Abstract: A process and apparatus useful for continuously contacting an alkane feed at a temperature within a range from 300° C. to 600° C. and a pressure within the range from 50 psig to 500 psig with one or more reactive ceramic membrane to form an alkene with some remaining alkane and hydrogen, the hydrogen in physical isolation from the alkane and alkene, separating the alkene from the remaining alkane, and recycling the alkane to contact the reactive ceramic membrane.

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for toluene methylation in an aromatics complex for producing paraxylene. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses wherein a toluene methylation zone is integrated within an aromatics complex for producing paraxylene thus allowing no benzene byproduct to be produced. This may be accomplished by incorporating a toluene methylation process into the aromatics complex and recycling the benzene to the transalkylation unit the aromatics complex.

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for toluene methylation in an aromatics complex for producing paraxylene. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses wherein a toluene methylation zone is integrated within an aromatics complex for producing paraxylene thus allowing no benzene byproduct to be produced. This may be accomplished by incorporating a toluene methylation process into the aromatics complex and recycling the benzene to the transalkylation unit the aromatics complex.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for transalkylating aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, the process comprising introducing an aromatic hydrocarbon feed stream into a transalkylation zone to yield high-purity benzene as a byproduct while meeting transalkylation objectives. The feed stream contacts a catalyst in the transalkylation zone under conditions adjusted to control benzene purity as well as transalkylation performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reforming and transalkylating hydrocarbons are disclosed. A method for processing a hydrocarbon stream includes the steps of separating para-xylene from a first mixed-xylene and ethylbenzene-containing stream to produce a first non-equilibrium xylene and ethylbenzene stream and isomerizing the first non-equilibrium xylene and ethylbenzene stream to produce additional para-xylene. The method further includes transalkylating a toluene stream to produce a second mixed-xylene and ethylbenzene-containing stream, separating para-xylene from the second mixed-xylene and ethylbenzene-containing stream to produce a second non-equilibrium xylene and ethylbenzene stream, and isomerizing the second non-equilibrium xylene and ethylbenzene stream using an ethylbenzene dealkylation type xylene isomerization process to produce additional para-xylene.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reforming and transalkylating hydrocarbons are disclosed. A method for processing a hydrocarbon stream includes the steps of separating para-xylene from a first mixed-xylene and ethylbenzene-containing stream to produce a first non-equilibrium xylene and ethylbenzene stream and isomerizing the first non-equilibrium xylene and ethylbenzene stream to produce additional para-xylene. The method further includes transalkylating a toluene stream to produce a second mixed-xylene and ethylbenzene-containing stream, separating para-xylene from the second mixed-xylene and ethylbenzene-containing stream to produce a second non-equilibrium xylene and ethylbenzene stream, and isomerizing the second non-equilibrium xylene and ethylbenzene stream using an ethylbenzene dealkylation type xylene isomerization process to produce additional para-xylene.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing a xylene product. The method includes fractionating a feed stream in a feed fractionator to produce a feed bottoms stream and a feed overhead stream. The feed stream includes aromatic compounds and non-aromatic compounds, and more than 5 weight percent of the non-aromatic compounds have a boiling point above 105° C. at one atmosphere of pressure. The feed bottoms stream is de-ethylated in a heavy aromatics conversion zone to produce a de-ethylated aromatics stream and a light gases stream, where non-aromatic compounds are converted to light gases in the light gases stream. The de-ethylated aromatics stream is fractionated to produce a heavy aromatics stream and an intermediate aromatics stream, and a desired isomer stream is recovered from the intermediate aromatics stream and an isomerized stream in an isomer recovery process.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for transalkylating aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, the process comprising introducing an aromatic hydrocarbon feed stream into a transalkylation zone to yield high-purity benzene as a byproduct while meeting transalkylation objectives. The feed stream contacts a catalyst in the transalkylation zone under conditions adjusted to control benzene purity as well as transalkylation performance.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a catalyst comprising a zeolite having specific particle-size characteristics, a platinum-group metal and a silica binder. A relatively minimal amount of hydrogen is supplied to the process on a once-through basis, resulting in low saturation of aromatics while achieving effective xylene isomerization with reduced processing costs.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing ethylbenzene into xylenes such as para-xylene using a zeolitic catalyst system based on low Si/Al2 MTW-type zeolite that preferably is substantially free of mordenite. The catalyst may be bimetallic where the two metals are platinum and tin.

Abstract: Xylene isomerization processes, especially those processes in which ethylbenzene is also converted, are beneficially affected by adding benzene to the feed.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a catalyst comprising a zeolite having specific particle-size characteristics, a platinum-group metal and a silica binder. A relatively minimal amount of hydrogen is supplied to the process on a once-through basis, resulting in low saturation of aromatics while achieving effective xylene isomerization with reduced processing costs.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a catalyst comprising a zeolite having specific particle-size characteristics, a platinum-group metal and a silica binder. A relatively minimal amount of hydrogen is supplied to the process on a once-through basis, resulting in low saturation of aromatics while achieving effective xylene isomerization with reduced processing costs.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a catalyst comprising a zeolite having specific particle-size characteristics, a platinum-group metal and a silica binder. A relatively minimal amount of hydrogen is supplied to the process on a once-through basis, resulting in low saturation of aromatics while achieving effective xylene isomerization with reduced processing costs.

Abstract: Xylene isomerization processes, especially those processes in which ethylbenzene is also converted, are beneficially affected by adding benzene to the feed.

Abstract: Processes for making xylene employ catalysts containing rhenium and a molecular sieve component comprising an acidic MFI molecular sieve having a Si/Al2 molar ratio of less than about 80 and mordenite to provide a transalkylation product with a low content of benzene co-boilers. The invention encompasses the use of sulfided catalyst embodiments in xylene production processes.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing ethylbenzene into xylenes such as para-xylene using a zeolitic catalyst system based on low Si/Al2 MTW-type zeolite that preferably is substantially free of mordenite. The catalyst may be bimetallic where the two metals are platinum and tin.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for producing and recovering one or more high-purity xylene isomers from a feed stream having a substantial content of C9 and heavier hydrocarbons. The feed stream is processed to de-ethylate heavy aromatics, fractionated and passed to a circuit comprising C8-aromatic isomer recovery and isomerization to recover the high-purity xylene isomer with lowered energy costs.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing ethylbenzene into xylenes such as para-xylene using a zeolitic catalyst system based on low Si/Al2 MTW-type zeolite that preferably is substantially free of mordenite. The catalyst may be bimetallic where the two metals are platinum and tin.

Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts containing rhenium and a molecular sieve component comprising an acidic MFI molecular sieve having a Si/Al2 molar ratio of less than about 80 and mordenite provide a transalkylation product with a low content of benzene co-boilers. The invention encompasses sulfided catalyst embodiments and methods of making the catalysts.