Abstract: A improved hydrocarbon conversion process, comprising applying a plating, cladding, paint or other coating to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon conversion reactor system which is used to convert hydrocarbons to products in the presence of steam, said coating being effective to reduce the amount of undesirable by-products in said process; and operating the hydrocarbon conversion process at a steam to hydrocarbon ratio that is lower than the steam to hydrocarbon ratio at which said process was operated prior to applying said coating. Preferred hydrocarbon conversion process includes steam cracking of hydrocarbons to produce ethylene and dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene.

Abstract: Methods for cracking hydrocarbons in reactor systems having improved resistances to carburization and coking. The reactor system comprises a steel portion having provided thereon a Group VIB metal protective layer to isolate the steel portion from hydrocarbons, applied to a thickness effective for isolating the steel portion from the hydrocarbon environment. The protective layer is anchored to the steel substrate through an intermediate carbide-rich, bonding layer.

Abstract: A method for reforming hydrocarbons comprising coating portions of a reactor system with a material more resistant to carburization, reacting the material with metal oxides existing in the portions of the reactor system prior to coating, fixating or removing at least a portion of the oxide in the metal oxides, and reforming hydrocarbons in the reactor system under conditions of low sulfur.

Abstract: Methods for cracking hydrocarbons in reactor systems having improved resistances to carburization and coking. The reactor system comprises a steel portion having provided thereon a Group VIB metal protective layer to isolate the steel portion from hydrocarbons, applied to a thickness effective for completely isolating the steel portion from the hydrocarbon environment. The protective layer is anchored to the steel substrate through an intermediate carbide-rich, bonding layer.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of down time or yield loss associated with a sulfur upset when using a sulfur-sensitive catalyst. The process comprises applying a metallic coat, cladding, plating or paint to a reactor system which comprises a base metal, so as to form an adherent metallic layer on the base metal and thereby produce a metal-coated reactor system; loading a sulfur-sensitive catalyst into the system; and, after a sulfur upset, using a process comprising sulfur stripping to remove sulfur contaminants from the metal-coated reactor system.

Abstract: A method for reforming hydrocarbons comprising coating portions of a reactor system with a material more resistant to carburization, reacting the material with metal oxides existing in the portions of the reactor system prior to coating, fixating or removing at least a portion of the oxide in the metal oxides, and reforming hydrocarbons in the reactor system under conditions of low sulfur.

Abstract: A method for reforming hydrocarbons comprising coating portions of a reactor system with a material more resistant to carburization, reacting the material with metal sulfides existing in the portions of the reactor system prior to coating, fixating and removing at least a portion of the sulfur in the metal sulfides, and reforming hydrocarbons in the reactor system under conditions of low sulfur.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for dehydrogenation of alkanes into alkenes in reactor systems of improved resistance to carburization under dehydrogenation conditions. The reactor walls are provided with a carburization and abrasion resistant protective layer by applying a metal plating, cladding or other coatings, such as painting, of a metal, such as Sb, As, Bi, Cu, Cr, Ga, Ge, In, Pb, Se, Te, Sn, particularly tin as a stannide layer, for forming a carburation resistant protective layer to a thickness of about 0.5 to 15 mils, effective to isolate the steel portion from hydrocarbons during the dehydrogenation process while avoiding any substantial liquid metal embrittlement. The protective layer is formed anchored to the steel portion through an intermediate carbide-rich bonding layer.

Abstract: The exterior of a platinum-zeolite L catalyst is treated with metallic tin particles having an average particle size of between 1 and 5 microns so that at least 95% of the platinum present in the catalyst is unreacted with the tin.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of iron from hydrocarbonaceous feedstock comprising passing the feedstock over inert, fibrous material in the presence of sulfur to induce the deposition of iron sulfide on the fibrous material through autocatalytic homoepitaxy.

Abstract: We provide reverse-graded catalyst systems which are capable of removing metals and sulfur from a hydrocarbon feedstock. They comprise two or more catalyst layers in which at least two successive catalyst layers characterized as having decreasing desulfurization activity, and increasing average macropore diameter in the direction of hydrocarbon flow. We also disclose a process for using them.