Abstract: According to embodiments, a process of forming a catalyst for aromatizing hydrocarbons may include enhancing a mesoporosity of a zeolite support by a base-leaching treatment, an acid-leaching treatment, or both to form a zeolite support having enhanced mesoporosity, mixing the zeolite support having enhanced mesoporosity with a solution containing zinc or gallium to disperse the zinc or gallium on the zeolite support having enhanced mesoporosity, and calcining the zeolite support having enhanced mesoporosity with zinc or gallium dispersed thereon to form a zinc- or gallium-doped zeolite catalyst having a mesopore volume of greater than 0.09 cm3/g and less than 0.20 cm3/g.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a hydrocarbon feed includes contacting the hydrocarbon feed with steam in the presence of a cracking catalyst in a steam catalytic cracking reactor at reaction conditions sufficient to cause at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon feed to undergo one or more cracking reactions to produce a steam catalytic cracking effluent comprising light olefins, light aromatic compounds, or both, where the cracking catalyst comprises a ZSM-11 zeolite.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking catalyst composition (FCC catalyst composition) includes an FCC catalyst and from 1 wt.% to 30 wt.% aromatization-promoting FCC additive. The FCC catalyst includes a USY zeolite, and the aromatization-promoting FCC additive is an MFI zeolite modified with an aromatization compound. The aromatization compound is a metal or metal oxide that includes a metal element from periods 4-6 of the IUPAC periodic table. A method for upgrading a hydrocarbon feed includes contacting the hydrocarbon feed with the FCC catalyst composition at reaction conditions sufficient to upgrade at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to processes for aromatizing hydrocarbons includes contacting the hydrocarbons with a catalyst including at least two different metal modifiers dispersed on surfaces of a hydrogen-form medium-pore zeolite support. Each of the at least two different metal modifiers comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of IUPAC Groups 3-12, and lanthanide metals, and the catalyst is substantially free of gallium. Contacting the hydrocarbons with the catalyst causes a least a portion of the hydrocarbons to undergo a chemical reaction to form aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a process for aromatizing hydrocarbons may include contacting the hydrocarbons with a zinc- or gallium-doped ZSM-5 catalyst having a mesopore volume of greater than 0.09 cm3/g. Contacting the hydrocarbons with the catalyst causes a least a portion of the hydrocarbons to undergo chemical reactions to form aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Processes for aromatizing hydrocarbons include contacting the hydrocarbons with a catalyst composition comprising a metal oxide dispersed on a surface of a zeolite support, where contacting the hydrocarbons with the catalyst composition causes at least a portion of the hydrocarbons to undergo a chemical reaction to form aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalyst composition is prepared by a synthesis process that includes combining the zeolite support with a hydrocarbon solvent to form a zeolite mixture, where the hydrocarbon solvent pre-wets the pores of the zeolite support. The synthesis process further includes combining a polar solvent comprising a metal salt with the zeolite mixture to form an impregnated zeolite support. The synthesis process also includes drying the impregnated zeolite support and calcining the impregnated zeolite support to convert the metal salt to the metal oxide, thereby forming the catalyst composition.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a process for aromatizing hydrocarbons may include contacting the hydrocarbons with a zinc- or gallium-doped ZSM-5 catalyst having a mesopore volume of greater than 0.09 cm3/g. Contacting the hydrocarbons with the catalyst causes a least a portion of the hydrocarbons to undergo chemical reactions to form aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to processes for aromatizing hydrocarbons includes contacting the hydrocarbons with a catalyst including at least two different metal modifiers dispersed on surfaces of a hydrogen-form medium-pore zeolite support. Each of the at least two different metal modifiers comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of IUPAC Groups 3-12, and lanthanide metals, and the catalyst is substantially free of gallium. Contacting the hydrocarbons with the catalyst causes a least a portion of the hydrocarbons to undergo a chemical reaction to form aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Composite catalysts having bismuth silicate(s) (e.g. Bi2SiO5) and transition metal oxide(s) (e.g. nickel oxide) impregnated on mesoporous silica supports such as SBA-15, mesoporous silica foam, and silica sol. Methods of making and characterizing the composite catalysts as well as processes for oxidatively dehydrogenating alkanes (e.g. n-butane) and/or alkenes (e.g. 1-butene, 2-butene) to corresponding dienes (e.g. butadiene) employing the composite catalysts are also described.

Abstract: Processes for aromatizing hydrocarbons include contacting the hydrocarbons with a catalyst composition comprising a metal oxide dispersed on a surface of a zeolite support, where contacting the hydrocarbons with the catalyst composition causes at least a portion of the hydrocarbons to undergo a chemical reaction to form aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalyst composition is prepared by a synthesis process that includes combining the zeolite support with a hydrocarbon solvent to form a zeolite mixture, where the hydrocarbon solvent pre-wets the pores of the zeolite support. The synthesis process further includes combining a polar solvent comprising a metal salt with the zeolite mixture to form an impregnated zeolite support. The synthesis process also includes drying the impregnated zeolite support and calcining the impregnated zeolite support to convert the metal salt to the metal oxide, thereby forming the catalyst composition.

Abstract: Composite catalysts having bismuth silicate(s) (e.g. Bi2SiO5) and transition metal oxide(s) (e.g. nickel oxide) impregnated on mesoporous silica supports such as SBA-15, mesoporous silica foam, and silica sol. Methods of making and characterizing the composite catalysts as well as processes for oxidatively dehydrogenating alkanes (e.g. n-butane) and/or alkenes (e.g. 1-butene, 2-butene) to corresponding dienes (e.g. butadiene) employing the composite catalysts are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of producing ethylene and propylene by the catalytic steam cracking of naphtha using an HZSM-5 catalyst. An example method can include providing a naphtha feedstock, providing steam, and providing an HZSM-5 catalyst. The method can further include preparing the HZSM-5 catalyst by titanium modification or alkaline treatment, followed by phosphorus modification. The method can further include feeding the naphtha feedstock and steam to a reactor containing the catalyst and removing an effluent from the reactor having a combined yield of ethylene and propylene of greater than about 45 wt-%.

Abstract: Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of producing ethylene and propylene by the catalytic steam cracking of naphtha using an HZSM-5 catalyst. An example method can include providing a naphtha feedstock, providing steam, and providing an HZSM-5 catalyst. The method can further include preparing the HZSM-5 catalyst by titanium modification or alkaline treatment, followed by phosphorus modification. The method can further include feeding the naphtha feedstock and steam to a reactor containing the catalyst and removing an effluent from the reactor having a combined yield of ethylene and propylene of greater than about 45 wt-%.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of producing ethylene and propylene by the catalytic steam cracking of naphtha using an HZSM-5 catalyst. An example method can include providing a naphtha feedstock, providing steam, and providing an HZSM-5 catalyst. The method can further include preparing the HZSM-5 catalyst by titanium modification or alkaline treatment, followed by phosphorus modification. The method can further include feeding the naphtha feedstock and steam to a reactor containing the catalyst and removing an effluent from the reactor having a combined yield of ethylene and propylene of greater than about 45 wt-%.

Abstract: Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of a metathesis process for producing propylene comprise providing a metathesis catalyst comprising an amorphous mesoporous silica foam impregnated with metal oxides, where the metathesis catalyst has a pore size distribution of at least 3 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.700 cm3/g. The process further involves producing a product stream comprising propylene by contacting a feed stream comprising butene with the metathesis catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.