Abstract: A multi-zone process for the conversion of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising cyclic compounds to produce aromatic compounds, and in particular xylene compounds. A naphtha boiling range stream having a boiling point range from about 71° C. (160° F.) to about 216° C. (420° F.) is reformed and/or transalkylated within reforming and transalkylation zones to produce an aromatics-rich high-octane stream containing xylene with increased xylene purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of butenes and derivatives thereof from dry ethanol, optionally obtained from a fermentation broth. The butenes thus produced find use as intermediates for the production of polyethylenes and other materials.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making cyclohexylbenzene.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for producing and recovering one or more high-purity xylene isomers from a feed stream having a substantial content of C9 and heavier hydrocarbons. The feed stream is processed to de-ethylate heavy aromatics, fractionated and passed to a circuit comprising C8-aromatic isomer recovery and isomerization to recover the high-purity xylene isomer with lowered energy costs.

Abstract: A xylene isomerization process includes introducing gas comprising hydrogen and a base to a reaction zone in which a catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a zeolite support resides. In one embodiment, the base may be formed in situ within the reaction zone from nitrogen and hydrogen that are introduced to the reaction zone. In another embodiment, the base is introduced directly to the reaction zone. The conditions in the reaction zone are effective to reduce the catalyst. A stream comprising C8 aromatics, e.g., xylenes and ethylbenzene may then be fed to the reaction zone containing the reduced catalyst. The reaction zone may be operated at conditions effective to isomerize the xylenes and hydrodealkylate the ethylbenzene. The xylene loss during the isomerization of the xylenes is lowered as a result of using the catalyst reduced in the presence of the gas comprising a base and hydrogen.

Abstract: Methods comprising: (a) providing a starting mixture comprising at least one hydrocarbon and at least one oxygen source, wherein the starting mixture has a fuel number of at least 4; (b) heating the starting mixture to a temperature of not more than 1400° C. and subjecting it to a single-stage, autothermal, uncatalyzed reaction to form a reaction gas; and (c) subjecting the reaction gas to rapid cooling to form at least one olefin and synthesis gas are described.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkylbenzene includes introducing benzene and an olefin feed into a first alkylation reaction zone in the presence of a first alkylation catalyst under first alkylation reaction conditions to produce a first alkylation effluent containing alkylbenzene and a first alkylation overhead stream. The first alkylation overhead stream is separated into a liquid portion containing benzene and a vapor portion containing unconverted olefin and ethane. A major portion of the unconverted olefin in the vapor portion of the first alkylation overhead stream is absorbed into a de-ethanized aromatic lean oil stream containing benzene and alkylbenzene in an absorption zone to produce a rich oil stream containing olefins and at least some of the ethane.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of alkylaromatics in two sequential zones, the first zone operating in the absence of hydrogen using a platinum-free catalyst and the second zone using a catalyst comprising a molecular sieve and a platinum-group metal component to obtain an improved yield of para-xylene from the mixture relative to prior art processes.

Abstract: Process for reduction of bromine index in aromatics, comprising the steps of feeding an aromatics feed stream which contains olefin impurities to a distillation column; withdrawing an overhead stream from the distillation column; subjecting at least a portion of the overhead stream to a treatment for the alkylation or polymerization of olefin in a clay treater to provide a purified overhead stream which is then injected to the aromatics feed stream.

Abstract: A process for producing a monoalkylation aromatic product, such as ethylbenzene and cumene, utilizing an alkylation reactor zone and a transalkylation zone in series or a combined alkylation and transkylation reactor zone.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are provided that provide high yields of xylenes per unit of aromatic-containing feed while enabling a high purity benzene co-product to be obtained without the need for an extraction or distillation to remove C6 naphthenes. The processes of this invention include a transalkylation section and a disproportionation section in the benzene and toluene-containing feed is directly provided to the transalkylation section and in which a benzene recycle loop in the transalkylation section isolates the disproportionation section from C6 naphthenes.

Abstract: A process for the production of low sulfur diesel and aromatic compounds wherein C9+ hydrocarbons are hydrocracked to produce low sulfur diesel and a naphtha boiling range stream which is transalkylated in an integrated transalkylation zone to produce xylene.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of alkylaromatics in two sequential zones, the first zone operating in the absence of hydrogen using a platinum-free catalyst and the second zone using a catalyst comprising a molecular sieve and a platinum-group metal component to obtain improved yield of para-xylene from the mixture relative to prior art processes.

