Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for catalytically generating a polyol from biomass are provided. An exemplary method includes the steps of: contacting a feed stream comprising biomass to acid conditions in a first reaction zone, wherein the acid conditions in the first reaction zone are sufficient to hydrolyze a saccharide from the biomass to generate glucose; directing at least a first portion of a first effluent from the first reaction zone to a second reaction zone; and contacting the at least first portion of the first effluent with a first saccharide-to-polyol catalyst system under conditions suitable for catalytic conversion of saccharide to polyol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for catalytically generating a polyol from whole biomass are provided. An exemplary method includes the steps of: depolymerizing at least a portion of lignin present in a stream that includes whole biomass; generating an effluent that includes depolymerized lignin and a saccharide; separating the effluent to generate a depolymerized lignin stream and a saccharide process stream, wherein the saccharide process stream includes a saccharide and an amount of lignin that is reduced relative to an amount of lignin present the effluent; and contacting the saccharide process stream with a saccharide-to-polyol catalyst system under conditions suitable for the catalytic conversion of saccharide to polyol.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed that achieve a high conversion of lignin to aromatic hydrocarbons, and that may be carried out without the addition of a base. Depolymerization and deoxygenation, the desired lignin convention steps to yield aromatic hydrocarbons, are carried by contacting a mixture of lignin and a solvent (e.g., a lignin slurry) with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. A preferred solvent is a hydrogen transfer solvent such as a single-ring or fused-ring aromatic compound that beneficially facilitates depolymerization and hinders coke formation. These advantages result in favorable overall process economics for obtaining fuel components and/or chemicals from renewable sources.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for producing an aromatic hydrocarbon-containing effluent are provided herein. The method comprises the step of rapidly heating a biomass-based feedstock to a first predetermined temperature of from about 300 to about 650° C. in the presence of a catalyst, hydrogen, and an organic solvent within a time period of about 20 minutes or less to form the aromatic hydrocarbon-containing effluent. The biomass-based feedstock comprises lignocellulosic material, lignin, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed that achieve a high conversion of lignin to aromatic hydrocarbons, and that may be carried out without the addition of a base. Depolymerization and deoxygenation, the desired lignin convention steps to yield aromatic hydrocarbons, are carried by contacting a mixture of lignin and a solvent (e.g., a lignin slurry) with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. A preferred solvent is a hydrogen transfer solvent such as a single-ring or fused-ring aromatic compound that beneficially facilitates depolymerization and hinders coke formation. These advantages result in favorable overall process economics for obtaining fuel components and/or chemicals from renewable sources.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for producing an aromatic hydrocarbon-containing effluent are provided herein. The method comprises the step of rapidly heating a biomass-based feedstock to a first predetermined temperature of from about 300 to about 650° C. in the presence of a catalyst, hydrogen, and an organic solvent within a time period of about 20 minutes or less to form the aromatic hydrocarbon-containing effluent. The biomass-based feedstock comprises lignocellulosic material, lignin, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for producing an aromatic hydrocarbon-containing effluent are provided herein. The method comprises the step of rapidly heating a biomass-based feedstock to a first predetermined temperature of from about 300 to about 650° C. in the presence of a catalyst, hydrogen, and an organic solvent within a time period of about 20 minutes or less to form the aromatic hydrocarbon-containing effluent. The biomass-based feedstock comprises lignocellulosic material, lignin, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed that achieve a high conversion of lignin to aromatic hydrocarbons, and that may be carried out without the addition of a base. Depolymerization and deoxygenation, the desired lignin convention steps to yield aromatic hydrocarbons, are carried by contacting a mixture of lignin and a solvent (e.g., a lignin slurry) with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. A preferred solvent is a hydrogen transfer solvent such as a single-ring or fused-ring aromatic compound that beneficially facilitates depolymerization and hinders coke formation. These advantages result in favorable overall process economics for obtaining fuel components and/or chemicals from renewable sources.

Abstract: A process for isomerising xylene using a new family of related crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been developed. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula: Mmn+Rrp+Al(1−x)ExSiyOz where M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal such as lithium and strontium, R is a nitrogen containing organic cation such as tetramethyl-ammonium and E is a framework element such as gallium.

