Abstract: A process for removing a nitrogen compound from a vacuum gas oil feed includes contacting the vacuum gas oil feed comprising the nitrogen compound with a VGO-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid to produce a vacuum gas oil and VGO-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil effluent having a reduced nitrogen content relative to the vacuum gas oil feed.

Abstract: A process for removing a sulfur compound from a vacuum gas oil feed includes contacting the vacuum gas oil feed comprising the sulfur compound with a VGO-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a vacuum gas oil and VGO-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil effluent having a reduced sulfur content relative to the vacuum gas oil feed.

Abstract: A process for removing a metal from a vacuum gas oil feed includes contacting the vacuum gas oil feed comprising the metal with a VGO-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a vacuum gas oil and VGO-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil effluent having a reduced metal content relative to the vacuum gas oil feed.

Abstract: An improved method for desulfurizing a fuel stream such as a diesel stream is disclosed which includes generation of a sulfone oil, the desulfurization of the sulfone oil and the recycling of the resulting biphenyl-rich stream and ultra-low sulfur diesel streams. The method includes combining a thiophene-rich diesel stream with an oxidant to oxidize the thiophenes to sulfones to provide a sulfone-rich diesel stream. Sulfone oil is extracted from the sulfone-rich diesel stream to provide sulfone oil and a first low-sulfur diesel stream The low-sulfur diesel stream is recycled. The sulfone-rich oil stream is combined with an aqueous oxidant-containing stream, such as caustic stream, which oxidizes the sulfones to biphenyls and forms sulfite to provide a second low-sulfur diesel stream.

Abstract: A process for denitrogenating diesel fuel includes contacting diesel fuel containing one or more nitrogen compounds with an acid ionic liquid in an extraction zone to selectively remove the nitrogen compound(s) and produce a denitrogenated diesel fuel effluent containing denitrogenated diesel fuel and acid ionic liquid containing nitrogen species; and separating denitrogenated diesel fuel from the denitrogenated diesel fuel effluent.

Abstract: A process for controlling the concurrent production of both diesel range hydrocarbons and aviation range hydrocarbons from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and animal oils. The process involves determining the required specification of the desired products and the desired relative yields of the product that still meet the required specifications. The necessary isomerization and selective hydrocracking zone conditions are determined in order to create a mixture of paraffins which meet the required product specifications and yields. The necessary fractionation zone conditions are determined to separate the desired products.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon product stream having hydrocarbons with boiling points in the aviation fuel range is produced from renewable feedstocks such as plant and animal oils. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating, deoxygenating, isomerization, and selectively hydrocracking the feedstock to produce paraffinic hydrocarbons having from about 9 to about 16 carbon atoms and a high iso/normal ratio in a single reaction zone containing a multifunctional catalyst, or set of catalysts, having hydrogenation, deoxygenation, isomerization and selective hydrocracking functions.

Abstract: A process for producing a blended fuel from a paraffin rich component and a cyclic rich component, where each of the components are generated from a renewable feedstock, is presented. The paraffin rich component is generated from a first renewable feedstock comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, free fatty acids, biomass, lignocellulose, free sugars, and combinations thereof. The cyclic rich component is generated from a second renewable feedstock comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, free fatty acids, free fatty alkyl esters, biomass, lignocellulose, free sugars, and combinations thereof. The blended fuel may a gasoline boiling point range blended fuel, a diesel boiling point range blended fuel, an aviation boiling point range blended fuel, any combination thereof, or any mixture thereof.

Abstract: A process has been developed for producing aviation fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and animals fats and oils. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide n-paraffins having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms. At least some of the n-paraffins are isomerized to improve cold flow properties. At least a portion of the paraffins are selectively cracked to provide paraffins meeting specifications for different fuels such as JP-8.

Abstract: A process has been developed for producing aviation fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and animal fats and oils. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide n-paraffins having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms. At least some of the n-paraffins are isomerized to improve cold flow properties. At least a portion of the paraffins are selectively cracked to provide paraffins meeting specifications for different aviation fuels such as JP-8.

