To provide a structured catalyst for catalytic cracking or hydrodesulfurization that suppresses decline in catalytic activity, achieves efficient catalytic cracking, and allows simple and stable obtaining of a substance to be modified. The structured catalyst for catalytic cracking or hydrodesulfurization (1) includes a support (10) of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound and at least one type of metal oxide nanoparticles (20) present in the support (10), in which the support (10) has channels (11) that connect with each other, the metal oxide nanoparticles (20) are present at least in the channels (11) of the support (10), and the metal oxide nanoparticles (20) are composed of a material containing any one or two more of the oxides of Fe, Al, Zn, Zr, Cu, Co, Ni, Ce, Nb, Ti, Mo, V, Cr, Pd, and Ru.

An changeable lead-lag configuration of two isomerization reactors can be used to achieve continuous isomerization operations in an aromatics production complex, even if the isomerization catalyst deactivates over time to require catalyst regeneration and/or replacement. The configuration can be particularly advantageous for two liquid phase isomerization reactors, especially those operated under a high WHSV≥5 hour.sup.−1 where the isomerization catalyst can deactivate at a high rate.

Methods are provided for activation of catalysts comprising low amounts of a hydrogenation metal, such as low amounts of a Group 8-10 noble metal. The amount of hydrogenation metal on the catalyst can correspond to 0.5 wt % or less (with respect to the weight of the catalyst), or 0.1 wt % or less, or 0.05 wt % or less. Prior to loading a catalyst into a reactor, the corresponding catalyst precursor can be first activated in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 1.0 vppm of CO or less. The thus first-activated catalyst can be transferred to a reactor with optional exposure to oxygen during the transfer, where it can be further activated using a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 3.0 vppm of CO or higher, to yield a twice-activated catalyst with high performance. The catalyst can be advantageously a transalkylation catalyst or an isomerization catalyst useful for converting aromatic hydrocarbons.

Disclosed is a dissimilar metal-supported catalyst for the production of aromatics by methane dehydroaromatization. In the dissimilar metal-supported catalyst, a noble metal such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), and/or rhodium (Rh) is introduced into a catalyst supported with iron (Fe) on a zeolite support to promote the dehydrogenation of methane and the formation of iron carbide (Fe.sub.3C) as an active species for dehydroaromatization, achieving a greatly improved yield of aromatics. Also disclosed is a method for producing aromatics using the dissimilar metal-supported catalyst.

Systems and methods are provided for conversion of a combined feed of oxygenates (such as methanol or dimethyl ether) and olefins to a high octane naphtha boiling range product with a reduced or minimized aromatics content. The oxygenate conversion can be performed under conditions that reduce or minimize hydrogen transfer. Optionally, a catalyst that further facilitates formation of branched paraffins can be used, such as a catalyst that has some type of 12-member ring site available on the catalyst surface.

In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula:

##STR00001##

wherein each of m and n is independently 1, 2, or 3, is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound, and the methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

Disclosed herein is a process for producing para-xylene comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a feedstock comprising toluene with a first catalyst under effective vapor phase toluene disproportionation conditions to disproportionate said toluene and produce a first product comprising benzene, unreacted toluene and greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene; and (b) contacting a feedstock comprising C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene with a second catalyst in the presence of 0 wt. % or more of hydrogen having a 0 to 10 hydrogen/hydrocarbon molar ratio under effective C.sub.9+ transalkylation conditions to transalkylate said C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a second product comprising xylenes.

Methods are provided for activation of catalysts comprising low amounts of a hydrogenation metal, such as low amounts of a Group 8-10 noble metal. The amount of hydrogenation metal on the catalyst can correspond to 0.5 wt % or less (with respect to the weight of the catalyst), or 0.1 wt % or less, or 0.05 wt % or less. Prior to loading a catalyst into a reactor, the corresponding catalyst precursor can be first activated in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 1.0 vppm of CO or less. The thus first-activated catalyst can be transferred to a reactor with optional exposure to oxygen during the transfer, where it can be further activated using a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 3.0 vppm of CO or higher, to yield a twice-activated catalyst with high performance. The catalyst can be advantageously a transalkylation catalyst or an isomerization catalyst useful for converting aromatic hydrocarbons.

A functional structural body that can realize a prolonged life time by suppressing the decrease in function and that can fulfill resource saving without requiring a complicated replacement operation is provided. A functional structural body includes a skeletal body of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and at least one solid acid present in the skeletal body, the skeletal body has channels connecting with each other, and the solid acid is present at least in the channels of the skeletal body.

To provide a functional structural body that can realize ong 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 the channels (11) of the skeletal body (10).