Abstract: The present invention provides a method for simultaneous production of components suitable for production of base oil and fuel components. In the method a feedstock comprising fatty acids and/or fatty acid esters is entered into a reaction zone and subjected to a ketonisation reaction in the presence of a dual catalyst system. This system is configured to perform a ketonisation reaction and a hydrotreatment reaction, under hydrogen pressure. Subsequently ketones are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing hydrocarbon chain length. The method comprises providing a feedstock comprising fatty acids and/or fatty acid esters with hydrocarbon chain length below C23 into a reaction zone in which ketonisation is conducted in the presence of a hydrotreatment catalyst under hydrogen pressure. The obtained ketones have a hydrocarbon chain length of from C24 to C43. The present invention further provides a method for simultaneous production of base oil components and fuel components.

Abstract: A reverse disproportionation reaction of two hydrocarbon feeds allows production of a reaction mixture containing products with intermediate carbon numbers. The amount of at least one of the products with intermediate carbon numbers is equal to or greater than the amount formed from disproportionation of the hydrocarbon alone. A reverse disproportionation reaction mixture is also described.

Abstract: A system or method for producing gasoline from natural gas via methanol can effectively use the heat of reaction generated during the synthesis of gasoline and is capable of readily cooling the gasoline synthesis column in the production of gasoline from natural gas via methanol. A steam reformer 10 steam-reforms natural gas to generate reformed gas, methanol is synthesized by a methanol synthesis column 20 from the reformed gas, and in synthesizing gasoline from methanol by using a gasoline synthesis column 30, combustion air 41 to be supplied to the steam reformer 10 is preheated with the heat of reaction generated in the gasoline synthesis column 30, and then the preheated combustion air 41 is supplied to the steam reformer 10.

Abstract: Processes for the disproportionation and isomerization of a C4 hydrocarbon feed using a liquid catalyst comprising an ionic liquid and a carbocation promoter are described. The ionic liquid is unsupported, and the reactions occur at temperatures below about 300° C.

Abstract: Processes for the disproportionation and isomerization of a C4 hydrocarbon feed using a liquid catalyst comprising an ionic liquid and a carbocation promoter are described. The ionic liquid is unsupported, and the reactions occur at temperatures below about 300° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for upgrading a pyrolysis oil comprising the following steps: —hydrodeoxygenation treatment (10) of the pyrolysis oil (12) and separation of the effluent (16) obtained into a light aqueous fraction (18) and a heavy organic fraction (20), or separation of the pyrolysis oil into an aqueous fraction and a lignin-rich fraction, —pre-reforming (22) of said aqueous fraction (18) and treatment of the effluent (26) obtained in an SMR unit (28) in order to produce hydrogen (34), —hydrotreatment (40) and/or catalytic cracking and/or visbreaking of said heavy organic fraction (20).

Abstract: A linear alkyl benzene product and production of linear alkylbenzene from a natural oil are provided. A method comprises the step of deoxygenating the natural oils to form a stream comprising paraffins. The paraffins are dehydrogenated to provide mono-olefins. Then, benzene is alkylated with the mono-olefins under alkylation conditions to provide an alkylation effluent comprising alkylbenzenes and benzene. Thereafter, the alkylbenzenes are isolated to provide the alkylbenzene product.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and related devices and systems for the conversion of higher hydrocarbons, such as in the form of waste plastics, petroleum sludge, slope oil, vegetable oil, and so forth, into lower hydrocarbons, which can be used as fuels or raw materials for a variety of industrial and domestic uses.

Abstract: A system or method for producing gasoline or dimethyl ether from natural gas via methanol includes: steam-reforming natural gas to generate reformed gas; synthesizing methanol from the reformed gas; synthesizing gasoline or dimethyl ether from the methanol; and at least one is selected from the group consisting of: pre-reforming natural gas prior to the steam-reforming; recovering carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in the steam-reforming; and preheating combustion air to be supplied to the steam-reforming by using synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of gasoline or dimethyl ether. In addition, an overall energy balance of the system is constructed by using heat recovery from flue gas generated in the steam-reforming, heat recovery from the reformed gas, synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of methanol, synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of gasoline or DME, and heat recovered in the pre-reforming, carbon dioxide recovering, or air preheating, respectively if selected.

Abstract: A method of removing CO2 from a gaseous mixture using ionic liquids is described. The ionic liquids can be regenerated by pressure reductions. A method of processing a renewable feedstock using the ionic liquids to remove CO2 is also described.

