To provide a functional structural body that can realize a long life time by suppressing the decline in function of the functional substance and that can attempt to save resources without requiring a complicated replacement operation, and to provide a method for making the functional structural body. The functional structural body (1) includes a skeletal body (10) of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one functional substance (20) present in the skeletal body (10), the skeletal body (10) has channels (11) connecting with each other, and the functional substance is present at least in the channels (11) of the skeletal body (10).

To provide a highly active structured catalyst for methanol reforming that suppresses the decline in catalytic function and has excellent catalytic function, and a methanol reforming device. A structured catalyst for methanol reforming, including: a support of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and a catalytic substance present in the support, in which the support has channels communicating with each other, and the catalytic substance is present at least in the channels of the support.

To provide a highly active structured catalyst for methanol reforming that suppresses the decline in catalytic function and has excellent catalytic function, and a methanol reforming device. A structured catalyst for methanol reforming, including: a support of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and a catalytic substance present in the support, in which the support has channels communicating with each other, and the catalytic substance is present at least in the channels of the support.

A process for isomerizing an aromatic cut containing at least one aromatic compound containing eight carbon atoms per molecule is described, comprising bringing said cut into contact with at least one catalyst comprising at least one metal from group VIII of the periodic classification of the elements, at least one zeolitic support comprising a zeolite selected from zeolites with structure type EUO and MOR, used alone or as a mixture, and at least one matrix, such that the specific surface area of the matrix in the zeolitic support of said catalyst is in the range 5 to 200 m.sup.2/g.

A process for isomerizing an aromatic cut containing at least one aromatic compound containing eight carbon atoms per molecule is described, comprising bringing said cut into contact with at least one catalyst comprising at least one metal from group VIII of the periodic classification of the elements, at least one zeolitic support comprising a zeolite selected from zeolites with structure type EUO and MOR, used alone or as a mixture, and at least one matrix, such that the specific surface area of the matrix in the zeolitic support of said catalyst is in the range 5 to 200 m.sup.2/g.

Disclosed are a catalyst system and its use in a process for the conversion of a feedstock containing C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce light aromatic products, comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst system comprises (a) a first catalyst bed comprising a first catalyst composition, said first catalyst composition comprising a zeolite having a constraint index of 3 to 12 combined (i) optionally with at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and (ii) optionally with at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table; and (b) a second catalyst bed comprising a second catalyst composition, said second catalyst composition comprising (i) a meso-mordenite zeolite, combined (ii) optionally with at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and (iii) optionally with at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, wherein said meso-mordenite zeolite is synthesized from TEA or MTEA and having a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and said meso-mordenite zeolite comprises agglomerates composed of primary crystallites, wherein said primary crystallites have an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm and an aspect ratio of less than 2.

Disclosed are a catalyst system and its use in a process for the conversion of a feedstock containing C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce light aromatic products, comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst system comprises (a) a first catalyst bed comprising a first catalyst composition, said first catalyst composition comprising a zeolite having a constraint index of 3 to 12 combined (i) optionally with at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and (ii) optionally with at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table; and (b) a second catalyst bed comprising a second catalyst composition, said second catalyst composition comprising (i) a meso-mordenite zeolite, combined (ii) optionally with at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and (iii) optionally with at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, wherein said meso-mordenite zeolite is synthesized from TEA or MTEA and having a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and said meso-mordenite zeolite comprises agglomerates composed of primary crystallites, wherein said primary crystallites have an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm and an aspect ratio of less than 2.

A process for reducing haze in a heavy base oil includes: obtaining a first effluent oil by contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with a first catalyst including a zeolite of the ZSM-12 family; and obtaining a second effluent oil by contacting the first effluent oil with a second catalyst including a zeolite of the ZSM-48 family. A hydroisomerization catalyst system having reduced haze includes: a first catalytic region having a first catalyst disposed therein, the first catalyst including a zeolite of the ZSM-12 family; and a second catalytic region having a second catalyst disposed therein, the second catalyst including a zeolite of the ZSM-48 family. The first catalytic region is disposed upstream of the second catalytic region.

A process for reducing haze in a heavy base oil includes: obtaining a first effluent oil by contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with a first catalyst including a zeolite of the ZSM-12 family; and obtaining a second effluent oil by contacting the first effluent oil with a second catalyst including a zeolite of the ZSM-48 family. A hydroisomerization catalyst system having reduced haze includes: a first catalytic region having a first catalyst disposed therein, the first catalyst including a zeolite of the ZSM-12 family; and a second catalytic region having a second catalyst disposed therein, the second catalyst including a zeolite of the ZSM-48 family. The first catalytic region is disposed upstream of the second catalytic region.

This invention relates to process for producing biphenyl esters, the process comprising: (a) contacting a feed comprising toluene, xylene or mixtures thereof with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluene, wherein the hydroalkylation catalyst comprises: 1) binder present at 40 wt % or less (based upon weight of final catalyst composition), 2) a hydrogenation component present at 0.2 wt % or less (based upon weight of final catalyst composition), and 3) an acidic component comprising a molecular sieve having a twelve membered (or larger) ring pore opening, channel or pocket and a largest pore dimension of 6.0 angstroms or more present at 60 wt % or more, (based upon weight of final catalyst composition); (b) dehydrogenating the hydroalkylation reaction product using a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising a mixture of methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds; (c) contacting at the dehydrogenation reaction product with an oxidizing gas to convert the methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds to biphenyl carboxylic acids; and (d) reacting the biphenyl carboxylic acids with one or more C.sub.1 to C.sub.14 alcohols to produce biphenyl esters.