Abstract: An adsorptive separation process and system are used for separation of multi-component fluid mixtures. The separation process and system may include establishing, in a fluid flow within the system, a concentration distribution of the fluid mixture components based upon the components' relative affinities to the adsorbent. The concentration distribution could be establishing using a simulated moving bed system, wherein it is possible to maintain separately-identifiable portions of the fluid flow, respectively rich in strongly-adsorbing, intermediately-adsorbing, and weakly-adsorbing compounds of the fluid mixture. An intermediate raffinate of high purity in the intermediately-adsorbing compound is directly withdrawn from the portion of the fluid flow rich in intermediately-adsorbing compound(s), providing a single-stage adsorptive separation of a compound having intermediate affinity to the adsorbent.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process and system are used for separation of multi-component fluid mixtures. The separation process and system may include establishing, in a fluid flow within the system, a concentration distribution of the fluid mixture components based upon the components' relative affinities to the adsorbent. The concentration distribution could be establishing using a simulated moving bed system, wherein it is possible to maintain separately-identifiable portions of the fluid flow, respectively rich in strongly-adsorbing, intermediately-adsorbing, and weakly-adsorbing compounds of the fluid mixture. An intermediate raffinate of high purity in the intermediately-adsorbing compound is directly withdrawn from the portion of the fluid flow rich in intermediately-adsorbing compound(s), providing a single-stage adsorptive separation of a compound having intermediate affinity to the adsorbent.

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: A process and adsorption vessel are provided for adsorbing asphaltenes from a hydrocarbon stream. Additionally, a process and adsorption vessel are provided for steam cracking a hydrocarbon stream containing asphaltenes by adsorbing asphaltenes from the hydrocarbon stream prior to steam cracking. Asphaltene adsorption is achieved through a carbon adsorbent having at least 25% of total pore volume provided by pores with pore diameter in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 micrometers and an oil adsorption number of at least 200.

Abstract: In a hydrocarbon upgrading process, a hydrocarbon feed is treated in at least one of a steam cracker, catalytic cracker, coker, hydrocracker, and reformer under suitable conditions to produce a first stream comprising olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons. A second stream composed mainly of C4+ olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons is recovered from the first stream and is fed together with a methylating agent to a reaction zone containing a catalyst under reaction conditions including a temperature of about 450° C. to about 700° C., such that aromatics components in the second stream undergo dealkylation, transalkylation and/or methylation and aliphatic components undergo cracking and aromatization to produce a third stream having an increased xylene content compared with said second stream and a C3? olefin by-product. The C3? olefin by-product is recovered and para-xylene is removed from at least part of said third stream.

Abstract: In a hydrocarbon upgrading process, a hydrocarbon feed is treated in at least one of a steam cracker, catalytic cracker, coker, hydrocracker, and reformer under suitable conditions to produce a first stream comprising olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons. A second stream composed mainly of C4+ olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons is recovered from the first stream and is fed together with a methylating agent to a reaction zone containing a catalyst under reaction conditions including a temperature of about 450° C. to about 700° C., such that aromatics components in the second stream undergo dealkylation, transalkylation and/or methylation and aliphatic components undergo cracking and aromatization to produce a third stream having an increased xylene content compared with said second stream and a C3? olefin by-product. The C3? olefin by-product is recovered and para-xylene is removed from at least part of said third stream.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for upgrading steam cracker tars from steam crackers. The invention also relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus for reducing yields of tars produced from steam cracking while increasing yields of higher value products by heating steam cracker tar, in the presence of hydrogen donor compounds, e.g., tetralin. The hydrogen donor compounds can be provided in a hydrogen donor-rich hydrocarbon stream, e.g., light cycle oils, or low sulfur vacuum tower bottoms. The treated tar can be separated into gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams.