Abstract: A method of preparing high linear paraffin or high end-chain monomethyl content products is accomplished by converting synthesis gas in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to hydrocarbon products. These may be hydrotreated to provide an n-paraffin content of greater than 50% by weight, with substantially all branched paraffins being monomethyl end-chain branched paraffins. At least one non-linear paraffin isomer, which may be a monomethyl paraffin isomer, may be separated from the hydrocarbon products through distillation to provide an n-paraffin product having an n-paraffin content percentage by weight of the n-paraffin product that is greater than the initial n-paraffin content.

Abstract: An aromatics complex flow scheme has been developed. The isomerized xylenes effluent from a xylene recovery zone is recycled to a transalkylation stripper without requiring C8 aromatic hydrocarbons to be separated. This improvement results in an aromatics complex with savings on capital and utility costs and an improvement on the return on investment in such a complex.

Abstract: A process for increasing the production of light olefin hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon feedstock. A process for producing an aromatic hydrocarbon mixture and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from a hydrocarbon mixture, and a process for producing a hydrocarbon feedstock which is capable of being used as a feedstock in the former process, that is to say, a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) process, a catalytic reforming process, and/or a pyrolysis process, are integrated, thereby it is possible to increase the production of C2-C4 light olefin hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An aromatics complex flow scheme has been developed in which C7-C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons are recycled to an isomerization unit of a xylene recovery zone to increase the efficiency of the isomerization unit. This improvement results in an aromatics complex with savings on capital and utility costs and an improvement on the return on investment.

Abstract: A styrene process is disclosed that uses a dehydrogenation reactor and a transalkylation reactor and in which a significant portion of the benzene, the inhibitors, or both, recovered from the dehydrogenation reactor passes to the transalkylation reactor. The process disclosed herein can also use an alkylation reactor and can increase the run length of the alkylation catalyst.

Abstract: A multi-zone process for the production of low sulfur diesel and aromatic compounds wherein C9+ hydrocarbons are hydrocracked to produce low sulfur diesel and a naphtha boiling range stream which is reformed and transalkylated within reforming and transalkylation zones to produce an aromatics-rich high-octane stream containing xylene and to balance hydrogen needs.

Abstract: An aromatics complex flow scheme has been developed. C7-C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons are recycled to an isomerization unit of a xylene recovery zone to increase the efficiency of the isomerization unit. This improvement results in an aromatics complex with savings on capital and utility costs and an improvement on the return on investment.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of a hydrocarbon feedstock to produce xylene compounds. The feedstock is selectively hydrocracked and introduced into a transalkylation zone with a hydrocarbonaceous stream rich in benzene, toluene and C9+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing 4-vinylcyclohexene, which comprises the steps (A) providing an n-butane-containing feed gas stream, (B) feeding the n-butane-containing feed gas stream into at least one dehydrogenation zone and dehydrogenating n-butane to butadiene to give a product stream comprising butadiene, n-butane, possibly 1-butene and 2-butene and possibly water vapor and other secondary constituents, (C) feeding the product stream from dehydrogenation, if appropriate after separating off water vapor and secondary constituents, into a dimerization zone and catalytically dimerizing butadiene to give a product stream comprising 4-vinylcyclohexene, n-butane and possibly 1-butene, 2-butene and unreacted butadiene, and (D) separating off 4-vinylcyclohexene from the product stream from the dimerization and recirculating n-butane and possibly 1-butene, 2-butene and unreacted butadiene to the dehydrogenation zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for synthesizing para-diisopropylbenzene utilizing only cumene and propylene as raw materials. This synthesis technique offers the advantage of eliminating benzene as a raw material used in the process. The elimination of benzene is beneficial because it simplifies the process and eliminates the need to purchase and store benzene for use in the synthesis. The elimination of benzene from the synthesis is of particular value since the use of benzene in industrial applications has been under attack on the basis of environmental, safety, and health concerns.

Abstract: A styrene process is disclosed that uses a dehydrogenation reactor and a transalkylation reactor and in which a significant portion of the benzene, the inhibitors, or both, recovered from the dehydrogenation reactor passes to the transalkylation reactor. The process disclosed herein can also use an alkylation reactor and can increase the run length of the alkylation catalyst.

Abstract: Integrated process for the production of alkyl and alkenyl substituted aromatic compounds which comprises simultaneously dehydrogentaing in a reactor-regenerator system a mixture containing an alkyl and an aromatic alkyl hydrocarbon coming from an alkylation unit and recycling the dehydrogenated alkyl hydrocarbon thus produced, after separation, to the alkylation unit.

