyrolysis reactor for further reduction.

Abstract: A process and system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a dehydrogenation reactor is provided. Samples of hydrocarbon streams are taken at sampling locations to be analyzed at a single gas chromatograph or other analytical equipment. Actions can be taken to modify the operation of the dehydrogenation reactor as necessary to maintain its operation within predetermined parameters. In particular, actions may be taken when a hydrocarbon stream exhibits an amount of cracking that is outside parameters. It is usually intended that actions will be taken on a gradual basis once or twice per day to reduce the cost of the process while still providing the necessary changes to operations.

Abstract: Distillation trays having improved efficiency and capacity are described. The improvement is accomplished with unique downcomer spout arrangements and bubble promoters which provide equal liquid distribution to all areas of the tray. The ratio of the open area of a contacting zone including part of a bubble promoter and associated deck zone over the open area of the downcomer spout zone on the adjacent tray for distributing liquid to the zone is essentially the same across the tray.