Abstract: Process for the production of an isoprene containing rubber compound by dehydrogenation of an isoamylene containing feedstock supplied to a dehydrogenation reactor containing a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst comprising iron and potassium and having a pore diameter of at least 500 nanometers. The dehydrogenation reactor is operated at a temperature of at least 570° C. to dehydrogenate the isoamylene to produce isoprene. The product containing isoprene and unreacted isoamylene is recovered from the dehydrogenation reactor. Isoprene is polymerized to produce an isoprene containing rubber product. An unreacted feed component containing isoamylene is separated from the rubber product and recycled to the dehydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: Solid supported organoiridium catalysts, a process for preparing such solid supported organoiridium catalysts, and the use of such solid supported organoiridium catalysts in dehydrogenation reactions of alkanes is provided. The catalysts can be easily recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A dehydrogenation process using an improved noble metal containing catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a non-acidic molecular sieve having a three-dimensional microporous framework structure of tin, aluminum and silicon tetrahedral oxide units. The non-acidic molecular sieve has a noble metal such as platinum dispersed thereon. The molecular sieve is rendered non-acidic by treating it with an alkali or alkaline earth metal. At least 10% of the tin is in a reduced oxidation state.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a 1) complex comprising: a) at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Group 8 metals, Group 9 metals, Group 10 metals, and combinations thereof; b) a compound having the formula R3X wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, substituted aryls, and substituted organic compounds and wherein X is a Group 15 element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and bismuth; and 2) support component comprising a silicon-containing compound and a method of making said catalyst, is disclosed. The catalyst is then used to dehydrogenate hydrocarbons in a dehydrogenation reaction zone under dehydrogenation reaction conditions.

Abstract: Methods of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons to yield unsaturated compounds are described. Reactor configurations useful for dehydrogenation are also described. Hydrocarbons can dehydrogenationed, for relatively long periods of time-on-stream, in a reaction chamber having a dimension of 2 mm or less to produce H2 and an olefin. Techniques have been developed that reduce coke and allow stable, relatively long-term operation in small reactors.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.

Abstract: Catalytic system for partial oxidation reactions of hydrocarbons characterized in that it contains: one or more metals belonging to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd transition series; one or more elements of group IIIA, IVA or VA, wherein at least one of said metals or said elements is in the form of a nitride.

Abstract: A method of converting C2 and/or higher alkanes to olefins by contacting a feedstock containing C2 and/or higher alkanes with a first surface of a metal composite membrane of a sintered homogenous mixture of an Al oxide or stabilized or partially stabilized Zr oxide ceramic powder and a metal powder of one or more of Pd, Nb, V, Zr, Ta and/or alloys or mixtures thereof. The alkanes dehydrogenate to olefins by contact with the first surface with substantially only atomic hydrogen from the dehydrogenation of the alkanes passing through the metal composite membrane. Apparatus for effecting the conversion and separation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the continuous heterogeneously catalyzed partial dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon in the gas phase and in the presence of molecular oxygen, in which part of the product gas is recirculated to the reaction zone, and a reactor for carrying out such a process.

Abstract: A process for the production of a reaction product including a carbon containing compound. The process includes providing a film of a fuel source including at least one organic compound on a wall of a reactor, contacting the fuel source with a source of oxygen, forming a vaporized mixture of fuel and oxygen, and contacting the vaporized mixture of fuel and oxygen with a catalyst under conditions effective to produce a reaction product including a carbon containing compound. Preferred products include ?-olefins and synthesis gas. A preferred catalyst is a supported metal catalyst, preferably including rhodium, platinum, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Process for producing mono-olefins from a paraffin-containing hydrocarbon feed, comprising partially combusting a mixture of the hydrocarbon feed and a molecular oxygen-containing gas in contact with a catalyst capable of supporting combustion beyond the normal fuel rich limit of flammability and subsequently separating the products of the combustion. Energy for the separation is provided by a cogeneration process which simultaneously produces thermal energy and mechanical energy by combustion of fuel. The mechanical energy is converted to electricity, and the thermal energy is used to create steam for use in a steam turbine.

