Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor system includes a riser configured to receive a light hydrocarbon feed stream and a first regenerated catalyst in a bottom portion of the riser, the riser containing one or more heat sources in the bottom portion to generate a heated light hydrocarbon feed stream and a heated regenerated catalyst, and a reaction chamber in a top portion of the riser in fluid communication with a fluidized bed reactor for cracking the heated light hydrocarbon feed stream in the presence of the heated regenerated catalyst flowing upwards from the bottom portion to produce a product effluent stream comprising hydrogen and spent catalyst comprising coke deposits, and a catalyst regeneration unit operatively connected to the fluidized bed reactor and the riser, the catalyst regeneration unit being configured to receive the spent catalyst flowing downwards and combust the coke deposits to produce a second regenerated catalyst.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor system including a fluidized bed reactor configured to receive a heated light hydrocarbon feed stream flowing upwards and a heated regenerated catalyst at a temperature sufficient to crack the heated light hydrocarbon feed stream to produce a product effluent stream containing hydrogen and spent catalyst having coke deposits, a catalyst regeneration unit operatively connected to a bottom portion of the fluidized bed reactor, the catalyst regeneration unit being configured to receive the spent catalyst flowing downwards and combust the coke deposits to produce the heated regenerated catalyst and a heated gas effluent for generating the heated light hydrocarbon feed stream, and a riser externally attached to the fluidized bed reactor and the catalyst regeneration unit, the riser being configured to receive the heated regenerated catalyst and a gas-based stream to flow the heated regenerated catalyst upwards to the fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: A process includes flowing a catalyst composition comprising catalyst particles into a radial flow moving bed reactor, wherein the catalyst particles move by gravity through the radial flow moving bed reactor to an exit point of the radial flow moving bed reactor, wherein the catalyst particles form a moving catalyst bed in the radial flow moving bed reactor, flowing a light hydrocarbon feed stream comprising C1 to C3 alkanes into the radial flow moving bed reactor in a manner so that the light hydrocarbon feed stream flows radially inward or radially outward through the moving catalyst bed and thereby contacts the catalyst particles under reaction conditions to produce a product effluent stream comprising a C2 to C10 hydrocarbon product and hydrogen, and flowing the product effluent stream from the radial flow moving bed reactor.

Abstract: Methods for regenerating spent catalysts, including spent catalysts used in in the catalytic conversion of a hydrocarbon feedstock. The method and associated processes comprising the method are useful to recover spent catalysts used in the petroleum and chemical processing industries. The method generally involves the use of an aqueous leaching solution to leach catalytically active metals from the spent catalyst so that solid carbon built up on the catalyst may be separated from the catalyst metals. The recovered catalyst metals, or a catalyst formed therefrom, may then be re-used in a catalytic conversion process.

Abstract: A process for producing high octane alkylate is provided. The process involves reacting isobutane and ethylene using an ionic liquid catalyst. Reaction conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable alkylate yields and/or properties.

Abstract: In one embodiment is provided an energy-efficient post-combustion CO2 capturing process utilizing protic ionic liquids made of an organic superbase and a weak acid in the presence of moisture. The concept is demonstrated in one embodiment with the ionic liquid, 1,8-diazabiciclo(5.4.0)undec-7-enium imidazolate, [DBUH][Im].

Abstract: A reactor uses catalyst blocks for conversion of light hydrocarbons to hydrogen and to liquid hydrocarbons. The catalyst blocks stacked on top of one another within the reactor facilitate conversion of the light hydrocarbons. Electric heaters can be arranged in a variety of orientations within the reactor to supply heat for the conversion reaction. Alternatively, the catalyst blocks can be located within reaction tubes within the reactor and heated by combustion of a fuel adjacent to the reaction tubes. When operated in a regeneration mode, coke that accumulates within the reactor is removed by oxidation.

Abstract: A process for producing high octane alkylate is provided. The process involves reacting isobutane and ethylene using an ionic liquid catalyst. Reaction conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable alkylate yields and/or properties.

Abstract: The present application pertains to a methane dehydrogenation process subjecting a methane feed to a novel SiO2 catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions and producing hydrogen, ethylene, an aromatic, or any mixture thereof. In another embodiment, the present application pertains to a novel catalyst for methane dehydrogenation. The catalyst comprises amorphous particles of SiO2. The amorphous particles have a particle size with a nominal diameter of from about 5 nm to 1 cm. The amorphous particles of SiO2 comprise a Lewis acidity sufficient to activate one or more C—H bonds in methane and generate one or more methyl radicals when the catalyst is subjected to methane dehydrogenation conditions. In another embodiment, the present application pertains to method of making the novel catalyst for methane dehydrogenation.

Abstract: A process for producing high octane alkylate is provided. The process involves reacting isobutane and ethylene using an ionic liquid catalyst. Reaction conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable alkylate yields and/or properties.

