Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of polymers (such as plastic waste) to olefins. The systems and methods can include a recycle loop so that a portion of the pyrolysis effluent can be combined with solid plastic feedstock. The input flow to the pyrolysis reactor can correspond to a slurry of plastic particles in recycled effluent or a solution of plastic in recycled effluent.

Abstract: A method of electrochemical exfoliation, may include: electrochemically exfoliating a parent material comprising coke, wherein the electrochemically exfoliating comprises introducing the parent material into a porous chamber, applying pressure to the porous chamber to thereby compress the parent material in the porous chamber, and applying a potential bias to the parent material while at least a portion of the parent material is in contact with an electrolyte solution to produce a mixture of exfoliated material and unexfoliated parent material, wherein the exfoliated material comprises exfoliated graphene; and separating at least a portion of the exfoliated material from the unexfoliated parent material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for integration of a reactor for polyolefin pyrolysis with the effluent processing train for a steam cracker. The polyolefins can correspond to, for example, polyolefins in plastic waste. Integrating a process for polyolefin pyrolysis with a steam cracker processing train can allow a mixture of polymers to be converted to monomer units while reducing or minimizing costs and/or equipment footprint. This can allow for direct conversion of polyolefins to the light olefin monomers in high yield while significantly lowering capital and energy usage due to integration with a steam cracking process train. The integration can be enabled in part by selecting feeds with appropriate mixtures of various polymer types and/or by limiting the volume of the plastic waste pyrolysis product relative to the volume from the steam cracker(s) in the steam cracking process train.

Abstract: Systems for reforming a feedstock comprising paraffins and naphthenes. A first reactor containing a first reforming catalyst is operable to maintain a temperature and pressure that facilitates conversion of naphthenes in the feedstock to aromatics while facilitating conversion of less than 50 wt. % of paraffins in the feedstock to olefins. A first separator receives and separates the first effluent that is produced in the first reactor to produce a first fraction enriched in aromatics and a second fraction enriched in paraffins. A second reactor containing a second reforming catalyst is operable to maintain a temperature and pressure that facilitates conversion of at least 50 wt. % of paraffins in the second fraction to olefins. The system is operable to produce a liquid hydrocarbon product suitable for use as a blend component of a liquid transportation fuel.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for polishing a relatively highly pure stream of aromatic material bound for use as a petrochemical feedstock wherein the stream includes olefins and especially concerning, diolefins. The process comprises hydrotreating the highly pure aromatic stream with an unsulfided cobalt molybdenum catalyst that has low saturating activity for the aromatic but is active for saturating olefins and diolefins.

Abstract: Process for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising paraffins and naphthenes. A hydrocarbon feedstock is separated to produce a first fraction enriched in naphthenes and a second fraction that is enriched in paraffins. The first fraction is contacted with a first reforming catalyst in a first reactor that is maintained at a temperature and pressure that facilitates conversion of naphthenes to aromatics. The second fraction is contacted with a second reforming catalyst in a second reactor at a temperature and pressure that converts at least 50 wt. % of paraffins in the second fraction to olefins. The process produces a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product suitable for use as a blend component of a liquid transportation fuel.

Abstract: Process for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising paraffins and naphthenes. A hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with a first reforming catalyst in a first reactor at a temperature and pressure that facilitates conversion of naphthenes to aromatics while converting less than 50 wt. % of paraffins in the feedstock to olefins, thereby producing a first effluent that is separated into a first fraction that is enriched in aromatics and a second fraction that is enriched in paraffins. The second fraction is contacted with a second reforming catalyst in a second reactor at a temperature and pressure that converts at least 50 wt. % of paraffins in the second fraction to olefins. The process produces a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product suitable for use as a blend component of a liquid transportation fuel.

Abstract: Systems for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock, where the system is operable to selectively reform different sub-components of the hydrocarbon feedstock using at least two structurally-distinct reforming catalysts. Advantages may include a decreased rate of reforming catalyst deactivation and an increased yield of a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product that is characterized by at least one of an increased octane rating and a decreased vapor pressure compared to the liquid hydrocarbon reformate product of conventional one-step reforming systems.

