Abstract: This invention is for a catalyst for conversion of hydrocarbons. The catalyst is a non-acidic germanium zeolite, such as Ge-ZSM-5, on which at least two metals, platinum and at least one other metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10 and tin, are deposited on the germanium zeolite. Examples of the other metal are iridium, rhenium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iron, cobalt and tin. The catalyst is prepared by synthesizing a germanium zeolite; depositing platinum and at least one other metal on the germanium zeolite; and calcining after preparation of the zeolite, before depositing the metals or after depositing the metals. The catalyst may be used in a process for the conversion of hydrocarbons, such as propane to aromatics, by contacting the catalyst with a hydrocarbon stream containing alkanes, olefins and mixtures thereof having 2 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule and recovering the product.

Abstract: This invention is for a catalyst for conversion of hydrocarbons. The catalyst is a germanium zeolite, such as Ge-ZSM-5, on which at least two metals, platinum and at least one other metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10 and tin, are deposited on the germanium zeolite. Examples of the other metal are iridium, rhenium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iron, cobalt and tin. The catalyst is prepared by synthesizing a germanium zeolite; depositing platinum and at least one other metal on the germanium zeolite; and calcining after preparation of the zeolite, before depositing the metals or after depositing the metals. The catalyst may be used in a process for the conversion of hydrocarbons, such as propane to aromatics, by contacting the catalyst with a hydrocarbon stream containing alkanes, olefins and mixtures thereof having 2 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule and recovering the product.

Abstract: The present invention is for a catalyst, a process for making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in aromatization of alkanes having three to five carbon atoms per molecule, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst is an aluminum-silicon zeolite having a silicon to aluminum atomic ratio (Si:Al) greater than 15:1, such as MFI or ZSM-5, on which germanium, aluminum and a noble metal, such as platinum, have been deposited. The catalyst may be bound with magnesia, alumina, titania, zirconia, thoria, silica, boria or mixtures thereof. The aluminum and germanium may be deposited simultaneously on the zeolite.

Abstract: This invention is for a catalyst for conversion of hydrocarbons. The catalyst is a non-acidic germanium zeolite, such as Ge-ZSM-5, on which at least two metals, platinum and at least one other metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10 and tin, are deposited on the germanium zeolite. Examples of the other metal are iridium, rhenium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iron, cobalt and tin. The catalyst is prepared by synthesizing a germanium zeolite; depositing platinum and at least one other metal on the germanium zeolite; and calcining after preparation of the zeolite, before depositing the metals or after depositing the metals. The catalyst may be used in a process for the conversion of hydrocarbons, such as propane to aromatics, by contacting the catalyst with a hydrocarbon stream containing alkanes, olefins and mixtures thereof having 2 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule and recovering the product.

Abstract: The present invention is for a catalyst, a process for making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in aromatization of alkanes having three to five carbon atoms per molecule, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst is an aluminum-silicon zeolite having a silicon to aluminum atomic ratio (Si:Al) greater than 15:1, such as MFI or ZSM-5, on which germanium, aluminum and a noble metal, such as platinum, have been deposited. The catalyst may be bound with magnesia, alumina, titania, zirconia, thoria, silica, boria or mixtures thereof. The aluminum and germanium may be deposited simultaneously on the zeolite.

Abstract: This invention is for a catalyst for conversion of alkanes having two to six carbon atoms per molecule to aromatics. The catalyst is a MFI zeolite with a crystallite size of less than 15 microns with, in addition to silicon and aluminum, germanium as a framework element. Platinum is deposited on the zeolite. The zeolite may contain other optional tetravalent and trivalent elements in the zeolite framework. The catalyst is synthesized by preparing a zeolite containing aluminum, silicon, germanium and, optionally, other elements in the framework, calcining the zeolite and depositing platinum on the zeolite. The catalyst may be used for aromatization of alkanes, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylenes.

Abstract: The present invention is for a catalyst, a process for making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in aromatization of alkanes having three to five carbon atoms per molecule, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst is an aluminum-silicon zeolite having a silicon to aluminum atomic ratio (Si:Al) greater than 15:1, such as MFI or ZSM-5, on which germanium, aluminum and a noble metal, such as platinum, have been deposited. The catalyst may be bound with magnesia, alumina, titania, zirconia, thoria, silica, boria or mixtures thereof. The aluminum and germanium may be deposited simultaneously on the zeolite.