Abstract: Use of a particular form of carbon—carbon nanotubes—as the catalyst. The present technology uses CNTs produced via air-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which can produce these extremely active catalysts (over an order higher in the magnitude of the activity of the catalyst as compared to the conventional Fe based catalyst) in a single step for converting carbonaceous materials such as coal, biomass, natural gas to liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene etc. . . . , which is generally accomplished through three process blocks.

Abstract: Provided is a process for the supercritical upgrading of petroleum feedstock, wherein the process includes the use of a start-up agent, wherein the use of the start-up agent facilitates mixing of the petroleum feedstock and water, thereby reducing or eliminating the production of coke, coke precursor, and sludge.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for initializing hydroprocessing. Generally, the process can include providing a hydrocarbon feed to a hydrotreating zone within which the hydrotreating temperature is catalytically limited, passing an effluent from the hydrotreating zone to a hydrocracking zone, and adding a gas to the effluent that has a higher temperature than the effluent. Thus, the temperature of the effluent may be raised, facilitating hydrocracking reactions within the hydrocracking zone.

Abstract: Method for operating a two-stage hydroprocessing system includes introducing a feedstock and a first-stage gas to a first reaction zone a first pressure to generate a first-stage product stream; introducing the first-stage product stream to a first separation unit to separate an intermediate feedstock from a spent gas; introducing the intermediate feedstock and a second-stage gas to a second reaction zone a second pressure which is greater than the first pressure to generate a second-stage product stream; introducing the second-stage product stream to a second separation unit to separate a hydroprocessed product and an intermediate gas; feeding the intermediate gas directly to the first reaction zone as the first-stage gas; feeding spent gas to an amine unit and then compressor to generate recycled gas; and feeding recycled gas to the second reaction zone as the second-stage gas.

Abstract: A process for the fluid catalytic cracking of oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds from biological origin. The process comprises (a) contacting a feed comprising the oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds with a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst at elevated temperature to produce a cracked products stream, the feed comprising an amount of sulphur; (b) separating catalyst from the cracked products stream; (c) separating a light fraction from the cracked products stream; and (d) removing hydrogen sulphide from the light fraction by means of an amine treating process. The fluid catalytic cracking process involves the presence or use of water and/or steam and comprises a working-up process of the cracked products stream. In the working-up process, one or more chemical additives for reducing or hindering the formation of foam in amine liquids selected from defoamers and demulsifiers are added to the amine solvent in one or more amine treaters.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for processing a renewable feedstock are provided herein. In one example, a method comprises dividing a H2-rich make-up stream into a first H2-rich portion and a second H2-rich portion. The second H2-rich portion has a lower mass flow rate than the first H2-rich portion. The renewable feedstock is deoxygenated in the presence of the first H2-rich portion at hydroprocessing conditions effective to form a deoxygenating reaction zone effluent that contains normal paraffins. At least a portion of the deoxygenating reaction zone effluent is isomerized in the presence of the second H2-rich portion at isomerization conditions effective to form an isomerization reaction zone effluent that contains branched paraffin. The isomerization conditions include a first hydrogen partial pressure of about 4,140 kPa gauge or less.

Abstract: A process for the fluid catalytic cracking of oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds from biological origin. The process comprises contacting a feed comprising the oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds from biological origin and an amount of sulphur with a fluid cracking catalyst at a temperature of equal to or more than 400° C. to produce a products stream. The process further comprises separating fluid cracking catalyst from the products stream and separating a light fraction from the products stream; and removing hydrogen sulphide from the light fraction by means of an amine treating process. Activated carbon is used to treat at least part of an amine solution used in the amine treating process or to treat at least part of the feed to the amine treating process.

Abstract: A process for the fluid catalytic cracking of oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds from biological origin. The process comprises (a) contacting a feed comprising the oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds from biological origin with a fluid cracking catalyst at a temperature of equal to or more than 400° C. to produce a products stream; (b) separating fluid cracking catalyst from the products stream and separating a fraction comprising one or more C1-C4 hydrocarbon compounds from the products stream; and (c) processing the fraction comprising one or more C1-C4 hydrocarbon compounds in a work-up process, which comprises one or more oil/water separation steps. One or more de-emulsifiers are added to one or more oil/water separation steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomass derived fuels. It further relates to thermochemical production of liquids (biooils) from biomass. Specifically the present invention relates to methods of upgrading biooil. More specifically it relates to a method for upgrading biooil comprising contacting a dispersed mixture of hydrocarbon liquids, biooil, and partially upgraded biooil, with a transition metal containing catalyst and hydrogen gas at a temperature of around 330° C. and a pressure of about 1700 psi (11.7 MPa) for a period of time sufficient to reduce the oxygen content of the biooil such that it separates on cooling into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, and optionally, to further subject the organic phase to hydrotreating, hydrocracking or catalytic cracking to produce a mixture of hydrocarbons boiling in the range of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed in a hydrocracking unit and hydrotreating a diesel product from the hydrocracking unit in a hydrotreating unit. The hydrocracking unit and the hydrotreating unit share the same recycle gas compressor. A make-up hydrogen stream may also be compressed in the recycle gas compressor. A warm separator separates recycle gas and hydrocarbons from diesel in the hydrotreating effluent, so fraction of the diesel is relatively simple. The warm separator also keeps the diesel product separate from the more sulfurous diesel in the hydrocracking effluent, and still retains heat needed for fractionation of lighter components from the low sulfur diesel product.

