The present invention is an improved process and apparatus for producing para-xylene, particularly with respect to a process that involves the methylation of toluene and/or benzene to selectively produce para-xylene, wherein streams having differing amounts of ethylbenzene are separately treated in the recovery of para-xylene. A first hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene is provided to a first para-xylene adsorption section, and a second hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and less EB than the first hydrocarbon feed is provided to a second para-xylene adsorption section. Segregating the feeds with differing ethylbenzene contents increases the overall efficiency of the adsorption of para-xylene by the adsorption units. Efficiency and energy savings may be further improved by subjecting the lower-content ethylbenzene stream to liquid phase isomerization.

A process for producing para-xylene (PX) comprises supplying a hydrocarbon feed comprising xylenes and ethylbenzene (EB) to a PX recovery unit, where a PX-rich stream and at least one PX-depleted stream are recovered from the feed. The PX-depleted stream is then separated into an EB-rich stream and an EB-depleted stream in a divided wall column. The EB-depleted stream is then isomerized under at least partial liquid phase conditions to produce a first isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream, and the EB-rich stream is isomerized under at least partial vapor phase conditions to produce a second isomerized stream having a higher PX concentration than the PX-depleted stream. The first and second isomerized streams are then recycled to the PX recovery unit to recover additional PX and the process is repeated to define a so-called xylene isomerization loop.

The invention relates to a flow element for transferring fluids comprising a capillary cartridge (1) having an integrated capillary line (3). The capillary cartridge according to the invention (1) has a ring-shaped channel (8) and securing grooves (6, 6), wherein the flow element is characterized in that the capillary line (3) is arranged in the ring-shaped channel (8). The ends of the capillary lines (3) are connected to connection elements (9) in which securing grooves (6, 6) are secured in a positive locking manner. The flow elements according to the invention contribute toward improved manageability and effectiveness of components. In a preferred embodiment, the flow elements are used as a distribution system in the form of a plurality of capillary cartridges (1-1, 1-2, . . . ). Such distribution systems are of technical importance in the field of catalyst testing apparatuses with reactors arranged in parallel.

The invention relates to the production of synthesis gas by means of particularly a series arrangement of heat exchange reforming and autothermal reforming stages, in which the heat required for the reforming reactions in the heat exchange reforming stage is provided by hot effluent synthesis gas from the autothermal reforming stage. More particularly, the invention relates to optimisation of the operation and control of an arrangement of heat exchange reforming and autothermal reforming stages and introduction of an additional waste heat boiler.

The invention consists of an assembly of a reaction block a holder that contains arrays of vials. The vials can contain one or more of reagents, catalysts, and solvents for carrying out the series of chemical reactions.

An oxidative treatment process, e.g., oxidative desulfurization or denitrification, is provided in which the oxidant is produced in-situ using an aromatic-rich portion of the original liquid hydrocarbon feedstock. The process reduces or replaces the need for the separate introduction of liquid oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxide and organic hydroperoxide in an oxidative treatment process.

A physical, chemical and biological process device operating under zero gravity and shaken by low energy mechanical and magnetic means is disclosed.

A plant for producing ethylene having a reactor to effect oxidative coupling of methane, a work-up unit connected to the reactor to separate a first material stream produced by the reactor into a C.sub.1 material stream and an ethylene product stream and a separation unit connected to the work-up unit to separate the C.sub.1 material stream into a hydrogen-rich product stream and a hydrogen-lean residual gas stream. The plant also includes a steam cracker to produce (5) for producing an olefin-containing and hydrogen-containing crude gas stream. The steam cracker is connected to the work-up unit that separates the crude gas stream along with the first material stream into the C.sub.1 material stream and the ethylene product stream. A portion of the residual gas stream is recycled to the reactor. A process for producing ethylene using the plant is also described.

The present invention relates to a polymerization device for the production of melts of thermoplastic polymers in which the heat of the discharged product can be recovered and used for preheating of the usable raw materials. In addition, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for the production of thermoplastic polymers.

An end surface of each first side wall, an end surface of each first middle wall, and an end surface of each first end wall are joined to an adjacent second structure by diffusion bonding, an end surface of each second side wall, an end surface of each second middle wall, and an end surface of each second end wall are joined to an adjacent first structure or a lid structure by diffusion bonding, a thickness of each first side wall is greater than or equal to a thickness of each first middle wall, and a thickness of each second side wall is greater than or equal to a thickness of each second middle wall.