Ebullated bed reactors may be used to synthesize olefin compositions exhibiting low sediment toxicity and favorable pour points. The olefin compositions are formed by isomerizing linear alpha olefins (LAOs) into linear internal olefins (LIOs), skeletal isomerized branched olefins, or any combination thereof. Methods for preparing olefin compositions comprising LIOs and, optionally, branched olefins may comprise: providing an olefinic feed comprising one or more LAOs, and interacting the olefinic feed with a plurality of catalyst particulates in an ebullated bed reactor to form an isomerized product. The catalyst particulates are effective to isomerize the one or more LAOs into one or more of LIOs, skeletal isomerized branched olefins, or combinations thereof. The isomerized product may be incorporated in drilling fluids, particularly those intended for subsea use, due to their favorable environmental profile and low pour points. Some catalyst particulates may produce no more branching than that present in the LAOs.

The present invention relates to a method for converting a feed mixture comprising an aromatic C8 mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene in which the para-xylene content of the xylene portion of the feed is less than equilibrium to produce a product mixture of reduced ethylbenzene content and a greater amount of para-xylene, which method comprises contacting the feed mixture at conversion conditions with a first catalyst having activity for the conversion of ethylbenzene, and with a second catalyst having activity for the isomerization of a xylene.

The present invention relates to a method for converting a feed mixture comprising an aromatic C8 mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene in which the para-xylene content of the xylene portion of the feed is less than equilibrium to produce a product mixture of reduced ethylbenzene content and a greater amount of para-xylene, which method comprises contacting the feed mixture at conversion conditions with a first catalyst having activity for the conversion of ethylbenzene, and with a second catalyst having activity for the isomerization of a xylene.

A method is provided for synthesizing a molecular sieve having the framework structure of SSZ-55 using [(1-phenyl)cyclopentylmethyl]trimethylammonium cations as a structure directing agent.

A method is provided for synthesizing a molecular sieve having the framework structure of SSZ-55 using [(1-phenyl)cyclopentylmethyl]trimethylammonium cations as a structure directing agent.

The invention relates to a catalyst composition which comprises a carrier material component and at least one metal component that is supported on the carrier material component. The carrier material component comprises a ZSM-12 type zeolite, a EU-1 type zeolite, and an inorganic binder. The metal component may include a Group VIII metal. The invention further relates to a process for preparing the catalyst and using it in a process for the isomerisation of alkylaromatics.

The invention relates to a catalyst composition which comprises a carrier material component and at least one metal component that is supported on the carrier material component. The carrier material component comprises a ZSM-12 type zeolite, a EU-1 type zeolite, and an inorganic binder. The metal component may include a Group VIII metal. The invention further relates to a process for preparing the catalyst and using it in a process for the isomerisation of alkylaromatics.

Methods of preparing an acidic catalyst are disclosed that include heating a metal halide to produce a vapor phase metal halide, contacting an initial support material with the vapor phase metal halide in a reaction vessel causing a first chemical reaction and producing an intermediate acidic catalyst, contacting the intermediate acidic catalyst with HBr causing a second chemical reaction and producing an acidic catalyst product which is both more acidic than the intermediate acidic catalyst and more acidic than the initial support material.

Methods of preparing an acidic catalyst are disclosed that include heating a metal halide to produce a vapor phase metal halide, contacting an initial support material with the vapor phase metal halide in a reaction vessel causing a first chemical reaction and producing an intermediate acidic catalyst, contacting the intermediate acidic catalyst with HBr causing a second chemical reaction and producing an acidic catalyst product which is both more acidic than the intermediate acidic catalyst and more acidic than the initial support material.

Paraffin isomerization catalyst comprising of from 0.01 to 5 wt. % of a Group VIII noble metal on a carrier containing alumina and zeolite beta having a silica to alumina molar ratio (SAR) of from 5 to 15 and process employing such catalyst for isomerization of a hydrocarbon feed containing paraffins having of from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.