Abstract: Processes for converting C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, a process for converting a hydrocarbon feed that can include C8 aromatic hydrocarbons can include feeding the hydrocarbon feed into a conversion zone and contacting the hydrocarbon feed at least partly in a liquid phase with an isomerization catalyst composition in the conversion zone under conversion conditions to effect isomerization of at least a portion of the C8 aromatic hydrocarbons to produce a conversion product rich in para-xylene. In some embodiments, the isomerization catalyst composition can include a zeolite (preferably a ZSM-5 zeolite) that can have a silica (SiO2) to alumina (AI2O3) molar ratio of 10 to 100, a total surface area of 200 m2/g to 700 m2/g, a micropore surface area of 50 m2/g to 600 m2/g, and an external surface area of 55 m2/g to 550 m2/g.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a microporous crystalline metallosilicate having a Constraint Index of 12, or 10, or 8, or 6 or less, a binder, a Group 1 alkali metal or a compound thereof and/or a Group 2 alkaline earth metal or a compound thereof, a Group 10 metal or a compound thereof, and, optionally, a Group 11 metal or a compound thereof; wherein the catalyst is calcined in a first calcining step before the addition of the Group 10 metal or compound thereof and optionally the Group 11 metal or compound thereof; and wherein the first calcining step includes heating the catalyst to first temperatures of greater than 500° C.; and wherein the catalyst is calcined in a second calcining step after the addition of the Group 10 metal or compound thereof and optionally the Group 11 metal or compound thereof wherein the second calcining step includes heating the catalyst to temperatures of greater than 400° C.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a microporous crystalline metallosilicate having a Constraint Index of 12, or 10, or 8, or 6 or less, a binder, a Group 1 alkali metal or a compound thereof and/or a Group 2 alkaline earth metal or a compound thereof, a Group 10 metal or a compound thereof, and, optionally, a Group 11 metal or a compound thereof; wherein the catalyst is calcined in a first calcining step before the addition of the Group 10 metal or compound thereof and optionally the Group 11 metal or compound thereof; and wherein the first calcining step includes heating the catalyst to first temperatures of greater than 500° C.; and wherein the catalyst is calcined in a second calcining step after the addition of the Group 10 metal or compound thereof and optionally the Group 11 metal or compound thereof wherein the second calcining step includes heating the catalyst to temperatures of greater than 400° C.