Systems and methods for producing propylene using an MTBE synthesis raffinate are disclosed. An MTBE synthesis raffinate stream first passes through a molecular sieve to separate n-butane and isobutane from the rest of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons of the MTBE synthesis raffinate. The 1-butene in the rest of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons of the MTBE synthesis raffinate is then isomerized to form 2-butene. Therefore, the concentration of 2-butene in the subsequent propylene production process increases due to the separation of n-butane and isobutane and the isomerization of 1-butene, resulting in an improved reaction rate and reaction efficiency for propylene production.

This present disclosure relates to catalytic processes for upgrading crude and/or refined fusel oil mixtures to higher value renewable chemicals, via mixed metal oxide or zeolite catalysts. Disclosed herein are processes passing a vaporized stream of crude and/or refined fusel oils over various mixed metal oxide catalysts, metal doped zeolites, or non-metal doped zeolites and/or metal oxides providing options to valorize fusel oil mixtures to higher value products. Renewable chemicals formed, via these upgrading catalyst platforms, are comprised of, but not limited to, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), di-isobutyl ketone (DIBK), isoamylene, and isoprene.

Provided herein are methods for producing cyclic and acyclic ketones from trimerization and dimerization of alkyl ketones, including for example methyl ketones. Such cyclic and acyclic ketones may be suitable for use as fuel and lubricant precursors, and may be hydrodeoxygenated to form their corresponding cycloalkanes and alkanes. Such cycloalkanes and alkanes may be suitable for use as fuels, including jet fuels, and lubricants.

Disclosed is a catalyst comprising: a composition having a formula BN.sub.xM.sub.yO.sub.z wherein B represents boron, N represents nitrogen, M comprises a metal or metalloid, and O represents oxygen, x ranges from 0 to 1, y ranges from 0.01 to 5.5; and z ranges from 0 to 16.5. The catalyst may be suitable for converting alkanes to olefins.

Nanowires useful as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The nanowire catalysts are prepared by polymer templated methods and are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to ethane and/or ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for the production of n-butene isomers and/or 1,3-butadiene are disclosed. The systems and method involve an oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) process for the production of n-butene isomers and 1,3-butadiene light olefins using an adjustable, multi-purpose, and multi-layer-catalyst bed for a reactor.

Nanowires useful as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The nanowires catalysts are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Aspects of the invention relate to enhanced oxygen transfer agent systems and methods of use thereof. According to one aspect, a method for producing olefins from a hydrocarbon feed includes the step of contacting a hydrocarbon feed comprised of one or more alkanes with an oxygen transfer agent at a temperature of 350 C. to 1000 C. The oxygen transfer agent comprising an oxygen-donating chalcogen agent comprised of at least one of S, Se, or Te and a reducible metal oxide. The chalcogen having an oxidation state greater than +2. According to another aspect, a method for producing one or more olefins by partial combustion of a hydrocarbon feed includes partially combusting a hydrocarbon feed comprised of one or more alkanes by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with an oxygen transfer agent comprising CaS0.sub.4 at a temperature of 350 C. to 1000 C. to produce one or more olefins comprising ethylene and coproducing water.

A method for producing an unsaturated hydrocarbon comprising: a dehydrogenation step of contacting a raw material gas containing at least one hydrocarbon selected from a group consisting of alkanes and olefins with a dehydrogenation catalyst containing a group 14 metal element and Pt to obtain a product gas containing at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of olefins and conjugated dienes, and a regeneration step of contacting the dehydrogenation catalyst subjected to the dehydrogenation step with a regenerating gas containing molecular oxygen under a temperature condition of 310 to 450 C.

Methods and systems are provided for oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon feed stream to produce a product stream with improved ethylene yield. The methods can include the steps of (i) combining a recycle stream with the feed stream to form a reactor feed stream, (ii) contacting the reactor feed stream with an oxide-based redox catalyst to produce the product stream comprising ethylene and one or more byproducts selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, other byproducts, and mixtures thereof, and (iii) removing all or a part of the methane and ethane from the product stream to produce the recycle stream. Systems for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of a hydrocarbon feed stream are also provided to produce a product stream with improved ethylene yield. The systems and methods can include an oxide-based redox catalyst, such as Mg.sub.6MnO.sub.8, Cu.sub.6PbO.sub.8, and Ni.sub.6MnO.sub.8.