Abstract: A process for denitrogenating diesel fuel includes contacting diesel fuel containing one or more nitrogen compounds with an acid ionic liquid in an extraction zone to selectively remove the nitrogen compound(s) and produce a denitrogenated diesel fuel effluent containing denitrogenated diesel fuel and acid ionic liquid containing nitrogen species; and separating denitrogenated diesel fuel from the denitrogenated diesel fuel effluent.

Abstract: A solid material is presented for the partial oxidation of natural gas. The solid material includes a solid oxygen carrying agent and a hydrocarbon activation agent. The material precludes the need for gaseous oxygen for the partial oxidation and provides better control over the reaction.

Abstract: An improved method for desulfurizing a fuel stream such as a diesel stream is disclosed which includes generation of a sulfone oil, the desulfurization of the sulfone oil and the recycling of the resulting biphenyl-rich stream and ultra-low sulfur diesel streams. The method includes combining a thiophene-rich diesel stream with an oxidant to oxidize the thiophenes to sulfones to provide a sulfone-rich diesel stream. Sulfone oil is extracted from the sulfone-rich diesel stream to provide sulfone oil and a first low-sulfur diesel stream The low-sulfur diesel stream is recycled.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of methane to methanol has been developed. The process involves contacting a gas stream, comprising methane, a solvent and an oxidizing agent with a catalyst at oxidation conditions to produce a methyl ester. Finally, the methyl ester is hydrolyzed to yield a methanol product stream. The catalyst comprises a transition metal component such as manganese oxide and an inorganic oxide such as silica. The transition metal component can be dispersed onto the inorganic oxide.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of methane to methanol has been developed. The process involves contacting a gas stream, comprising methane, a solvent and an oxidizing agent with a bimetallic catalyst at oxidation conditions to produce a methyl ester. Finally, the methyl ester is hydrolyzed to yield a methanol product stream. The bimetallic catalyst comprises at least two transition metal components. One example of the catalytic component is a combination of cobalt and manganese.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for opening aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons have been developed. The catalyst comprises a catalytic metal component, a molecular sieve and refractory inorganic oxide component. The molecular sieve is selected from the group consisting of MAPSOs, SAPOs, UZM-8, UZM-8HS, UZM-15, UZM-15HS, UZM-16, UZM-16HS and mixtures thereof. Preferred catalytic metals include platinum, palladium and rhodium. The catalyst may also contain a modifier such as niobium, titanium, or rare earth metals.

Abstract: A catalyst for selectively opening cyclic paraffins has been developed. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal, such as platinum, a modifier component, such as niobium or ytterbium, a molecular sieve, such as UZM-16 and a refractory inorganic oxide such as alumina. The Group VIII metal and modifier component are preferably deposited on the refractory inorganic oxide. A process for using the catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for opening aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons have been developed. The catalyst comprises a catalytic metal component, a molecular sieve and refractory inorganic oxide component. The molecular sieve is selected from the group consisting of MAPSOs, SAPOs, UZM-8, UZM-8HS, UZM-15, UZM-15HS, UZM-16, UZM-16HS and mixtures thereof. Preferred catalytic metals include platinum, palladium and rhodium. The catalyst may also contain a modifier such as niobium, titanium, or rare earth metals.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol from methane has been developed. The process involves reacting methane with an oxidant such as oxygen or a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent in a reaction zone to produce an effluent stream comprising a methanol product. The effluent stream is next separated into a gaseous stream comprising unreacted methane and carbon dioxide and a liquid stream comprising the methanol product and solvent. Next the gaseous stream is further separated to provide a methane stream which is recycled to the reaction zone. Finally, a methanol stream is isolated and a solvent stream is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol from methane has been developed. The process involves reacting methane with an oxidant such as oxygen or a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent in a reaction zone to produce an effluent stream comprising a methanol product. The effluent stream is next separated into a gaseous stream comprising unreacted methane and carbon dioxide and a liquid stream comprising the methanol product and solvent. Next the gaseous stream is further separated to provide a methane stream which is recycled to the reaction zone. Finally, a methanol stream is isolated and a solvent stream is recycled to the reaction zone.