Abstract: Processes for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock by selectively reforming different sub-components of the feedstock using at least two compositionally-distinct reforming catalysts. Advantages may include a decreased rate of reforming catalyst deactivation and an increased yield of a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product that is characterized by at least one of an increased octane rating and a decreased vapor pressure (relative to conventional one-step reforming processes and systems).

Abstract: Systems for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock, where the system is operable to selectively reform different sub-components of the hydrocarbon feedstock using at least two structurally-distinct reforming catalysts. Advantages may include a decreased rate of reforming catalyst deactivation and an increased yield of a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product that is characterized by at least one of an increased octane rating and a decreased vapor pressure compared to the liquid hydrocarbon reformate product of conventional one-step reforming systems.

Abstract: Systems for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock, where the system is operable to selectively reform different sub-components of the hydrocarbon feedstock using at least two structurally-distinct reforming catalysts. Advantages may include a decreased rate of reforming catalyst deactivation and an increased yield of a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product that is characterized by at least one of an increased octane rating and a decreased vapor pressure compared to the liquid hydrocarbon reformate product of conventional one-step reforming systems.

Abstract: Processes for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock by selectively reforming different sub-components or fractions of the feedstock using at least two compositionally-distinct reforming catalysts. Advantages may include a decreased rate of reforming catalyst deactivation and an increased yield of a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product that is characterized by at least one of an increased octane rating and a decreased vapor pressure (relative to conventional one-step reforming processes and systems).

Abstract: A method of cleaning plugged or dirty porous metallic filter elements to regain filter activity, comprising the steps of: steaming a filter element for a first period of time; submerging the filter element in a first solution; and exposing the first solution to ultrasound waves for a second period of time.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting high free fatty acid containing feedstock such as acidulated soapstock into hydrocarbon compound especially fuel range hydrocarbons using amidation as a pretreatment step followed by hydroprocessing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to processing of petroleum with a bed having a sorbent based diluent that the petroleum contacts upon passing through the bed. Magnetic properties of the sorbent and any other material, such as zeolite, used in the bed enable separation of such bed constituents based on a sulfided form of the sorbent being magnetic in contrast to a non-sulfided form of the sorbent being non-magnetic. Dividing the bed constituents into first and second portions by magnetic separation facilitates in selective replacing and/or regenerating the first portion independent of the second portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to processing of petroleum with a bed having a sorbent based diluent that the petroleum contacts upon passing through the bed. Magnetic properties of the sorbent and any other material, such as zeolite, used in the bed enable separation of such bed constituents based on a sulfided form of the sorbent being magnetic in contrast to a non-sulfided form of the sorbent being non-magnetic. Dividing the bed constituents into first and second portions by magnetic separation facilitates in selective replacing and/or regenerating the first portion independent of the second portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to processing of petroleum with a bed having a sorbent based diluent that the petroleum contacts upon passing through the bed. Magnetic properties of the sorbent and any other material, such as zeolite, used in the bed enable separation of such bed constituents based on a sulfided form of the sorbent being magnetic in contrast to a non-sulfided form of the sorbent being non-magnetic. Dividing the bed constituents into first and second portions by magnetic separation facilitates in selective replacing and/or regenerating the first portion independent of the second portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for the conversion of oxygen-containing hydrocarbons into long-chain hydrocarbons suitable for use as a fuel. These hydrocarbons may be derived from biomass, and may optionally be mixed with petroleum-derived hydrocarbons prior to conversion. The process utilizes a catalyst comprising Ni and Mo to convert a mixture comprising oxygenated hydrocarbons into product hydrocarbons containing from ten to thirty carbons. Hydro-conversion can be performed at a significantly lower temperature than is required for when utilizing a hydrotreating catalyst comprising Co and Mo (CoMo), while still effectively removing sulfur compounds (via hydrodesulfurization) to a level of 10 ppm (by weight) or less.

Abstract: A method of cleaning plugged or dirty porous metallic filter elements to regain filter activity, comprising the steps of: steaming a filter element for a first period of time; submerging the filter element in a first solution; and exposing the first solution to ultrasound waves for a second period of time.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting high free fatty acid containing feedstock such as acidulated soapstock into hydrocarbon compound especially fuel range hydrocarbons using amidation as a pretreatment step followed by hydroprocessing.