Abstract: A phase separation assembly includes a stand pipe configured to be located at a bottom of a distillation column, the stand pipe for directing a liquid phase of a hydrocarbon fluid through a bottom outlet to a heating assembly; a return conduit configured to direct heated hydrocarbon fluid from the heating assembly into the distillation column; a ring baffle configured to be located within the distillation column above the return conduit; and a horizontal plate configured to be disposed above the stand pipe. The ring baffle directs the heated hydrocarbon fluid around the inner circumferential wall of the distillation column so that vapor and liquid phases can separate. Weir features on the ring baffle can facilitate separation of vapor and liquid flows of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A phase separation assembly includes a stand pipe configured to be located at a bottom of a distillation column, the stand pipe for directing a liquid phase of a hydrocarbon fluid through a bottom outlet to a heating assembly; a return conduit configured to direct heated hydrocarbon fluid from the heating assembly into the distillation column; a ring baffle configured to be located within the distillation column above the return conduit; and a horizontal plate configured to be disposed above the stand pipe. The ring baffle directs the heated hydrocarbon fluid around the inner circumferential wall of the distillation column so that vapor and liquid phases can separate. Weir features on the ring baffle can facilitate separation of vapor and liquid flows of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to systems and methods for efficiently converting a C1-C3 alkane such as natural gas to a liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. Generally, the process comprises flowing the C1-C3 alkane through a plurality of tubes within a vessel wherein the tubes house a catalyst for converting the C1-C3 alkane to the liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. The C1-C3 alkane is heated under suitable conditions to produce the liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. Advantageously, the C1-C3 alkane is heated by burning a fuel outside the tubes in fuel burning nozzles configured to transfer heat from the burning through the tubes.

Abstract: A process for removing heavy polycyclic aromatic contaminants from a hydrocarbon stream using a quinolinium ionic liquid is described. The process includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream comprising the contaminant with a hydrocarbon-immiscible quinolinium ionic liquid to produce a mixture comprising the hydrocarbon and a hydrocarbon-immiscible quinolinium ionic liquid comprising at least a portion of the removed contaminant; and separating the mixture to produce a hydrocarbon effluent having a reduced level of the contaminant and a hydrocarbon-immiscible quinolinium ionic liquid effluent comprising the hydrocarbon-immiscible quinolinium ionic liquid comprising at least the portion of the removed contaminant.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to systems and methods for efficiently converting a C1-C3 alkane such as natural gas to a liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. Generally, the process comprises flowing the C1-C3 alkane through a plurality of tubes within a vessel wherein the tubes house a catalyst for converting the C1-C3 alkane to the liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. The C1-C3 alkane is heated under suitable conditions to produce the liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. Advantageously, the C1-C3 alkane is heated by burning a fuel outside the tubes in fuel burning nozzles configured to transfer heat from the burning through the tubes.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to systems and methods for producing hydrogen among other products. In some embodiments the methods comprise sequentially conducting a cracking step in a fixed bed mode and conducting a flowing step in a fluidized bed mode. Such sequential processes may result in a number of advantages including, for example, regenerating the catalyst during the fluidized bed mode in a manner such that beneficial heat is generated for use in the endothermic cracking step.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to systems and methods for efficiently converting a C1-C3 alkane such as natural gas to a liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. Generally, the process comprises flowing the C1-C3 alkane through a plurality of tubes within a vessel wherein the tubes house a catalyst for converting the C1-C3 alkane to the liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. The C1-C3 alkane is heated under suitable conditions to produce the liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. Advantageously, the C1-C3 alkane is heated by burning a fuel outside the tubes in fuel burning nozzles configured to transfer heat from the burning through the tubes.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to systems, methods, and catalysts for conversion of a hydrocarbon to hydrogen. The catalyst typically comprises a matrix comprising fused silica, quartz, glass, a zeolite, Si3N4, SiC, SiCxOy wherein 4x+2y =4, SiOaNb wherein 2a+3b =4, BN, TiO2, ZrO2, Al2O3, CeO2, Nb2O5, La2O3, a perovskite, or any mixture thereof. A metal dopant is embedded in the matrix. The metal dopant comprises Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn, or any mixture thereof.

Abstract: Processes for the direct alkylation of ethylene with isobutane or isopentane using a highly active ionic liquid alkylation catalyst are described. Ethylene is sent to a high-temperature alkylation reactor loop, and C3, C4, and C5 olefins are routed to a low temperature alkylation reactor loop. In each reactor, the olefins are contacted with an excess of isobutane or isopentane in the presence of a highly active ionic liquid catalyst. Portions of the reactor effluent streams are fed to a common downstream catalyst separation and product fractionation sections. The remainder of the reactor effluent is recycled back to the respective alkylation reactor.

Abstract: A process for removing heavy polycyclic aromatic contaminants from a hydrocarbon stream using a quinolinium ionic liquid is described. The process includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream comprising the contaminant with a hydrocarbon-immiscible quinolinium ionic liquid to produce a mixture comprising the hydrocarbon and a hydrocarbon-immiscible quinolinium ionic liquid comprising at least a portion of the removed contaminant; and separating the mixture to produce a hydrocarbon effluent having a reduced level of the contaminant and a hydrocarbon-immiscible quinolinium ionic liquid effluent comprising the hydrocarbon-immiscible quinolinium ionic liquid comprising at least the portion of the removed contaminant.