Abstract: This invention is for a catalyst for conversion of a hydrocarbonaceous feed. The catalyst is a zeolite aluminosilicate with a silicon to aluminum molar ratio from about 70:1 to about 100:1 on which a noble metal has been deposited. The zeolite catalyst may contain other optional tetravalent and trivalent elements in the zeolite framework. The zeolite structure may be MFI, FAU, TON, MFL, VPI, MEL, AEL, AFI, MWW or MOR. The catalyst is synthesized by preparing a zeolite containing aluminum, silicon and, optionally, other elements, such as germanium, in the framework, depositing a noble metal, such as platinum, on the zeolite and calcining the zeolite. The catalyst may be used for aromatization of alkanes to aromatics. One embodiment is a MFI zeolite catalyst which may be used for the aromatization of alkanes having two to six carbon atoms per molecule to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylenes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the aromatization of C6 to C12 alkanes, such as hexane, heptane and octane, to aromatics, such as benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene and xylenes, with a germanium-containing zeolite catalyst. The catalyst is a non-acidic aluminum-silicon-germanium zeolite on which a noble metal, such as platinum, has been deposited. The zeolite structure may be of MFI, BEA, MOR, LTL or MTT. The zeolite is made non-acidic by being base-exchanged with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, such as cesium, potassium, sodium, rubidium, barium, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof, to reduce acidity. The catalyst is sulfur tolerant and may be pretreated with a sulfur compound, i.e., sulfided. The hydrocarbon feed may contain sulfur up to 1000 ppm. The present invention could be applicable to a feedstream which is predominantly paraffinic and/or low in naphthenes. Lowering the hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio increases conversion and aromatics selectivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for regeneration of a zeolite catalyst, specifically an aluminosilicate zeolite with germanium substituted in the framework for silicon and with platinum deposited on the zeolite. The catalyst may be used in a process for aromatization of alkanes, specifically C2-C8 alkanes. The regeneration process 1) removes coke and sulfur from the catalyst via oxidation, 2) redisperses platinum on the surface of the catalyst via chlorine gas, 3) removes chlorine and bind Pt to the surface of the zeolite by steaming, 4) reduces the catalyst in hydrogen, and 5) optionally, resulfides the catalyst. The zeolite may be a MFI zeolite. The catalyst may be bound with an inert material which does not act as a binding site for platinum during the regeneration process, for example, silica.

Abstract: This invention is for a catalyst for conversion of hydrocarbons. The catalyst is a germanium zeolite, such as Ge-ZSM-5, on which at least two metals, platinum and at least one other metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10 and tin, are deposited on the germanium zeolite. Examples of the other metal are iridium, rhenium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iron, cobalt and tin. The catalyst is prepared by synthesizing a germanium zeolite; depositing platinum and at least one other metal on the germanium zeolite; and calcining after preparation of the zeolite, before depositing the metals or after depositing the metals. The catalyst may be used in a process for the conversion of hydrocarbons, such as propane to aromatics, by contacting the catalyst with a hydrocarbon stream containing alkanes, olefins and mixtures thereof having 2 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule and recovering the product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making a germanium-zeolite without using fluoride compounds. The zeolite is preferably a MFI-type structure, most preferably a ZSM-5 MFI zeolite. The germanium-zeolite is synthesized essentially in the absence of fluoride compounds from an aqueous gel containing a silica source, a germanium source, an aluminum source and a structure directing agent in the presence of an acid which does not contain fluorine, such as sulfuric acid, acetic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid hydrochloric acid or formic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the aromatization of C6 to C12 alkanes, such as hexane, heptane and octane, to aromatics, such as benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene and xylenes, with a germanium-containing zeolite catalyst. The catalyst is a non-acidic aluminum-silicon-germanium zeolite on which a noble metal, such as platinum, has been deposited. The zeolite structure may be of MFI, BEA, MOR, LTL or MTT. The zeolite is made non-acidic by being base-exchanged with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, such as cesium, potassium, sodium, rubidium, barium, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof, to reduce acidity. The catalyst is sulfur tolerant and may be pretreated with a sulfur compound, i.e., sulfided. The hydrocarbon feed may contain sulfur up to 1000 ppm. The present invention could be applicable to a feedstream which is predominantly paraffinic and/or low in naphthenes. Lowering the hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio increases conversion and aromatics selectivity.

