Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, at least one feed comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is supplied to a dividing wall distillation column to separate the feed into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. At least part of the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is then supplied to a para-xylene recovery unit to recover para-xylene from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and produce a para-xylene depleted stream. The para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst in a xylene isomerization zone under conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream, which is then at least partially recycled to the para-xylene recovery unit.

Abstract: A process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms comprises: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. A supported catalyst comprises Co, and a microchannel reactor comprises at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for the isomerization of aromatic hydrocarbons including contacting an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstream with a catalyst comprising a hydrogenation metal wherein sulfur is continuously introduced after catalyst start-up for an extended period of time at a concentration of no more than 56 ppm by weight of the aromatic hydrocarbon feedstream.

Abstract: In a process for producing para-xylene, at least one feed comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is supplied to a dividing wall distillation column to separate the feed into a C7? aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. At least part of the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is then supplied to a para-xylene recovery unit to recover para-xylene from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and produce a para-xylene depleted stream. The para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst in a xylene isomerization zone under conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream, which is then at least partially recycled to the para-xylene recovery unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to minimizing ammonia poisoning of a catalyst and to a xylene isomerization process using said catalyst.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. Also disclosed is a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.

Abstract: The process concerns ethylbenzene conversion and xylene isomerization with a catalyst pretreated by sulfiding.

Abstract: The process concerns ethylbenzene conversion and xylene isomerization with a catalyst pretreated by sulfiding.

Abstract: The invention relates to minimizing ammonia poisoning of a catalyst and to a xylene isomerization process using said catalyst.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.

Abstract: The process concerns ethylbenzene conversion and xylene isomerization with a catalyst pretreated by sulfiding.

Abstract: A method of preparing a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve which comprises the steps of combining a source of silica, a source of phosphorous, a source of alumina and water to form a primary mixture; adding a structure directing agent to said mixture and optional seeds to form a synthesis mixture. The synthesis mixture is synthesized by heating the mixture to a crystallization temperature to form the sieve. The molar ratio of the structure directing agent relative to the source of alumina may vary between 1.3 and 1.9 and the ratio of water to the source of alumina may vary between 20 to 34.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of conducting chemical reactions in a reaction channel that has an varying cross-sectional area such that a chemical reactant or reactants experience varying local contact time as the reactant(s) flow through the channel. The invention also provides reactors having reaction channels with varying cross-sectional areas. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction channel section has a trapezoidal shape that becomes broader from the inlet toward the outlet.

Abstract: The invention describes microchannel apparatus and catalysts that contain a layer of a metal aluminide or are made in a process in which a metal aluminide layer is formed as an intermediate. Certain processing conditions have surprisingly been found to result in superior coatings. The invention includes chemical processes conducted through apparatus described in the specification. Other catalysts and catalyst synthesis techniques are also described.

Abstract: Novel methods of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are described. It has been discovered that conducting the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over a catalyst with a catalytically active surface layer of 35 microns or less results in a liquid hydrocarbon product with a high ratio of C5-C20:C20+. Descriptions of novel Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and reactors are also provided. Novel hydrocarbon compositions with a high ratio of C5-C20:C20+ are also described.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.

Abstract: In a process for producing xylene by transalkylation of a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock, the feedstock, at least one C6-C7 aromatic hydrocarbon and hydrogen are supplied to at least one reaction zone containing at least first and second catalyst beds located such that the feedstock and hydrogen contact the first bed before contacting the second bed. The first catalyst bed comprises a first catalyst composition comprising a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range of about 3 to about 12 and at least one metal or compound thereof of Groups 6-10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and the second catalyst bed comprises a second catalyst composition comprising a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index less than 3.

Abstract: Catalysts containing 30 weight percent or more platinum have surprisingly been discovered to possess superior stability and activity for catalyzing combustion reactions. The addition of rhenium improves catalyst performance in fuel lean conditions but has undesirable effects in fuel rich conditions. The invention provides integrated combustion microreactors, chemical systems utilizing these integrated combustion microreactors, methods of combustion, and methods of providing heat to endothermic reactions in integrated combustion microreactors.

Abstract: In a process for producing xylene by transalkylation of a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock, the feedstock, at least one C6-C7 aromatic hydrocarbon and hydrogen are supplied to at least one reaction zone containing at least first and second catalyst beds located such that the feedstock and hydrogen contact the first bed before contacting the second bed. The first catalyst bed comprises a first catalyst composition comprising a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range of about 3 to about 12 and at least one metal or compound thereof of Groups 6-10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and the second catalyst bed comprises a second catalyst composition comprising a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index less than 3.