Processes and apparatuses for producing a C.sub.8 aromatic isomer product are provided. The process comprises introducing a reformate stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons to a reformate splitter column to provide a plurality of streams. One or more streams comprising at least one stream from the plurality of streams is passed to a reformate upgrading unit to obtain an upgraded reformate stream. The upgraded reformate stream is passed to an aromatics stripper column to provide an aromatics stripper sidedraw stream comprising C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The aromatics stripper sidedraw stream is passed to a xylene separation unit to provide the C.sub.8 aromatic isomer product and a raffinate product stream. At least a portion of the raffinate product stream is processed in a liquid phase isomerization unit to obtain an isomerized stream.

The present invention provides a process for preparing a zeolite by hydrothermal heating of silica precursor and alumina precursor along with a combination of two structure-directing organic templates, N,N-dimethyl formamide and 1,6-diaminohexane in the presence of an alkali. The use of two structure-directing organic templates, not only reduces the crystallization time but also enables the preparation of more catalytically active ZSM-22 of submicron crystallite size. The present invention also provides a process of preparing a noble metal containing zeolite catalyst for hydroisomerization of long chain n-paraffins.

Processes for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising both isopentane and n-pentane. The hydrocarbon feed stream is separated into a first fraction that predominantly comprises isopentane and a second fraction that predominantly comprises n-pentane and some C6 paraffins. The first fraction is catalytically activated to produce an activation effluent comprising olefins and aromatics, while the second fraction is isomerized to convert at least a portion of the n-pentane to isopentane, then combined with the hydrocarbon feed stream to allow the newly-produced isopentane to be separated into the first fraction. Finally, the activation effluent is oligomerized. The process produced increased yields of products that meet specifications for a blend component of liquid transportation fuels.

The present invention describes a process for the isomerization of paraffinic feedstocks operating at a temperature of between 200 C. and 500 C., at a total pressure of between 0.45 MPa and 7 MPa, at a hydrogen partial pressure of between 0.3 and 5.5 MPa, at an hourly space velocity of between 0.1 and 10 kilograms of feedstock introduced per kilogram of catalyst and per hour and using a catalyst comprising at least one metal of group VIII of the periodic table of elements, at least one matrix and at least one zeolite IZM-2, in which the ratio between the number of moles of silicon and the number of moles of aluminium of the zeolite IZM-2 network is between 25 and 55, preferably between 25 and 50, and preferably between 30 and 50.

The present invention describes a process for the isomerization of paraffinic feedstocks operating at a temperature of between 200 C. and 500 C., at a total pressure of between 0.45 MPa and 7 MPa, at a hydrogen partial pressure of between 0.3 and 5.5 MPa, at an hourly space velocity of between 0.1 and 10 kilograms of feedstock introduced per kilogram of catalyst and per hour and using a catalyst comprising at least one metal of group VIII of the periodic table of elements, at least one matrix and at least one zeolite IZM-2, in which the ratio between the number of moles of silicon and the number of moles of aluminium of the zeolite IZM-2 network is between 25 and 55, preferably between 25 and 50, and preferably between 30 and 50.

Systems and methods for isomerizing n-butane to form isobutane are disclosed. A segmented reactor system is used to isomerize n-butane. The segmented reactor system comprises a segmented reactor that includes a first catalyst bed and a second catalyst bed separated by a first heat exchanger. The catalyst in the first catalyst bed does not contact the catalyst in the second catalyst bed. During the exothermic process of isomerizing n-butane, the first heat exchanger extracts heat from an intermediate product flowing from the first catalyst bed to the second catalyst bed to improve the conversion rate of n-butane.

Systems and methods for isomerizing n-butane to form isobutane are disclosed. A segmented reactor system is used to isomerize n-butane. The segmented reactor system comprises a segmented reactor that includes a first catalyst bed and a second catalyst bed separated by a first heat exchanger. The catalyst in the first catalyst bed does not contact the catalyst in the second catalyst bed. During the exothermic process of isomerizing n-butane, the first heat exchanger extracts heat from an intermediate product flowing from the first catalyst bed to the second catalyst bed to improve the conversion rate of n-butane.

Processes for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising both isopentane and n-pentane. The hydrocarbon feed stream is separated into a first fraction that predominantly comprises isopentane and a second fraction that predominantly comprises n-pentane and some C6 paraffins. The first fraction is catalytically activated to produce an activation effluent comprising olefins and aromatics, while the second fraction is isomerized to convert at least a portion of the n-pentane to isopentane, then combined with the hydrocarbon feed stream to allow the newly-produced isopentane to be separated into the first fraction. Finally, the activation effluent is oligomerized. The process produced increased yields of products that meet specifications for a blend component of liquid transportation fuels.

Processes for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising both isopentane and n-pentane. The hydrocarbon feed stream is separated into a first fraction that predominantly comprises isopentane and a second fraction that predominantly comprises n-pentane and some C6 paraffins. The first fraction is catalytically activated to an activation effluent comprising olefins and aromatics, while the second fraction is isomerized to convert at least a portion of the n-pentane to isopentane, then combined with the hydrocarbon feed stream to allow the newly-produced isopentane to be separated into the first fraction. The process yields products that are suitable for use as a blend component of liquid transportation fuels.

Processes for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising both isopentane and n-pentane. The hydrocarbon feed stream is separated into a first fraction that predominantly comprises isopentane and a second fraction that predominantly comprises n-pentane and some C6 paraffins. The first fraction is catalytically activated to an activation effluent comprising olefins and aromatics, while the second fraction is isomerized to convert at least a portion of the n-pentane to isopentane, then combined with the hydrocarbon feed stream to allow the newly-produced isopentane to be separated into the first fraction. The process yields products that are suitable for use as a blend component of liquid transportation fuels.