Abstract: This invention is for a catalyst for conversion of a hydrocarbonaceous feed. The catalyst is a zeolite aluminosilicate with a silicon to aluminum molar ratio from about 70:1 to about 100:1 on which a noble metal has been deposited. The zeolite catalyst may contain other optional tetravalent and trivalent elements in the zeolite framework. The zeolite structure may be MFI, FAU, TON, MFL, VPI, MEL, AEL, AFI, MWW or MOR. The catalyst is synthesized by preparing a zeolite containing aluminum, silicon and, optionally, other elements, such as germanium, in the framework, depositing a noble metal, such as platinum, on the zeolite and calcining the zeolite. The catalyst may be used for aromatization of alkanes to aromatics. One embodiment is a MFI zeolite catalyst which may be used for the aromatization of alkanes having two to six carbon atoms per molecule to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylenes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for regeneration of a zeolite catalyst, specifically an aluminosilicate zeolite with germanium substituted in the framework for silicon and with platinum deposited on the zeolite. The catalyst may be used in a process for aromatization of alkanes, specifically C2-C8 alkanes. The regeneration process 1) removes coke and sulfur from the catalyst via oxidation, 2) redisperses platinum on the surface of the catalyst via chlorine gas, 3) removes chlorine and bind Pt to the surface of the zeolite by steaming, 4) reduces the catalyst in hydrogen, and 5) optionally, resulfides the catalyst. The zeolite may be a MFI zeolite. The catalyst may be bound with an inert material which does not act as a binding site for platinum during the regeneration process, for example, silica.

Abstract: A catalyst, a process for making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in aromatization of alkanes to aromatics, specifically, aromatization of alkanes having two to six carbon atoms per molecule, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst is an aluminum-silicon-germanium zeolite on which platinum has been deposited. Germanium is in the framework of the crystalline zeolite. Platinum is deposited on the zeolite. The catalyst may be supported on magnesia, alumina, titania, zirconia, thoria, silica, boria or mixtures thereof. The catalyst may contain a sulfur compound on the surface of the catalyst. The sulfur compound may be added to the catalyst in a pretreatment process or introduced with the hydrocarbon feed to contact the catalyst during the aromatization process.

Abstract: A catalyst of a gallium zeolite on which platinum (Pt/Ga-ZSM-5) has been deposited may be used for aromatization of alkanes having two to six carbon atoms per molecule, such as ethane, propane, butane, etc., to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX). The gallium zeolite contains gallium and silicon in the framework of the zeolite structure. The zeolite structure may be of MFI, FAU, TON, MFL, VPI, MEL, AEL, AFI, MWW or MOR, but preferably, the zeolite has a MFI structure, more preferably is ZSM-5 MFI zeolite. According to the IUPAC recommendations, an example of the sodium form of the zeolite would be represented as: |Nax·(H2O)z|[GaxSiyO2y+3x/2]?MFI where x=0.1–25; y=60–100; and z=0.1–10. Platinum may be deposited on the gallium zeolite by ion exchange or impregnation.

Abstract: Aromatization of alkanes having one to four carbon atoms per molecule to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX), uses a catalyst of a crystalline zeolite on which platinum has been deposited, specifically a platinum-containing ZSM-5. A byproduct of the process is a light gas fraction of methane and ethane. The use of a platinum-containing ZSM-5 catalyst in an alkane aromatization process, such as the Cyclar process, suppresses the formation of methane and increases selectivity to BTX. The high content of ethane relative to methane in the light gas fraction allows this process effluent to be a feedstream for a cracker.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making a germanium-zeolite. The zeolite is preferably a MFI-type structure, most preferably a ZSM-5 MFI zeolite. The germanium-zeolite is synthesized from an aqueous gel containing a silica source, a germanium source, an aluminum source and a structure directing agent in the presence of an acid to control the pH of the gel in the range of 6.5 to 13.5, preferably 7.5 to 11, to maximize the amount of germanium incorporated into the zeolite framework. Optionally, a sodium compound may be introduced into the reaction mixture gel either before or after the addition of the acid, preferably before.

Abstract: A catalyst, a process for making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in aromatization of alkanes to aromatics, specifically, aromatization of alkanes having two to six carbon atoms per molecule, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst is an aluminum-silicon-germanium zeolite on which platinum has been deposited. Germanium is in the framework of the crystalline zeolite. Platinum is deposited on the zeolite. The catalyst may be supported on magnesia, alumina, titania, zirconia, thoria, silica, boria or mixtures thereof. The catalyst may contain a sulfur compound on the surface of the catalyst. The sulfur compound may be added to the catalyst in a pretreatment process or introduced with the hydrocarbon feed to contact the catalyst during the aromatization process.