The invention provides a catalyst system and method for the deoxygenation of hydrocarbons, such as bio-oil, using a sulphide-sulfate or an oxide-carbonate (LDH) system. The invention extends to a pyrolysis process of a carbonaceous bio-mass wherein a first combustion zone is carried out in one or more combustion fluidised beds in which a particulate material including chemically looping deoxygenation catalyst particles is fluidised and heated, and a second pyrolysis zone carried out in one or more pyrolysis fluidised beds in which the hot particles, including the catalyst particles, heated in the combustion zone are used for pyrolysis of the bio-mass, said combustion zone being operated at a temperature of from 250 C. to 1100 C., typically around 900 C., and the pyrolysis zone being operated at a temperature of from 250 C. to 900 C., typically 450 C. to 600 C., said catalyst particles being oxygenated in the pyrolysis zone in the presence of oxygenates in the pyrolysis oil and regenerated in the combustion zone either by calcining to drive off the carbon oxides, such as CO.sub.2, or by reduction to its form which is active for deoxygenation of the pyrolysis oil.

A catalyst for the dehydrogenation of alkanes to alkenes comprises a catalytically active material supported on a carrier, wherein the catalytically active material is a metallic sulfide (MeS) comprising Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo or W or any combination of two or more metals selected from Pb, Sn, Zn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo and W. The catalyst is regenerated in several steps. The dehydrogenation is carried out at a temperature between 450 and 650 C. and a pressure from 0.9 bar below ambient pressure to 5 bar above ambient pressure.

A catalyst for the dehydrogenation of alkanes to alkenes comprises a catalytically active material supported on a carrier, wherein the catalytically active material is a metallic sulfide (MeS) comprising Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo or W or any combination of two or more metals selected from Pb, Sn, Zn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo and W. The catalyst is regenerated in several steps. The dehydrogenation is carried out at a temperature between 450 and 650 C. and a pressure from 0.9 bar below ambient pressure to 5 bar above ambient pressure.

A catalyst for the dehydrogenation of alkanes to alkenes comprises lead(II) sulfide (PbS) as catalytically active material supported on a carrier. The dehydrogenation is carried out at a temperature between 500 and 650 C. and at a pressure from 0.5 bar below ambient pressure to 5 bar above ambient pressure.

A catalyst for the dehydrogenation of alkanes to alkenes comprises lead(II) sulfide (PbS) as catalytically active material supported on a carrier. The dehydrogenation is carried out at a temperature between 500 and 650 C. and at a pressure from 0.5 bar below ambient pressure to 5 bar above ambient pressure.

A spent sulfuric acid catalyst from an alkylation unit is regenerated via a paired oxidation electrolysis, wherein active intermediates are generated via both anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction without adding an additional organic peroxide during the electrolysis. The organic impurities in the spent sulfuric acid catalyst are decomposed by the active intermediates, and removed therefrom via evaporation.

A spent sulfuric acid catalyst from an alkylation unit is regenerated via a paired oxidation electrolysis, wherein active intermediates are generated via both anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction without adding an additional organic peroxide during the electrolysis. The organic impurities in the spent sulfuric acid catalyst are decomposed by the active intermediates, and removed therefrom via evaporation.

A process is presented for the management of sulfur on a catalyst. The catalyst is a dehydrogenation catalyst, and sulfur accumulates during the dehydrogenation process. Sulfur compounds are stripped from the spent catalyst and the catalyst is cooled before the regeneration process. The process includes controlling the amount of sulfur that needs to be removed from the catalyst before regeneration.

A method for regenerating a spent sulfuric acid catalyst and recovering hydrocarbons from a spent sulfuric acid catalyst from alkylation of olefins and alkanes by using a hydrophobic supported liquid membrane is provided.

A method for regenerating a spent sulfuric acid catalyst and recovering hydrocarbons from a spent sulfuric acid catalyst from alkylation of olefins and alkanes by using a hydrophobic supported liquid membrane is provided.