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 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: 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 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 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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.

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: Devices and methods for managing the state of health of an electrolyte in redox flow batteries (RFB) efficiently are described. A diffusion cell is added to the RFB which controls one or more properties of the electrolytes using the diffusion of protons through a proton exchange membrane. The diffusion cell can resemble an electrochemical cell in that there are two fluid chambers divided by a proton conducting membrane. Anolyte flows through one side of the device where it contacts the proton conducting membrane, and catholyte flows through the second side of the device where it contacts the other face of the proton conducting membrane. The concentration gradient of protons from high concentration in the catholyte to low concentration in the anolyte is the driving force for proton diffusion, rather than electromotive force, which greatly simplifies the design and operation.

Abstract: A regenerator vessel for adsorbing halogen-containing material from a regenerator vent gas stream has a plurality of catalyst nozzles disposed at a top portion of the regenerator vessel. A first gas outlet is associated with a chlorination zone, and a second gas outlet associated with a combustion zone. A drying zone is in fluid communication with an air heater and the drying zone located in a bottom portion of the regenerator vessel. The first gas outlet is configured to withdraw a first gas stream from the chlorination zone and the second gas outlet is configured to withdraw a second gas stream from the combustion zone. The top portion of the regenerator vessel has an adsorption zone having a vent gas inlet port, a vent gas outlet port, and a portion of an annular catalyst bed.

Abstract: A process for recovering catalyst from a fluidized catalytic reactor effluent is disclosed comprising reacting a reactant stream by contact with a stream of fluidized catalyst to provide a vaporous reactor effluent stream comprising catalyst and products. The vaporous reactor effluent stream is contacted with a liquid coolant stream to cool it and transfer the catalyst into the liquid coolant stream. A catalyst lean vaporous reactor effluent stream is separated from a catalyst rich liquid coolant stream. A return catalyst stream is separated from the catalyst rich liquid coolant stream to provide a catalyst lean liquid coolant stream, and the return catalyst stream is transported back to said reacting step.

Abstract: Processes for the direct alkylation of ethylene with isobutane or isopentane using a highly active ionic liquid alkylation catalyst are described. Ethylene is sent to a high-temperature alkylation reactor loop, and C3, C4, and C5 olefins are routed to a low temperature alkylation reactor loop. In each reactor, the olefins are contacted with an excess of isobutane or isopentane in the presence of a highly active ionic liquid catalyst. Portions of the reactor effluent streams are fed to a common downstream catalyst separation and product fractionation sections. The remainder of the reactor effluent is recycled back to the respective alkylation reactor.

Abstract: Processes for controlling the flowrate of and recovering energy from a gas stream in a processing unit are described. One process comprises directing a portion of the gas stream through one or more variable-resistance power-recovery turbines to control the flowrate of the gas stream and generate electric power therefrom; and controlling the pressure and temperature of the gas stream so that the gas exiting the power-recovery turbine remains in the gas phase.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for managing hydrogen sulfide in a refinery is provided. In the process, a hydrogen sulfide stream from said refinery is fed to a sulfur recovery unit to produce sulfur and a sulfur compound stream or to a thermal oxidizer. The sulfur compound stream and the hydrogen sulfide stream are then thermally oxidized to produce a sulfur oxide stream. The sulfur oxide stream is then reacted with an ammonia stream. In aspect, the product of the reaction can be a fertilizer. The ammonia stream can be obtained from stripping the hydrogen sulfide stream.