Olefins may be produced from C.sub.4-C.sub.6 saturated hydrocarbons by systems and methods comprising passing a feed comprising C.sub.4-C.sub.6 saturated hydrocarbons and hydrogen into a dehydrogenation unit to produce a dehydrogenation effluent, passing at least a portion of the dehydrogenation effluent into a hydrogenation unit to produce a hydrogenation effluent, and passing at least a portion of the hydrogenation effluent into a cracking unit to produce a cracking effluent comprising olefins. The dehydrogenation unit includes a dehydrogenation catalyst, the hydrogenation unit includes a hydrogenation catalyst, and the cracking unit includes a cracking catalyst.

A hydrogenolysis bimetallic supported catalyst comprising a first metal, a second metal, and a zeolitic support; wherein the first metal and the second metal are different; and wherein the first metal and the second metal can each independently be selected from the group consisting of iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), palladium (Pd), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co).

A catalyst for dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons includes a support including zirconium oxide and Linde type L zeolite (L-zeolite). A concentration of the zirconium oxide in the catalyst is in a range of from 0.1 weight percent (wt. %) to 20 wt. %. The catalyst includes from 5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. The catalyst includes from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of tin. The catalyst includes from 0.1 wt. % to 8 wt. % of a platinum group metal. The alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, tin, and platinum group metal are disposed on the support.

A catalyst for dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons includes a support including zirconium oxide and Linde type L zeolite (L-zeolite). A concentration of the zirconium oxide in the catalyst is in a range of from 0.1 weight percent (wt. %) to 20 wt. %. The catalyst includes from 5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. The catalyst includes from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of tin. The catalyst includes from 0.1 wt. % to 8 wt. % of a platinum group metal. The alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, tin, and platinum group metal are disposed on the support.

A catalyst for dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons includes a support including zirconium oxide and Linde type L zeolite (L-zeolite). A concentration of the zirconium oxide in the catalyst is in a range of from 0.1 weight percent (wt. %) to 20 wt. %. The catalyst includes from 5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. The catalyst includes from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of tin. The catalyst includes from 0.1 wt. % to 8 wt. % of a platinum group metal. The alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, tin, and platinum group metal are disposed on the support.

Methods for producing supported catalysts containing a transition metal and a bound zeolite base are disclosed. These methods employ a step of impregnating the bound zeolite base with the transition metal, fluorine, and high loadings of chlorine. The resultant high chlorine content supported catalysts have improved catalyst activity in aromatization reactions.

Multi-reactor systems with aromatization reactor vessels containing a catalyst with low surface area and pore volume, followed in series by aromatization reactor vessels containing a catalyst with high surface area and pore volume, are disclosed. Related reforming methods using the different aromatization catalysts also are described.

Multi-reactor systems with aromatization reactor vessels containing a catalyst with low surface area and pore volume, followed in series by aromatization reactor vessels containing a catalyst with high surface area and pore volume, are disclosed. Related reforming methods using the different aromatization catalysts also are described.

Spent aromatization catalysts containing a transition metal and a catalyst support are selectively poisoned in the disclosed reforming methods, resulting in improvements in overall aromatics yield and selectivity.

Methods for producing supported catalysts containing a transition metal and a bound zeolite base are disclosed. These methods employ a step of impregnating the bound zeolite base with the transition metal, fluorine, and high loadings of chlorine. The resultant high chlorine content supported catalysts have improved catalyst activity in aromatization reactions.