Disclosed herein are processes for the production of hydrocarbon fuel products from C.sub.2-5 alkanes. Methane is converted to ethylene in a methane thermal olefination reactor operating at a temperature of at least 900° C. and a pressure of at least 150 psig, and without a dehydrogenation catalyst or steam. C.sub.2-5 alkanes are converted to olefins in a C.sub.2-5 thermal olefination reactor operating at a temperature, pressure and space velocity to convert at least 80% of the alkanes to C.sub.2-5 olefins. The ethylene and C.sub.2-5 olefins are passed through an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst and operating at a temperature, pressure and space velocity to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the olefins. In one aspect, methane in the effluent of the oligomerization reactor is recycled through the C.sub.2-5 thermal olefination reactor. Methods for the thermal olefination of methane are also disclosed.

A process and related system for producing para-xylene (PX). In an embodiment, the process includes (a) separating a feed stream comprising C.sub.6+ aromatic hydrocarbons into a toluene containing stream and a C.sub.8+ hydrocarbon containing stream and (b) contacting at least part of the toluene containing stream with a methylating agent in a methylation unit to convert toluene to xylenes and produce a methylated effluent stream. In addition, the process includes (c) recovering PX from the methylated effluent stream in (b) to produce a PX depleted stream and (d) transalkylating the PX depleted stream to produce a transalkylation effluent stream. The transalkylation effluent stream includes a higher concentration of toluene than the PX depleted stream. Further, the process includes (e) converting at least some ethylbenzene (EB) within the C.sub.8+ hydrocarbon containing stream into toluene and (f) flowing the toluene converted in (e) to the contacting in (b).

The present invention utilizes mechanical vapor compression and/or thermal vapor compression integrating compression loops across multiple process stages. A sequential network of compressors is utilized to increase the pressure and condensing temperature of the vapors within each process stage, as intra-vapor flow, and branching between process stages, as inter-vapor flow. Because the vapors available are shared among and between compressor stages, the number of compressors can be reduced, improving economics. Balancing vapor mass flow through incremental compressor stages which traverse multiple process stages by splitting vapors between compressor stages enables the overall vapor-compression system to be tailored to individual process energy requirements and to accommodate dynamic fluctuations in process conditions.

The present invention utilizes mechanical vapor compression and/or thermal vapor compression integrating compression loops across multiple process stages. A sequential network of compressors is utilized to increase the pressure and condensing temperature of the vapors within each process stage, as intra-vapor flow, and branching between process stages, as inter-vapor flow. Because the vapors available are shared among and between compressor stages, the number of compressors can be reduced, improving economics. Balancing vapor mass flow through incremental compressor stages which traverse multiple process stages by splitting vapors between compressor stages enables the overall vapor-compression system to be tailored to individual process energy requirements and to accommodate dynamic fluctuations in process conditions.

This disclosure provides systems and methods that utilize integrated mechanical vapor or thermal vapor compression to upgrade process vapors and condense them to recover the heat of condensation across multiple processes, wherein the total process energy is reduced. Existing processes that are unable to recover the heat of condensation in vapors are integrated with mechanical or thermal compressors that raise vapor pressures and temperatures sufficient to permit reuse. Integrating multiple processes permits vapor upgrading that can selectively optimize energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, process economics, or a prioritized blend of such goals. Mechanical or thermal vapor compression also alters the type of energy required in industrial processes, favoring electro-mechanical energy which can be supplied from low-carbon, renewable sources rather than combustion of carbonaceous fuels.

This disclosure provides systems and methods that utilize integrated mechanical vapor or thermal vapor compression to upgrade process vapors and condense them to recover the heat of condensation across multiple processes, wherein the total process energy is reduced. Existing processes that are unable to recover the heat of condensation in vapors are integrated with mechanical or thermal compressors that raise vapor pressures and temperatures sufficient to permit reuse. Integrating multiple processes permits vapor upgrading that can selectively optimize energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, process economics, or a prioritized blend of such goals. Mechanical or thermal vapor compression also alters the type of energy required in industrial processes, favoring electro-mechanical energy which can be supplied from low-carbon, renewable sources rather than combustion of carbonaceous fuels.

The present invention utilizes mechanical vapor compression and/or thermal vapor compression integrating compression loops across multiple process stages. A sequential network of compressors is utilized to increase the pressure and condensing temperature of the vapors within each process stage, as intra-vapor flow, and branching between process stages, as inter-vapor flow. Because the vapors available are shared among and between compressor stages, the number of compressors can be reduced, improving economics. Balancing vapor mass flow through incremental compressor stages which traverse multiple process stages by splitting vapors between compressor stages enables the overall vapor-compression system to be tailored to individual process energy requirements and to accommodate dynamic fluctuations in process conditions.

A naphtha reforming reactor system comprising a first reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first reactor is configured to operate as an adiabatic reactor, and wherein the first reactor comprises a first naphtha reforming catalyst; and a second reactor comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor is configured to operate as an isothermal reactor, and wherein the second reactor comprises a plurality of tubes disposed within a reactor furnace, a heat source configured to heat the interior of the reactor furnace; and a second naphtha reforming catalyst disposed within the plurality of tubes, wherein the first naphtha reforming catalyst and the second naphtha reforming catalyst are the same or different.

A naphtha reforming reactor system comprising a first reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first reactor is configured to operate as an adiabatic reactor, and wherein the first reactor comprises a first naphtha reforming catalyst; and a second reactor comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor is configured to operate as an isothermal reactor, and wherein the second reactor comprises a plurality of tubes disposed within a reactor furnace, a heat source configured to heat the interior of the reactor furnace; and a second naphtha reforming catalyst disposed within the plurality of tubes, wherein the first naphtha reforming catalyst and the second naphtha reforming catalyst are the same or different.

Processes for increasing an octane value of a gasoline component by dehydrogenating a stream comprising C.sub.7 hydrocarbons and methylcyclohexane in a first dehydrogenation zone to form an intermediate dehydrogenation effluent, and then dehydrogenating the intermediate dehydrogenation effluent in a second dehydrogenation zone to form a C.sub.7 dehydrogenation effluent. The C.sub.7 dehydrogenation effluent has an increased olefins content compared to an olefins content of the intermediate dehydrogenation effluent. The first dehydrogenation zone is operated under conditions to convert methylcyclohexane to toluene and minimize cracking reactions. The intermediate dehydrogenation effluent may be heated before being passed to the second dehydrogenation zone.