Abstract: A process is described for separating paraxylene from a multicomponent fluid mixture of C8 aromatics. A mixture of C8 aromatics is fed to a simulated moving-bed adsorptive apparatus. The location of the feed to the apparatus is moved at set intervals. The rate of flow of feed to the apparatus is varied during each interval to enhance the separation of paraxylene from the multicomponent mixture.

Abstract: A process is described for separating paraxylene from a multicomponent fluid mixture of C8 aromatics. A mixture of C8 aromatics is fed to a simulated moving-bed adsorptive apparatus. The location of the feed to the apparatus is moved at set intervals. The rate of flow of feed to the apparatus is varied during each interval to enhance the separation of paraxylene from the multicomponent mixture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes for catalytically converting oxygenates to hydrocarbon products having an increased C6-C8 aromatics content therein. Particular processes include (a) providing a first mixture comprising ?10.0 wt. % of at least one oxygenate, based on the weight of the first mixture; (b) contacting the first mixture with a catalyst to convert the first mixture to a product stream including water, one or more hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and one or more oxygenates, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one molecular sieve and at least one element selected from Groups 2-14 of the Periodic Table and the hydrocarbons comprise ?30.0 wt. % of aromatics, based on the weight of the hydrocarbons in the product stream; and (c) separating from the product stream at least one water-rich stream, at least one aromatic-rich hydrocarbon stream, and at least one aromatic-depleted hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a p-xylene separation process wherein at least a portion of ethylbenzene present in an aromatics-containing feed is removed prior to isomerization. Aspects of the invention provide a process for producing p-xylene. The process includes providing a first mixture comprising ?5.0 wt. % of aromatic C8 isomers, the C8 isomers comprising p-xylene and ethylbenzene. A p-xylene-containing portion and an ethylbenzene-containing portion are separated from the first mixture in a first separation stage to form a p-xylene-depleted raffinate. The first separation stage can include at least one simulated moving-bed adsorptive separation stage. At least a portion the p-xylene-depleted raffinate in the liquid phase is reacted to produce a reactor effluent comprising aromatic C8 isomers. The first mixture can be combined with ?50.0 wt. % of the reactor effluent's aromatic C8 isomers. The combining can be carried out before and/or during the separating of the p-xylene and ethylbenzene portions.

Abstract: A feedstream comprising paraxylene and styrene is contacted, in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst comprising at least one metal, selected from one or more metals selected from Groups 8-10.

Abstract: A feedstream comprising paraxylene and styrene is contacted, in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst comprising at least one metal, selected from one or more metals selected from Groups 8-10.

Abstract: The invention relates to removal of styrene from hydrocarbon mixtures, and more particularly, removal of styrene from hydrocarbon mixtures containing higher than equilibrium paraxylene concentrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to removal of styrene from hydrocarbon mixtures, and more particularly, removal of styrene from hydrocarbon mixtures containing higher than equilibrium paraxylene concentrations.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to produce para-xylene and, optionally, ortho-xylene, including coupling two in-series xylenes separation systems with two parallel isomerization systems for energy savings and/or productivity increases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a p-xylene separation process wherein at least a portion of ethylbenzene present in an aromatics-containing feed is removed prior to isomerization. Aspects of the invention provide a process for producing p-xylene. The process includes providing a first mixture comprising ?5.0 wt. % of aromatic C8 isomers, the C8 isomers comprising p-xylene and ethylbenzene. A p-xylene-containing portion and an ethylbenzene-containing portion are separated from the first mixture in a first separation stage to form a p-xylene-depleted raffinate. The first separation stage can include at least one simulated moving-bed adsorptive separation stage. At least a portion the p-xylene-depleted raffinate in the liquid phase is reacted to produce a reactor effluent comprising aromatic C8 isomers. The first mixture can be combined with ?50.0 wt. % of the reactor effluent's aromatic C8 isomers. The combining can be carried out before and/or during the separating of the p-xylene and ethylbenzene portions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conversion of methanol and/or dimethyl ether to aromatics, such as a para-xylene, and olefins, such as ethylene and propylene. The methods can be used in conjunction with molecular sieve (zeolite) catalysts that are prepared for use in conjunction with selected effective conversion conditions. The combination of a catalyst and a corresponding effective conversion condition can allow for improved yield aromatics and olefins generally; improved yield of desired aromatics and olefins, such as para-xylene, ethylene, and/or propylene; reduced production of less desirable side products, such as methane, CO, CO2, and/or coke; or a combination thereof. The preparation of the catalyst can include modification of the catalyst with a transition metal, such as Zn or Ga. The preparation of the catalyst can also include steaming of the catalyst. In some aspects, the preparation of the catalyst can further include modifying the catalyst with phosphorous.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes for catalytically converting oxygenates to hydrocarbon products having an increased C6-C8 aromatics content therein. Particular processes include (a) providing a first mixture comprising ?10.0 wt. % of at least one oxygenate, based on the weight of the first mixture; (b) contacting the first mixture with a catalyst to convert the first mixture to a product stream including water, one or more hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and one or more oxygenates, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one molecular sieve and at least one element selected from Groups 2-14 of the Periodic Table and the hydrocarbons comprise ?30.0 wt. % of aromatics, based on the weight of the hydrocarbons in the product stream; and (c) separating from the product stream at least one water-rich stream, at least one aromatic-rich hydrocarbon stream, and at least one aromatic-depleted hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the removal of olefin impurities from a feedstream comprising greater than equilibrium amounts of paraxylene by contact of the feedstream with a bed of solid acid catalyst to produce a product comprising reduced olefin impurities (when compared with said feedstream), said process comprising at least one of (i) reduced bed temperature on startup, and (ii) reduced flow rate on startup, wherein, in embodiments, there is a reduction in side reactions such as isomerization and/or transalkylation and/or disproportionation of paraxylene, when compared with conventional startup procedures.

Abstract: The invention concerns a xylenes isomerization process for the production of equilibrium or near-equilibrium xylenes. The process utilizes a catalyst comprising HZSM-5 or MCM-49 and process conditions including a temperature of less than 295° C. and a pressure sufficient to maintain the xylenes in liquid phase. In embodiments, the process can be operated in a continuous mode with ppm levels of dissolved H2 in the feed and in other embodiments in a cyclic mode without the H2 in feed but with periodic regenerations using a feed having low ppm levels of H2.

Abstract: A two-step extraction method for the separation of vinyl acetate from a liquid mixture containing oxygenated compounds, paraffins and olefins, vinyl acetate, water, heavy oils, and other impurities, such as an anti-oxidant, is provided. The first step of the process extracts vinyl acetate and oxygenated compounds from the liquid mixture with a water wash. The paraffins, olefins, and heavy oils are insoluble in the water wash and are recovered as a waste stream from the wash. In a second step the vinyl acetate-rich water is distilled in a steam stripper column. Water is collected as the bottoms from the column and the overhead vapors are cooled by a condenser and collected in a separator tank. The separator tank liquids separate into an aqueous phase and a vinyl acetate phase. The aqueous phase is a waste stream. The vinyl acetate phase is recovered and may be used as a feedstock for polymerization or copolymerization reactions.

Abstract: The separation of polyunsaturated triglycerides from monounsaturated triglycerides and polyunsaturated fatty acids from monounsaturated fatty acids is performed by an adsorptive chromatographic process in liquid phase using silver- or copper-exchanged aluminosilicates as the adsorbent. The exchange ions limit deactivation of the desorbent to a substantial degree, but batchwise or continuous regeneration can be further practiced to maintain active adsorbent by treatment with hydrogen peroxide or an organic peroxide.