The present invention relates to a process of converting methanol to olefins, comprising: feeding a feedstock comprising methanol to a fluidized bed reactor to contact with catalysts to produce an olefin product, wherein the process at least partially deactivates the catalysts to format least partially deactivated catalysts; feeding spent catalysts from the at least partially deactivated catalysts to a regenerator for regeneration, thereby forming regenerated catalysts, and returning the activated catalysts from the regenerated catalysts to the reactor via a regenerated catalyst line; characterized in that on the regenerated catalyst line, the oxygen content by volume in the gas phase component at the outlet of the regenerated catalyst line is controlled to be less than 0.1%, preferably less than 0.05%, and more preferably less than 0.01%.

The invention relates to a method for regulating the gas velocity of the empty bed in a fluidized bed, wherein solid catalysts are used as fluidized particles or as a part of fluidized particles, characterized in that the gas velocity of the empty bed μ of the reaction zone of the fluidized bed is measured, compared with the bed average catalyst density ρ of the solid catalysts in the reaction zone of the fluidized bed, the gas velocity of the empty bed μ being adjusted as required such that the gas velocity of the empty bed μ and the bed average catalyst density ρ satisfy the formula (I) below: ρ=0.356μ.sup.3−4.319μ.sup.2−35.57μ+M; wherein M=250−; where μ is provided in m/s and ρ is provided in kg/m.sup.3. The method can be used for the industrial production of lower olefin.

The invention provides a slow-release material comprising particles, wherein the particles comprise a core comprising an active component and a multilayer shell, wherein the multi-layer shell comprises a molecular layer deposition (MLD) multi-layer, wherein the active component comprises one or more of a pharmaceutical compound and a nutraceutical compound, for use in the treatment of a disease.

Systems for preparing butenes are provided. The systems can include a reactor inlet coupled to both a reactor and at least one reactant reservoir; at least one of the reactant reservoirs containing one or both of an aldehyde and/or ethanol; a catalyst within the reactor, the catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support material; and a reactor outlet operationally configured to convey a butene-rich reaction product to a product reservoir. Methods for preparing butenes are also provided. The methods can include exposing one or both of ethanol and/or an aldehyde to a catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support to form a butene-rich product that comprises one or both of 1-butene and/or 2-butene.

A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R.sup.2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R.sup.2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.

Methods and apparatus for introducing a gas into the reaction zone of a reactor. Such methods and apparatus can more evenly distribute the gas throughout the reaction zone. Spargers for introducing a gas into the reaction zone of a reactor can be employed in systems and methods for carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound, such as para-xylene.

Method for maximizing the reaction volume in a slurry phase reactor by determining the ratio (f) between the height of the foams (H.sub.f) and the height of the reactor (H.sub.R) through an algorithm defining the gas hold-up in three zones, a first lower zone in which a bubble regime is established, a second intermediate zone where there can be the presence of foams, a third zone situated in the upper hemispherical part in which the multiphase mixture is accelerated until it reaches outlet conditions, the average gas hold-up being given by the weighted average of each of the three gas hold-ups of the three zones, characterized in that it uses nuclear densimeters positioned inside the reactor at different heights and comprises: measuring, for each nuclear densimeter used, gas density values, relating to different gas and/or slurry velocities, which correspond through said algorithm to calculated gas hold-up values, revealing, with a calculated gas hold-up of less than 40%, the absence of foams at least up to the height at which the densimeter is positioned, whose density measured corresponds to said gas hold-up, with a calculated gas hold-up higher than 70%, the presence of foams starting at least from the height of the reactor in which the densimeter is positioned, whose density measured corresponds to said gas hold-up, finally, determining through said algorithm, the ratio f and the extension in height of the possible presence of foams, calculating the consequent height H.sub.f.

A method of improving the operation of polysilicon fluidized bed reactors is disclosed. The present disclosure is directed to the optimization of axial temperature gradients in gas-solid fluidized bed systems. Varying the width of the particle size distribution in the reactor alters the temperature gradient within the reactor, thereby providing a means of a better control of internal temperature profiles and hence better reactor performance.

A start-up method for contacting a feed stream with fluidized catalyst is disclosed. The start-up method comprises reacting a feed stream over a catalyst to produce a gas stream and spent catalyst. The gas stream is separated from the spent catalyst. The separated gas stream is passed to a compressor. The operating condition associated with the compressor is measured. Based on the measured operating condition associated with the compressor, one or both of a supplemental hydrocarbon stream and a supplemental hydrogen gas stream is provided to the compressor to meet a predetermined operating condition associated with the compressor.

The catalyst productivity of a polyolefin catalyst in the methods disclosed herein may be increased by increasing the concentration of an induced condensing agent (ICA) in the reactor system. The effect the increased ICA concentration may have on a melt index may be counteracted, if necessary, in various ways.