Abstract: A seed sorting system for sorting seeds includes a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system. An imaging assembly includes a first camera mounted above the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system and a second camera mounted below the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. A sorting assembly is configured to sort the seeds into separate bins based on the acquired images of the seeds.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting oxygenates, e.g., methanol, to olefins, e.g., ethylene and propylene, comprising contacting said oxygenates and an aromatics co-feed, e.g., xylenes, with a framework gallium-containing molecular sieve catalyst comprising pores having a size ranging from about 5.0 Angstroms to about 7.0 Angstroms, e.g., ZSM-5, under production conditions effective to produce olefins. A catalyst composition is also provided, comprising a ZSM-5 zeolite-bound ZSM-5 zeolite having a bound zeolite of framework Ga-containing zeolite having a Si/Ga molar ratio ranging from 5 to 500 and a binder of Ga-modified, e.g., Ga-exchanged and/or Ga-impregnated, zeolite having a Si/Ga molar ratio ranging from 5 to ?.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for reducing the formation of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by forming and/or coating one or more of the heating devices, feed lines or feed introduction nozzles of/with a material that is resistant to the formation of metal catalyzed side reaction byproducts. The invention also may include monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for reducing the formation of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by forming and/or coating one or more of the heating devices, feed lines or feed introduction nozzles of/with a material that is resistant to the formation of metal catalyzed side reaction byproducts. The invention also may include monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crystalline silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve comprising a porous framework structure and at least one single ring aromatic compound within the porous framework structure. The silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve is used to convert oxygenate feedstock to olefin product. The olefin product is high in ethylene and propylene content, with a high selectivity to ethylene. The silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve can be included with a binder and other materials in finished catalyst form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making olefin product from an oxygenate-containing feedstock. In the method, a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst is contacted with the oxygenate-containing feedstock in a reactor at an average catalyst feedstock exposure index of at least 1.0. The method produces lower coke yield and provides an olefin product which is low in C1-C4 paraffin content. The invention is particularly effective in producing an olefin product having a very low propane content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for reducing the formation of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by forming and/or coating one or more of the heating devices, feed lines or feed introduction nozzles of/with a material that is resistant to the formation of metal catalyzed side reaction byproducts. The invention also may include monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crystalline silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve comprising a porous framework structure and at least one single ring aromatic compound within the porous framework structure. The silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve is used to convert oxygenate feed stock to olefin product. The olefin product is high in ethylene and propylene content, with a high selectivity to ethylene. The silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve can be included with a binder and other materials in finished catalyst form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for reducing the formation of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by forming and/or coating one or more of the heating devices, feed lines or feed introduction nozzles of/with a material that is resistant to the formation of metal catalyzed side reaction byproducts. The invention also may include monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.

Abstract: A method for characterizing molecular sieve catalysts by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In particular, the number of acid and non-acid proton sites on molecular sieve catalysts are quantitively determined by solid-state 1H NMR magic angle spinning spectroscopy in the presence of a spin-counting standard.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting oxygenates, e.g., methanol, to olefins, e.g., ethylene and propylene, comprising contacting said oxygenates and an aromatics co-feed, e.g., xylenes, with a framework gallium-containing molecular sieve catalyst comprising pores having a size ranging from about 5.0 Angstroms to about 7.0 Angstroms, e.g., ZSM-5, under production conditions effective to produce olefins. A catalyst composition is also provided, comprising a ZSM-5 zeolite-bound ZSM-5 zeolite having a bound zeolite of framework Ga-containing zeolite having a Si/Ga molar ratio ranging from 5 to 500 and a binder of Ga-modified, e.g., Ga-exchanged and/or Ga-impregnated, zeolite having a Si/Ga molar ratio ranging from 5 to ∞.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making olefin product from an oxygenate-containing feedstock. In the method, a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst is contacted with the oxygenate-containing feedstock in a reactor at an average catalyst feedstock exposure index of at least 1.0. The method produces lower coke yield and provides an olefin product which is low in C1-C4 paraffin content. The invention is particularly effective in producing an olefin product having a very low propane content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making olefin product from an oxygenate-containing feedstock. In the method, a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst is contacted with the oxygenate-containing feedstock in a reactor at an average catalyst feedstock exposure index of at least 1.0. The method produces lower coke yield and provides an olefin product which is low in C1-C4 paraffin content. The invention is particularly effective in producing an olefin product having a very low propane content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for improving the catalytic activity of small and medium pore acidic zeolite catalyst which comprises the steps of treating a zeolite with a phosphorus compound to form a phosphorus treated zeolite and combining the phosphorus treated zeolite with AlPO.sub.4. Optionally the phosphorus treated zeolite is calcined. The step of combining the zeolite with AlPO.sub.4 may optionally be followed by steaming the combined catalyst. Examples of useful phosphorus containing compounds useful in treating the zeolite include phosphoric acid, ammonium mono or dihydrogen phosphate, organic phosphites, and organophosphines. Preferably the phosphorus containing compound is an ammonium acid phosphate. An additional alternate embodiment provides a process for increasing the hydrothermal stability of a zeolite catalyst which comprises first treating a zeolite with a phosphorus containing compound then blending with AlPO.sub.4.