Abstract: Catalysts and methods for alkane oxydehydrogenation are disclosed. The catalysts of the invention generally comprise (i) nickel or a nickel-containing compound and (ii) at least one or more of titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), hafnium (Hf), tungsten (W), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), or aluminum (Al), or a compound containing one or more of such element(s). In preferred embodiments, the catalyst is a supported catalyst, the alkane is selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, isobutane, n-butane and ethyl chloride, molecular oxygen is co-fed with the alkane to a reaction zone maintained at a temperature ranging from about 250° C. to about 350° C., and the ethane is oxidatively dehydrogenated to form the corresponding alkene with an alkane conversion of at least about 10% and an alkene selectivity of at least about 70%.

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin from a hydrocarbon by autothermal cracking, which process comprises: partially combusting the hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the stoichiometric ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen is 5 to 16 times the stoichiometric ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen required for complete combustion of the hydrocarbon to carbon dioxide and water, characterised in that the catalyst comprises palladium and at least one further metal being a Group IIIA, Group IVA, VA, a transition metal or a lanthanide.

Abstract: Process for the production of an olefin from a hydrocarbon, which process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon and a molecular oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst under auto-thermal conditions sufficient to produce the olefin. The catalyst comprises a component (a) and a component (b), wherein component (a) is at least one metal selected from Group IIIA, Group IVA, Group VA and the transition metals and component (b) is at least one transition metal. The catalyst does not comprise either palladium or platinum.

Abstract: A catalyst is provided comprising (1) at least one solid acid component, and (2) at least one metal-based component comprised of one or more element from Groups 1–3, one or more element from Groups 4–15 and one or more element from Groups 16 and 17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. The catalyst is particularly useful in producing light olefins, preferably from paraffins. When used to convert paraffins to light olefins, the catalyst is capable of high paraffin conversion, high olefin yield, and low aromatic yield. Optionally, the catalyst can further comprise at least one of a support and a binder.

Abstract: In a process for the heterogeneously catalyzed dehydrogenation in one or more reaction zones of one or more dehydrogenatable C2-C30-hydrocarbons in a reaction gas mixture comprising them, with at least part of the heat of dehydrogenation required being generated directly in the reaction gas mixture in at least one reaction zone by combustion of hydrogen, the hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons and/or carbon in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas, the reaction gas mixture comprising the dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons is brought into contact with a Lewis-acid dehydrogenation catalyst which has essentially no Brönsted acidity.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component comprising at least one Group III A (IUPAC 13) component, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one lanthanide element, yttrium or mixtures thereof, which is preferably ytterbium or holmium, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: Novel processes for the production of polyolefins, other polymers, and oxygenated compounds, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutene-1, poly(isobutylene), polystyrene, poly(1,3-butadiene), ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, acrylonitrile, acrolein and others, within gas phase and slurry phase type reactors, from olefins produced via the catalytic dehydrogenation of corresponding paraffins and other monomers inside permeable catalytic membrane reactors or non-permeable conventional reactors. The developed processes can produce both homopolymers and copolymers depending on the operating conditions of the preceding dehydrogenation permreactor. The invented processes utilize integrated separation, recycling and re-reaction operations of the unconverted olefins, paraffins and other utilized monomers and hydrocarbon molecules.

Abstract: A process for treating organic compounds includes providing a composition which includes a substantially mesoporous structure of silica containing at least 97% by volume of pores having a pore size ranging from about 15 ? to about 30 ? and having a micropore volume of at least about 0.01 cc/g, wherein the mesoporous structure has incorporated therewith at least about 0.02% by weight of at least one catalytically and/or chemically active heteroatom selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, V, Cr, Zn, Fe, Sn, Mo, Ga, Ni, Co, In, Zr, Mn, Cu, Mg, Pd, Pt and W, and the catalyst has an X-ray diffraction pattern with one peak at 0.3° to about 3.5° at 2?. The catalyst is contacted with an organic feed under reaction conditions wherein the treating process is selected from alkylation, acylation, oligomerization, selective oxidation, hydrotreating, isomerization, demetalation, catalytic dewaxing, hydroxylation, hydrogenation, ammoximation, isomerization, dehydrogenation, cracking and adsorption.

