Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for hydroconversion of a heavy oil feed under slurry hydroprocessing conditions and/or solvent assisted hydroprocessing conditions. The systems and methods for slurry hydroconversion can include the use of a configuration that can allow for improved separation of catalyst particles from the slurry hydroprocessing effluent. In addition to allowing for improved catalyst recycle, an amount of fines in the slurry hydroconversion effluent can be reduced or minimized. This can facilitate further processing or handling of any “pitch” generated during the slurry hydroconversion. The systems and methods for solvent assisted hydroprocessing can include processing of a heavy oil feed in conjunction with a high solvency dispersive power crude.

Abstract: A process is described for converting at least one isomer of a dialkyl-substituted biphenyl compound, such as at least one 2,X? dialkylbiphenyl isomer (where X? is 2?, 3? and/or 4?), into at least one different isomer, 3,3?, 3,4? and/or 4,4? dialkylbiphenyl isomer. The process comprises contacting a feed comprising the dialkyl-substituted biphenyl compound isomer with an acid catalyst under isomerization conditions.

Abstract: Integrated methods and systems are disclosed for the production of dimethyl ether. The method may include reforming natural gas to syngas in a first reactor; contacting the syngas produced in the first reactor with a catalyst system in a second reactor to produce dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide; and supplying steam as a cofeed to at least one of the first reactor and the second reactor in an amount sufficient to achieve a Mm value of 1.4 to 1.8 or to improve the hydrocarbon or oxygenate selectivity.

Abstract: Bulk metallic catalyst precursor compositions are provided that include a Group VIB metal, a Group VIII metal, an organic-compound based component, and an organo-metalloxane polymer or gel. The catalyst precursor compositions can further include a binder. Amorphous sulfided catalysts formed from the catalyst precursor compositions are also provided. The catalyst precursor compositions can have a surface area of about 20 m2/g or less.

Abstract: In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula: wherein each of m and n is independently an integer from 1 to 3, is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound. The dehydrogenation catalyst comprises an element or compound thereof from Group 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements deposited on a refractory support, such as alumina.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making base metal catalysts with improved activity. After forming catalyst particles based on a support comprising a zeolitic molecular sieve, the catalyst particles can be impregnated with a solution comprising a) metal salts (or other precursors) for a plurality of base metals and b) an organic dispersion agent comprising 2 to 10 carbons. The impregnated support particles can be dried to form a base metal catalyst, and then optionally sulfided to form a sulfided base metal catalyst. The resulting (sulfided) base metal catalyst can have improved activity for cloud point reduction and/or for improved activity for heteroatom removal, relative to a base metal dewaxing catalyst prepared without the use of a dispersion agent.

Abstract: Bulk metallic catalyst precursor compositions are provided that include a Group VIB metal, a Group VIII metal, an organic-compound based component, and an organo-metalloxane polymer or gel. The catalyst precursor compositions can further include a binder. Amorphous sulfided catalysts formed from the catalyst precursor compositions are also provided. The catalyst precursor compositions can have a surface area of about 20 m2/g or less.

Abstract: In a process for producing a mixture of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol, a feed comprising cyclohexanone is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions effective to convert part of the cyclohexanone in the feed into cyclohexanol and thereby produce a hydrogenation product containing cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. A mixture of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol is then obtained from the hydrogenation product.

Abstract: A process for separating a carbon dioxide from a gas stream is disclosed. The process can include passing the gas stream over a sorbent that adsorbs the carbon dioxide by concentration swing adsorption and adsorptive displacement. The sorbent can be regenerated and the carbon dioxide recaptured by desorbing the carbon dioxide from the sorbent using concentration swing adsorption and desorptive displacement. A carbon dioxide separation system is also disclosed. Neither the system nor the process rely on temperature swing or pressure swing adsorption.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst composition and its use in a process for the conversion of a feedstock containing C8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce light aromatic products, comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst composition comprises a mordenite zeolite synthesized from TEA or MTEA, optionally at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and optionally at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, wherein said mordenite zeolite has a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m2/g and said mordenite zeolite comprises agglomerates composed of primary crystallites, wherein said primary crystallites have an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm and an aspect ratio of less than 2.

