A process for preparing C.sub.2 to C.sub.5 olefins includes introducing a feed stream comprising hydrogen and at least one carbon-containing component selected from the group consisting of CO, CO.sub.2, and mixtures thereof into a reaction zone. The feed stream is contacted with a hybrid catalyst in the reaction zone, and a product stream is formed that exits the reaction zone and includes C.sub.2 to C.sub.5 olefins. The hybrid catalyst includes a methanol synthesis component and a solid microporous acid component that is selected from molecular sieves having 8-MR access and having a framework type selected from the group consisting of CHA, AEI, AFX, ERI, LTA, UFI, RTH, and combinations thereof. The methanol synthesis component comprises a metal oxide support and a metal catalyst. The metal oxide support includes titania, zirconia, hafnia or mixtures thereof, and the metal catalyst includes zinc.

Systems for preparing butenes are provided. The systems can include a reactor inlet coupled to both a reactor and at least one reactant reservoir; at least one of the reactant reservoirs containing one or both of an aldehyde and/or ethanol; a catalyst within the reactor, the catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support material; and a reactor outlet operationally configured to convey a butene-rich reaction product to a product reservoir. Methods for preparing butenes are also provided. The methods can include exposing one or both of ethanol and/or an aldehyde to a catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support to form a butene-rich product that comprises one or both of 1-butene and/or 2-butene.

Tungstated zirconium catalysts for paraffin isomerization may comprise: a mixed metal oxide that is at least partially crystalline and comprises tungsten, zirconium, and a variable oxidation state metal selected from Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Ce, Ni, and any combination thereof. The mixed metal oxide comprises about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % tungsten, about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. % zirconium, and about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % variable oxidation state metal, each based on a total mass of the mixed metal oxide. The mixed metal oxide has a total surface area of about 50 m.sup.2/g or greater as measured according to ISO 9277, and at least one of the following: an ammonia uptake of about 0.05 to about 0.3 mmol/g as measured by temperature programmed adsorption/desorption, or a collidine uptake of about 100 μmol/g or greater as measured gravimetrically.

A photoreactor having computer actuated input/output ports is operated by introducing reactant through an input port and collecting product through an output port, and upon closure of the input and output ports, treating photocatalyst within the photoreactor to remove intermediates limiting performance of the photocatalyst. Once the photocatalyst is regenerated, introduction of reactant to the photoreactor through the input port and collection of product from the output port can be resumed. The automated process does not require removal of catalyst from the photoreactor and significantly improves process economics.

Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C.sub.7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C.sub.7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C.sub.7+ normal paraffins. Methods for isomerizing normal paraffins may comprise: providing a feed mixture comprising at least C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins and lacking normal paraffins larger than C.sub.8; and contacting the feed mixture with a bifunctional mixed metal oxide catalyst under isomerization reaction conditions effective to form a product mixture comprising one or more branched paraffins formed from each of the C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins.

A MXene support for a noble metal that forms a catalyst having active sites comprising single metal-layer nanostructures. The catalyst is stable under conditions for methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons and provides reduced coke formation. The results show a supported metal catalyst using the MXene where Pt atoms form one or more layers of atoms on the surface of the Mo.sub.2TiC.sub.2T.sub.x support after it is reduced at 750° C. The catalyst shows high selectivity for C.sub.2-hydrocarbons with reduced coke formation, which can cost effectively convert methane into other valuable products.

The present invention is related to the isomerization process in which a light naphtha stream comprising of paraffinic (mono and single branched), naphthenic and aromatic hydrocarbons in the range of C.sub.5-C.sub.7 is contacted with the solid catalyst in multiple reaction zones and in presence of hydrogen to produce high octane gasoline predominantly comprising of paraffins (single and di-branched) and naphthenes. The process scheme comprises of more than one isomerization reaction section operating at different temperatures and other operating conditions. The catalyst employed in these reaction sections is a high coordination sulfated mixed metal oxide catalyst which contains at least one noble metal and sulfated zirconia in addition to the other components. The process of the present invention also comprises more than one fractionation section and recycling of a particular stream to the reaction zone for improving the isomerization of light naphtha.

A process for the treatment of a light naphtha feedstock that comprises normal paraffins and iso-paraffins may include separating the feedstock into a first iso-paraffin stream and a normal paraffin stream. The separating may be performed with 5A molecular sieves, a pressure of about 1-3 bars, and a temperature of 100-260° C. A product stream may be provided by subjecting the normal paraffin stream to at least one of steam cracking, isomerizing, and aromatizing.

The present disclosure generally relates to a process for converting a hydrocarbon feed including introducing a hydrocarbon feed comprising a C.sub.1+ alkane to a catalyst composition in a reactor, the catalyst composition comprising a Group 6-Group 15 metal supported on a support; and irradiating the hydrocarbon feed and the catalyst composition with electromagnetic energy in the reactor at reactor conditions to produce a product comprising a C.sub.2+ alkane, wherein the C.sub.2+ alkane of the product is heavier than the C.sub.1+ alkane in the hydrocarbon feed.

Methods and phosphorus-containing solid catalysts for catalyzing dehydration of cyclic ethers (e.g., furans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol). The alcohols and cyclic ethers may be derived from biomass. One example includes a tandem Diels-Alder cycloaddition and dehydration of biomass-derived 2,5-dimethyl-furan and ethylene to renewable p-xylene. The phosphorus-containing solid catalysts are also active and selective for dehydration of alcohols to alkenes.