Abstract: A process for preparing branched alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons, which process comprises contacting branched olefins with an aromatic hydrocarbon under alkylating conditions, which branched olefins have been obtained by a process which comprises dehydrogenating an isoparaffinic composition over a suitable catalyst which isoparaffinic composition has been obtained by hydrocracking and hydroisomerization of a paraffinic wax and which isoparaffinic composition comprises paraffins having a carbon number in the range of from 7 to 35, of which paraffins at least a portion of the molecules is branched, the average number of branches per paraffin molecule being at least 0.

Abstract: C2–C30-alkanes are dehydrogenated in a process in which (i) ethylbenzene is dehydrogenated to styrene in a first part process to give a hydrogen-containing offgas stream, and (ii) one or more C2–C30-alkanes are dehydrogenated in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst in one or more reaction zones in a second part process to give the corresponding olefins, with a hydrogen-containing gas stream being mixed into the reaction gas mixture of the dehydrogenation in at least one reaction zone, wherein at least part of the hydrogen-containing offgas stream obtained in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene is mixed into the reaction gas mixture of the alkane dehydrogenation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of preparing styrene or substituted styrene involving (1) converting a mixture containing alkylbenzene hydroperoxide or substituted alkylbenzene hydroperoxide to a mixture containing phenyl alkanol or substituted phenyl alkanol and (2) dehydrating the phenyl alkanol or substituted phenyl alkanol, characterized by oxidizing an alkene to an alkylene oxide in step (1) in the presence of a heterogenous catalyst and dehydrating the phenyl alkanol or substituted phenyl alkanol in step (2) in the presence of a homogenous dehydration catalyst to obtain styrene or substituted styrene.

Abstract: The use of transalkylation catalysts to react heavy aromatic compounds of carbon number nine (and heavier carbon numbers) with benzene to form carbon number eight aromatics is disclosed. The catalyst system preserves ethyl-group species on the heavier aromatics that are otherwise de-ethylated over most gas-phase transalkylation catalysts to form undesired ethane gas with benzene or toluene. The catalyst system also promotes methyl-group species transalkylation at selected conditions. Thus, by using the transalkylation system, a greater yield of para-xylene or other carbon number eight aromatics may be achieved overall within an integrated aromatics complex.

Abstract: A xylene isomerization process is disclosed in which any ethylbenzene in the feed is removed, either by dealkylation or isomerization, in a separate reactor upstream of the xylene isomerization reactor and the xylene isomerization catalyst is contained in the same reactor, typically a clay treater, as that used to accommodate the olefin removal catalyst. In certain cases, a single catalyst may be used to effect both xylene isomerization and olefin removal.

Abstract: A complete new process for producing p-xylene is provided to solve the problems in the prior arts of the great amount of benzene as a by-product and the requirement of low content of C10+ heavy aromatics in the feedstock. The process comprises first subjecting benzene and C9+ aromatics to alkyl transfer reaction to produce toluene and C8 aromatics, then conducting toluene selective disproportionation, and molecular sieve adsorptive separation and isomerization of C8 aromatics, to obtain p-xylene.

Abstract: The use of two transalkylation catalysts to react aromatic compounds of carbon number nine (and heavier carbon numbers) with benzene to form carbon number eight aromatics is disclosed. The two catalyst system preserves ethyl-group species on the heavier aromatics that would otherwise de-ethylate over most gas-phase transalkylation catalysts to form undesired ethane gas with benzene or toluene. Thus, by using a transalkylation step to save ethylbenzene, a greater yield of para-xylene or other carbon number eight aromatics may be achieved within an integrated complex. An apparatus and process for the two transalkylation catalyst system is disclosed with a liquid-phase unit and a gas-phase unit.

