Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for increasing the yield of products generated during co-processing of biomass oil in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) system. The systems and methods can allow for increased yield by reducing or minimizing formation of carbon oxides, gas phase products, and/or coke yields during the co-processing. This can be achieved by adding a hydrogen-rich co-feed to the co-processing environment. Examples of hydrogen-rich co-feeds include high hydrogen content vacuum gas oil co-feed, high hydrogen content distillate co-feed, and/or high hydrogen content naphtha co-feed. Additionally or alternately, various types of fractions that contain a sufficient amount of hydrogen donor compounds can be used to reduce or minimize carbon oxide formation.

Abstract: A method including: introducing a feed comprising an alcohol and an activator into a reactor comprising a solid acid catalyst; contacting the alcohol and the activator in the presence of the solid acid catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the alcohol and the activator to produce a product stream comprising C8-C16 olefins and water; thermally contacting at least a portion of the C8-C16 olefins and/or water with a working fluid to heat the working fluid to form a heated working fluid; and introducing at least a portion of the C8-C16 olefins and water from the product stream into a distillation column and forming a bottoms stream comprising a majority of the C8-C16 olefins from the product stream, wherein a reboiler thermally coupled to the distillation column is at least partially heated by the heated working fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for converting ethanol and cracking hydrocarbons into ethylene and at least cracked products. A method to convert ethanol and cracking hydrocarbons includes: introducing a hydrocarbon feed into a riser of a fluid catalytic cracking reactor such that hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon feed reacts in the presence of one or more fluid catalytic cracking catalysts to produce at least cracked products; and introducing an ethanol feed into an upper one third of a stripper of the fluid catalytic cracking reactor such that the ethanol reacts in the presence of spent catalyst flowing downwardly from a separator section of the fluid catalytic cracking reactor to produce at least ethylene.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for increasing the yield of products generated during co-processing of biomass oil in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) system. The systems and methods can allow for increased yield by reducing or minimizing formation of carbon oxides, gas phase products, and/or coke yields during the co-processing. This can be achieved by adding a hydrogen-rich co-feed to the co-processing environment. Examples of hydrogen-rich co-feeds include high hydrogen content vacuum gas oil co-feed, high hydrogen content distillate co-feed, and/or high hydrogen content naphtha co-feed. Additionally or alternately, various types of fractions that contain a sufficient amount of hydrogen donor compounds can be used to reduce or minimize carbon oxide formation.

Abstract: Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C5 and C6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C7+ normal paraffins.

Abstract: Isotropic pitch compositions may be obtained by reacting an aromatic feedstock comprising one or more aromatic classes with formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde under acidic conditions. Isotropic pitch compositions may comprise: at least two monomers linked with at least one methylene bridge between each one of the at least two monomers, wherein each one of the at least monomers comprises one or more aromatic classes comprising one or more 5-membered rings, 6-membered rings, and any combination thereof; and wherein the isotropic pitch composition has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about 300 g/mol to about 1,500 g/mol, a softening point (Tsp) of 90° C. or greater, and a micro carbon residue (MCR) of about 18 wt % or greater, based on the total weight of the isotropic pitch composition.

Abstract: Mesophase pitch compositions may be obtained by subjecting isotropic pitch compositions to heat-treatment. Methods for producing mesophase pitch compositions may comprise heat treating an isotropic pitch composition comprising two or more aromatic classes linked with at least one methylene bridge between each aromatic classes, at a temperature of about 300° C. to about 500° C. to produce a mesophase pitch composition having a weight average molecular weight of about 300 g/mol to about 2,000 g/mol, a softening point of about 100° C. or greater, a mesophase content of about 0.01 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the mesophase pitch composition, and a micro carbon residue of about 25 wt % or greater, based on the total weight of the mesophase pitch composition; wherein heat treating induces cyclization between at least two of the two or more aromatic classes to form one or more 5-membered rings and/or 6-membered rings.

Abstract: A method of producing bifunctional catalysts by extrusion may include mixing an acid catalyst, a metal catalyst, optionally a binder, and a fluid to produce a dough; extruding the dough to form an extrudate; producing a powder from the extrudate; and calcining the powder to produce an acid/metal bifunctional catalyst. Such acid/metal bifunctional catalysts may be useful in, among other things, converting syngas to dimethyl ether in a single reactor.

Abstract: Hydroxycarboxylic acids may be biosynthesized from a carbonaceous feedstock and then isolated through forming and subsequently hydrolyzing an intermediate sophorolipid. After biosynthesizing a hydroxycarboxylic acid in a cell culture medium or otherwise providing a hydroxycarboxylic acid in a first aqueous medium, the hydroxycarboxylic acid and glucose may be converted into at least one sophorolipid by a suitable microorganism or an enzyme cocktail. The at least one sophorolipid may be then be separated from the cell culture medium or first aqueous medium and then hydrolyzed in a second aqueous medium to form the hydroxycarboxylic acid and glucose as free components separate from the cell culture medium or first aqueous medium. The hydroxycarboxylic acid is present as a phase separate from the second aqueous medium and the glucose remains in the second aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides catalyst compositions and processes for the conversion of low-cost short chain alkanes to high value liquid transportation fuels and chemicals. The present disclosure provides methods of making said catalyst compositions.

