A process for converting an alkyl aromatic to a different alkyl aromatic which comprises contacting the alkyl aromatic and an alkane having at least two carbon atoms with a catalyst mass having a component which has catalytic activity for alkane dehydrogenation and a second component which has catalytic activity for olefin averaging. Preferred alkyl aromatic feedstocks are ethyl benzene and butyl benzene. A particularly preferred catalytic mass for the reaction comprises platinum on alumina and tungsten oxide on silica.
A process for preparing a paraffinic product stream in the gasoline, middle distillate fuel and lube ranges from a C.sub.2-5 -containing feedstock and a C.sub.20 + paraffinic feedstock is described. The combined feedstocks are subjected to molecular averaging via dehydrogenation to form olefins, metathesis of the olefins, and rehydrogenation of the olefins to form paraffins. The product stream includes a fraction rich in paraffins the molecular weights of which are between those of the light and heavy paraffin feedstocks, plus some unconverted feeds. The product of the molecular averaging reaction can optionally be isomerized to improve the octane value, in the case of gasoline, or pour point, in the case of middle distillate fuels and lubes. The unconverted feedstocks can be recycled to extinction.
A catalyst and a process for oxidative coupling of aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds with aliphatic and alicyclic substituted aromatic hydrocarbon compounds to form a longer substituent hydrocarbon on the aromatic ring. The catalyst is mixed basic metal oxide catalyst, one preferred catalyst is boron/alkali metal promoted metal oxide. Reaction of methane with toluene and oxygen according to this invention results in conversion to styrene.
Methods for converting of syngas to higher molecular weight products using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and methods for optimizing the catalyst systems in the synthesis, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the methods use cobalt/ruthenium Fischer-Tropsch catalysts in combination with an olefin isomerization catalyst, which isomerizes double bonds in C.sub.4 + olefins as they are formed. In another embodiment, the methods use Fischer-Tropsch catalysts that may or may not be cobalt/ruthenium catalysts, in combination with olefin isomerization catalysts which are acidic enough to isomerize the C.sub.4 + olefins but not too acidic to cause rapid coking. A benefit of using the relatively less acidic zeolites is that the ratio of iso-paraffins to aromatics is increased relative to when more acidic zeolites are used. Also, the relatively less acidic zeolites do not coke as readily as the relatively more acidic zeolites. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of catalyst systems and, optionally, reaction conditions, which provide various product streams, are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.
A process for preparing a C.sub.4- product stream and a C.sub.6 + product stream is disclosed. The process involves contacting a C.sub.5 containing paraffinic feedstock with a catalyst that includes a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalyst and an olefin metathesis catalyst under conditions which dehydrogenate the paraffins to olefins. The olefins are then metathesized and rehydrogenated to provide a product stream. A C.sub.4- fraction and a C.sub.6 + fraction can each be isolated from the product stream. The C.sub.4- fraction can be used, for example, in an alkylation reaction to provide compounds useful in gasoline compositions. Unconverted C.sub.5 paraffins can be recycled. The C.sub.6 + fraction can be used, for example, as solvents. Alternatively, they can be isomerized to form gasoline additives, or can be converted to aromatic compounds via reforming, for example, using conventional reforming techniques, preferably using the AROMAX.TM. process or traditional rheniforming conditions.
Methods for converting of syngas to higher molecular weight products using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and methods for optimizing the catalyst systems in the synthesis, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the methods use cobalt/ruthenium Fischer-Tropsch catalysts in combination with an olefin isomerization catalyst, which isomerizes double bonds in C.sub.4 + olefins as they are formed. In another embodiment, the methods use Fischer-Tropsch catalysts that may or may not be cobalt/ruthenium catalysts, in combination with olefin isomerization catalysts which are acidic enough to isomerize the C.sub.4 + olefins but not too acidic to cause rapid coking. A benefit of using the relatively less acidic zeolites is that the ratio of iso-paraffins to aromatics is increased relative to when more acidic zeolites are used. Also, the relatively less acidic zeolites do not coke as readily as the relatively more acidic zeolites. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of catalyst systems and, optionally, reaction conditions, which provide various product streams, are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.
