Abstract: A metal-modified alkylation catalyst including a metal/zeolite is provided where the metal is one or two selected from the group consisting of yttrium and a rare earth of the lanthanide series other than cerium. Where two metals are used, one may be Ce or La. The metal-promoted zeolite is useful as a molecular sieve aromatic alkylation catalyst for the production of ethylbenzene by the ethylation of benzene in the liquid phase or critical phase. An alkylation product is produced containing ethylbenzene as a primary product with the attendant production of heavier alkylated by-products of no more than 10-60 wt % of the ethylbenzene.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making styrene by converting methanol to formaldehyde in a reactor then reacting the formaldehyde with toluene to form styrene in a separate reactor.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing pyrolysis gasoline in storage involves adding an effective amount of a quinone methide compound to the pyrolysis gasoline. The quinone methide does not require oxygen for activity. Embodiments of the quinone methide do not contain nitrogen and will have a reduced tendency for ammonia production.

Abstract: A method for the separation of hydrocarbon compounds utilizing a dividing wall distillation column is described. The dividing wall distillation column enables one or more side draw stream to be removed from the dividing wall distillation column in addition to an overhead stream and a bottoms stream.

Abstract: Methods and processes for reducing alkylation catalyst poisoning are described herein.

Abstract: A method of producing an alkylaromatic by the alkylation of an aromatic with an alkylating agent, such as producing ethylbenzene by an alkylation reaction of benzene, is disclosed. The method includes using an H-beta catalyst to minimize process upsets due to alkylation catalyst deactivation and the resulting catalyst regeneration or replacement. The H-beta catalyst can be used in a preliminary alkylation reactor that is located upstream of the primary alkylation reactor. The H-beta catalyst used in a preliminary alkylation reactor can reduce the deactivation of the catalyst in the primary alkylation reactor.

Abstract: A molecular sieve catalyst useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons containing niobium is disclosed, along with a process for the disproportionation of toluene to benzene and xylene using such catalyst.

Abstract: A nickel-mordenite catalyst promoted with Rhodium that is useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons is disclosed. The catalyst and methods for its use can provide hydrocarbon conversion with an extended catalyst life as compared to nickel-mordenite catalyst not promoted with Rhodium.

Abstract: A method for the production of styrene comprising reacting toluene and syngas in one or more reactors is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing the ethylbenzene content in a stream containing xylene is disclosed. The method includes the reaction of ethylbenzene, such as a disproportionation or transalkylation reaction, to produce benzene and other hydrocarbon compound and can include the separation of at least a portion of the resulting benzene and other hydrocarbon compounds to produce a xylene stream having reduced ethylbenzene content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adding an alkali metal promoter into steam and contacting the solution with a dehydrogenation catalyst during a dehydrogenation reaction is disclosed. The apparatus has a first conduit capable of transporting an alkali metal salt solution and a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit, the second conduit capable of transporting steam so that the alkali metal salt is dissipated into the steam prior to entry into a dehydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane in one or more microreactors is disclosed. In one embodiment a method of revamping an existing styrene production facility by adding one or more microreactors capable of reacting toluene with methane to produce a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and/or styrene is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting toluene with methane to form a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and further processing the ethylbenzene to form styrene in an existing styrene production facility.

Abstract: A method for the liquid-phase alkylation of an aromatic substrate is disclosed. A reaction zone has at least one catalyst bed containing a first catalyst modified by the inclusion of a rare earth metal ion.

Abstract: A process for the disproportionation of a toluene containing feedstock employing a nickel modified mordenite catalyst comprising particulate mordenite having nickel dispersed throughout the catalyst particles to provide surface nickel and interior nickel within the mordenite crystal structure. The catalyst is pretreated to selectively deactivate the surface nickel to provide a surface nickel content of reduced catalytic activity. The interior nickel thus has a higher catalytic activity than the surface nickel. The feedstock is supplied to a reaction zone containing the catalyst to cause disproportionation of toluene in the feedstock to produce a mixture of benzene and xylene. The non-aromatic content of the product is less than the non-aromatic content of a corresponding disproportionation product which would be produced by the disproportionation of the feedstream in the presence of a corresponding nickel mordenite catalyst which has not been pretreated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for petrochemical feedstream purification are described herein. The methods generally include providing a petrochemical feedstock, wherein the petrochemical feedstock includes a concentration of polar impurities, contacting the petrochemical feedstock with a washing agent to remove at least a portion of the polar impurities therefrom, separating the washing agent from the petrochemical feedstock to form a purified feedstock and passing the purified feedstock to a petrochemical process. In one embodiment, the petrochemical feedstock includes benzene and the washing agent includes water.

Abstract: Methods and processes for reducing alkylation catalyst poisoning are described herein.