Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dehydrogenating an alkane, the method including: a step of feeding into dehydrogenation reactors a feed gas stream containing a hydrocarbon to be dehydrogenated, hydrogen, and steam and performing dehydrogenation, wherein the dehydrogenation step is repeated in five or more sets, the dehydrogenation reactors have two parallel-connected reaction material heaters configured to heat the feed gas stream which is fed into each of the dehydrogenation reactors, and the steam is fed separately to the individual reactors for five or more sets of dehydrogenation steps; and a step of cooling and compressing a production gas stream resulting from the previous step, quenching the compressed product gas stream by passage through a cooling box, separating and purifying the product gas stream having passed through the cooling box, and recovering a product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of linear butenes from isobutanol which has preferably been obtained from renewable raw materials by microbial and/or fermentation processes.

Abstract: The efficiency of heat transfer to a furnace tube or coil in a furnace for cracking ethane, propane or naphtha feedstocks, or a mixture thereof may be improved by providing protuberances on the surface of the tube or coil having i) a maximum height from 3 to 15% of the coil outer diameter, ii) a contact surface with a coil, or a base, which area is 0.1%-10% of the coil external cross section area, and iii) a geometrical shape which has a relatively large external surface containing a relatively small volume.

Abstract: A reactor has an inner surface accessible to the hydrocarbon and comprising a sintered product of at least one of cerium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, zirconium oxide, boehmite and silicon dioxide, and a perovskite material of formula AaBbCcDdO3-?. 0<a<1.2, 0?b?1.2, 0.9<a+b?1.2, 0<c<1.2, 0?d?1.2, 0.9<c+d?1.2, ?0.5<?<0.5. A is selected from calcium, strontium, barium, and any combination thereof. B is selected from lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and any combination thereof. C is selected from cerium, zirconium, antimony, praseodymium, titanium, chromium, manganese, ferrum, cobalt, nickel, gallium, tin, terbium and any combination thereof.

Abstract: Processes are disclosure which comprise alternately contacting an oxygen-carrying catalyst with a reducing substance, or a lower partial pressure of an oxidizing gas, and then with the oxidizing gas or a higher partial pressure of the oxidizing gas, whereby the catalyst is alternately reduced and then regenerated to an oxygenated state. In certain embodiments, the oxygen-carrying catalyst comprises at least one metal oxide-containing material containing a composition having the following formulas: (a) CexByB?zB?O?, wherein B=Ba, Sr, Ca, or Zr; B?=Mn, Co, and/or Fe; B?=Cu; 0.01<x<0.99; 0<y<0.6; 0<z<0.5; (b) Ce1-x-yNixByO2-*, wherein B=Zr, Ba, Ca, La, or K; 0.02<x<0.1; 0<y<0.1; and 0.02<*<0.15; and 1<?<2.2 and (c) coal ash either as a catalyst material itself or as a support for said unary or binary metal oxides.

Abstract: The invention describes catalysts, methods of making catalysts, methods of making a microchannel reactor, and methods of conducting chemical reactions. It has been discovered that superior performance can be obtained from a catalyst formed by directly depositing a catalytic material onto a (low surface area) thermally-grown alumina layer. Improved methods of conducting oxidative dehydrogenations are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming olefins from an oxygenate-containing feedstock, comprising contacting the at least partially vaporized feed comprising oxygenates with a first catalyst upstream of an OTO reactor, the first catalyst consisting of a reactive guard bed of metal oxides comprising one or more metals from Groups 2, 3, and 4 of the Periodic Table and/or one or more metals in the Lanthanide and Actinide series, then contacting the feedstock in the OTO reactor with a second catalyst under conditions effective to form an effluent comprising the olefins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed vaporization and introduction system for an OTO reactor. The invention includes: means for vaporizing at least a portion of the feed; means for contacting the at least partially vaporized feed with a first catalyst comprising one or more metals from Groups 2, 3, and 4 of the Periodic Table and/or one or more metals in the Lanthanide and Actinide series.

