Abstract: A silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve is disclosed that comprises first and second intergrown phases of a CHA framework type and an AEI framework type, wherein said first intergrown phase has an AEI/CHA ratio of from about 5/95 to about 40/60 as determined by DIFFaX analysis, the second intergrown phase has an AEI/CHA ratio of about 30/70 to about as determined by DIFFaX analysis and said molecular sieve has a silica to alumina molar ratio (Si/Al2) from about 0.13 to about 0.24.

Abstract: A silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve is disclosed that comprises first and second intergrown phases of a CHA framework type and an AEI framework type, wherein said first intergrown phase has an AEI/CHA ratio of from about 5/95 to about 40/60 as determined by DIFFaX analysis, the second intergrown phase has an AEI/CHA ratio of about 30/70 to about 55/45 as determined by DIFFaX analysis and said molecular sieve has a silica to alumina molar ratio (Si/Al2) from about 0.13 to about 0.24.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of converting oxygenates to olefin products. The methods provided include steps for protecting against deactivation of active molecular sieve catalysts during the conversion process. In particular, the invention provides for methods of regenerating coked catalyst to minimize catalyst deactivation due to contact with moisture.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for converting oxygenate to olefin product at an increased prime olefin selectivity (i.e., increased ethylene and/or propylene content) compared to conventional systems. The increase in ethylene and/or propylene content of the produced olefin product is accomplished using a reaction system that has at least two stages. Any number of stages can used in the entire process, as long as there are at least two stages in series and the temperature of any subsequent stage in series is lower than that of the preceding stage.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that comprises an over flocculated molecular sieve and optionally, a phosphorous compound and, optionally, a non-over flocculated molecular sieve. A method of preparing a catalyst composition that comprises mixing an over flocculated molecular sieve and optionally, a phosphorous compound and, optionally, a non-over flocculated molecular sieve.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that comprises an over flocculated molecular sieve and a phosphorous compound and, optionally, a non-over flocculated molecular sieve. A method of preparing a catalyst composition that comprises mixing an over flocculated molecular sieve and a phosphorous compound and, optionally, a non-over flocculated molecular sieve.

Abstract: The invention provides low metal content molecular sieve catalyst compositions, processes for making such catalysts, and processes for using such catalysts in the conversion of an oxygenate into one or more light olefins. Preferably, the catalyst composition comprises a matrix material having a low metal content. By utilizing matrix materials having low metal contents, the amount of metal-catalyzed side reaction byproducts formed in a reaction system, particularly in an oxygenate-to-olefin reaction system, can be advantageously reduced.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of shutting down reaction systems. The reaction systems are those that use catalysts that comprise molecular sieves, particularly metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, especially metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves which are susceptible to loss of catalytic activity due to contact with water molecules. The methods provide appropriate mechanisms of stopping feed to the reactor and unloading catalyst to protect against loss of catalytic activity that can occur due to contact with water molecules.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of starting up reaction systems. The reaction systems are those that use catalysts that comprise molecular sieves, particularly metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, especially metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves which are susceptible to loss of catalytic activity due to contact with water molecules. The methods provide appropriate mechanisms of heating and loading the activated molecular sieves to protect against loss of catalytic activity that can occur due to contact with water molecules.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for maintaining a desired particle size distribution in an oxygenate to olefin reaction system. In one embodiment, the invention comprises replacing lost catalyst fines with less active co-catalyst particles. By adding less active co-catalyst particles to the reaction system, desirable fluidization characteristics and hydrodynamics can be maintained without affecting the overall (or primary catalyst) performance and product selectivities. The invention is also directed to a population of catalyst particles having a desirable particle size distribution well-suited for realizing ideal fluidization and hydrodynamic characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides low metal content molecular sieve catalyst compositions, processes for making such catalysts, and processes for using such catalysts in the conversion of an oxygenate into one or more light olefins. Preferably, the catalyst composition comprises a matrix material having a low metal content. By utilizing matrix materials having low metal contents, the amount of metal-catalyzed side reaction byproducts formed in a reaction system, particularly in an oxygenate-to-olefin reaction system, can be advantageously reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides various processes for selectively removing undesirably sized catalyst particles from a reaction system. In one embodiment, a plurality of catalyst particles, having a first median particle diameter, is withdrawn from the reaction system and is directed to a separation unit such as a counter flow cyclone separator. In the separation unit, the particles are separated into a small catalyst stream and a large catalyst stream, the small catalyst stream having a second median particle diameter less than the first median particle diameter, and the large catalyst stream having a third median particle diameter greater than the first median particle diameter. At least a portion of the small or large catalyst stream is then directed back to the reaction system in order to maintain a desirable particle size distribution therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making an olefin product from an oxygenate feedstock which comprises: a) contacting the feedstock in a reaction zone with a catalyst comprising i) a molecular sieve having defined pore openings and ii) a CO oxidation metal, under conditions effective to convert the feedstock into an olefin product stream comprising C2–C3 olefins and to form carbonaceous deposits on the catalyst so as to provide a carbon-containing catalyst; b) contacting at least a portion of the carbon-containing catalyst with a regeneration medium comprising oxygen in a regeneration zone comprising a fluid bed regenerator having a dense fluid phase and a dilute fluid phase under conditions effective to obtain a regenerated catalyst portion, wherein the difference between the temperature of the dilute phase and the temperature of the dense phase is no greater than 100° C.; c) introducing said regenerated catalyst portion into said reaction zone; and d) repeating steps a)–c).

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting the loss of catalytic activity of metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve, particularly a SAPO molecular sieve, from contact with moisture. The method involves heating the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve so as to remove template, and provide a molecular sieve in sufficiently dry form for storage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for protecting metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves, particularly silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves, from loss of catalytic activity due to contact with a gas containing water. The methods of the invention provide procedures that enable activated sieve to contact water vapor, within a certain range of time, temperature, and water partial pressure conditions, before the sieve becomes substantially deactivated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting the loss of catalytic activity of metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve, particularly a SAPO molecular sieve, from contact with moisture. The method involves heating the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve so as to remove template, and provide a molecular sieve in sufficiently dry form for storage.

Abstract: A method for increasing light olefin yield during conversion of oxygenates to olefins including contacting an oxygenate feed in a primary reactor with a non-zeolitic molecular sieve catalyst under first conditions effective to produce a first product comprising light olefins; separating the first product into light olefins and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction; feeding the heavy hydrocarbon fraction to a separate auxiliary reactor; and, subjecting the heavy hydrocarbon fraction to second conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbons to light olefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for selectively converting oxygenates to light olefins, preferably ethylene and propylene, in which desirable carbonaceous deposits are maintained on a total reaction volume of catalyst by totally regenerating only a portion of the total reaction volume of catalyst and mixing the regenerated portion with the unregenerated total reaction volume of catalyst.