Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of transfering catalyst particles into and within reaction systems. The reaction systems are those that use catalysts that comprise molecular sieves, particularly metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, especially metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves which are susceptible to loss of catalytic activity due to contact with water molecules. The transfer methods provide appropriate mechanisms for transporting catalyst into and within a reactor to protect against loss of catalytic activity that can occur due to contact with water molecules.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.

Abstract: This invention provides feed introduction devices, and processes for using same, which minimize catalyst clogging. In particular, the invention is to a feed introduction device having a first end in fluid communication with a feed source, a second end in fluid communication with a reactor and a deviation zone between the first end and the second end to deviate the flow of feed about a deviation angle from the first end toward the second end. According to the invention, the deviation angle is greater than 90 degrees.

Abstract: Catalyst losses are prevented in riser reactor systems by using a low inlet velocity for the first cyclone separator in each multi-stage cyclone separator in the reactor. Catalyst particles not separated from the product output flow in an oxygenate-to-olefin reactor are also recaptured by cooling the product output flow and passing the flow through an electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for forming light olefins from methanol and/or from syngas through a dimethyl ether intermediate. Specifically, the invention is to converting methanol and/or syngas to dimethyl ether and water in the presence of a first catalyst, preferably comprising ?-alumina, and converting the dimethyl ether to light olefins and water in the presence of a second catalyst, preferably a molecular sieve catalyst composition.

Abstract: A technique for recovering heat from a high temperature effluent stream from catalyst regeneration or the like, comprising processes and means for: (a) passing the effluent stream in heat exchange relationship in a steam generator with boiler feed water to produce high pressure steam and partially cool the effluent stream; (b) passing the partially cooled effluent stream from the steam regenerator in heat exchange relationship to preheat high pressure boiler feed water and further cool the effluent stream; and (c) passing the preheated boiler feed water to the steam generator. The apparatus and processes for thermal energy recovery may be used to treat hot regenerator effluent from FCC or OTO-type processes, thereby producing a cooled flue gas stream to discharge to ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated system and process for forming light olefins and polymers from oxygenates, and optionally from natural gas. The integrated system includes an air separation unit, which separates air components into an oxygen stream and a nitrogen stream, and which also forms a compressed air stream. According to the present invention, the oxygen stream, the nitrogen stream and/or the compressed air stream from the air separation unit may serve as a reactant in syngas generation, as a regeneration medium in the methanol-to-olefins reaction system, as a fluidizing stream, as a blanketing medium, as a stripping medium, as instrument air, and/or as a reactant in a sulfur removal unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting an oxygenate feedstock into an olefin product stream comprising (a) contacting an oxygenate feedstock with a molecular sieve catalyst in a reactor under conditions effective to convert the feedstock into an olefin product stream and to form carbonaceous deposits on the catalyst; (b) contacting at least a portion of the catalyst having said carbonaceous deposits with an oxygen containing gas under conditions effective to obtain a regenerated catalyst having a reduced carbonaceous deposit level and having an increased molecular oxygen content; (c) removing at least 60% by volume of said molecular oxygen from the regenerated catalyst based upon the total volume of molecular oxygen; (d) returning said regenerated catalyst to said reactor; and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d).

Abstract: The present invention is a process for cleaning and using byproduct water from an oxygenate to olefin process to satisfy the water requirement of the oxygenate to olefin process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a swaged catalyst regenerator and processes for using the catalyst regenerator. In one embodiment, the swaged catalyst regenerator includes a regeneration zone having a first major diameter and into which a regeneration medium and an at least partially coked catalyst from a reactor can be fed. The catalyst regenerator also includes a separation zone having a second major diameter. The separation zone is provided to separate entrained catalyst from gaseous components, e.g., combustion products of a regeneration process, and return the entrained catalyst to the regeneration zone. The ratio of the second major diameter to the first major diameter is at least 1.1, 1.4, 1.7, 2.0, 2.3, 2.6 or 2.9. By providing a catalyst regenerator having these characteristics, desirable regeneration characteristics that minimize entrained catalyst loss can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of starting up reaction systems. The reaction systems are those that use catalysts that comprise molecular sieves, particularly metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, especially metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves which are susceptible to loss of catalytic activity due to contact with water molecules. The methods provide appropriate mechanisms of heating and loading the activated molecular sieves to protect against loss of catalytic activity that can occur due to contact with water molecules.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of shutting down reaction systems. The reaction systems are those that use catalysts that comprise molecular sieves, particularly metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, especially metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves which are susceptible to loss of catalytic activity due to contact with water molecules. The methods provide appropriate mechanisms of stopping feed to the reactor and unloading catalyst to protect against loss of catalytic activity that can occur due to contact with water molecules.

Abstract: A feed vaporization process and apparatus for oxygenate to olefin conversion is provided which uses a vapor-liquid disengaging drum to separate non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles from volatiles in the oxygenate feed and produce a vaporized effluent that is reduced in non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles while at the same time maintaining the effluent at optimal temperature and pressure as a feed for oxygenate to olefin conversion.