Abstract: Processes for recovering paraxylene from at least two feedstreams containing xylene isomers. The process includes directing to a paraxylene recovery zone comprising at least one crystallization zone, a paraxylene-lean feedstream having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio of 0.50 or less, and also directing to the paraxylene recovery zone, a paraxylene-rich feedstream having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio of greater than 0.50. A paraxylene-containing product stream is recovered from the paraxylene recovery zone having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio greater than that of the paraxylene-rich feedstream. The process provides improvements in paraxylene recovery efficiency and/or cost effectiveness.

Abstract: Processes for recovering paraxylene from at least two feedstreams containing xylene isomers. The process includes directing to a paraxylene recovery zone comprising at least one crystallization zone, a paraxylene-lean feedstream having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio of 0.50 or less, and also directing to the paraxylene recovery zone, a paraxylene-rich feedstream having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio of greater than 0.50. A paraxylene-containing product stream is recovered from the paraxylene recovery zone having a paraxylene to total xylene isomer ratio greater than that of the paraxylene-rich feedstream. The process provides improvements in paraxylene recovery efficiency and/or cost effectiveness.

Abstract: A filter column apparatus comprising a filtration zone and a reslurry zone. These zones are separated by a barrier wall or are in substantial cooperation with each other. Also disclosed is a process for separating at least a portion of at least one substantially solid component from a solid-liquid stream comprising the substantially solid component and at least one substantially liquid component. Also disclosed is a process for forming a substantially solids containing packed bed. Also disclosed is a process for purifying paraxylene in a filtration zone.

Abstract: Processes for separating a solid from a solids-liquids slurry under conditions that prevent ingress of molecular oxygen are advantageous where the presence of molecular oxygen would otherwise reduce efficiencies, contribute to limited product yields, and potentially compromise safe operation of the process or downstream unit operations. Among the various embodiments disclosed herein, is a process utilizing filter columns as solid-liquid separators in combination with crystallization and reslurry unit operations to recover a product component from an initial feed mixture of miscible components. Embodiments of the disclosed processes may include the separation and purification of a product component using a crystallizer in series with a filter column followed by a chemical reactor, using a reslurry drum in series with a filter column, and using a combination of crystallizers and/or reslurry drums in series with at least one filter column.

Abstract: A process for separating solids from liquids in a filtration zone defined by a higher concentration zone and a lower concentration zone separated by a filter. The process includes the steps of directing a slurry feed comprising a liquid and solids into the higher concentration zone, directing a displacement fluid to the higher concentration zone and passing at least a portion of the liquid through a filter to the filtrate zone, producing a filtrate.

Abstract: A filter column apparatus comprising a filtration zone and a reslurry zone. These zones are separated by a barrier wall or are in substantial cooperation with each other. Also disclosed is a process for separating at least a portion of at least one substantially solid component from a solid-liquid stream comprising the substantially solid component and at least one substantially liquid component. Also disclosed is a process for forming a substantially solids containing packed bed. Also disclosed is a process for purifying paraxylene in a filtration zone.

Abstract: A filter column apparatus comprising a filtration zone and a reslurry zone. These zones are separated by a barrier wall or are in substantial cooperation with each other. Also disclosed is a process for separating at least a portion of at least one substantially solid component from a solid-liquid stream comprising the substantially solid component and at least one substantially liquid component. Also disclosed is a process for forming a substantially solids containing packed bed. Also disclosed is a process for purifying paraxylene in a filtration zone.

Abstract: Processes for separating a solid from a solids-liquids slurry under conditions that prevent ingress of molecular oxygen are advantageous where the presence of molecular oxygen would otherwise reduce efficiencies, contribute to limited product yields, and potentially compromise safe operation of the process or downstream unit operations. Among the various embodiments disclosed herein, is a process utilizing filter columns as solid-liquid separators in combination with crystallization and reslurry unit operations to recover a product component from an initial feed mixture of miscible components. Embodiments of the disclosed processes may include the separation and purification of a product component using a crystallizer in series with a filter column followed by a chemical reactor, using a reslurry drum in series with a filter column, and using a combination of crystallizers and/or reslurry drums in series with at least one filter column.