Abstract: A fuel reformer for reforming hydrocarbon base fuel into hydrogen rich gas, with one embodiment comprised of material containing at least 15 to 25% by mass Cr, 8 to 35% by mass Ni, 2 to 4% by mass Si and the remainder Fe and inevitable impurities (C, Mn, P, S or others). The material provides sigma brittleness resistance and cementation resistance, and provides a reformer that is lightweight, low-cost, highly reliable and durable. A second embodiment adds to the composition 0.05 to 1% by mass Nb, providing improved oxidation resistance, cementation resistance, intergranular corrosion resistance, with further improved reliability and durability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluidized bed reactor wherein the average cross-sectional area occupied by a cooling coil, a dummy pipe and/or a cyclone leg is 10% or more of the average cross-sectional area of said reactor in a dense-phase fluidized catalyst bed region. The fluidized bed reactor in the present invention allows an improved fluidization of catalyst and thus allows an efficient reaction of a hydrocarbon with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Solid fullerite, comprising a mixture of C.sub.60 and C.sub.70 fullerenes and higher molecular weight carbon nanotropes, is produced by high temperature, short residence time, pyrolysis of a mixture of hydrocarbons, containing at least two "but less than six" carbon atoms in their molecular structures, admixed with an inert gas comprising at least one member of the Group VIII-A elements of The Periodic Table of The Elements in a substantially reduced-metals free reactor comprised of a thermally stable ceramic or pyrolytic graphite.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation and oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular ethylbenzene, to form corresponding oxidized or olefinically unsaturated compounds, in particular styrene, over an oxygen-conferring, oxygen-regenerable catalyst involving a working period, a time-displaced regenerating period and at least one intermediate rinsing period comprises effecting a partial regeneration during the working period by time-displaced addition of a substoichiometric amount of oxygen.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for the dehydrogenation of ethane to produce ethylene and hydrogen through the use of a catalytic ceramic membrane having selective permeability, thus permitting separation of hydrogen from the reaction zone which causes further dehydrogenation of ethane, the catalytic ceramic membrane being in a cylindrical form which has been treated to have a metallic catalyst of suitable metal, such as platinum, palladium or chromium, deposited on the surface adjacent to the reaction zone. The catalytic ceramic membrane tube is enclosed within an alloy tube of suitable composition to permit heating to the temperature range of 300.degree. to 650.degree. C. The annulus surrounding the ceramic membrane tube may be filled with a pelleted catalyst, thus causing the dehydrogenation reaction to take place within this annular zone, but which will be accelerated by the permeation of hydrogen out of the zone through the ceramic catalytic membrane.

Abstract: A catalytic process for gas phase oxidative coupling of aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds to produce higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds, the catalyst being a mixed basic metal oxide or sulfide catalyst. One preferred mixed basic metal oxide catalyst is boron/alkali metal promoted metal oxide.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for hydrogenating a stream of hydrocarbons is provided. The pressure and temperature of the stream are elevated and the stream is passed through two or more serially connected hydrogenation reaction zones. While passing through the reaction zones hydrogen is dispersed in the stream and the stream is caused to flow along successive downward and upward paths. The reacted stream is cooled prior to reducing the pressure exerted thereon.

Abstract: A process for thermally converting methane e.g., at 1,000.degree.-1,300.degree. C. into hydrocarbons with higher molecular weights, especially ethylene comprises circulating a gas containing methane in ceramic channels (11) grouped in rows which cover at least a part of the reactor (1) length, parallel to its axis. At the reaction temperature, the temperature variation is kept at less than 20.degree. C. The rows of channels form multiple plates (4) which are not adjacent to one another and which define tight spaces (17) in which are housed the electric heating (5, 22) means that heat the channel plates in a first zone (9) through successive, independent cross sections substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reactor and substantially parallel to the plane of the plates. Means for heating, servocontrol and modulation (7, 8) regulate the heating system. At the exit of the heating zone (9), the effluent is cooled in a second zone (10) equipped with cooling means and finally collected.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons having two carbon atoms, which comprises introducing methane gas into a reactor downwardly from the top, the reactor comprising a pair of reactor walls extending vertically and facing each other, one of the walls being maintained at a high temperature and the other being maintained at a low temperature, so that the methane gas is dimerized primarily through the dehydrogenation on the surface of the high temperature wall to form C.sub.2 hydrocarbons and hydrogen, and the C.sub.2 hydrocarbons are preferentially diffused and transferred to the low temperature wall side by thermal diffusion effects.

Abstract: A multitubular catalytic reactor for exothermal catalytic reactions comprises a bundle of parallel tubes all of the same length and a catalyst within the tubes. The tube bundle has an inlet side and an outlet side. Devices are provided for introducing separately reactants to within the tubes of the reactor and coolant to the channels defined between adjacent tubes of the bundle. The coolant is introduced into the channels co-currently with the direction of flow of the reactants. The products are withdrawn from the tubes independently of the coolant. The reactor is particularly adapted to a single stage conversion of methanol into gasoline boiling point range constituents using crystalline aluminosilicate catalysts.

Abstract: An integrated reactor system for conversion of methanol to ether-containing high octane gasoline and distillate. Methanol is converted to olefins in the presence of zeolite MTO catalyst. C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 olefin fraction is converted to MTBE and TAME in the presence of excess methanol and acid etherification catalyst. Unreacted methanol and hydrocarbons are passed to an olefins to gasoline and distillate oligomerization unit in conjunction with C.sub.3, C.sub.6 and C.sub.7 olefins from the methanol to olefins unit whereby distillate and LPG products are produced. Gasoline products from the oligomerization unit are passed to the etherification unit whereby an ether-rich gasoline fraction is separated.

