Abstract: A composition for selectively removing a first ionic contaminant from a wastewater stream. The composition is formed into a particle. The composition includes a core formed of a non-active material relative to the first ionic contaminant, and, a shell formed from an active material relative to the first ionic contaminant, wherein the active material comprises between 10 to 50 wt % of the particle. The shell may also include a binder material that may be non-active relative to the first ionic contaminant, but active relative to a second ionic contaminant. The core may be formed from a glass-forming material so that a vitrification process may be used for the spent solid waste.

Abstract: Catalysts used for catalytic reforming are treated with organic chloride to condition the catalysts. Chloride treaters may be located in the product streams to remove the chloride contaminants. The continuous catalyst reforming process, including the catalyst reformer unit and chloride treaters, may be monitored in order to predict when adsorbent replacement or regeneration is needed. For example, one or more sensors and measurement devices may be used to monitor certain conditions or parameters. A system may be configured to take one or more actions in response to certain conditions or parameters being met.

Abstract: A naphtha hydrotreating process involves the use of a sulfur guard bed (SGB) with a controlled bypass which allows for control of the sulfur in the feed to a downstream processing unit. The SGB is installed on the light ends stripper bottoms stream in a naphtha hydrotreating unit.

Abstract: A naphtha hydrotreating process is described. It involves the use of a sulfur guard bed (SGB) with a controlled bypass which allows for control of the sulfur in the feed to a downstream processing unit. The SGB is installed on the light ends stripper bottoms stream in a naphtha hydrotreating unit.

Abstract: Catalysts used for catalytic reforming are treated with organic chloride to condition the catalysts. Chloride treaters may be located in the product streams to remove the chloride contaminants. The continuous catalyst reforming process, including the catalyst reformer unit and chloride treaters, may be monitored in order to predict when adsorbent replacement or regeneration is needed. For example, one or more sensors and measurement devices may be used to monitor certain conditions or parameters. A system may be configured to take one or more actions in response to certain conditions or parameters being met.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of glycols from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process. The method according to certain aspects includes controlling the level of glycols and in particular, dimethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol in the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process. The method according to the invention provides certain aspects includes controlling the level of carbon dioxide in the hydrocarbon stream and in a fuel stream that is first sent to a combustion zone and then to the supersonic reactor. The results of removal of carbon dioxide include maintaining the shock location in the supersonic reactor and maintaining the acetylene yield without the production of undesired products such as carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A process for removing at least one product from coal tar is described. The process involves extraction with an extraction agent or adsorption with an adsorbent. The extraction agent includes at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent includes exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for increasing a mole ratio of methyl to phenyl of one or more aromatic compounds in a feed. The process can include reacting an effective amount of one or more aromatic compounds and an effective amount of one or more aromatic methylating agents to form a product having a mole ratio of methyl to phenyl of at least about 0.1:1 greater than the feed.

Abstract: A process for purifying at least one product from coal tar is described. The process involves separating a coal tar fraction having a boiling point in the range of about 180° C. to about 230° C. into an acidic portion and a non-acidic portion by contacting the fraction with a caustic compound. The acidic portion is separated into a cresol portion and a xylenol portion, and the non-acidic portion is separated into a naphthalene portion and a naphthalene co-boiler portion. The acidic portion and the non-acidic portions are separated by contacting with an adsorbent comprising small, discrete crystallites, the adsorbent having less than 10 wt % amorphous binder component. The various portions can be separated in a similar manner.

Abstract: A process for removing mercury from a coal tar product is described. A coal tar stream is contacted with a solvent to remove a product, and the product stream is contacted with an adsorbent material to remove elemental mercury, organic mercury compounds, and/or inorganic mercury compounds. Alternatively, the coal tar stream can be treated in a catalytic distillation zone of a fractionation zone.

Abstract: A process for treating water used in a coal tar process is described. The process involves treating the water with extraction with an extraction agent or adsorption with an adsorbent. The extraction agent includes at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and soluble cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent includes insoluble cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.

Abstract: A process for purifying at least one product from coal tar is described. The process involves separating a coal tar fraction having a boiling point in the range of about 180° C. to about 230° C. into an acidic portion and a non-acidic portion by contacting the fraction with a caustic compound. The acidic portion is separated into a cresol portion and a xylenol portion, and the non-acidic portion is separated into a naphthalene portion and a naphthalene co-boiler portion. The acidic portion and the non-acidic portions are separated by contacting with an adsorbent comprising small, discrete crystallites, the adsorbent having less than 10 wt % amorphous binder component. The various portions can be separated in a similar manner.

Abstract: Methods of treating coal tar using reactive distillation are described. The methods include introducing a coal tar stream into a reactive distillation zone which has a reaction zone and a separation zone. The reaction zone contains a hydrotreating catalyst and an absorbent. The coal tar stream is contacted with a hydrogen stream in the reaction zone to remove contaminants from the coal tar stream, and the treated coal tar stream is separated into at least two fractions.

Abstract: A process for removing at least one contaminant from coal tar is described. The process involves extraction with an extraction agent or adsorption with an adsorbent. The extraction agent includes at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, inclusion complexes of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent includes exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.

Abstract: A process for treating a pitch fraction from coal tar is described. The pitch fraction is contacted with a solvent, an extraction agent, or an adsorbent to remove at least one contaminant, such as oxygenate compounds, nitrogen containing compounds, and sulfur containing compounds. The solvent can be an ionic liquid, the extraction agent can be at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent can be exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.

Abstract: A process for removing at least one product from coal tar is described. The process involves extraction with an extraction agent or adsorption with an adsorbent. The extraction agent includes at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent includes exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of acids from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process. The method according to certain aspects includes controlling the level of acids in the hydrocarbon stream by use of adsorbents or basic solutions.

Abstract: A process for selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons is presented. The process uses a catalyst to selectively hydrogenate acetylenes and diolefins to increase the monoolefins in a product stream. The catalyst in the process includes a layered structure with an inert inner core and an outer layer bonded to the inner core, where the outer layer is a metal oxide and has at least two metals deposited on the outer layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of oxygen from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process. The method according to certain aspects includes controlling the level of oxygen in the hydrocarbon stream.