Abstract: Processes for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from one or more vent gas streams associated with an aromatic complex. The vapor streams are passed to an absorption zone in which an aromatic-selective solvent absorbs the aromatics. The aromatic-selective solvent can be processed along with other solvent extraction streams within the aromatic complex. The absorption zone may be a portion of an existing vessel or column, such as an extractive distillation column or a stabilizer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing hydrocarbons are provided. In one example, a method for processing hydrocarbons includes the step of providing feed stream including toluene, ethylbenzene, mixed xylenes, and C9 hydrocarbons. Ethylbenzene is present in the feed stream in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of total C8 aromatic hydrocarbons present in the feed stream. The method further includes the step of subjecting the feed stream to ethylbenzene conversion to form a benzene-containing product stream that includes benzene.

Abstract: Processes for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from one or more vent gas streams associated with an aromatic complex. The vapor streams are passed to an absorption zone in which an aromatic-selective solvent absorbs the aromatics. The aromatic-selective solvent can be processed along with other solvent extraction streams within the aromatic complex. The absorption zone may be a portion of an existing vessel or column, such as an extractive distillation column or a stabilizer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing hydrocarbons are provided. In one example, a method for processing hydrocarbons includes the step of providing feed stream including toluene, ethylbenzene, mixed xylenes, and C9 hydrocarbons. Ethylbenzene is present in the feed stream in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of total C8 aromatic hydrocarbons present in the feed stream. The method further includes the step of subjecting the feed stream to ethylbenzene conversion to form a benzene-containing product stream that includes benzene.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus for removing a contaminant from an aromatic selective solvent. A feed stream comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and a non-aromatic hydrocarbon is contacted with the aromatic selective solvent in an extractive distillation zone to produce a raffinate stream comprising the non-aromatic hydrocarbon, and a rich solvent stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon and the solvent. The rich solvent stream is separated in a second distillation zone to produce an extract stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon, and a lean solvent stream comprising the contaminant and the aromatic selective solvent. At least a portion of the lean solvent stream is washed with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon to produce a clean solvent stream, at least a portion of which is passed to at least one of the extractive distillation zone and the second distillation zone.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus for removing a contaminant from an aromatic selective solvent. A feed stream comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and a non-aromatic hydrocarbon is contacted with the aromatic selective solvent in an extractive distillation zone to produce a raffinate stream comprising the non-aromatic hydrocarbon, and a rich solvent stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon and the solvent. The rich solvent stream is separated in a second distillation zone to produce an extract stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon, and a lean solvent stream comprising the contaminant and the aromatic selective solvent. At least a portion of the lean solvent stream is washed with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon to produce a clean solvent stream, at least a portion of which is passed to at least one of the extractive distillation zone and the second distillation zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons, such as aromatics from non-aromatics, naphthenes from paraffins and isoparaffins, or olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins, in feed mixtures containing at least a measurable amount of heavier hydrocarbons. According to the invention, an improved extractive distillation (extractive-distillation) process is disclosed for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, and xylenes from heavy (C9+) hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to an improved extractive-distillation process for recovering mainly benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons, such as aromatics from non-aromatics, naphthenes from paraffins and isoparaffins, or olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins, in feed mixtures containing at least a measurable amount of heavier hydrocarbons. According to the invention, an improved extractive distillation (extractive-distillation) process is disclosed for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, and xylenes from heavy (C9+) hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to an improved extractive-distillation process for recovering mainly benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus for removing a contaminant from an aromatic selective solvent. A feed stream comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and a non-aromatic hydrocarbon is contacted with the aromatic selective solvent in an extractive distillation zone to produce a raffinate stream comprising the non-aromatic hydrocarbon, and a rich solvent stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon and the solvent. The rich solvent stream is separated in a second distillation zone to produce an extract stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon, and a lean solvent stream comprising the contaminant and the aromatic selective solvent. At least a portion of the lean solvent stream is washed with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon to produce a clean solvent stream, at least a portion of which is passed to at least one of the extractive distillation zone and the second distillation zone.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus for removing a contaminant from an aromatic selective solvent. A feed stream comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and a non-aromatic hydrocarbon is contacted with the aromatic selective solvent in an extractive distillation zone to produce a raffinate stream comprising the non-aromatic hydrocarbon, and a rich solvent stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon and the solvent. The rich solvent stream is separated in a second distillation zone to produce an extract stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon, and a lean solvent stream comprising the contaminant and the aromatic selective solvent. At least a portion of the lean solvent stream is washed with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon to produce a clean solvent stream, at least a portion of which is passed to at least one of the extractive distillation zone and the second distillation zone.

Abstract: Enabling a transalkylation process to handle both C10 alkylaromatics and unextracted toluene permits the following improvements to be realized. No longer extracting toluene allows a reformate-splitter column to be eliminated. The extraction unit can be moved to the overhead of a benzene column and integrated together with the transalkylation unit to reduce costs. No longer requiring a rigorous split between C9 and C10 alkylaromatics allows a heavy aromatics column to be eliminated. Such an enabled transalkylation process requires stabilization of a transalkylation catalyst through the introduction of a metal function. These improvements result in an aromatics complex apparatus with savings on inside battery limits curve costs and an improvement on the return on investment in such a complex.

Abstract: Cartridge type extraction trays for use in a small diameter liquid-liquid extraction column comprise a novel vertical wall which surrounds the active (perforated) area of the tray. This wall extends upward to a sufficient height to retain the heavy liquid on the active area of the tray preventing the heavy liquid from reaching the edge of the tray when it may possibly leak downward due to a gap between the edge of the tray and the inner surface of the column wall.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of normal paraffins from a feed mixture of normal paraffins, iso-paraffins and aromatics is disclosed. The process integrates a normal paraffin sorption process and an aromatics sorption process. The normal paraffin product of the process of our invention meets the commercial requirements for production of detergents, including sufficiently-low concentrations of both iso-paraffins and aromatics. The process achieves these results without the need for two additional factionation columns that are necessary to prior unintegrated processes.