A process for the purification of isobutene from a C4 stream with at least 1-butene, 2-butene, isobutane and isobutene includes isomerizing 1-butene from a stream of material which is concentrated in isobutane and isobutene obtained from the C4 stream into 2-butene, using a catalyst in an isomerization reactor; supplying a product stream from the isomerization reactor to a rectification column; and providing a stream of material which is concentrated in isobutene. A processing facility is utilized for the purification of isobutene from the C4 stream.

A process for the purification of isobutene from a C4 stream with at least 1-butene, 2-butene, isobutane and isobutene includes isomerizing 1-butene from a stream of material which is concentrated in isobutane and isobutene obtained from the C4 stream into 2-butene, using a catalyst in an isomerization reactor; supplying a product stream from the isomerization reactor to a rectification column; and providing a stream of material which is concentrated in isobutene. A processing facility is utilized for the purification of isobutene from the C4 stream.

A catalytic composition is disclosed, which exhibits an X-ray amorphous oxide with a spinel formula, and crystals of ZnO, CuO, and at least one Group VIB metal oxide, and preferably, at least one acidic oxide of B, P. or Si, as well. The composition is useful in oxidative processes for removing sulfur from gaseous hydrocarbons.

Disclosed is method for removing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide from a sour gas stream. The method comprises subjecting the gas stream to simultaneous contact with an absorption liquid, such as an aqueous amine solution, and with a catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide. To this end, the invention also provides a reactor system wherein both an absorption liquid and a catalyst are present. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst present on or in an absorption column, either coated on the trays of a column with trays, or contained in the packing of a packed column.

A volume of natural gas including a volume of methane and a volume of other alkanes may be cleaned of the other alkanes using a steam reformer system to create synthesis gas.

Processes to selectively crack alkyne compounds from a hydrocarbon stream including olefinic and di-olefinic compounds are described. The process includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a supported CuO catalyst under conditions sufficient to crack the alkynes to form a product stream that included cracked compounds and further separating the cracked organic compounds from the hydrocarbon stream.

Processes to selectively crack alkyne compounds from a hydrocarbon stream including olefinic and di-olefinic compounds are described. The process includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a supported CuO catalyst under conditions sufficient to crack the alkynes to form a product stream that included cracked compounds and further separating the cracked organic compounds from the hydrocarbon stream.

Processes to selectively crack alkyne compounds from a hydrocarbon stream including olefinic and di-olefinic compounds are described. The process includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a supported CuO catalyst under conditions sufficient to crack the alkynes to form a product stream that included cracked compounds and further separating the cracked organic compounds from the hydrocarbon stream.

Treatment of hydrocarbon streams, and in one non-limiting embodiment refinery distillates, with reducing agents, such as borohydride and salts thereof, alone or together with at least one co-solvent results in reduction of the sulfur compounds such as disulfides, mercaptans, thiophenes, and thioethers that are present to give easily removed sulfides. In one non-limiting embodiment, the treatment converts the original sulfur compounds into hydrogen sulfide or low molecular weight mercaptans that can be extracted from the distillate with caustic solutions, hydrogen sulfide or mercaptan scavengers, solid absorbents such as clay or activated carbon or liquid absorbents such as amine-aldehyde condensates and/or aqueous aldehydes.

A catalytic composition is disclosed, which exhibits an X-ray amorphous oxide with a spinel formula, and crystals of ZnO, CuO, and at least one Group VIB metal oxide, and preferably, at least one acidic oxide of B, P, or Si, as well. The composition is useful in oxidative processes for removing sulfur from gaseous hydrocarbons.