Abstract: In a process for converting C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products a feed comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons is contacted under transalkylation reaction conditions with a catalyst composition comprising (i) a first molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of ZSM-12, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07; and (ii) a second molecular sieve having a constraint index ranging from 3 to 12. At least the first molecular sieve has a hydrogenation component associated therewith and the first and second molecular sieves are contained in the same catalyst bed. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene.

Abstract: The management of hydrogen in hydrogen-containing streams associated with petrochemical process units wherein the hydrogen-containing stream is subjected rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption to increase the concentration of hydrogen therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered structured adsorbent contactors for use in pressure swing adsorption and thermal swing adsorption processes. Preferably, the contactors contain engineered and substantially parallel flow channels wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactor, excluding the flow channels, is in the mesopore and macropore range.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recycling acid used to remove nitrogen contaminants from hydrocarbons using polymeric membranes to separate spent acid from the acid extraction of hydrocarbons into acid for recycle and acid for regeneration.

Abstract: In a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a feed containing a linear alkylbenzene and bromine-reactive olefinic hydrocarbon contaminants, the feed is contacted under conditions effective to remove bromine-reactive olefinic hydrocarbon contaminants with a catalyst comprising zeolite Y catalyst having an alpha value of about 2 to about 30. The feed will normally also contain benzene and linear paraffin remaining from the alkylation process used to produce the linear alkylbenzene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a desired dialkylbenzene isomer having a formula R2C6H4, where R is an alkyl substituent, by contacting a polyalkylbenzene compound of formula RnC6H6-n, where n is an integer between 2 and 4, with a monoalkylbenzene compound of formula RC6H5 in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to produce said dialkybenzene isomer. The preferred molecular sieve catalysts have pores or surface cavities greater than 5.6 Angstroms in diameter and/or an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07, and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom.

Abstract: A multi component catalyst and catalytic cracking process for selectively producing C3 olefins. The catalyst comprises a first molecular sieve having an intermediate pore size, a second molecular sieve and, optionally a third molecular sieve having a large pore size. At least one of the channels of the second molecular sieve has a pore size index that is less than the pore size index of at least one channel of the first molecular sieve. The process is carried out by contacting a feedstock containing hydrocarbons having at least 5 carbon atoms is contacted, under catalytic cracking conditions, with the multi component catalyst. The catalyst finds application in the cracking of naphtha and heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process to produce high octane, low sulfur naphtha products through the removal of basic nitrogen-containing compounds with subsequent skeletal isomerization of feed olefins and hydrotreating.

Abstract: A catalyst system that exhibits a ratio of ethylene saturation to aromatics ring saturation of greater than 3,500. The catalyst system comprises two components and each component comprises a crystalline molecular sieve having a Constraint Index of from about 1 to about 12 and an effective amount of Group VIII metal. The catalyst system finds particular application in ethylbenzene conversion/xylenes isomerization reactions. The catalyst system can be prepared by incorporating the Group VIII metal into the molecular sieves by competitive ion exchange.

Abstract: A process for the isomerization of xylenes and the conversion of ethylbenzene to benzene and ethane using a catalyst system comprising two catalysts. The first catalyst is unselectivated and comprises: (a) an intermediate pore size zeolite, e.g., ZSM-5; (b) at least one hydrogenation component to deethylate ethylbenzene, e.g. Group VIII and/or Group VIIIB metal; and (c) an amorphous binder, said first catalyst requiring at least 50 minutes to sorb 30% of the equilibrium capacity of ortho-xylene at 120° C. and at an ortho-xylene partial pressure of 4.5±0.8 mm of mercury. The second catalyst comprises an intermediate pore size zeolite, e.g., ZSM-5, and requires less than 50 minutes to sorb 30% of the equilibrium capacity of ortho-xylene at 120° C. and at an ortho-xylene partial pressure of 4.5±0.8 mm of mercury. The amount of first catalyst present in the catalyst system is a volume greater than 55 percent based on the sum of the volumes of the first catalyst and second catalyst.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying a catalytic molecular sieve for shape-selective hydrocarbon conversions comprises: a) selectivating said catalytic molecular sieve by contacting with a silicon-containing selectivating agent; and b) calcining the selectivated catalytic molecular sieve at high temperature calcination conditions comprising temperatures greater than 700° C., which conditions are sufficient to reduce acid activity as measured by alpha value and increase diffusion barrier of said catalytic molecular sieve as measured by the rate of 2,3-dimethylbutane uptake, as compared to the selectivated catalyst. Catalytic molecular sieves thus prepared, such as silica-bound ZSM-5, and their use in hydrocarbon conversion processes such as aromatics isomerization, e.g., xylene isomerization, ethylbenzene conversion and aromatics disproportionation, e.g., toluene disproportionation are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a feed containing a linear alkylbenzene and bromine-reactive olefinic hydrocarbon contaminants, the feed is contacted under conditions effective to remove bromine-reactive olefinic hydrocarbon contaminants with a catalyst comprising zeolite Y catalyst having an alpha value of about 2 to about 30. The feed will normally also contain benzene and linear paraffin remaining from the alkylation process used to produce the linear alkylbenzene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a process to isomerize C10+ hydrocarbon feedstreams by contacting a C10+ hydrocarbon feedstream with a steamed catalyst.

Abstract: In a process for converting C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products a feed comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons is contacted under transalkylation reaction conditions with a catalyst composition comprising (i) a first molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of ZSM-12, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07; and (ii) a second molecular sieve having a constraint index ranging from 3 to 12. At least the first molecular sieve has a hydrogenation component associated therewith and the first and second molecular sieves are contained in the same catalyst bed. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene.

Abstract: An ethylbenzene conversion catalyst is described which comprises a molecular sieve and a hydrogenation metal, wherein the catalyst exhibits a benzene hydrogenation activity at 100° C. of less than about 100 and a metal dispersion, as measured by hydrogen chemisorption, greater than 0.4 and wherein the molecular sieve is steamed to an alpha value of less than 400 prior to incorporation of the palladium with the molecular sieve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for regenerating a spent aromatics alkylation or transalkylation catalyst comprising a molecular sieve by contacting the spent catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of about 120 to about 600° C. and then contacting the catalyst with an aqueous medium, such as an ammonium nitrate solution, an ammonium carbonate solution or an acid solution.

Abstract: A method for recovering acid from a feed mixture comprising acid, hydrocarbons and water, the method comprising:

Abstract: An ethylbenzene conversion catalyst is described which comprises a molecular sieve and a hydrogenation metal, wherein the catalyst exhibits a benzene hydrogenation activity at 100° C. of less than about 100 and a metal dispersion, as measured by hydrogen chemisorption, greater than 0.4 and wherein the molecular sieve is steamed to an alpha value of less than 400 prior to incorporation of the palladium with the molecular sieve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a process to isomerize C10+ hydrocarbon feedstreams by contacting a C10+ hydrocarbon feedstream with a steamed catalyst.

Abstract: There is provided a substantially binder-free catalytic molecular sieve which has been modified by being ex situ selectivated with a silicon compound. The ex situ selectivation involves exposing the molecular sieve to at least two silicon impregnation sequences, each sequence comprising an impregnation with a silicon compound followed by calcination. The catalyst may be used in a hydrocarbon conversion process, such as toluene disproportionation.