Abstract: Methods and apparatus to produce alkynes are described. The method includes combusting fuel and an oxidizer in a combustion zone to create a carrier gas stream, which is accelerated to supersonic speed in an expansion zone. A feedstock material is injected into a feedstock injection zone using two or more pluralities of injection nozzles. The injection nozzles are arranged annularly. The carrier gas stream is transitioned from supersonic speed to subsonic speed to create a shockwave in a reaction zone. The reaction zone is directly connected to the feedstock injection zone, and the shockwave is created adjacent to the feedstock injection zone. The carrier gas stream and the feedstock material are simultaneously mixed and reacted.

Abstract: A method of making light olefins is described. The method involves producing an alkyne in a pyrolysis process. The alkyne is catalytically hydrogenated in a hydrogenation zone to produce a product stream containing a light olefin. A byproduct stream from the pyrolysis process comprises carbon oxide and hydrogen. The byproduct stream is treated to convert the carbon oxide and the hydrogen to an oxygenated product in a carbon oxide conversion zone, which can then be converted to an olefin in an oxygenate to olefin process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: A method of making light olefins is described. The method involves producing an alkyne in a pyrolysis process. The alkyne is catalytically hydrogenated in a hydrogenation zone to produce a product stream containing a light olefin. A byproduct stream from the pyrolysis process comprises carbon oxide and hydrogen. The byproduct stream is treated to convert the carbon oxide and the hydrogen to an oxygenated product in a carbon oxide conversion zone, which can then be converted to an olefin in an oxygenate to olefin process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to produce alkynes are described. The method includes combusting fuel and an oxidizer in a combustion zone to create a carrier gas stream, which is accelerated to supersonic speed in an expansion zone. A feedstock material is injected into a feedstock injection zone using two or more pluralities of injection nozzles. The injection nozzles are arranged annularly. The carrier gas stream is transitioned from supersonic speed to subsonic speed to create a shockwave in a reaction zone. The reaction zone is directly connected to the feedstock injection zone, and the shockwave is created adjacent to the feedstock injection zone. The carrier gas stream and the feedstock material are simultaneously mixed and reacted.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: A quench system and process for cooling high temperature gases is presented. The quench system includes a frustum, or conic, shaped section having an inlet at the smaller end of the quench section and the outlet at the larger end of the quench section. The system includes spray nozzles having openings flush with the wall of the quench section. The process includes spraying a large volume of liquid in small droplets for rapid heat transfer and vaporization of the quench liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of glycols from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process. The method according to certain aspects includes controlling the level of glycols and in particular, dimethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol in the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: A quench system and process for cooling high temperature gases is presented. The quench system includes a frustum, or conic, shaped section having an inlet at the smaller end of the quench section and the outlet at the larger end of the quench section. The system includes spray nozzles having openings flush with the wall of the quench section. The process includes spraying a large volume of liquid in small droplets for rapid heat transfer and vaporization of the quench liquid.

Abstract: A process for improving the yield of ethylene and propylene from a light naphtha feedstock includes obtaining light naphtha feedstock from a primary cracking zone having a cracking catalyst. The light naphtha feedstock is contacted with an olefin catalyst in an olefin producing zone to produce an ethylene- and propylene-rich stream. After reacting with the olefin catalyst, the ethylene- and propylene-rich stream is separated from the olefin catalyst from in a separator zone. At least a portion of the olefin catalyst is regenerated by combusting coke deposited on a surface of the olefin catalyst in an oxygen-containing environment, and at least a portion of the olefin catalyst is heated. These portions could be the same one or they could be different. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the olefin catalyst could be neither regenerated nor heated. The olefin catalyst is returned to the olefin producing zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the pyrolysis of methane into acetylene. A heat exchanger is disposed downstream of a supersonic reactor and is used to recover heat from the quenched effluent. Effluent may flow on a shell side of the heat exchanger and cooling fluid may flow on a tube side. Additionally, a separator is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger so that the effluent is capable of freely draining into the separator. The heat exchanger, separator, or both may be disposed at an angle between 20° to 90° from the horizon so that the fluid is capable of freely draining into the separator. The separator includes an outlet gas valve that may be used to control the pressure within the reactor.