Abstract: Tungstated zirconium catalysts for paraffin isomerization may comprise: a mixed metal oxide that is at least partially crystalline and comprises tungsten, zirconium, and a variable oxidation state metal selected from Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Ce, Ni, and any combination thereof. The mixed metal oxide comprises about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % tungsten, about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. % zirconium, and about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % variable oxidation state metal, each based on a total mass of the mixed metal oxide. The mixed metal oxide has a total surface area of about 50 m2/g or greater as measured according to ISO 9277, and at least one of the following: an ammonia uptake of about 0.05 to about 0.3 mmol/g as measured by temperature programmed adsorption/desorption, or a collidine uptake of about 100 ?mol/g or greater as measured gravimetrically.

Abstract: A method of producing bifunctional catalyst systems that include a carbon-coated metal catalyst may comprise: coating a metal catalyst particle with a carbon-containing small molecule to produce a coated metal catalyst particle; carbonizing the carbon-containing small molecule on the coated metal catalyst particle to produce a carbon-coated metal catalyst particle; and mixing the carbon-coated metal catalyst particle with an acid catalyst particle to produce an acid/metal bifunctional catalyst system.

Abstract: Methods of producing metal catalysts can include mixing two or more metal salts and an aluminum salt in water to produce a metal catalyst precursor solution; mixing the metal catalyst precursor solution and an alkali metal buffer solution to produce a precipitate; ion exchanging the alkali metal in the precipitate for a non-alkali cation to produce a low-alkali metal precipitate comprising 3 wt % or less alkali metal by weight of the precipitate on a dry basis; producing a powder from the low-alkali metal precipitate; and calcining the powder to produce a metal catalyst. Such metal catalysts may be useful in producing bifunctional catalyst systems that are useful in, among other things, converting syngas to dimethyl ether in a single reactor.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for hydroisomerization of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with hydrogen and a catalyst to yield a hydrocarbon product having an increase in branched hydrocarbons relative to the hydrocarbon feedstock. The present catalysts comprise a heteroatom-doped Beta zeolite having a trivalent cation as a framework metal oxide, an extra-framework species comprised of cerium and/or cobalt, and from 0.01 to 1.5 wt. % of a group VIII or VIB metal, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing a acid/metal bifunctional catalyst may include: mixing an acid catalyst, a metal catalyst, and a fluid to produce a slurry, wherein the acid catalyst is present at 50 wt % or less relative to a total catalyst weight in the slurry; heating the slurry; producing a powder from the slurry; and calcining the powder to produce the acid/metal bifunctional catalyst. Such acid/metal bifunctional catalyst would be useful in the direct conversion of syngas to dimethyl ether as well as other reactions.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for hydroisomerization of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with hydrogen and a catalyst to yield a hydrocarbon product having an increase in branched hydrocarbons relative to the hydrocarbon feedstock. The present catalysts comprise a heteroatom-doped Beta zeolite having a trivalent cation as a framework metal oxide, an extra-framework species comprised of cerium and/or cobalt, and from 0.01 to 1.5 wt. % of a group VIII or VIB metal, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C5 and C6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C7+ normal paraffins.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for increasing the yield of products generated during co-processing of biomass oil in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) system. The systems and methods can allow for increased yield by reducing or minimizing formation of carbon oxides, gas phase products, and/or coke yields during the co-processing. This can be achieved by adding a hydrogen-rich co-feed to the co-processing environment. Examples of hydrogen-rich co-feeds include high hydrogen content vacuum gas oil co-feed, high hydrogen content distillate co-feed, and/or high hydrogen content naphtha co-feed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for hydroisomerization of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with hydrogen and a catalyst to yield a hydrocarbon product having an increase in branched hydrocarbons relative to the hydrocarbon feedstock. The present catalysts comprise a heteroatom-doped Beta zeolite having a trivalent cation as a framework metal oxide, an extra-framework species comprised of cerium and/or cobalt, and from 0.01 to 1.5 wt. % of a group VIII or VIB metal, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Tungstated zirconium catalysts for paraffin isomerization may comprise: a mixed metal oxide that is at least partially crystalline and comprises tungsten, zirconium, and a variable oxidation state metal selected from Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Ce, Ni, and any combination thereof. The mixed metal oxide comprises about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % tungsten, about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. % zirconium, and about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % variable oxidation state metal, each based on a total mass of the mixed metal oxide. The mixed metal oxide has a total surface area of about 50 m2/g or greater as measured according to ISO 9277, and at least one of the following: an ammonia uptake of about 0.05 to about 0.3 mmol/g as measured by temperature programmed adsorption/desorption, or a collidine uptake of about 100 ?mol/g or greater as measured gravimetrically.