Abstract: An integrated process of preparing a C2-5 alkenyl-substituted aromatic compound using a C6-12 aromatic compound and a C2-5 alkane as raw materials. The process involves two reaction steps operating in tandem, the first reaction step reacts the C6-12 aromatic compound with hydrogen chloride and molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst to yield water and mono-, di-, tri-, and higher chlorinated aromatic adducts. The chlorinated compounds from the first reaction step are reacted with ethane in the second reaction step to produce alkane-substituted aromatic compounds which spontaneously dehydrogenate to an alkenyl-substituted aromatic compound and hydrogen chloride. After separating the alkenyl-substituted aromatic product from the hydrogen chloride, the hydrogen chloride is recycled to the first reaction step so that there is no net production or consumption of hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for improving the octane number of a synthetic naphtha stream and optionally for producing olefins and/or solvents. In one embodiment, the method comprises aromatizing at least a portion of a synthetic naphtha stream to produce an aromatized hydrocarbon stream; and isomerizing at least a portion of the aromatized hydrocarbon stream to produce an isomerized aromatized hydrocarbon stream having a higher octane rating than the synthetic naphtha stream. Alternatively, the method comprises providing at least three synthetic naphtha cuts comprising a C4-C5 stream; a C6-C8 stream and a C9-C11 stream; aromatizing some of the C6-C8 stream to form an aromatized hydrocarbon stream with a higher octane number; steam cracking some of the C6-C8 stream and optionally the C9-C11 stream to form olefins; and selling some portions of C9-C11 stream as solvents. In preferred embodiments, the synthetic naphtha is derived from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing xylenes in a feed containing xylenes is disclosed which process comprises: contacting the feed with a first isomerization catalyst in a first reactor under a first set of conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the feed; and contacting the xylenes with a second isomerization catalyst in a second reactor under a second set of conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the feed. The second reactor is typically a clay treater and contains a further catalyst effective under the second set of conditions to remove olefins in the feed. Any ethylbenzene in the feed is removed, either by dealkylation or isomerization, in the first reactor or in a third reactor upstream of the first and second reactors.

Abstract: A complete new process for producing p-xylene is provided to solve the problems in the prior arts of the great amount of benzene as a by-product and the requirement of low content of C10+ heavy aromatics in the feedstock. The process comprises first subjecting benzene and C9+ aromatics to alkyl transfer reaction to produce toluene and C8 aromatics, then conducting toluene selective disproportionation, and molecular sieve adsorptive separation and isomerization of C8 aromatics, to obtain p-xylene.

Abstract: Processes are provided to produce a dilute ethylene stream and a dilute propylene stream from a cracked gas stream. One process comprises separating the cracked gas stream to produce a C3− stream and a C3+ stream; hydrogenating the C2− stream in a hydrogenation zone to remove a portion of the acetylene to produce the dilute ethylene stream and routing the C3+ stream to storage or other process unit. Another process comprises separating a cracked gas stream in a depropanizer zone to form a C3− stream and a C4+ stream; separating the C3− stream in a deethanizer zone to form a C2− and a C3 stream; hydrogenating a portion of the acetylene in the C2− stream in a hydrogenation zone to produce a dilute ethylene stream; and routing the C3 stream to storage or other process unit.

Abstract: A process for treating methane-containing natural gas is provided which comprises: i) converting methane to methanol at or near a site of natural gas production; ii) transporting the methanol to a refinery remote from said site of production, said refinery producing ethylene and propylene and comprising an alkylation unit which can utilize a propylene feed; and iii) converting said methanol to gasoline boiling range fuel product and petrochemicals, including ethylene, propylene, butenes and xylenes.

Abstract: A process is provided to produce a dilute ethylene stream and a dilute propylene stream to be used as feedstocks for producing olefin-based derivatives. Specifically, the dilute ethylene stream is used as a feedstock to produce ethylbenzene, and the dilute propylene stream is used as a feedstock to produce cumene, acrylic acid, propylene oxide and other propylene based derivatives.

Abstract: In a process for the selective production of meta-diisopropylbenzene, a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock containing meta- and ortho-diisopropylbenzene is contacted with benzene under conversion conditions with a catalyst comprising a molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of zeolite beta, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including the d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom. The contacting step selectively converts ortho-diisopropylbenzene in the feedstock to produce an effluent in which the ratio of meta-diispropylbenzene to ortho-diispropylbenzene is greater than that of the feedstock. The effluent is the fed to a separation zone for recovery of a product rich in meta-diisopropylbenzene.

