A catalyst, methods of making, and process of dehydrogenating paraffins utilizing the catalyst. The catalyst includes at least 20 mass % Zn, a catalyst support and a catalyst stabilizer. The catalyst is further characterizable by physical properties such as activity parameter measured under specified conditions. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.

A method for converting an alcohol to hydrocarbons comprises two serially placed catalysts. The fraction of aromatics is reduced to desired levels. The method comprises: a) contacting the alcohol with a first catalyst on a carrier, said carrier is selected from a mixed oxide and a mesoporous carrier, said first catalyst comprises at least one basic oxide and optionally at least one selected from the group consisting of metals and metal oxides, then b) contacting the resulting mixture from step a) with a second catalyst wherein said second catalyst is an etched metal loaded zeolite catalyst wherein the etched metal loaded zeolite catalyst is manufactured with a method comprising etching with subsequent loading of metal onto the catalyst, wherein the metal is in the form of nanoparticles, and wherein at least two different metals are loaded onto the etched zeolite catalyst. The hydrocarbons are recovered and used for instance for fuel including gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and jet propellant, and jet fuel. Naturally, other uses of hydrocarbons should not be excluded.

A multilayer supported oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalyst composition (alpha-Al.sub.2O.sub.3 support, first single oxide layer, one or more mixed oxide layers, optional second single oxide layer) characterized by formula A.sub.aZ.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x/alpha-Al.sub.2O.sub.3; A is alkaline earth metal; Z is first rare earth element; E is second rare earth element; D is redox agent/third rare earth element; the first, second, third rare earth element are not the same; a=1.0; b=0.1-10.0; c=0.1-10.0; d=0-10.0; x balances oxidation states; first single oxide layer (Z.sub.b1O.sub.x1, b1=0.1-10.0; x1 balances oxidation states) contacts alpha-Al.sub.2O.sub.3 support and one or more mixed oxide layers; one or more mixed oxide layers (A.sub.a2Z.sub.b2E.sub.c2D.sub.d2O.sub.x2, a2=1.0; b2=0.1-10.0; c2=0.1-10.0; d2=0-10.0; x2 balances oxidation states; A.sub.aZ.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x and A.sub.a2Z.sub.b2E.sub.c2D.sub.d2O.sub.x2 are different) contacts first single oxide layer and optionally second single oxide layer, and second single oxide layer (AO), when present, contacts one or more mixed oxide layers and optionally first single oxide layer.

Provided is a Fluid Catalytic Cracking catalyst additive composition and method of making the same. The catalyst additive composition comprises zeolite about 35 wt% to about 80 wt%, preferably about 40 wt% to about 70 wt%; silica about 0 wt% to about 10 wt%, preferably about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%; about 10.5 wt% to 20 wt% alumina and about 7 wt% to 20 wt% P.sub.2O.sub.5, preferably about 11 wt% to about 18 wt%, and the balance clay which can fall between 0 and 50 wt%. The alumina is typically derived from more than one source, such as at least an amorphous or small crystallite size pseudo-boehmite alumina and then either a either a large crystallite size alumina or other reactive alumina.

A process for dehydrogenating alkane or alkylaromatic compounds comprising contacting the given compound and a dehydrogenation catalyst in a fluidized bed. The dehydrogenation catalyst is prepared from an at least partially deactivated platinum/gallium catalyst on an alumina-based support that is reconstituted by impregnating it with a platinum salt solution, then calcining it at a temperature from 400° C. to 1000° C., under conditions such that it has a platinum content ranging from 1 to 500 ppm, based on weight of catalyst; a gallium content ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 wt %; and a platinum to gallium ratio ranging from 1:20,000 to 1:4. It also has a Pt retention that is equal to or greater than that of a fresh catalyst being used in a same or similar catalytic process.

A process for producing propylene involves dehydration of isopropanol. The dehydration process includes a step of subjecting a starting material containing isopropanol to a dehydration reaction in the presence of a dehydration catalyst comprising alumina to produce a product containing propylene. The starting material has a water content of 0.1 to 10.0 wt % (relative to 100 wt % of the total mass of the starting material), and the product has a total content of C2 unsaturated impurities and C3-C4 unsaturated impurities of 80 ppm or less (relative to 100 wt % of the total mass of the product).

The invention relates to a two-way approach to isolate, recover and upgrade 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BDO) from fermentation broth. A complete separation and recovery process for 2,3-BDO using acetalization and trans-acetalization sequence. Acetalization with butyraldehyde using heterogeneous catalysts, either Amberlyst-15® or Nafion NR50®, efficiently isolates 2,3-BDO as phase-separated protected dioxolane. The approach provides significant process advantages with easy product recovery and high recyclability of the catalyst. Trans-acetalization of dioxolane with methanol (methanolysis) followed by distillation of acetal, yielded very high purity 2,3-BDO with about 90% isolated yield. Alternatively, dioxolane is used in a process direct to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a BDO synthon allowing for recovery of the aldehyde.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare propylene from a hydrocarbon feed comprising pentane by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with a heterogeneous cracking catalyst as present in one or more fixed beds thereby obtaining a cracked effluent. The heterogeneous catalyst comprises a matrix component and a molecular sieve comprising framework alumina, framework silica and a framework metal selected from the group of Zn, Fe, Ce, La, Y, Ga and/or Zr. Propylene is isolated from the cracked effluent.

A process for the oligomerization of C.sub.3- to C.sub.5-olefins proceeds in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the oligomerization is carried out in at least one reaction stage which includes at least one reactor and at least one distillation column. The content of oligomers in the feed stream to the at least one reaction stage after removal of the oligomers in the at least one distillation column is less than 0.4% by weight.

A supported oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalyst comprising a support and an OCM catalytic composition characterized by the general formula A.sub.aZ.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x; wherein A is an alkaline earth metal; wherein Z is a first rare earth element; wherein E is a second rare earth element; wherein D is a redox agent or a third rare earth element; wherein the first rare earth element, the second rare earth element, and the third rare earth element, when present, are not the same; wherein a is 1.0; wherein b is from about 0.1 to about 10.0; wherein c is from about 0.1 to about 10.0; wherein d is from about 0 to about 10.0; and wherein x balances the oxidation states.