Abstract: A process and adsorption vessel are provided for adsorbing asphaltenes from a hydrocarbon stream. Additionally, a process and adsorption vessel are provided for steam cracking a hydrocarbon stream containing asphaltenes by adsorbing asphaltenes from the hydrocarbon stream prior to steam cracking. Asphaltene adsorption is achieved through a carbon adsorbent having at least 25% of total pore volume provided by pores with pore diameter in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 micrometers and an oil adsorption number of at least 200.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for the present invention relates to a process for upgrading tar-containing effluent from a steam cracker furnace that comprises: a) contacting a steam cracker tar-containing effluent with steam and for a time, sufficient to convert at least a portion of the steam cracker tar to a mixture comprising lower boiling molecules and the steam cracker tar-containing effluent; and b) separating the mixture from step a) into i) at least one tar-lean product; and ii) a tar-rich product having a final boiling above the final boiling point of the at least one tar-lean product.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the selective production of para-xylene comprises the step of reacting an aromatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of toluene, benzene and mixtures thereof with a feed comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a selectivated catalyst. The process includes a catalyst selectivation phase and a para-xylene production phase. In the catalyst selectivation phase, the aromatic hydrocarbon and the feed are contacted with the catalyst under a first set of conditions effective to increase the para-selectivity of said catalyst. In the para-xylene production phase, the aromatic hydrocarbon and said feed are contacted with the catalyst under a second set of conditions different from the first set of conditions effective to selectively produce para-xylene.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for upgrading steam cracker tars from steam crackers. The invention also relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus for reducing yields of tars produced from steam cracking while increasing yields of higher value products by heating steam cracker tar, in the presence of hydrogen donor compounds, e.g., tetralin. The hydrogen donor compounds can be provided in a hydrogen donor-rich hydrocarbon stream, e.g., light cycle oils, or low sulfur vacuum tower bottoms. The treated tar can be separated into gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for the present invention relates to a process for upgrading tar-containing effluent from a steam cracker furnace that comprises: a) contacting a steam cracker tar-containing effluent with steam and for a time, sufficient to convert at least a portion of the steam cracker tar to a mixture comprising lower boiling molecules and the steam cracker tar-containing effluent; and b) separating the mixture from step a) into i) at least one tar-lean product; and ii) a tar-rich product having a final boiling above the final boiling point of the at least one tar-lean product.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for upgrading steam cracked tars. The invention also relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus for reducing the yields of tars produced from steam cracking while increasing yields of higher value products, heating cooled steam cracker tar containing asphaltenes, to a temperature, e.g., above about 300° C., which is sufficient to convert at least a portion of the steam cracked tar to lower boiling molecules. The resulting heat-treated tar can be separated into gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for upgrading steam cracked tars. The invention also relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus for reducing the yields of tars produced from steam cracking while increasing yields of higher value products, heating, in the presence of steam, cooled steam cracker tar containing asphaltenes, to a temperature, e.g., above about 300° C., which is sufficient to convert at least a portion of the steam cracked tar to lower boiling molecules. The resulting heat and steam-treated tar can be separated into gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for upgrading steam cracked tars. The invention also relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus for reducing the yields of tars produced from steam cracking while increasing yields of higher value products, heating, in the presence of steam, cooled steam cracker tar containing asphaltenes, to a temperature, e.g., above about 300° C., which is sufficient to convert at least a portion of the steam cracked tar to lower boiling molecules. The resulting heat and steam-treated tar can be separated into gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for upgrading steam cracked tars. The invention also relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus for reducing the yields of tars produced from steam cracking while increasing yields of higher value products, heating cooled steam cracker tar containing asphaltenes, to a temperature, e.g., above about 300° C., which is sufficient to convert at least a portion of the steam cracked tar to lower boiling molecules. The resulting heat-treated tar can be separated into gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process for producing an aromatics product containing of benzene, toluene, xylenes, or mixtures thereof. The process is carried out by converting precursors of benzene, toluene, and xylenes that are contained in a hydrocarbon feed (C6+ non-aromatic cyclic hydrocarbons, A8+ single-ring aromatic hydrocarbons having at least one alkyl group containing two or more carbon atoms; and A9+ single-ring aromatic hydrocarbons having at least three methyl groups) to produce a product that contains an increased amount of benzene, toluene, xylenes, or combinations thereof compared to said hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: A selective hydrogenation catalyst composition comprises at least two different metal components selected from Groups 8 to 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements, one of which may be rhodium, and at least one metal component selected from Group 13 of the Periodic Table of Elements, such as indium.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for thermally cracking hydrocarbon feeds containing paraffin insoluble compounds by selectively adsorbing paraffin-insoluble compounds with solid particulate adsorbents, prior to cracking. An aromatics-containing stream such as one derived from cracked product is used to desorb the paraffin insoluble compounds from the adsorber stage.

Abstract: A selective hydrogenation catalyst composition comprises a support; a first metal component comprising rhodium; and a second metal component comprising a metal other than rhodium and selected from Groups 1 to 15 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein said first and second components are predominantly contained in an outer surface layer of the support having a depth of not more than 1000 microns.