Abstract: A process for upgrading residuum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a residuum hydrocarbon fraction and hydrogen with a first hydroconversion catalyst in a first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system; recovering a first effluent from the first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system; solvent deasphalting a vacuum residuum fraction to produce a deasphalted oil fraction and an asphalt fraction; contacting the deasphalted oil fraction and hydrogen with a second hydroconversion catalyst in a second hydroconversion reactor system; recovering a second effluent from the second hydroconversion reactor system; and fractionating the first effluent from the first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system and the second effluent from the second hydroconversion reactor system to recover one or more hydrocarbon fractions and the vacuum residuum fraction in a common fractionation system.

Abstract: A reactor and process capable of concurrently producing electric power and selectively oxidizing gaseous components in a feed stream, such as hydrocarbons to unsaturated products, which are useful intermediates in the production of liquid fuels. The reactor includes an oxidation membrane, a reduction membrane, an electron barrier, and a conductor. The oxidation membrane and reduction membrane include an MIEC oxide. The electron barrier, located between the oxidation membrane and the reduction membrane, is configured to allow transmission of oxygen anions from the reduction membrane to the oxidation membrane and resist transmission of electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane. The conductor conducts electrons from the oxidation membrane to the reduction membrane.

Abstract: The gasification of a carbonaceous material includes receiving a volume of feedstock, supplying thermal energy to the volume of feedstock to convert at least a portion of the volume of feedstock to at least one pyrolysis reaction product via at least one pyrolysis reaction, super-heating the at least one pyrolysis reaction product, providing a volume of super-heated steam, mixing the volume of super-heated steam with the super-heated at least one pyrolysis reaction product and converting at least a portion of at least one reformed product to at least one synthesis gas product via at least one water-gas-shift reaction.

Abstract: A process for upgrading residuum hydrocarbon feedstocks that may include: contacting a residuum hydrocarbon and hydrogen with a hydroconversion catalyst in a residuum hydroconversion reactor system; recovering an effluent from the residuum hydroconversion reactor system; separating the effluent to recover two or more hydrocarbon fractions including at least a vacuum residuum fraction and a heavy vacuum gas oil fraction; combining at least a portion of the heavy vacuum gas oil fraction and at least a portion of the vacuum residuum fraction to form a mixed heavy hydrocarbon fraction; feeding at least a portion of the mixed heavy hydrocarbon fraction to a coker; operating the coker at conditions to produce anode grade green coke and distillate hydrocarbons; recovering the distillate hydrocarbons from the coker; fractionating the distillate hydrocarbons to recover hydrocarbon fractions including a light distillates fraction, a heavy coker gas oil fraction, and a coker recycle fraction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing renewable chemicals through the manufacture of novel triglyceride oils followed by chemical modification of the oils. Methods such as transesterification, hydrogenation, hydrocracking, deoxygenation, isomerization, interesterification, hydroxylation, hydrolysis and saponification are disclosed. Novel oils containing fatty acid chain lengths of C8, C10, C12 or C14 are also disclosed and are useful as feedstocks in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Ketene chemistry and hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. Ketene from acetic acid is hydrogenated to form fuels and chemicals; acetic acid can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc. In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass.

Abstract: The use of bio oil from at least one renewable source in a hydrotreatment process, in which process hydrocarbons are formed from said glyceride oil in a catalytic reaction, and the iron content of said bio oil is less than 1 w-ppm calculated as elemental iron. A bio oil intermediate including bio oil from at least one renewable source and the iron content of said bio oil is less than 1 w-ppm calculated as elemental iron.