Abstract: A process is provided for the oxidative conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons wherein a mixture of methane and gaseous oxidant is contacted at reaction conditions with a solid oxidative contact agent which is essentially free of reducible metal oxide, the oxidative conversion taking place in the presence of a chalcogen promoter.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting crude aqueous oxygenate feedstock, such methanol or the like, to liquid hydrocarbons in contact with a medium pore shape selective crystalline acid zeolite catalyst, such as HZSM-5. In a preferred embodiment, the novel technique comprises means for: (a) contacting a crude methanol feedstock containing a minor amount of water with a liquid hydrocarbon extraction stream under extraction conditions favorable to selective extraction of the methanol, thereby providing an extract liquid stream rich in methanol and an aqueous raffinate stream lean in methanol; (b) charging the extracted methanol substantially free of water to said reaction zone under process conditions to convert substantially all methanol to hydrocarbons; (c) cooling reaction effluent to recover aqueous liquid byproduct stream, gas rich in C.sub.2.sup.- hydrocarbons, liquid rich in C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbons and C.sub.5.sup.

Abstract: A diffusion flame reactor for cracking hydrocarbon gas has an oxygen-deficient zone in the center of the flame or in the center of an array of flames. Propane, n-octane, iso-octane and decalin are cracked to ethylene, acetylene, propylene, butenes, and butadienes which are withdrawn from the flame.

Abstract: Methane is converted to higher, more reactive, hydrocarbon products by a diffusion flame. Methane is converted to C.sub.2 + products by pyrolysis in the interior of the flame with oxidizing gas flowing outside of the flame. More reactive products are withdrawn from the center of the flame by a probe tube and cooled by the flowing oxidizing gas to stop the reaction.

Abstract: A reactor tube for thermally cracking or reforming hydrocarbons comprising an outer tube member made of Ni-containing heat resisting material and having enhanced mechanical strength with a large wall thickness, and an inner tube member of small wall thickness fitted in the outer tube member and made of heat resisting material free from Ni or with a low Ni content. The inner and outer tube members have been subjected to a diffusion treatment with a thin coating of Ni-P solid solution provided at the junction therebetween and thereby bonded together.

Abstract: A reactor tube for thermally cracking or reforming of hydrocarbons wherein a reacting layer contacting hydrocarbons is made of heat resisting steel comprising, in terms of % by weight, 0.3 to 1.5% C, up to 3% Si, 6 to 15% Mn, 20 to 30% Cr, up to 3% Nb, up to 0.15% N, the balance being substantially Fe and a covering layer which covers the said reacting layer is made of Fe-Cr-Ni heat resisting steel and is fused to the reacting layer at their boundary.

Abstract: An apparatus, for the rapid heating and subsequent reaction of carbonaceous material and hydrogen, comprising a cylindrical reactor shell; a first inlet conduit, coaxial with the shell, terminating inside the shell and having the terminal discharge end covered with a metal that resists carbide formation which leads to plugging; a second inlet conduit whose discharge end is in proximity to the discharge end of the first conduit; and suitable insulation means between the first and second conduits.

Abstract: The formation of carbon on metals exposed to hydrocarbons in a thermal cracking process is reduced by contacting such metals with a halogen containing silicon compound selected from the group consisting of halogen containing silanes, halogen containing disilanes, and halogen containing siloxanes. After the metals are contacted with the halogen containing silicon compound, the halogen containing silicon compound is converted to silicon dioxide to form a protective coating on the metals. This protective coating substantially reduces the formation of carbon on metals exposed to hydrocarbons in a thermal cracking process.

Abstract: A process for cracking lignin-containing feed materials, such as precipitated from black liquor, to produce hydrocarbon products such as ethylene, utilizing dual fluidized beds of particulate solids in series flow arrangement. In the process, the feedstock is introduced with a diluent gas such as steam into the first or fast fluidized bed for cracking reactions at superficial gas velocity exceeding about 5 ft/sec. A particulate solids carrier material, which can comprise at least partly coke produced in the process, is circulated between the beds, and coke deposited on the carrier in the first or cracking bed at 1000.degree.-1600.degree. F. temperature is burned off in a second or combustion bed maintained at 1400.degree.-2000.degree. F. temperature by an oxygen-containing gas and diluent steam introduced therein. Superficial upward gas velocity in the fast fluidized bed zone exceeds about 5 ft/sec. and the bed density exceeds about 3 lb/cu.ft.

Abstract: Protection of cast austenitic stainless steel tubes is provided against initiation of carburization by (a) cold-working the inner surfaces of said tubes to deform the surface to such a degree that upon the subsequent heat treatment of step (b) below, dissolution of the M.sub.23 C.sub.6 carbides in the deformed region is accompanied by recrystallization resulting in a refined micrograin structure in the deformed regions to a substantially uniform minimum depth of about 20 microns; and (b) heating the cold-worked inner surfaces of said tubes, for an effective amount of time, at a temperature between its recrystallization temperature and its melting temperature, in an atmosphere of which the oxygen partial pressure is at least oxidizing with respect to chromium.

Abstract: A process for increasing the reaction rate of condensation reactions which occur between non-conjugated non-aromatic olefinically unsaturated hydrocarbons and active hydrogen-containing organic compounds in the presence of alkali metal comprising carrying out the reaction in the presence of titanium metal.