Abstract: Enabling a transalkylation process to handle both C10 alkylaromatics and unextracted toluene permits the following improvements to be realized. No longer extracting toluene allows a reformate-splitter column to be eliminated. The extraction unit can be moved to the overhead of a benzene column. No longer requiring a rigorous split between C9 and C10 alkylaromatics allows a heavy aromatics column to be eliminated. Such an enabled transalkylation process requires stabilization of a transalkylation catalyst through the introduction of a metal function. A further enhancement to the flow scheme is accomplished through the elimination of clay treaters in favor of selective olefin saturation at the exits of a reforming unit and an isomerization unit. These improvements result in an aromatics complex with savings on inside battery limits curve costs and an improvement on the return on investment in such a complex.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for producing styrene, using at least two separate reactors, by feeding a 1-phenylethanol-rich reaction mixture to a first reactor, transferring the partially catalytically dehydrated mixture to a second reactor or to a distillation unit, and separating the mixture into a fraction of low-molecular compounds and transporting it to an outlet, and to a fraction containing high-molecular compounds and transporting it to the second reactor, or feeding a part of the catalytically dehydrated mixture to the distillation unit and the other part to the second reactor, optionally recycling a part to the first reactor, and/or optionally transporting a part to another reactor, and/or to the distillation unit or to another distillation unit; provided that part of the reaction mixture of at least one of the reactors is transported to the distillation unit. The invention further pertains to an apparatus for performing this method.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of hydrogenated hydrocarbons comprising a preliminary treatment of natural gas with a catalyst at a high temperature and the subsequent hydrogenation of the mixture of cyclic and/or aromatic hydrocarbons formed.

Abstract: A para-xylene recovery process including adsorption apparatus containing a para-selective adsorbent to separate para-xylene and ethylbenzene from a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon stream, said process operated isothermally in the vapor phase at elevated temperatures and pressures, and continuously controlled in real-time by analysis of an effluent stream using NIR spectroscopy.

Abstract: A process for producing phenyl-alkanes by paraffin dehydrogenation followed by olefin isomerization and then by alkylation of a phenyl compound by a lightly branched olefin is disclosed. An effluent of the alkylation section comprises paraffins that are recycled to the dehydrogenation step. A process that sulfonates phenyl-alkanes having lightly branched aliphatic alkyl groups to produce modified alkylbenzene sulfonates is also disclosed. In addition, the compositions produced by these processes, which can comprise detergents, lubricants, and lubricant additives, are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for treating methane-containing natural gas is provided which comprises: i) converting methane to methanol at or near a site of natural gas production; ii) transporting the methanol to a refinery remote from said site of production, said refinery producing ethylene and propylene and comprising an alkylation unit which can utilize a propylene feed; and iii) converting said methanol to gasoline boiling range fuel product and petrochemicals, including ethylene, propylene, butenes and xylenes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing a blended lube base oils comprising at least one highly paraffinic Fischer Tropsch lube base stocks and at least one base stock composed of alkylaromatics, alkylcycloparaffins, or mixtures thereof. The use of base stocks composed of alkylaromatics, alkylcycloparaffins, or mixtures thereof improves the yield of lube base oils from Fischer Tropsch facilities, as well as provides moderate improvements in physical properties including additive solubility. The invention provides processes for obtaining such blended lube base oils using the products of Fischer Tropsch processes.

Abstract: A process for the removal of hydrocarbon contaminants, such as dienes and olefins, from an aromatics reformate by contacting an aromatics reformate stream with a hydrotreating catalyst and/or a molecular sieve. The hydrotreating catalyst substantially converts all dienes to oligomers and partially converts olefins to alkylaromatics. The molecular sieve converts the olefins to alkylaromatics. The process provides an olefin depleted product which can be passed through a clay treater to substantially convert the remaining olefins to alkylaromatics. The hydrotreating catalyst has a metal component of nickel, cobalt, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel-molybdenum, cobalt-nickel-molybdenum, nickel-tungsten, cobalt-molybdenum or nickel-tungsten-titanium, with a nickel molybdenum/alumina catalyst being preferred. The molecular sieve is an intermediate pore size zeolite, preferably MCM-22. The clay treatment can be carried out with any clay suitable for treating hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of styrene or substituted styrenes that includes the steps of: subjecting a feed containing 1-phenyl ethanol or substituted 1-phenyl ethanol to a dehydration treatment in the presence of a dehydration catalyst; subjecting the resulting product stream to a separation treatment, thus obtaining a stream containing styrene or substituted styrene and a residual fraction containing heavy ends; and converting at least part of these heavy ends to styrene or substituted styrenes by subjecting a stream containing these heavy ends to a cracking treatment in the presence of an acidic cracking catalyst.

Abstract: A process and a system for increasing para-xylene production from a C8 aromatic feedstream by coupling at least one xylene isomerization reactor with at least one pressure swing adsorption unit or temperature swing absorption unit to produce a product having a super-equilibrium para-xylene concentration. This product is then subjected to para-xylene separation and purification.