Abstract: Novel polynuclear organometallic complexes useful as catalysts for the reversible deshydrogenation of alkanes and alkane group are disclosed. The novel compounds comprise a first transition, a second transition metal p-bonded to an ?5-aromatic ligand, and a pincer ligand. The pincer ligand comprises a 6p-electron aromatic ring having at least 2 ring atoms in an 1, 3 relationship bonded each to a neutral Lewis base through a bridge, the bridge being a diradical. The pincer ligand binds the first transition metal through each of the Lewis bases and through the ring atom adjacent to both Lewis bases and p-coordinates the second transition metal through all aromatic ring atoms. The first transition metal may also bond to 2 or 4 hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: A catalyst for the selective oxidation of hydrogen has been developed. It comprises an inert core such as cordierite and an outer layer comprising a lithium aluminate support. The support has dispersed thereon a platinum group metal and a promoter metal, e.g. platinum and tin respectively. This catalyst is particularly effective in the selective oxidation of hydrogen in a dehydrogenation process.

Abstract: A process is described for the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene in a fluid-bed reactor-regenerator system, which uses a catalyst based on iron oxide supported on a modified alumina and promoted with further metal oxides.

Abstract: A new family of oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts having MCrAlY supports can be used in the production of olefins. Olefins are produced by heating a feed stream comprising at least an alkane and an oxidant to a temperature between 25° C. and 800° C.; contacting the feed stream with a catalyst comprising an MCrAlY structure and, optionally, a Group VIII promoter metal coating, wherein M is a base metal, or combination of base metals; and maintaining a contact time of the alkane with the catalyst of less than 200 milliseconds under conditions sufficient to achieve oxidative dehydrogenation of the alkane. M may comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of Group IB-VIIB metals, Group IIIA-VA metals, lanthanide metals, iron, cobalt, nickel, and combinations thereof. More particularly, M may comprise a metal selected from the group consisting Tb, Sm, Pr, Fe, Ni, Co, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons to yield unsaturated compounds are described. Reactor configurations useful for dehydrogenation are also described. Hydrocarbons can dehydrogenationed, for relatively long periods of time-on-stream, in a reaction chamber having a dimension of 2 mm or less to produce H2 and an olefin. Techniques have been developed that reduce coke and allow stable, relatively long-term operation in small reactors.

Abstract: Lower alkenes of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, such as propene, are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidative dehyrogenation of lower alkane, such as propane, using a mixed metal oxide catalyst of formula (1) as decribed, containing manganese and at least one additional metal as essential elements, e.g., Mn1Sb0.15Ox, Mn1P0.2Ox, Mn1SO0.15W0.05Cr0.1Ox. The lower alkene may be further oxidatively dehydrogenated using a mixed metal oxide catalyst of formula (1), especially formula (2), as described, to produce a mixture of unsaturated aldehyde and unsaturated acid. The unsaturated aldehyde may be further oxidatively dehydrogenated in the vapor phase in the presence of mixed metal oxide catalyst of formula (1), especially formula (3).

Abstract: This invention relates to a dehydrogenation process using a layered catalyst composition. The catalyst composition comprises an inner core such as alpha-alumina, and an outer layer bonded to the inner core composed of an outer refractory inorganic oxide such as gamma-alumina. The outer layer has uniformly dispersed thereon a platinum group metal such as platinum and a promoter metal such as tin. The composition also contains a modifier metal such as lithium. The catalyst composition shows improved durability and selectivity for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, especially at dehydrogenation conditions comprising a low water concentration.

