This disclosure relates to the production of xylenes from syngas, in which the syngas is converted to an aromatic product by reaction with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and an aromatization catalyst. The Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and aromatization catalyst may be different catalysts or combined into a single catalyst. The aromatic product is then subjected to selective alkylation with methanol and/or carbon monoxide and hydrogen to increase its p-xylene content.

A process can be used to prepare alkenes by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas to a first mixture comprising alkenes and alcohols. The alcohols present in the first mixture are converted to the corresponding alkenes by dehydration in a subsequent step. At least one alkene having two to four carbon atoms is obtained as isolated product from a product mixture by processing thereof and/or separation steps. In the catalytic conversion, a catalyst is preferably used that comprises grains of non-graphitic carbon having cobalt nanoparticles dispersed therein. The cobalt nanoparticles have an average diameter d.sub.p of 1-20 nm. An average distance D between individual cobalt nanoparticles in the grains is 2-150 nm. A combined total mass fraction ω of metal in the grains is from 30%-70% by weight of a total mass of the grains such that 4.5 dp/ω>D≥0.25 dp/ω.

A process can be used to prepare alkenes by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas to a first mixture comprising alkenes and alcohols. The alcohols present in the first mixture are converted to the corresponding alkenes by dehydration in a subsequent step. At least one alkene having two to four carbon atoms is obtained as isolated product from a product mixture by processing thereof and/or separation steps. In the catalytic conversion, a catalyst is preferably used that comprises grains of non-graphitic carbon having cobalt nanoparticles dispersed therein. The cobalt nanoparticles have an average diameter d.sub.p of 1-20 nm. An average distance D between individual cobalt nanoparticles in the grains is 2-150 nm. A combined total mass fraction ω of metal in the grains is from 30%-70% by weight of a total mass of the grains such that 4.5 dp/ω>D≥0.25 dp/ω.

An apparatus and method for producing a lower olefin-containing gas including propylene from CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 via CO and H.sub.2 with high activity and high selectivity. The apparatus is provided with: a synthetic gas production unit to which a gas containing CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 is supplied from a first supply unit, and which generates a synthetic gas containing CO and H.sub.2 while heating a first catalytic structure; a gas production unit to which the synthetic gas is supplied and which generates a lower olefin-containing gas including propylene while heating a second catalytic structure; and a detection unit which detects propylene discharged from the gas production unit, in which the first catalytic structure includes first supports having a porous structure and a first metal fine particle in the first supports, the first supports have a first channels, the first metal fine particle is present in the first channels, the second catalyst structure includes second supports having a porous structure and a second metal fine particle in the second supports, the second supports have a second channels, and a portion of the second channels have an average inner diameter of 0.95 nm or less.

An apparatus and method for producing a lower olefin-containing gas including propylene from CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 via CO and H.sub.2 with high activity and high selectivity. The apparatus is provided with: a synthetic gas production unit to which a gas containing CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 is supplied from a first supply unit, and which generates a synthetic gas containing CO and H.sub.2 while heating a first catalytic structure; a gas production unit to which the synthetic gas is supplied and which generates a lower olefin-containing gas including propylene while heating a second catalytic structure; and a detection unit which detects propylene discharged from the gas production unit, in which the first catalytic structure includes first supports having a porous structure and a first metal fine particle in the first supports, the first supports have a first channels, the first metal fine particle is present in the first channels, the second catalyst structure includes second supports having a porous structure and a second metal fine particle in the second supports, the second supports have a second channels, and a portion of the second channels have an average inner diameter of 0.95 nm or less.

The present invention is directed to modifications of bitumen and heavy oil upgrading and refining processes to synthesize synthetic crude oil and other valuable synthesized hydrocarbon products in an efficient manner along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products formed by the upgrading process.

A system and method for efficiently and sustainably producing propylene and acrylonitrile is disclosed which utilizes biodegradable materials, combustible materials that produce carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide. According to one embodiment of the invention, a source of carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide is utilized and the carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide is electrochemically reduced to ethylene. Dimerization is applied to separate the ethylene to produce 1-butene; which is isomerized to produce 2-butene. The 2-butene is metathesized to produce propylene. The propylene may then be subject to ammoxidation as desired in order to produce acrylonitrile.

The invention relates to a method for separating off and immobilizing carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide from an exhaust gas (18). In the method, a stoichiometric ratio of carbon dioxide to hydrogen, and/or of carbon monoxide to hydrogen, which is suitable for a methanation reaction is set by virtue of a corresponding quantity of hydrogen or alternatively carbon dioxide and/or possibly carbon monoxide being supplied, with an auxiliary gas (24), to the exhaust gas (18). Subsequently, a catalytic reaction is performed in which, as starting products, carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into methane and water. The methane is separated off from the product of the catalytic reaction and is subsequently split into carbon and hydrogen, wherein the carbon takes solid form. The split-off carbon is collected and disposed of.

The invention relates to a method for separating off and immobilizing carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide from an exhaust gas (18). In the method, a stoichiometric ratio of carbon dioxide to hydrogen, and/or of carbon monoxide to hydrogen, which is suitable for a methanation reaction is set by virtue of a corresponding quantity of hydrogen or alternatively carbon dioxide and/or possibly carbon monoxide being supplied, with an auxiliary gas (24), to the exhaust gas (18). Subsequently, a catalytic reaction is performed in which, as starting products, carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into methane and water. The methane is separated off from the product of the catalytic reaction and is subsequently split into carbon and hydrogen, wherein the carbon takes solid form. The split-off carbon is collected and disposed of.

Processes for converting methane into an olefin and methanol are provided. The olefin can be ethylene. Certain exemplary processes can involve parallel use of both steam reforming of methane and oxidative dry reforming of methane to prepare syngas. The processes can further involve conversion of syngas to ethylene and to methanol.