Methods for producing supported catalysts containing a transition metal and a bound zeolite base are disclosed. These methods employ a step of washing the bound zeolite base in the presence of an alkali metal, prior to impregnating the bound zeolitic support with the transition metal. Alkali metals such as potassium and cesium may be used.

In an embodiment, A catalyst comprises a zeolite comprising Si, Al, and Ge in the framework with Pt deposited thereon; wherein the catalyst has an Si:Al.sub.2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125, an Si:Ge mole ratio of 40 to 400, and an Na:Al mole ratio of 0.9 to 2.5; wherein the catalyst has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt %; wherein the catalyst is non-acidic.

In an embodiment, A catalyst comprises a zeolite comprising Si, Al, and Ge in the framework with Pt deposited thereon; wherein the catalyst has an Si:Al.sub.2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125, an Si:Ge mole ratio of 40 to 400, and an Na:Al mole ratio of 0.9 to 2.5; wherein the catalyst has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt %; wherein the catalyst is non-acidic.

In an embodiment, a method for making a catalyst, comprises: forming a mixture comprising a germanium source, an alkali metal source, an aluminum source, and a silica source, wherein the mixture has a pH; adjusting the pH of the mixture to a value of greater than or equal to 9.5; crystallizing and calcining the mixture to form a zeolite; depositing platinum on the zeolite; and calcining the zeolite to form the final catalyst. The final catalyst is non-acidic and has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt % based on the total weight of the final catalyst excluding any binder and extrusion aide and a Si:Al2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125.

In an embodiment, a method for making a catalyst, comprises: forming a mixture comprising a germanium source, an alkali metal source, an aluminum source, and a silica source, wherein the mixture has a pH; adjusting the pH of the mixture to a value of greater than or equal to 9.5; crystallizing and calcining the mixture to form a zeolite; depositing platinum on the zeolite; and calcining the zeolite to form the final catalyst. The final catalyst is non-acidic and has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt % based on the total weight of the final catalyst excluding any binder and extrusion aide and a Si:Al2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125.

The present invention relates to a process for converting a feed comprising C2-C4 alkanes to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) in n reaction zones operated in series, wherein m reaction zones are not participating in the conversion process and only (n-m) reaction zones are operated under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of said a feed comprising C2-C4 alkanes to an effluent having said higher hydrocarbon(s). An object of the present invention is to provide a process for converting LPG to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) wherein a high reactant, i.e. ethane, propane and/or butane, conversion can be achieved.

The present invention relates to a process for converting a feed comprising C2-C4 alkanes to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) in n reaction zones operated in series, wherein m reaction zones are not participating in the conversion process and only (n-m) reaction zones are operated under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of said a feed comprising C2-C4 alkanes to an effluent having said higher hydrocarbon(s). An object of the present invention is to provide a process for converting LPG to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) wherein a high reactant, i.e. ethane, propane and/or butane, conversion can be achieved.

The invention relates to a process for producing benzene, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a hydrocracking feed stream comprising C5-C12 hydrocarbons, (b) contacting the hydrocracking feed stream in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrocracking catalyst comprising 0.01-1 wt-% hydrogenation metal in relation to the total catalyst weight and a zeolite having a pore size of 5-8 ? and a silica (SiO.sub.2) to alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) molar ratio of 5-200 under process conditions including a temperature of 425-580? C., a pressure of 300-5000 kPa gauge and a Weight Hourly Space Velocity of 0.1-15 h.sup.?1 to produce a hydrocracking product stream comprising benzene, toluene and C8+ hydrocarbons, (c) separating benzene, toluene and the C8+ hydrocarbons from the hydrocracking product stream and (d) selectively recycling back at least part of the toluene from the separated products of step (c) to be included in the hydrocracking feed stream.

The invention relates to a process for producing benzene, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a hydrocracking feed stream comprising C5-C12 hydrocarbons, (b) contacting the hydrocracking feed stream in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrocracking catalyst comprising 0.01-1 wt-% hydrogenation metal in relation to the total catalyst weight and a zeolite having a pore size of 5-8 ? and a silica (SiO.sub.2) to alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) molar ratio of 5-200 under process conditions including a temperature of 425-580? C., a pressure of 300-5000 kPa gauge and a Weight Hourly Space Velocity of 0.1-15 h.sup.?1 to produce a hydrocracking product stream comprising benzene, toluene and C8+ hydrocarbons, (c) separating benzene, toluene and the C8+ hydrocarbons from the hydrocracking product stream and (d) selectively recycling back at least part of the toluene from the separated products of step (c) to be included in the hydrocracking feed stream.

A method of preparing an aromatization catalyst comprising contacting a zeolitic support with a metal-containing compound and a boron-containing compound to produce an impregnated support, and contacting the impregnated support with an activating composition to produce an aromatization catalyst, wherein the activating composition comprises a chlorine-containing compound and a fluorine-containing compound, and wherein the impregnated support is heated in the presence of the activating composition to a temperature in the range of from about 100 C. to about 500 C.