Abstract: Lower alkenes of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, such as propene, are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of lower alkane, such as propane, using a mixed metal oxide catalyst of formula (1) as decribed, containing manganese and at least one additional metal as essential elements, e.g., Mn1Sb0.15Ox, Mn1P0.2Ox, Mn1S0.15W0.05Cr0.1Ox. The lower alkene may be further oxidatively dehydrogenated using a mixed metal oxide catalyst of formula (1), especially formula (2), as described, to produce a mixture of unsaturated aldehyde and unsaturated acid. The unsaturated aldehyde may be further oxidatively dehydrogenated in the vapor phase in the presence of mixed metal oxide catalyst of formula (1), especially formula (3).

Abstract: A process for the catalytic conversion of an alkane to an alkene comprising reacting a C2 to C5 alkane and a sulfur-containing compound at a temperature of from 300° C. to 650° C. in the presence of a catalyst having a surface area greater than 100 square meters per gram, to afford the corresponding C2 to C5 alkene and hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: The present development relates to a modification of the Houdry process for the dehydrogenation of aliphatic hydrocarbons, whereby the dehydrogenation cycle is extended, or lengthened, and hydrogen gas is added into the reaction. The combination of the extended cycle with the hydrogen introduction results in a surprising stabilization of the production rate in the dehydrogenation process. The hydrogen gas may be introduced through a recycle step. The process of the present development is demonstrated for the dehydrogenation of propane to propylene.

Abstract: A catalyst useful for the production of olefins from alkanes via oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) is disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a catalyst for use in ODH processes includes a MCrAlY support. M is preferably a base metal, or combination of base metals. A base metal is herein defined as a non-Group VIII metal, with the exception of iron, cobalt and nickel. Suitable base metals include Group IB-VIIB metals, Group IIIA-VA metals, Lanthanide metals, iron, cobalt and nickel. In a preferred embodiment, M is iron. Additionally, the catalyst may optionally include a Group VIII promoter. Suitable Group VIII promoters include Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt. In another preferred embodiment, M is a combination of a Lanthanide metal and iron with a front-loaded Group VIII promoter.

Abstract: Catalysts and methods useful for the production of olefins from alkanes via oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) are disclosed. The ODH catalysts are comprised of a Group VIII promoter metal present at trace levels. The Group VIII promoter metal is preferably platinum, palladium or a combination thereof and is preferably present at a promoter metal loading of between about 0.005 and about 0.1 weight percent. Optionally, the ODH catalysts include a base metal, metal oxide, or combination thereof. The optional base metal is selected from the group consisting of Group IB-IIB metals, Group IVB-VIIB metals, Group IIA-VA metals, scandium, yttrium, actinium, iron, cobalt, nickel, their oxides, and combinations thereof. The base metal is more preferably selected from the group consisting copper, tin, chromium, gold, manganese and their respective oxides and any combinations thereof. The base metal loading is preferably between about 0.5 and about 10 weight percent.

Abstract: Catalysts and methods useful for the production of olefins from alkanes via oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) are disclosed. The ODH catalysts include a base metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanide metals, their oxides, and combinations thereof. The base metal is more preferably selected from the group consisting of samarium, cerium, praseodymium, terbium, their corresponding oxides and combinations thereof. The base metal loading is preferably between about 0.5 and about 20 weight percent and more preferably between about 2 and about 10 weight percent. Optionally, the ODH catalysts are further comprised of a Group VIII promoter metal present at trace levels. The Group VIII promoter metal is preferably platinum, palladium or a combination thereof and is preferably present at a promoter metal loading of between about 0.005 and about 0.1 weight percent. Optionally, the ODH catalyst is supported on a refractory support.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons using new supported catalysts. A process according to the invention employs new catalysts that possess a unique pore size distribution which provides a favorable balance of selectivity, activity, and thermal stability. A process according to the invention includes regeneration of the new catalysts. Detergent range paraffins may be converted to monoolefins using the new catalysts with fewer unwanted by-products being formed during the dehydrogenation.

