Embodiments include processes and systems for maximizing the production of benzene and para-xylene from heavy reformate. Embodiments include a C9 dealkylation reactor, a transalkylation reactor, and a C10+ dealkylation reactor. The process and system for producing benzene and para-xylene may be configured to additionally produce alkanes in the presence of hydrogen or olefins in the absence of hydrogen. Embodiments may include an aromatic extraction unit to separate non-aromatics from aromatics.

In a process for producing one or more 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3 or 4), a feed comprising toluene is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluene. At least part of the hydroalkylation reaction product is dehydrogenated in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising dimethyl biphenyl isomers. The dehydrogenation reaction product is then separated into at least a first stream comprising one or more 3,3-, 3,4- and 4,4-dimethyl biphenyl isomers and at least one second stream comprising one or more 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3 or 4). The at least one second stream is then contacted with a first adsorbent thereby selectively adsorbing one or more 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3 or 4) within said first adsorbent and then withdrawing from said first adsorbent a first extract stream comprising one or more selectively adsorbed 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3 or 4) and a first raffinate stream comprising one or more less selectively adsorbed components.

In a process for producing one or more 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3 or 4), a feed comprising toluene is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluene. At least part of the hydroalkylation reaction product is dehydrogenated in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising dimethyl biphenyl isomers. The dehydrogenation reaction product is then separated into at least a first stream comprising one or more 3,3-, 3,4- and 4,4-dimethyl biphenyl isomers and at least one second stream comprising one or more 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3 or 4). The at least one second stream is then contacted with a first adsorbent thereby selectively adsorbing one or more 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3 or 4) within said first adsorbent and then withdrawing from said first adsorbent a first extract stream comprising one or more selectively adsorbed 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3 or 4) and a first raffinate stream comprising one or more less selectively adsorbed components.

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.

Methods and processes for producing paraxylene from catalytic cracking hydrocarbons, particularly C.sub.4 and C.sub.5+ streams, are disclosed. Each of the processing steps may be tailored to the overall objective of high paraxylene yield from a relative inexpensive feedstock.

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.

The present subject matter describes processes for increasing overall aromatics and xylenes yield in an aromatics complex. More specifically, the process for increasing overall aromatics and xylenes yield in an aromatics complex accomplishes the increased yields by incorporating an A.sub.8-A.sub.10 isomerization step into the aromatics complex. This isomerization integration increases the para-xylene.

The present invention relates to heavy desorbent and light desorbent aromatics complex flow scheme. More particularly, this invention relates to the integration of a dual raffinate para-xylene separation process with two isomerization zones. The first isomerization zone is a liquid phase isomerization zone and the second isomerization zone is either an ethylbenzene isomerization zone, or an isomerization zone using MAPSO-31.

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.

The present subject matter describes processes for increasing overall aromatics and xylenes yield in an aromatics complex. More specifically, the process for increasing overall aromatics and xylenes yield in an aromatics complex accomplishes the increased yields by incorporating an A.sub.8-A.sub.10 isomerization step into the aromatics complex. This isomerization integration increases the para-xylene.