Abstract: Process and systems for alkane bromination and, in one or more embodiments, to separate, parallel methane and higher alkanes bromination in a bromine-based process. An embodiment discloses a bromine-based process for converting alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons that includes alkanes bromination, the process comprising: brominating a methane stream comprising methane and having less than about 2 mol % of ethane to form methane bromination products comprising brominated methane and a first fraction of hydrogen bromide; separately brominating a C2+ alkane stream comprising an alkane having 2 or more carbon atoms to form C2+ methane bromination products comprising brominated alkanes having 2 or more carbon atoms and a second fraction of hydrogen bromide; and catalytically reacting at least a portion of the brominated methane and the brominated alkanes to form higher molecular hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for upgrading residuum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a residuum hydrocarbon fraction and hydrogen with a first hydroconversion catalyst in a first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system; recovering a first effluent from the first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system; solvent deasphalting a vacuum residuum fraction to produce a deasphalted oil fraction and an asphalt fraction; contacting the deasphalted oil fraction and hydrogen with a second hydroconversion catalyst in a second hydroconversion reactor system; recovering a second effluent from the second hydroconversion reactor system; and fractionating the first effluent from the first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system and the second effluent from the second hydroconversion reactor system to recover one or more hydrocarbon fractions and the vacuum residuum fraction in a common fractionation system.

Abstract: A process for upgrading residuum hydrocarbons and decreasing tendency of the resulting products toward asphaltenic sediment formation in downstream processes is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a residuum hydrocarbon fraction and hydrogen with a hydroconversion catalyst in a hydrocracking reaction zone to convert at least a portion of the residuum hydrocarbon fraction to lighter hydrocarbons; recovering an effluent from the hydrocracking reaction zone; contacting hydrogen and at least a portion of the effluent with a resid hydrotreating catalyst; and separating the effluent to recover two or more hydrocarbon fractions.

Abstract: Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 15 wppm or less (e.g., 10 wppm or less) from feed sources that include a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock can be initially co-processed with a mineral feed in a fluidized bed stage, such as an ebullating bed processing stage. Ebullating bed processing can mitigate the impact of the biocomponent feed on other hydrotreatment aspects of a diesel boiling range feed. Challenged biocomponent feeds can be handled by introducing the biocomponent feed into the ebullating bed reactor in a manner that reduces the fouling impact of the feed.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbons comprising removal of C5 hydrocarbons from a feedstock, metathesizing said C5 hydrocarbons to C6+ and C4? hydrocarbons, and upgrading said C4? hydrocarbons is disclosed absent any dehydrogenation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process which comprises the steps of hydrotreating, paraffin disproportionation and hydroisomerization to convert biological hydrocarbonaceous oxygenated oils comprising triglycerides into biologically-derived paraffinic jet/diesel fuels, solvents and base oils. A combination of conventional hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalysts, such as Pt/Al2O3, and conventional olefin metathesis catalysts, such as WO3/SiO2, or inexpensive variations thereof, is generally employed in the paraffin disproportionation step.

Abstract: A process and system for recovering hydrogen bromide, methane, ethane and propane from butane and higher hydrocarbon products by means of condensation, cryogenic liquefaction and distillation, and for oxidation of the hydrogen bromide to bromine for re-use within a gas-conversion process for producing higher-molecular weight hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for converting triacylglycerides-containing oils into crude oil precursors and/or distillate hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The process may include: reacting a triacylglycerides-containing oil-water-hydrogen mixture at a temperature in the range from about 250° C. to about 525° C. and a pressure greater than about 75 bar to convert at least a portion of the triacylglycerides and recovering a reaction effluent comprising water and one or more of isoolefins, isoparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics; hydrotreating the reaction effluent to form a hydrotreated effluent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for preparing normal paraffins and hydrocarbon product streams are provided herein. A method of preparing normal paraffins includes providing an unsaturated feed that includes an unsaturated compound that has at least one alkenyl group. The unsaturated feed is epoxidized to convert the at least one alkenyl group in the unsaturated compound to an epoxide functional group, thereby converting the unsaturated compound to an epoxide compound that has at least one epoxide functional group. The at least one epoxide functional group in the epoxide compound is converted to at least one secondary hydroxyl functional group, thereby converting the epoxide compound to a hydroxyl-functional compound that has at least one hydroxyl functional group. The hydroxyl-functional compound is deoxygenated to form normal paraffins.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed in a hydrocracking unit and hydrotreating a diesel product from the hydrocracking unit in a hydrotreating unit. The hydrocracking unit and the hydrotreating unit share the same recycle gas compressor. A make-up hydrogen stream may also be compressed in the recycle gas compressor. A warm separator separates recycle gas and hydrocarbons from diesel in the hydrotreating effluent, so fraction of the diesel is relatively simple. The warm separator also keeps the diesel product separate from the more sulfurous diesel in the hydrocracking effluent, and still retains heat needed for fractionation of lighter components from the low sulfur diesel product.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating a hydrocarbon stream including flowing the hydrocarbon stream through a hydrocarbon treating vessel, heating a portion of the hydrocarbon treating vessel to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined amount of time and controlling sensitization of the portion of the interior surface of the hydrocarbon treating vessel.