Abstract: A filter column apparatus comprising a filtration zone and a reslurry zone. These zones are separated by a barrier wall or are in substantial cooperation with each other. Also disclosed is a process for separating at least a portion of at least one substantially solid component from a solid-liquid stream comprising the substantially solid component and at least one substantially liquid component. Also disclosed is a process for forming a substantially solids containing packed bed. Also disclosed is a process for purifying paraxylene in a filtration zone.

Abstract: A process for separating solids from liquids in a filtration zone defined by a higher concentration zone and a lower concentration zone separated by a filter. The process includes the steps of directing a slurry feed comprising a liquid and solids into the higher concentration zone, directing a displacement fluid to the higher concentration zone and passing at least a portion of the liquid through a filter to the filtrate zone, producing a filtrate.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process to separate para-xylene and ethylbenzene from C8 aromatics which uses a para-selective, non-acidic, medium pore molecular sieve of the MFI structure type and is operated isothermally in the vapor phase at elevated temperatures and pressures is integrated with crystallization to produce para-xylene product. A fixed bed of adsorbent is saturated with pX and EB, which are preferentially adsorbed, the feed is stopped, and lowering the partial pressure desorbs the pX and EB. The process effluent, which is rich in pX and EB, is crystallized to obtain para-xylene product.

Abstract: The invention is a novel energy efficient process to produce high purity paraxylene from a feed comprising at least 55 to 60 wt % paraxylene, wherein a first portion of high purity paraxylene product is obtained in a first crystallization step at about 10° F. to about 55° F. without the need for further reslurry and recrystallization, and wherein another portion of the high purity paraxylene product is obtained following a reslurry step which warms crystalline paraxylene obtained from subsequent lower temperature crystallizations to yield a slurry at a temperature of about 10° F. to about 55° F. without the need for further refrigeration.

Abstract: The invention is a novel energy efficient process to produce high purity paraxylene from a feed comprising at least 55 to 60 wt % paraxylene, wherein a first portion of high purity paraxylene product is obtained in a first crystallization step at about 10° F. to about 55° F. without the need for further reslurry and recrystallization, and wherein another portion of the high purity paraxylene product is obtained following a reslurry step which warms crystalline paraxylene obtained from subsequent lower temperature crystallizations to yield a slurry at a temperature of about 10° F. to about 55° F. without the need for further refrigeration.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process to separate para-xylene and ethylbenzene from C8 aromatics which uses a para-selective, non-acidic, medium pore molecular sieve of the MFI structure type and is operated isothermally in the vapor phase at elevated temperatures and pressures is integrated with crystallization to produce para-xylene product. A fixed bed of adsorbent is saturated with pX and EB, which are preferentially adsorbed, the feed is stopped, and lowering the partial pressure desorbs the pX and EB. The process effluent, which is rich in pX and EB, is crystallized to obtain para-xylene product.

Abstract: Processes using heterogeneous adsorbents are disclosed for purification of relatively impure unsaturated hydrocarbons such as olefins, which are typically produced by thermal cracking of suitable hydrocarbon feedstocks, by passing a feed stream, containing acetylenic impurities, and, optionally, saturated hydrocarbon gases, through a particulate bed predominantly comprising a support material having high a surface area on which is dispersed at least one metallic element. Adsorption is carried out in an essentially dihydrogen-free atmosphere within the bed, effecting selective and reversible adsorption and/or complexing of the contained acetylenic contaminants with the adsorbent, thereby obtaining purified effluent which contains less than a predetermined level of the acetylenic impurities. Selective and reversible adsorption and/or complexing of the contained acetylenic impurities with the adsorbent is continued until levels of acetylenic impurities in the effluent stream increase to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Processes using heterogeneous adsorbents are disclosed for purification of olefins such as are typically produced by thermal cracking of suitable hydrocarbon feedstocks, by passing a stream of olefin having from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, containing acetylenic impurities having the same or similar carbon content, and optionally saturated hydrocarbon gases, through a particulate bed of predominantly a support material having high surface area on which is dispersed at least one metallic element. Adsorption is carried out in an essentially dihydrogen-free atmosphere within the bed, selective and reversible adsorption and/or complexing of the contained acetylenic contaminants with the adsorbent, and thereby obtain purified effluent which contains less than a predetermined level of the acetylenic impurities.

Abstract: A process disclosed for the separation, purification and recovery of an unsaturated hydrocarbon from its mixture with at least one other material using a facilitated transport liquid membrane system.