A process and system for the conversion of a feedstock comprising C3-C5 light alkanes to a C5+ hydrocarbon product, for example, a BTX-rich hydrocarbon product, by performing the alkane activation (first-stage) and the oligomerization/aromatization (second-stage) in separate stages, which allows each conversion process to occur at optimal reaction conditions thus increasing the overall hydrocarbon product yield. The alkane activation or first-stage is operated at a higher temperature than the second-stage since light alkanes are much less reactive than light olefins. Since aromatization of olefins is more efficient at higher pressure, the second-stage is maintained at a higher pressure than the first-stage. Further, fixed-bed catalysts are used in each of the first-stage and the second-stage.

Provided is a propylene oxide production apparatus including a switching mechanism that is capable of switching a state of each reactor between an operating state where reaction raw materials are supplied and an epoxidation reaction is performed and a non-operating state where the supply of the reaction raw materials is shut off. The propylene oxide production apparatus is capable of changing a reactor in the non-operating state one by one, and performs switching in such a way that only reactors in the operating state are connected fluidically in series or in parallel, thereby enabling supplying the reaction raw materials to the reactors in the operating state. A sampling mechanism is also provided that samples part of the reaction mixture from each discharge line that is connected to each reactor.

A SHC apparatus and process comprise a catalyst precursor reactor for providing a catalyst precursor stream in downstream communication with a source of molybdenum, a SHC feed line for providing a heavy hydrocarbon feed stream in downstream communication with a heater, and a SHC reactor in downstream communication with the SHC feed line and with the catalyst precursor reactor. A process for SHC, the process comprising preparing a catalyst precursor stream comprising molybdenum in a catalyst precursor reactor, mixing the catalyst precursor stream with a heavy hydrocarbon stream to provide a catalyst precursor concentrate stream, heating a hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed stream in a heater to provide a heated hydrocracking feed stream, mixing the catalyst precursor concentrate stream with the heated hydrocarbon stream to provide a SHC feed stream, and reacting the SHC feed stream in a SHC reactor.

Methods for monitoring catalytic chemical reactions are provided. Such a method may comprise (a) exposing a solid surface to conditions to induce a chemical reaction of reactants at an interface formed between the solid surface and a liquid crystal, wherein the solid surface catalyzes the chemical reaction and the liquid crystal is characterized by an anchoring orientation that changes during the chemical reaction; and (b) measuring the anchoring orientation of the liquid crystal at one or more time points and at one or more locations on the solid surface during step (a). Systems for carrying out the methods are also provided.

Exemplary chemical looping systems include at least one type of active solid particles and inert solid particles that may be provided between various reactors in exemplary systems. Certain chemical looping systems may include a reducer reactor in fluid communication with a combustor reactor. Some chemical looping systems may additionally include an oxidizer reactor in fluid communication with the combustor reactor and the reducer reactor. Generally, active solid particles are capable of cycling between a reduction reaction and an oxidation reaction. Generally, inert solid particles are not reactants in either the reduction reaction or the oxidation reaction.

Systems and methods for enhancing the processing of hydrocarbons in a FCC unit by introduction of the coked FCC catalyst from the FCC reactor and a renewable feedstock to the FCC regenerator to facilitate regeneration of the coked FCC catalyst. The renewable feedstock can contain biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The biomass-derived pyrolysis oil and coke from the coked FCC catalyst are oxidized by oxygen to provide a regenerated catalyst that is recycled to the FCC reactor.

A SHC apparatus and process comprise a catalyst precursor reactor for providing a catalyst precursor stream in downstream communication with a source of molybdenum, a SHC feed line for providing a heavy hydrocarbon feed stream in downstream communication with a heater, and a SHC reactor in downstream communication with the SHC feed line and with the catalyst precursor reactor. A process for SHC, the process comprising preparing a catalyst precursor stream comprising molybdenum in a catalyst precursor reactor, mixing the catalyst precursor stream with a heavy hydrocarbon stream to provide a catalyst precursor concentrate stream, heating a hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed stream in a heater to provide a heated hydrocracking feed stream, mixing the catalyst precursor concentrate stream with the heated hydrocarbon stream to provide a SHC feed stream, and reacting the SHC feed stream in a SHC reactor.

A fuel oxygen reduction unit is provided that includes an inlet fuel line and an outlet fuel line; an oxygen transfer assembly in fluid communication with the inlet fuel line, the outlet fuel line, and a stripping gas flowpath for reducing an amount of oxygen in an inlet fuel flow through the inlet fuel line using a stripping gas flow through the stripping gas flowpath; a catalyst in communication with the stripping gas flowpath at a location downstream of the oxygen transfer assembly, the catalyst configured to reduce an oxygen content of the stripping gas flow through the stripping gas flowpath; and a recuperative heat exchanger in airflow communication with the stripping gas flowpath at a location downstream of the catalyst and upstream of the catalyst for exchanging heat from the stripping gas flow flowing from the catalyst with the stripping gas flow flowing through the recuperative heat exchanger at the location upstream of the catalyst.

A method and apparatus for preparing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) according to an embodiment may ensure mass-production, may increase yield by reducing a production time, and may prepare BNNTs with high purity.

A method for recovering an active metal of a lithium secondary battery according to exemplary embodiments comprises preparing a preliminary cathode active material mixture including a lithium composite oxide and a binder, forming a cathode active material mixture by removing the binder from the preliminary cathode active material mixture through a heat treatment in a fluidized bed reactor, and recovering a lithium precursor from the cathode active material mixture. Accordingly, the active metal of the lithium secondary battery can be recovered with high purity and high efficiency.