Abstract: In a process for the heterogeneously catalyzed dehydrogenation in one or more reaction zones of one or more dehydrogenatable C2-C30-hydrocarbons in a reaction gas mixture comprising them, with at least part of the heat of dehydrogenation required being generated directly in the reaction gas mixture in at least one reaction zone by combustion of hydrogen, the hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons and/or carbon in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas, the reaction gas mixture comprising the dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons is brought into contact with a Lewis-acid dehydrogenation catalyst which has essentially no Bronsted acidity.

Abstract: A process for the production of olefins such as ethylene from a hydrocarbon such as ethane. The process involves passing a mixture of the hydrocarbon and an oxagen-containing gas through a catalyst zone which is capable of supporting combustion beyond the fuel rich limit of flammability to produce the olefin. The catalyst zone comprises at least a first catalyst bed and a second catalyst bed. The second catalyst bed is located downstream of the first catalyst bed, is of a different composition to the first catalyst bed and comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and Groups IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table. Suitably, the first catalyst bed comprises platinum and the second catalyst bed comprises tin- or copper-promoted nickel, cobalt or iridium catalyst or a copper-only catalyst.

Abstract: Processes for oxidative dehydrogenation of alkane to one or more olefins, exemplified by ethane to ethylene, are disclosed using novel catalysts. The catalysts comprise a mixture of metal oxides having as an important component nickel oxide (NiO), which give high conversion and selectivity in the process. For example, the catalyst can be used to make ethylene by contacting it with a gas mixture containing ethane and oxygen. The gas mixture may optionally contain ethylene, an inert diluent such as nitrogen, or both ethylene and an inert diluent.

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: Novel oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts which are useful in vapor-phase oxidative dehydrogenation of lower alkanes with molecular oxygen to produce corresponding olefins at high yields are provided. The catalysts are characterized by containing Mn as the essential component and a crystal phase which is identified by the peaks appearing on their X-ray diffraction spectra (per Cu—K&agr; cathode) where the diffraction angle 2&thgr; (±0.3°) is at 32.9°, 55.2°, 23.1°, 38.2° and 65.8°. The use of those catalysts enables production of the olefins at high yields.

Abstract: A process is provided for use in the conversion of alkanes into alkylene oxides, having particular utility in the conversion of propane to form propylene oxide, using a lanthanide-promoted, supported, silver catalyst prepared via precipitation. A preferred embodiment uses silver nitrate and lanthanum nitrate to form the catalyst on a BaCO3 support.

Abstract: A novel catalyst composite is disclosed. Also disclosed is a use for the novel composite. The catalyst composite comprises a Group VIII noble metal component, a Group IA or IIA metal component, and a component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium, or mixtures thereof, all on an alumina support comprising essentially theta-alumina, having a surface area from about 50 to about 120 m2/g, an apparent bulk density of at 0.5 g/cm3 and a mole ratio of the Group VIII noble metal component to the component selected from the group consisting of tin, germanium, lead, indium, gallium, thallium or mixtures thereof in the range from about 1.5 to about 1.7.

Abstract: Olefinically unsaturated hydrocarbons are prepared from corresponding paraffinic hydrocarbons, in particular propylene is prepared from propane, by dehydrogenation over a catalyst comprising an oxide of a transition metal of group IV B of the Periodic Table, eg. TiO2 or ZrO2, and possibly at least one element selected from among elements of transition group VIII, eg. palladium, platinum or rhodium, and/or an element of transition group VI, eg. chromium, molybdenum or tungsten, and/or rhenium and/or tin and possibly a compound of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, a compound of main group III or transition group III or zinc.

