Disclosed is a process for producing mixed xylenes and C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons in which an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising benzene and/or toluene is contacted with an alkylating agent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether under alkylation conditions in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylated aromatic product stream comprising the mixed xylenes and C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons. The mixed xylenes are subsequently converted to para-xylene, and the C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons and its components may be supplied as motor fuels blending components. The alkylation catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range from greater than zero up to about 3. The molar ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon to alkylating agent is in the range of greater than 1:1 to less than 4:1.

Disclosed is a process for producing mixed xylenes and C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons in which an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising benzene and/or toluene is contacted with an alkylating agent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether under alkylation conditions in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylated aromatic product stream comprising the mixed xylenes and C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons. The mixed xylenes are subsequently converted to para-xylene, and the C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons and its components may be supplied as motor fuels blending components. The alkylation catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range from greater than zero up to about 3. The molar ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon to alkylating agent is in the range of greater than 1:1 to less than 4:1.

Increased paraxylene production through the use of a split feed reforming process, wherein hydrotreated naphtha is split into light, middle and heavy fractions. Each fraction is reformed separately to generate streams containing aromatic compounds. These streams can further be processed and can undergo dealkylation, transalkylation, disproportionation, isomerization, and separation steps to maximize paraxylene production. In addition, some streams are recycled or recombined in order to maximize paraxylene production.

Increased paraxylene production through the use of a split feed reforming process, wherein hydrotreated naphtha is split into light, middle and heavy fractions. Each fraction is reformed separately to generate streams containing aromatic compounds. These streams can further be processed and can undergo dealkylation, transalkylation, disproportionation, isomerization, and separation steps to maximize paraxylene production. In addition, some streams are recycled or recombined in order to maximize paraxylene production.

A process for the production of high purity toluene and para-xylene is described. More specifically, the process involves the production of high purity toluene produced via a light-desorbent selective adsorption process for para-xylene production, such as light desorbent para-xylene extraction, without the need for dedicated solvent extraction or olefin removal from the toluene stream.

A process for the production of high purity toluene and para-xylene is described. More specifically, the process involves the production of high purity toluene produced via a light-desorbent selective adsorption process for para-xylene production, such as light desorbent para-xylene extraction, without the need for dedicated solvent extraction or olefin removal from the toluene stream.

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

The present invention relates to the integration of an alkylation unit for use in a hydrocarbon conversion process. More specifically, the present invention relates to the integration of a dehydrogenation unit and an alkylation unit and the placement of different isomerization units located off the deisobutanizer and the debutanizer.

Para-xylene is separated from a mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene by a separation process. An ortho-selective adsorbent is used to reduce the ortho-xylene concentration of the xylenes, prior to contact of the xylenes and ethylbenzene with a para-selective adsorbent. The stream rich in ortho-xylene may be isomerized in the liquid phase to increase the amount of para-xylene therein. The para-xylene-depleted stream may be treated in the vapor phase to remove the ethylbenzene and then subjected to isomerization in the liquid phase to produce a stream having a higher than equilibrium amount of para-xylene.