Abstract: A reforming process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a large-pore molecular-sieve catalyst containing a uniformly distributed platinum-group metal component, and a tin component incorporated into the large-pore molecular sieve by secondary synthesis. The use of this catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and in improved catalyst stability.

Abstract: This invention relates to a layered catalyst composition, a process for preparing the composition and processes for using the composition. The catalyst composition comprises an inner core such as alpha-alumina, and an outer layer bonded to the inner core composed of an outer refractory inorganic oxide such as gamma-alumina. The outer layer has uniformly dispersed thereon a platinum group metal such as platinum and a promoter metal such as tin. The composition also contains a modifier metal such as lithium. The catalyst composition shows improved durability and selectivity for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An aromatization process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a large-pore molecular-sieve catalyst containing a uniformly distributed platinum-group metal component, and a tin component incorporated into the large-pore molecular sieve by secondary synthesis. The use of this catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and in improved catalyst stability.

Abstract: This invention relates to a layered catalyst composition, a process for preparing the composition and processes for using the composition. The catalyst composition comprises an inner core such as alpha-alumina, and an outer layer bonded to the inner core composed of an outer refractory inorganic oxide such as gamma-alumina. The outer layer has uniformly dispersed thereon a platinum group metal such as platinum and a promoter metal such as tin. The composition also contains a modifier metal such as lithium. The catalyst composition shows improved durability and selectivity for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A reforming process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a catalyst containing a uniformly distributed platinum-group metal component, a surface-layer metal component comprising one or more of the Group IVA metals, indium, Group VIIB (IUPAC 7) metals, iron, zinc, gold and bismuth and a nonacidic large-pore molecular sieve. The use of this bed of catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and in improved catalyst stability.

Abstract: A catalyst system comprising a physical mixture of particles of a non-acidic large-pore zeolite containing a platinum-group metal and particles comprising a refractory inorganic oxide which is metal-free is effective for the reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock. Reforming of paraffinic feedstocks to effect aromatization, particularly of a raffinate from aromatics extraction, provides improved activity in producing gasoline-range products when using the catalyst system of the invention.

Abstract: A reforming process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a catalyst containing a uniformly distributed platinum-group metal component, a surface-layer metal component comprising one ore more of the Group IVA metals and indium and a nonacidic large-pore molecular sieve. The use of this bed of catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and in improved catalyst stability.

Abstract: A reforming process, selective for the dehydrocyclization of paraffins to aromatics, is effected using a catalyst containing a uniformly distributed platinum-group metal component, a surface-layer metal component comprising one one more of the Group IVA metals and indium and a nonacidic large-pore molecular sieve. The use of this bed of catalyst results in greater selectivity of conversion of paraffins to aromatics and in improved catalyst stability.

Abstract: A catalyst system comprising a physical mixture of particles of a non-acidic large-pore zeolite containing a platinum-group metal and particles comprising a refractory inorganic oxide which is metal-free is effective for the reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock. Reforming of paraffinic feedstocks to effect aromatization, particularly of a raffinate from aromatics extraction, provides improved activity in producing gasoline-range products when using the catalyst system of the invention.

Abstract: Reforming is effected with a combination of a primary supported noble-metal catalyst and a catalyst containing one or more medium-pore non-zeolitic molecular sieves (MP-NZMS). The latter reforming and dehydrocyclization catalysts comprise a Group VIII metal and at least one bound MP-NZMS characterized in the calcined form by an adsorption of isobutane of at least 2 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 500 torr and a temperature of 20.degree. C. and characterized by an adsorption of triethylamine less than about 5 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 2.6 torr and a temperature of 22.degree. C. The MP-NZMS catalyst binder preferably is alumina and/or silica, and the Group VIII metal preferably is platinum.

Abstract: Reforming is effected with a combination of a primary supported noble-metal catalyst and a catalyst containing one or more medium pore non-zeolite molecular sieves (MP-NZMS). The latter reforming and dehydrocyclization comprise a Group VIII metal and at least one bound MP-NZMS characterized in the calcined form by an adsorption of isobutane of at least 2 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 500 torr and a temperature of 20.degree. C. and characterized by an adsorption of triethylamine less than about 5 percent by weight at a partial pressure of 2.6 torr and a temperature of 22.degree. C., The MP-NZMS catalyst binder preferably is alumina and/or silica, and the Group VIII metal preferably is platinum.