Abstract: Exemplary processes for converting one or more oxygenates to one or more olefins are disclosed. In one exemplary aspect, the process can include introducing a first input feed into an adiabatic multistage reactor with a first reactor bed and a second reactor bed. The process can also include contacting the first input feed with the first reactor bed to maintain a first temperature of the first reactor bed within a first temperature range and to produce a first reaction mixture, and introducing a second input feed into the multistage reactor such that the first reaction mixture is mixed with the second input feed to produce a first effluent. The process can also include contacting the first effluent with the second reactor bed to thereby maintain a second temperature of the second reactor bed within a second temperature range and to produce a second reaction mixture. Exemplary systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing at least one aromatic carboxylic acid by contacting a liquid reaction mixture comprising an aromatic feedstock and water with oxygen in the presence of a bromine-free metal catalyst composition wherein the metal catalyst composition has activity in the absence of bromine for oxidation of the aromatic feedstock with at least 80% conversion to oxidized aromatic derivatives of the aromatic feedstock and with at least 80% selectivity to the aromatic carboxylic acid. This process operates in water without the use of bromine at temperatures and residence times substantially the same as conventional processes for aromatic carboxylic acid manufacture, as well as with less total burning and with yields to product equivalent or higher than conventional processes.

Abstract: A new reactor apparatus that can be used to carry out chemical reactions in a fluidized catalyst bed at high temperatures with reduced afterburning or other undesirable downstream side reactions.

Abstract: In the process for the conversion of maleic acid to gamma-butyrolactone, 1.4-butanediol and/or tetrahydrofuran, a feedstream comprising maleic acid is hydrogenated in a first hydrogenation zone to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid and unreacted hydrogen which is then supplied to a second hydrogenation zone, where succinic acid is converted to 1,4-butanediol, the temperatures of the feedstream comprising maleic acid and the first hydrogenation zone are controlled such that the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130° C., thereby minimizing the corrosive effects of the maleic acid and prolonging reactor life and improving overall process economics.

Abstract: In the process for the conversion of maleic acid to gamma-butyrolactone, 1.4-butanediol and/or tetrahydrofuran, a feedstream comprising maleic acid is hydrogenated in a first hydrogenation zone to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid and unreacted hydrogen which is then supplied to a second hydrogenation zone, where succinic acid is converted to 1,4-butanediol, the temperatures of the feedstream comprising maleic acid and the first hydrogenation zone are controlled such that the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130° C., thereby minimizing the corrosive effects of the maleic acid and prolonging reactor life and improving overall process economics.