A process for dehydrating methanol to dimethyl ether product in the presence of a solid Brønsted acid catalyst which is an aluminosilicate zeolite or a heteropolyacid and a promoter which is (i) a ketone of formula R.sup.1COR.sup.2 (Formula I) in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and are each a C.sub.1-C.sub.11 alkyl group and furthermore R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the carbonyl carbon atom to which they are bonded may form a cyclic ketone; or (ii) a ketal derivative of a ketone of Formula I; and the molar ratio of promoter to methanol is maintained at 0.5 or less.

A process for dehydrating methanol to dimethyl ether product in the presence of a solid Brønsted acid catalyst which is an aluminosilicate zeolite or a heteropolyacid and a promoter which is (i) a ketone of formula R.sup.1COR.sup.2 (Formula I) in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and are each a C.sub.1-C.sub.11 alkyl group and furthermore R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the carbonyl carbon atom to which they are bonded may form a cyclic ketone; or (ii) a ketal derivative of a ketone of Formula I; and the molar ratio of promoter to methanol is maintained at 0.5 or less.

The present invention provides apparatuses and processes for producing high octane fuel from synthesis gas. The process combines transalkylation and zeolite-forming/aromatization in conjunction with a single recycle loop configuration in order to effectively promote the fuel quality, particularly octane rating. The process involves adding a step for enriching octane of the fuel coming from the single recycle loop process. Preferably, the enrichment step takes place in an octane enrichment reactor containing two different catalysts, a zeolite-forming/aromatization catalyst followed by a transalkylation catalyst. The final fuel product preferably has an octane of about 92 to about 112.

The present invention provides apparatuses and processes for producing high octane fuel from synthesis gas. The process combines transalkylation and zeolite-forming/aromatization in conjunction with a single recycle loop configuration in order to effectively promote the fuel quality, particularly octane rating. The process involves adding a step for enriching octane of the fuel coming from the single recycle loop process. Preferably, the enrichment step takes place in an octane enrichment reactor containing two different catalysts, a zeolite-forming/aromatization catalyst followed by a transalkylation catalyst. The final fuel product preferably has an octane of about 92 to about 112.

Systems and methods for integrated production of aromatics and other chemicals are described. Systems and methods may include a process for producing benzene, methanol, butanals, dimethyl ethers, olefins and other chemicals that includes providing methane to a first reactor to produce a first product stream comprising benzene and hydrogen; recovering benzene and mixing the first product stream with a carbon dioxide and/or steam feed stream; providing the combined benzene depleted first product stream and carbon dioxide and/or steam feed stream to a second reactor to produce a second product stream comprising synthesis gas, water and unconverted methane and carbon dioxide; and providing the synthesis gas to a third reactor to produce a third product stream comprising methanol, butanals, and other chemicals.

Systems and methods for integrated production of aromatics and other chemicals are described. Systems and methods may include a process for producing benzene, methanol, butanals, dimethyl ethers, olefins and other chemicals that includes providing methane to a first reactor to produce a first product stream comprising benzene and hydrogen; recovering benzene and mixing the first product stream with a carbon dioxide and/or steam feed stream; providing the combined benzene depleted first product stream and carbon dioxide and/or steam feed stream to a second reactor to produce a second product stream comprising synthesis gas, water and unconverted methane and carbon dioxide; and providing the synthesis gas to a third reactor to produce a third product stream comprising methanol, butanals, and other chemicals.

The invention relates to a catalyst and catalyst layer and process for preparing dimethyl ether from synthesis gas or methanol as well as the use of the catalyst or catalyst layer in this process.

The invention relates to a catalyst and catalyst layer and process for preparing dimethyl ether from synthesis gas or methanol as well as the use of the catalyst or catalyst layer in this process.

A process for dehydrating methanol to dimethyl ether using a Brønsted acid catalyst which is a 1-dimensional or a 3-dimensional aluminosilicate zeolite or a heteropolyacid, and a promoter of Formula I C.sub.nH.sub.(2n+1)CO.sub.2CH.sub.3 wherein n=1 to 11 or Formula II C.sub.mH.sub.2m(CO.sub.2CH.sub.3).sub.2 wherein m=2 to 7 and the molar ratio of promoter to methanol is maintained at less than 1.

A process for dehydrating methanol to dimethyl ether using a Brønsted acid catalyst which is a 1-dimensional or a 3-dimensional aluminosilicate zeolite or a heteropolyacid, and a promoter of Formula I C.sub.nH.sub.(2n+1)CO.sub.2CH.sub.3 wherein n=1 to 11 or Formula II C.sub.mH.sub.2m(CO.sub.2CH.sub.3).sub.2 wherein m=2 to 7 and the molar ratio of promoter to methanol is maintained at less than 1.