A process for large scale and energy efficient production of oxygenates from sugar is disclosed in which a sugar feedstock is introduced into a thermolytic fragmentation reactor including a fluidized stream of heat carrying particles. The heat carrying particles may be separated from the fluidized stream prior to cooling the fragmentation product and may be directed to a reheater to reheat the particles and recirculate the heated particles to the fragmentation reactor.

Processes and associated reaction systems for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane are provided. In particular, a process is provided that comprises supplying a feed gas comprising ethane and oxygen to a multitubular fixed-bed reactor and allowing the ethane and oxygen to react in the presence of an oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst to yield a reactor effluent comprising ethylene; and supplying a coolant to an interior shell space of the multitubular fixed-bed reactor in a flow pattern that is co-current with the flow of the feed gas through reactor.

Processes and associated reaction systems for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane are provided. In particular, a process is provided that comprises supplying a feed gas comprising ethane and oxygen to a multitubular fixed-bed reactor, allowing the ethane and oxygen to react in the presence of an oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst to yield a reactor effluent comprising ethylene; supplying a coolant to an upstream region of an interior shell space of the reactor in a flow pattern that is counter-current with the flow of the feed gas; and withdrawing the coolant from the upstream region and supplying at least a portion of the coolant withdrawn from the upstream region to the downstream region in a flow pattern that is co-current with the flow of the feed gas.

Incorporating into a fixed bed reactor for an exothermal reaction having a catalyst supported on a support having a thermal conductivity typically less than 30 W/mk within the reaction temperature control limits heat dissipative particles having a thermal conductivity of at least 50 W/mk less than 30 W/mk within the reaction temperature control limits helps control the temperature of the reactor bed.

A system and a method for dehydrogenating isobutane to isobutylene are disclosed. The system comprises a fixed bed dehydrogenation reactor. The fixed reactor bed in the fixed bed dehydrogenation reactor includes a catalyst layer, a first material adapted to improve the flow distribution in the fixed reactor bed, a second material adapted to improve the thermal distribution in the fixed reactor bed, and a third material adapted to improve both the flow distribution and the thermal distribution in the fixed reactor bed. The first material covers a top, a bottom, and at least a portion of a side surface of the catalyst layer of the fixed reactor bed. The second material and the third material both are evenly distributed in the catalyst layer.

A modified bed particles, related methods and applications in processes involving microwave-assisted catalytic reactions. The bed particles modified to be used as a microwave receptor that is capable to simultaneously sustain heat generation mechanisms under microwave irradiations and physically act as catalyst support. The bed particle comprises a dielectric coating deposited on an external surface of a core, the bed particle being sized for use in a fixed bed reactor or a fluidized bed reactor. The bed particles may further comprise a catalytically active material supported on a surface of the dielectric coating. Irradiating the gas-solid reactor with microwaves enables heating the dielectric coating of the solid bed particles, the dielectric coating locally transferring thermal energy to the surrounding gaseous reactants which are thereby selectively converted into the primary products.

Incorporating into a fixed bed reactor for an exothermal reaction having a catalyst supported on a support having a thermal conductivity typically less than 30 W/mk within the reaction temperature control limits heat dissipative particles having a thermal conductivity of at least 50 W/mk less than 30 W/mk within the reaction temperature control limits helps control the temperature of the reactor bed.

The invention relates to hydrocarbon conversion, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon conversion, and to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon conversion, e.g., hydrocarbon pyrolysis processes. The hydrocarbon conversion is carried out in a reactor which includes at least one channeled member that comprises refractory and has an open frontal area 55%. The refractory can include non-oxide ceramic.

The invention relates to hydrocarbon conversion, to equipment and materials useful for hydrocarbon conversion, and to processes for carrying out hydrocarbon conversion, e.g., hydrocarbon pyrolysis processes. The hydrocarbon conversion is carried out in a reactor which includes at least one channeled member that comprises refractory and has an open frontal area 55%. The refractory can include non-oxide ceramic.

A process for large scale and energy efficient product of oxygenates from sugar is disclosed in which a sugar feedstock is introduced into a thermolytic fragmentation reactor comprising a fluidized stream of heat carrying particles. The heat carrying particles may be separated from the fluidized stream prior to cooling the fragmentation product and may be directed to a reheater to reheat the particles and recirculate the heated particles to the fragmentation reactor.