Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of mercury containing compounds 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 organic, ionic or suspended mercury compounds by first converting these compounds to elemental mercury or to inorganic mercury compounds and then removing them by use of an adsorbent bed.

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: 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 oxides of nitrogen and sulfur 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 oxides of nitrogen and sulfur 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 heavy hydrocarbon compounds including C2+ hydrocarbons 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 heavy hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon stream by use of adsorbents, physical separators or cryogenic separation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of solids 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 inorganic and organic solids in the hydrocarbon stream by use of adsorbent beds, filters, cyclone or gravity separators.

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 certain aspects includes controlling the level of carbon dioxide in the hydrocarbon stream by contacting a stream with a physical or a chemical solvent.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of hydrides of arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, silicon, and boron 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 hydrides of arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, silicon, and boron 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 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: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of carbon monoxide 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 carbon monoxide 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 organic oxygenates 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 organic oxygenates 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 heavy metals 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 heavy metals 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, hydrogen sulfide and water 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 carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and water 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 water 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 water 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 nitrogen contaminants 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 amines 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 certain aspects includes controlling the level of oxygen 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 sulfur containing compounds 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 sulfur containing compounds in the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. 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 water, carbon dioxide and other condensable contaminants in the hydrocarbon stream by use of a fluid separation assembly such as a supersonic inertia separator. In addition, one or more adsorbent beds may be used to remove remaining trace amounts of condensable contaminants. The fluid separation assembly has a cyclonic fluid separator with a tubular throat portion arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section and a swirl creating device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of nitrogen 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 nitrogen 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 mercury 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 mercury and mercury containing compounds in the hydrocarbon stream.