Abstract: A renewable fuel may be obtained from a bio-oil containing C3-C5 oxygenates. In a first step, the bio-oil is subjected to a condensation reaction in which the oxygenates undergo a carbon-carbon bond forming reaction to produce a stream containing C6+ oxygenates. In a second step, the stream is hydrotreated to produce C6+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A renewable fuel may be obtained from a bio-oil containing C3-C5 oxygenates. In a first step, the bio-oil is subjected to a condensation reaction in which the oxygenates undergo a carbon-carbon bond forming reaction to produce a stream containing C6+ oxygenates. In a second step, the stream is hydrotreated to produce C6+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a feed derived from a biomass source that contains nitrogen in the form of fatty amides, e.g., derived from hydrothermal processing of a biomass source feed, while reducing/minimizing the amount of heteroatom removal performed during subsequent/concurrent hydroprocessing. Optionally, the feed can also contain free fatty acids. This is accomplished in part by first exposing the feed to a catalyst comprising a rare earth oxide, alkali oxide, and/or alkaline earth oxide, which can remove the nitrogen heteroatoms from the compounds within the feed or can convert the nitrogen to a form readily removed in subsequent hydroprocessing. The catalyst may also suitable for catalyzing coupling (such as condensation) or conversion reactions of amides, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid derivatives, and/or other molecules in the feed suitable for participating in the coupling reaction.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided herein. In one example, the method comprises of dividing a feedstock stream into first and second feedstock portions. The feedstock stream comprises the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil and has a temperature of about 60° C. or less. The first feedstock portion is combined with a heated organic liquid stream to form a first heated diluted pyoil feed stream. The first heated diluted pyoil feed stream is contacted with a first deoxygenating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to form an intermediate low-oxygen pyoil effluent. The second feedstock portion is combined with the intermediate low-oxygen pyoil effluent to form a second heated diluted pyoil feed stream. The second heated diluted pyoil feed stream is contacted with a second deoxygenating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to form additional low-oxygen pyoil effluent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a new type of high-quality hydrocarbon base oil of biological origin. The process of the invention comprises ketonization, hydrodeoxygenation, and isomerization steps. Fatty acids and/or fatty acid esters based on a biological raw material are preferably used as the feedstock.

Abstract: A process for catalytic cracking of a pyrolysis oil derived from material comprising biomass. In one embodiment, the process comprises subjecting a feed comprising the pyrolysis oil to a hydrodeoxygenation step to prepare an at least partially deoxygenated pyrolysis oil; heating a hydrocarbon feed to a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 50° C. to equal to or less than 200° C. to prepare a preheated hydrocarbon feed; mixing the at least partially deoxygenated pyrolysis oil and the preheated hydrocarbon feed to prepare a feed mixture; and contacting the feed mixture with a catalytic cracking catalyst in a catalytic cracking reactor at a temperature of at least 400° C. to prepare a product stream containing one or more cracked products.

Abstract: A process for obtaining petrochemical products from a carbonaceous feedstock is provided. The carbonaceous feedstock may be coal, coke, lignite, biomass, bitumen and the like. The carbonaceous feedstock is pulverized and fed to a pyrolysis reactor where the feedstock is pyrolyzed at 700-1000° C. at a pressure of 2-25 bar for 2-10 seconds, wherein the feedstock is entrained in hot syngas during the pyrolysis process.

Abstract: A method for producing biofuel and other hydrocarbons from bio-oil is disclosed. The method does not require the use of hydrogen derived from fossil fuel.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making high viscosity index lubricating base oils having a viscosity index of at least 110 by co-feeding a ketone or a beta-keto-ester feedstock with a lubricant oil feedstock directly to a hydrocracking unit to produce a hydrocracked stream. Then at least a portion of the hydrocracked stream is treated under hydroisomerization conditions to produce a high viscosity index lubricating base oil. The process may involve bypassing a hydrotreating or hydrofinishing step, which may result in improved efficiency and economics in producing high viscosity index lubricating base oils.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of hydrides of arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, silicon, and boron from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process. The method according to certain aspects includes controlling the level of hydrides of arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, silicon, and boron in the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes removing at least a portion of solids from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process. The method according to certain aspects includes controlling the level of inorganic and organic solids in the hydrocarbon stream by use of adsorbent beds, filters, cyclone or gravity separators.