Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenolysis process wherein a hydrocarbon-based feedstock comprising aromatic compounds having at least 8 carbon atoms is treated by means of a hydrogen feed and in the presence of a catalyst, in order to convert C2+ alkyl chains of said aromatic compounds into methyl groups and to produce a hydrogenolysis effluent enriched in methyl-substituted aromatic compounds, wherein the catalyst comprises a support, comprising at least one refractory oxide, and an active phase comprising nickel and molybdenum, wherein: the nickel content being between 0.1 and 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the catalyst; the molybdenum content being between 0.1 and 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the catalyst; and the catalyst comprising a molar ratio of molybdenum to nickel of between 0.2 and 0.9. The present invention also relates to said catalyst and to the process for preparing said catalyst.

Abstract: A method for the solvent extraction recovery of an aromatic wherein an aromatic extract is formed that contains the aromatic and non-aromatics that are both lighter than and heavier than the aromatic, analyzing at least two separate groups of lighter and heavier non-aromatics in the extract, determining from the analyses the distribution of lighter and heavier non-aromatics present and whether the aromatic product that will be recovered from the process will be too far from its predetermined maximum non-aromatic content specification, and making process changes that will cause the process to produce the aromatic product with a non-aromatic content that is closer to its predetermined maximum non-aromatic content specification.

Abstract: A process for controlling an oxygenates to olefin reactor is disclosed which comprises: contacting oxygenate-containing feedstock, e.g., methanol, in a reaction zone in the presence of a molecular sieve oxygenate to olefins conversion catalyst under conditions sufficient to provide an olefins-containing effluent containing alkyl alcohol and dialkyl ether, e.g., methanol and dimethyl ether; analyzing a single gas phase of the effluent determine alkyl alcohol concentration and dialkyl ether concentration; and adjusting reactor conditions, e.g., WHSV, as a function of alkyl alcohol concentration and dialkyl ether concentration, as necessary to provide a substantially consistent effluent composition. A corresponding apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: A process for obtaining pure 1,3-butadiene from crude 1,3-butadiene by distillation is carried out in a dividing wall column in which a dividing wall is located in the longitudinal direction of the column to form an upper common column region, a lower common column region, a feed section and an offtake section.

Abstract: An extractive distillation tower 4 supplied with a feedstock containing butadiene and a solvent and for distilling the feedstock to separate and purify the butadiene.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering propane product from HF alkylation process that is substantially free of HF acid. The invention allows for the improvement in the operation of an HF alkylation propane stripper by utilizing a bottoms recycle stream.

Abstract: A cooling fluid is utilized to withdraw heat from a KOH treater. The passing of the cooling fluid in heat exchange with the KOH treater is controlled so as to maintain desired operating pressures and also substantially maximize heat transfer. Bypassing of the feed around the KOH treater is utilized only if sufficient cooling cannot be provided to prevent a temperature runaway.

Abstract: A process control technique for upgrading C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbon feed containing olefins to produce heavier liquid hydrocarbons comprising converting a major portion of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 olefins in an oligomerization zone by contacting a shape selective medium pore zeolite catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure to make distillate and olefinic gasoline. The oligomerization stage effluent is fractionated to provide distillate and gasoline product and a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 intermediate stream containing isobutane and unconverted propene and butylene. The C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 intermediate stream is combined under control with a portion of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 feed and further converting the combined streams in an alkylation zone to make heavier paraffinic hydrocarbons. The olefin feed may be produced by catalytically converting methanol or similar oxygenated hydrocarbons in a known process.

Abstract: In a selective hydrogenation process wherein at least two catalyst beds in series are utilized, the temperature of the feed stream to the first catalyst bed and the temperature of the feed stream from the first catalyst bed to the second catalyst bed are manipulated so as to maintain a desired reaction temperature in both catalyst beds. The desired reaction temperature of the first catalyst bed is manipulated so as to insure that a desired percent of a specific feed component is selectively hydrogenated in the first catalyst bed. The reaction temperature of the second catalyst bed is manipulated so as to maintain a desired concentration of the specific feed component in the product stream from the second catalyst bed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing the polymerization of a readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compound during distillation at elevated temperatures within a distillation apparatus which is subject to an emergency condition, such as a power outage. This method comprises force feeding a supplemental polymerization inhibitor having a high solubility in the vinyl aromatic compound, and a long duration of efficiency, into each of the distillation vessels of a conventional distillation apparatus in an amount sufficient to prevent polymerization therein. In the preferred embodiment the supplemental polymerization inhibitor comprises 2,6-dinitro-p-cresol and meta-nitro-para-cresol.

Abstract: In the purification of hydrocarbon streams containing HF by chemical reaction with potassium hydroxide, a small portion of the hydrocarbon stream containing HF is passed through a small test bed of solid KOH; and when excess HF is present in the hydrocarbon stream to be purified, the temperature of the test bed increases significantly and rapidly and the flow of hydrocarbon is discontinued to the main treater responsive to the temperature in the test bed thereby preventing the treater temperature from exceeding a preselected maximum allowable value. In one embodiment, the main hydrocarbon charge is by-passed around the main KOH treater and introduced into the effluent from the treater; and in another embodiment, the hydrocarbon charge is returned to a settling zone following alkylation and prior to separation facilities utilized to process the hydrocarbon phase.