Abstract: A novel supported bimetallic catalyst comprises a group VIII metal such as platinum, and tin, at least a portion of which interacts strongly with the group VIII metal in the catalyst in the reduced state. In the partially oxidized state, the catalyst of the invention contains at least 10% of tin in the form of a reduced tin species with oxidation state 0, said species having an isomer shift in the range 0.80 to 2.60 mm/s and a quadrupolar splitting in the range 0.65 to 2.00 mm/s. The invention also concerns the preparation of said catalyst, and processes using said catalyst for transforming hydrocarbons into aromatic compounds, such as gasoline reforming processes and aromatic production processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new catalyst support material comprising a mixed oxide consisting essentially of a divalent metal and a trivalent metal in a substantially homogeneous phase, the mixed oxide being a calcination product of a hydrotalcite-like phase calcinated at a temperature of about 700-1200° C., wherein the divalent metal/trivalent metal molar ratio is greater than or equal to 2. The invention also relates to a process of preparing the support. The invention further provides a catalyst for dehydrogenation which includes a transition metal selected from the first row of transition metals of the periodic table and/or a Group VIII metal impregnated on the new catalyst support material. The invention also provides a process for dehydrogenation of light alkanes using the catalyst.

Abstract: Improved processes for the preparation of olefins, unsaturated carboxylic acids and unsaturated nitrites involve the use of dehydrogenation catalysts suitable for the conversion of alkanes to alkenes and catalysts suitable for the conversion of alkanes and/or alkenes to unsaturated carboxylic acids or unsaturated nitrites.

Abstract: Olefinically unsaturated hydrocarbons are prepared from corresponding paraffinic hydrocarbons, in particular propylene is prepared from propane, by dehydrogenation over a catalyst comprising an oxide of a transition metal of group IV B of the Periodic Table, eg. TiO2 or ZrO2, and possibly at least one element selected from among elements of transition group VIII, eg. palladium, platinum or rhodium, and/or an element of transition group VI, eg. chromium, molybdenum or tungsten, and/or rhenium and/or tin and possibly a compound of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, a compound of main group III or transition group III or zinc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dehydrogenation process using a layered catalyst composition. The catalyst composition comprises an inner core such as alpha-alumina, and an outer layer bonded to the inner core composed of an outer refractory inorganic oxide such as gamma-alumina. The outer layer has uniformly dispersed thereon a platinum group metal such as platinum and a promoter metal such as tin. The composition also contains a modifier metal such as lithium. The catalyst composition shows improved durability and selectivity for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, especially at dehydrogenation conditions comprising a low water concentration.

Abstract: Catalysts and methods for alkane oxydehydrogenation are disclosed. The catalysts of the invention generally comprise (i) nickel or a nickel-containing compound and (ii) at least one or more of titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), hafiium (Hf), tungsten (W), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), or aluminum (Al), or a compound containing one or more of such element(s). In preferred embodiments, the catalyst is a supported catalyst, the alkane is selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, isobutane, n-butane and ethyl chloride, molecular oxygen is co-fed with the alkane to a reaction zone maintained at a temperature ranging from about 250 ° C. to about 350 ° C., and the ethane is oxidatively dehydrogenated to form the corresponding alkene with an alkane conversion of at least about 10% and an alkene selectivity of at least about 70%.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for the partial oxidation of paraffinic hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, naphtha, and natural gas condensates, to olefins, such as ethylene and propylene. The process involves contacting a paraffinic hydrocarbon with oxygen in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst under autothermal process conditions. Preheating the feed decreases oxygen consumption and increases the net hydrogen balance. The catalyst comprises a Group 8B metal, preferably, a platinum group metal, and at least one promoter selected from Groups 1B, 6B, 3A, 4A, and 5A, optionally supported on a catalytic support, such as magnesia or alumina. In preferred embodiments, the support is pretreated with a support modifier selected from Groups 1A, 2A, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 1B, 3A, 4A, 5A, the rare earth lanthanides, and the actinides. A modified fluidized bed reactor is disclosed for the process.

Abstract: A catalyst and a process employing such catalyst for the dehydrogenation of paraffinic hydrocarbons are disclosed, wherein the catalyst comprises a platinum group metal component, a zinc component and a magnesium component on a support comprising ZSM or borosilicate.