Abstract: A method of producing a hydrogenation catalyst, for example, a phthalate hydrogenation catalyst, comprising contacting a silica support having a medium pore size of at least about 10 nm with an acid to produce a treated silica support, and depositing a noble metal, preferably ruthenium, on the treated silica support to produce a noble metal-containing silica support, and optionally contacting the noble metal-containing silica support with a chelating agent to form the hydrogenation catalyst; a hydrogenation catalyst prepared by that method; and a method of hydrogenating unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as, phthalates, in which an unsaturated hydrocarbon is contacted with hydrogen gas in the presence of the hydrogenation catalyst of the invention.

Abstract: A method of preparing a hydrogenation catalyst, for example, a phthalate hydrogenation catalyst, comprising contacting a silica support having a median pore size of at least about 10 nm with a silylating agent to form an at least partially coated silica support, calcining said coated silica support to form a treated silica support, and depositing a noble metal, preferably ruthenium, on the treated silica support, and optionally contacting the treated silica support with an optional chelating agent to form the hydrogenation catalyst; a hydrogenation catalyst prepared by that method; and a method of hydrogenating unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as phthalates, in which an unsaturated hydrocarbon is contacted with hydrogen gas in the presence of the hydrogenation catalyst of the invention.

Abstract: A method of preparing a hydrogenation catalyst, for example, a phthalate hydrogenation catalyst, comprising nebulizing a liquid containing a noble metal and a chelating agent comprising at least one nitrogen-containing functional group to form a nebulized liquid, and contacting the nebulized liquid with silica particles; a hydrogenation catalyst prepared by that method; and a method of hydrogenating unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as phthalates, in which an unsaturated hydrocarbon is contacted with hydrogen gas in the presence of the hydrogenation catalyst of the invention.

Abstract: A process is described for converting at least one isomer of a dialkyl-substituted biphenyl compound, such as at least one 2,X? dialkylbiphenyl isomer (where X? is 2?, 3? and/or 4?), into at least one different isomer, 3,3?, 3,4? and/or 4,4? dialkylbiphenyl isomer. The process comprises contacting a feed comprising the dialkyl-substituted biphenyl compound isomer with an acid catalyst under isomerization conditions.

Abstract: In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula: is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, wherein each of m and n is independently an integer from 1 to 3 and wherein the dehydrogenation catalyst comprises (i) an element or compound thereof from Group 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements and (ii) tin or a compound thereof.

Abstract: Bulk catalysts that include a Group VI metal, a Group VIII metal, and at least 10-60% of an organic compound based component are formed. The bulk catalysts have increased stability through the use of a stabilizer in the organic compound based component, the use of an improved gas phase sulfidation, or a combination thereof. The bulk catalysts are suitable for hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon feeds.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride containing catalyst comprising a surface, and a Group VI/Group VIII metal sulfide coated onto the surface of the interstitial metal hydride. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.

Abstract: A process for separating a carbon dioxide from a gas stream is disclosed. The process can include passing the gas stream over a sorbent that adsorbs the carbon dioxide by concentration swing adsorption and adsorptive displacement. The sorbent can be regenerated and the carbon dioxide recaptured by desorbing the carbon dioxide from the sorbent using concentration swing adsorption and desorptive displacement. A carbon dioxide separation system is also disclosed. Neither the system nor the process rely on temperature swing or pressure swing adsorption.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of preparing the compositions are disclosed for sorbents and other surfaces that can adsorb and desorb carbon dioxide. A sorbent or surface can include a metal compound such as an alkali or alkaline earth compound and a support. The sorbent can be prepared by several methods, including an incipient wetness technique. The sorbents have a CO2 adsorption and desorption profile. A sorbent having high levels of a metal compound and adsorbed CO2 is disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula: wherein each of m and n is independently an integer from 1 to 3, is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound. The dehydrogenation catalyst comprises an element or compound thereof from Group 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements deposited on a refractory support, such as alumina.