Abstract: Processes and systems for converting benzene and/or toluene via methylation with methanol and/or dimethyl ether may be performed by contacting an aromatic hydrocarbon feed with a first methylating agent feed in the presence of a methylation catalyst in a series of fixed beds. Between the fixed beds, the product mixture from the upstream bed may be treated by (a) reducing the temperature, (b) adding additional methylating agent feed, (c) optionally removing water, and (d) optionally adding additional aromatic hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved processes for converting benzene/toluene via methylation with methanol/dimethyl ether for producing, e.g., p-xylene. In an embodiment, a process utilizes a methylation catalyst system comprising a molecular sieve catalyst and an auxiliary catalyst. The auxiliary catalyst comprises a metal element selected from Group 2, Group 3, the lanthanide series, the actinide series, and mixtures and combinations thereof. The auxiliary catalyst may comprise the oxide of the metal element. Deactivation of the molecular sieve catalyst can be reduced with the inclusion of the auxiliary catalyst in the methylation catalyst system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an improved process for converting benzene/toluene via methylation with methanol/dimethyl ether for producing, e.g., p-xylene, comprising separating and recycling dimethyl ether from the methylation reaction product mixture effluent to the methylation reactor. High selectivity toward p-xylene, among others, can be achieved.

Abstract: A process is described for producing paraxylene, in which an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising benzene and/or toluene is contacted with an alkylating reagent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether in an alkylation reaction zone under alkylation conditions in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylated aromatic product comprising xylenes. The alkylation catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index?5, and the alkylation conditions comprise a temperature less than 500° C. Paraxylene may then be recovered from the alkylated aromatic product.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved processes for converting benzene/toluene via methylation with methanol/dimethyl ether for producing, e.g., p-xylene. In an embodiment, a process comprises contacting a methylation agent feed with an aromatic hydrocarbon feed in the presence of a methylation catalyst in a methylation reactor at increased pressure. Reduced methylation catalyst deactivation can be achieved with increased pressure in the methylation reactor.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved processes for converting aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene/toluene, alkylation, transalkylation, or isomerization. In an embodiment, a process comprises utilizing a passivated reactor to reduce deactivation of a molecular sieve catalyst. Additional measures such as the use of an auxiliary catalyst and/or an elevated reactor pressure may be used to further reduce deactivation of the molecular sieve catalyst.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved processes for converting benzene/toluene via methylation with methanol/dimethyl ether for producing, e.g., p-xylene. In an embodiment, a process comprises contacting a methylation agent feed with an aromatic hydrocarbon feed in the presence of a methylation catalyst in a methylation reactor at increased pressure. Reduced methylation catalyst deactivation can be achieved with increased pressure in the methylation reactor.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an improved process for converting benzene/toluene via methylation with methanol/dimethyl ether for producing, e.g., p-xylene, comprising separating and recycling dimethyl ether from the methylation reaction product mixture effluent to the methylation reactor. High selectivity toward p-xylene, among others, can be achieved.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved processes for converting benzene/toluene via methylation with methanol/dimethyl ether for producing, e.g., p-xylene. In an embodiment, a process utilizes a methylation catalyst system comprising a molecular sieve catalyst and an auxiliary catalyst. The auxiliary catalyst comprises a metal element selected from Group 2, Group 3, the lanthanide series, the actinide series, and mixtures and combinations thereof. The auxiliary catalyst may comprise the oxide of the metal element. Deactivation of the molecular sieve catalyst can be reduced with the inclusion of the auxiliary catalyst in the methylation catalyst system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved processes for converting aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene/toluene, alkylation, transalkylation, or isomerization. In an embodiment, a process comprises utilizing a passivated reactor to reduce deactivation of a molecular sieve catalyst. Additional measures such as the use of an auxiliary catalyst and/or an elevated reactor pressure may be used to further reduce deactivation of the molecular sieve catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a process for producing paraxylene and catalyst for use in processes for producing paraxylene. In an embodiment, the process includes contacting an aromatic hydrocarbon feed comprising benzene and/or toluene with an alkylating reagent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether in at least one alkylation reaction zone in the presence of an alkylation catalyst comprising a molecular sieve having a Constrain Index less than 5 and under alkylation conditions. The alkylation catalyst comprises at least one of a rare earth metal or alkaline earth metal and a binder, and a majority of the at least one rare earth metal or alkaline earth metal is deposited on the molecular sieve. In addition, the process includes producing an alkylated aromatic product comprising xylenes.

Abstract: A process is described for producing paraxylene, in which an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising benzene and/or toluene is contacted with an alkylating reagent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether in an alkylation reaction zone under alkylation conditions in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylated aromatic product comprising xylenes. The alkylation catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index?5, and the alkylation conditions comprise a temperature less than 500° C. Paraxylene may then be recovered from the alkylated aromatic product.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrocarbon dehydrocyclization to produce products such as aromatic hydrocarbon, to equipment and materials useful for dehydrocyclization, to processes for carrying out dehydrocyclization, and to the use of dehydrocyclization for, e.g., natural gas upgrading. The dehydrocyclization is carried out in a catalytic reaction zone of a reverse-flow reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: A process is described for producing paraxylene, in which an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising benzene and/or toluene is contacted with an alkylating reagent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether in an alkylation reaction zone under alkylation conditions in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylated aromatic product comprising xylenes. The alkylation catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index ?5, and the alkylation conditions comprise a temperature less than 500° C. Paraxylene may then be recovered from the alkylated aromatic product.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: A catalyst system and processes for combined aromatization and selective hydrogen combustion of oxygenated hydrocarbons are disclosed. The catalyst system contains at least one aromatization component and at least one selective hydrogen combustion component. The process is such that the yield of hydrogen is less than the yield of hydrogen when contacting the hydrocarbons with the aromatization component alone.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: A catalyst system and processes for combined aromatization and selective hydrogen combustion of oxygenated hydrocarbons are disclosed. The catalyst system contains at least one aromatization component and at least one selective hydrogen combustion component. The process is such that the yield of hydrogen is less than the yield of hydrogen when contacting the hydrocarbons with the aromatization component alone.