Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for separating from the reactor effluent of an olefin oligomerization procedure those catalyst materials and polymeric by-products which can cause difficulties in the downstream processing of such effluent. Polymer by-products and catalyst in the effluent are separated from reaction products by flash vaporization utilizing an in-situ hot solvent which is contacted with the effluent and serves as the heating medium to promote this flash vaporization step. Subsequent processing of a liquid portion of the effluent which is left after flash vaporization involves recovery of catalyst and polymeric by-products therefrom in a steam stripping vessel. Also disclosed is a multiple reactor system which can be used for continuous trimerization of ethylene to 1-hexene while at the same time washing polymeric by-products from one of the reactors in the series using a wash oil solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is for a process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds, with a shape-selective zeolite catalyst. The process has reactors in series with C8+ aromatics being separated from the product stream effluents from each reactor before passing the reactor effluent to the next reactor with an additional input of methanol. The C8+ aromatics are separated into para-xylene and other C8+ aromatics. This process is applicable for toluene methylation having a molar excess of toluene:methanol. i.e., greater than 1:1, with a shape-selective catalyst of an aluminosilicate zeolite, such as ZSM-5 which has been modified with phosphorus, to produce para-xylene (p-xylene).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for separating from the reactor effluent of an olefin oligomerization procedure those catalyst materials and polymeric by-products which can cause difficulties in the downstream processing of such effluent. Polymer by-products and catalyst in the effluent are separated from reaction products by flash vaporization utilizing an in-situ hot solvent which is contacted with the effluent and serves as the heating medium to promote this flash vaporization step. Subsequent processing of a liquid portion of the effluent which is left after flash vaporization involves recovery of catalyst and polymeric by-products therefrom in a steam stripping vessel. Also disclosed is a multiple reactor system which can be used for continuous trimerization of ethylene to 1-hexene while at the same time washing polymeric by-products from one of the reactors in the series using a wash oil solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to olefin oligomerization methods and methods for reducing/inhibiting fouling in olefin oligomerization reactions comprising: contacting, in an oligomerization reactor (e.g., under oligomerization conditions), an alpha-olefin feed, a catalyst having an olefin selectivity of at least 90 mol % to a desired oligomerization product, a polymer anti-foulant, and optionally a diluent; selectively producing an effluent comprising the desired oligomerization product, unreacted olefin, and alpha-olefin-based polymer byproduct that causes fouling. The amount of polymer anti-foulant can be chosen to limit fouling to ?20 g/kg desired oligomerization product, to remediate ?3 grams fouled polymer/kg desired oligomerization product, and/or to reduce/inhibit polymer fouling by ?10% over a selective oligomerization with substantially no added polymer anti-foulant. Advantageously, desired oligomerization product so obtained can also be polymerized/copolymerized with an alpha-olefin such as ethylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to olefin oligomerization methods and methods for reducing/inhibiting fouling in olefin oligomerization reactions comprising: contacting, in an oligomerization reactor (e.g., under oligomerization conditions), an alpha-olefin feed, a catalyst having an olefin selectivity of at least 90 mol % to a desired oligomerization product, a polymer anti-foulant, and optionally a diluent; selectively producing an effluent comprising the desired oligomerization product, unreacted olefin, and alpha-olefin-based polymer byproduct that causes fouling. The amount of polymer anti-foulant can be chosen to limit fouling to ?20 g/kg desired oligomerization product, to remediate ?3 grams fouled polymer/kg desired oligomerization product, and/or to reduce/inhibit polymer fouling by ?10% over a selective oligomerization with substantially no added polymer anti-foulant. Advantageously, desired oligomerization product so obtained can also be polymerized/copolymerized with an alpha-olefin such as ethylene.

Abstract: The present invention is for a process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds, with a shape-selective zeolite catalyst. The process has reactors in series with C8+ aromatics being separated from the product stream effluents from each reactor before passing the reactor effluent to the next reactor with an additional input of methanol. The C8+ aromatics are separated into para-xylene and other C8+ aromatics. This process is applicable for toluene methylation having a molar excess of toluene:methanol. i.e., greater than 1:1, with a shape-selective catalyst of an aluminosilicate zeolite, such as ZSM-5 which has been modified with phosphorus, to produce para-xylene (p-xylene).

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of shutting down reaction systems. The reaction systems are those that use catalysts that comprise molecular sieves, particularly metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, especially metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves which are susceptible to loss of catalytic activity due to contact with water molecules. The methods provide appropriate mechanisms of stopping feed to the reactor and unloading catalyst to protect against loss of catalytic activity that can occur due to contact with water molecules.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of starting up reaction systems. The reaction systems are those that use catalysts that comprise molecular sieves, particularly metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, especially metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves which are susceptible to loss of catalytic activity due to contact with water molecules. The methods provide appropriate mechanisms of heating and loading the activated molecular sieves to protect against loss of catalytic activity that can occur due to contact with water molecules.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.