Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for integrating a catalyst regeneration system with a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses, preferably, a plurality of multiple riser reactor units. One embodiment of the present invention is a reactor system including a plurality of reactor units, at least one reactor unit preferably comprising a plurality of riser reactors. The system also includes a regenerator for converting an at least partially deactivated catalyst to a regenerated catalyst. A first conduit system transfers the at least partially deactivated catalyst from the reactor units to the regenerator, and a second conduit system transfers regenerating catalysts from the regenerator to the plurality of reactor units. Optionally, catalysts from a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses may be directed to a single stripping unit and/or a single regeneration unit.

Abstract: This invention is directed to removing contaminants from an oxygenate-containing feedstream for an oxygenate to olefin reaction system. Oxygenate feeds used in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins, and which contain contaminants, are heated to form a vapor stream and a liquid stream. The heating is conducted so that a majority of the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst contaminants is contained in the liquid stream. The vapor stream is separated from the liquid stream, and the separated vapor stream is contacted with the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst to form olefin product. The heating of the feedstream and the separation of the vapor stream can be carried out in one or more stages.

Abstract: A method for producing an olefin stream is provided based on conversion of an initial natural gas stream into a synthesis gas. The resulting synthesis gas is enriched with CO2 previously separated from the natural gas stream. The synthesis gas is then used to form a methanol composition, which can then be used as feedstock for a methanol-to-olefin conversion reaction.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the activity of silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieve catalyst particles during oxygenate to olefin conversion reactions. The SAPO catalyst particles are regenerated under targeted conditions in the presence of platinum to provide controlled, steady state regeneration while minimizing catalyst damage.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods and systems for minimizing back-mixing of feedstock flow in converting oxygenates to olefins. In one embodiment, back-mixing is reduced by providing a reactor that includes baffles to reduce the hydraulic diameter of at least a portion of the reactor. Some or all of the baffles can also serve as cooling tubes for reducing temperature gradients in the reactor, and thereby maximize light olefin production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles that are depleted of catalyst fines. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor, wherein the catalyst particles have a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst- particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions effective to cause the catalyst particles to behave in a fluidized manner and form a fluidized bed. The particles are contacted with one or more primary obstructing members while in the fluidized bed. By fluidizing the catalyst particles in this manner, the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number of from about 10 to about 20.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing light olefins from a feedstock comprising methanol and ethanol. The ethanol is converted to ethylene and water over a dehydration catalyst, while the methanol is converted to light olefins and water over a molecular sieve catalyst. These conversion steps may occur in two separate reactors operating in series or in parallel, or in a single reactor containing a mixture of dehydration catalyst and molecular sieve catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles that are depleted of catalyst fines. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor, wherein the catalyst particles have a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions effective to cause the catalyst particles to behave in a fluidized manner and form a fluidized bed. The particles are contacted with one or more primary obstructing members while in the fluidized bed. By fluidizing the catalyst particles in this manner, the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number of from about 10 to about 20.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. The method includes distilling the olefin stream so that the dimethyl ether is separated out of the olefin stream with propane. The olefin stream can then be further distilled to provide a polymer grade ethylene stream and a polymer grade propylene stream, with each stream containing not greater than about 10 wppm dimethyl ether.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for forming light olefins from methanol and/or from syngas through a dimethyl ether intermediate. Specifically, the invention is to converting methanol and/or syngas to dimethyl ether and water in the presence of a first catalyst, preferably comprising ?-alumina, and converting the dimethyl ether to light olefins and water in the presence of a second catalyst, preferably a molecular sieve catalyst composition.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated system and process for forming light olefins and polymers from oxygenates, and optionally from natural gas. The integrated system includes an air separation unit, which separates air components into an oxygen stream and a nitrogen stream, and which also forms a compressed air stream. According to the present invention, the oxygen stream, the nitrogen stream and/or the compressed air stream from the air separation unit may serve as a reactant in syngas generation, as a regeneration medium in the methanol-to-olefins reaction system, as a fluidizing stream, as a blanketing medium, as a stripping medium, as instrument air, and/or as a reactant in a sulfur removal unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering oxygenates from an olefin production process and oxygenate compositions that can be recovered from an olefin production process. The recovered oxygenate compositions comprise a mixture of alcohols, ethers, ketones, and/or aldehydes.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for cleaning and using byproduct water from an oxygenate to olefin process to satisfy the water requirement of the oxygenate to olefin process.

Abstract: A feed vaporization process and apparatus for oxygenate to olefin conversion is provided which uses a vapor-liquid disengaging drum to separate non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles from volatiles in the oxygenate feed and produce a vaporized effluent that is reduced in non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles while at the same time maintaining the effluent at optimal temperature and pressure as a feed for oxygenate to olefin conversion.