A catalyst structure includes a porous support structure, where the support structure includes an aluminosilicate material. Any two or more metals are loaded in the porous support structure, the two or more metals selected from the group consisting of Ga, Ag, Mo, Zn, Co and Ce, where each metal loaded in the porous support structure is present in an amount from about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %. In example embodiments, the catalyst structure includes three or more of the metals loaded in the porous support structure. The catalyst structure is used in a hydrocarbon upgrading process that is conducted in the presence of methane, nitrogen or hydrogen.

A catalyst structure includes a porous support structure, where the support structure includes an aluminosilicate material. Any two or more metals are loaded in the porous support structure, the two or more metals selected from the group consisting of Ga, Ag, Mo, Zn, Co and Ce, where each metal loaded in the porous support structure is present in an amount from about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %. In example embodiments, the catalyst structure includes three or more of the metals loaded in the porous support structure. The catalyst structure is used in a hydrocarbon upgrading process that is conducted in the presence of methane, nitrogen or hydrogen.

A catalyst structure includes a porous support structure, where the support structure includes an aluminosilicate material and any two or more metals loaded in the porous support structure selected from Ga, Ag, Mo, Zn, Co and Ce. The catalyst structure is used in a hydrocarbon upgrading process that is conducted in the presence of methane, nitrogen or hydrogen.

A catalyst structure includes a porous support structure, where the support structure includes an aluminosilicate material and any two or more metals loaded in the porous support structure selected from Ga, Ag, Mo, Zn, Co and Ce. The catalyst structure is used in a hydrocarbon upgrading process that is conducted in the presence of methane, nitrogen or hydrogen.

Provided herein are supercritical upgrading reactors and reactor systems for upgrading a petroleum-based composition by using one or more supercritical upgrading reactors and one or more supercritical standby reactors that alternate functions such that the supercritical upgrading reactor is converted to a supercritical standby reactor and the supercritical standby reactor is converted to a supercritical upgrading reactor. The supercritical upgrading reactor upgrades a combined feed stream while a supercritical standby reactor delivers a cleaning fluid into the supercritical standby reactor. The supercritical reactors may have one or more catalyst layers and one or more purging fluid inlets, and the catalyst layers may have differing void volume ratios.

Provided herein are supercritical upgrading reactors and reactor systems for upgrading a petroleum-based composition by using one or more supercritical upgrading reactors and one or more supercritical standby reactors that alternate functions such that the supercritical upgrading reactor is converted to a supercritical standby reactor and the supercritical standby reactor is converted to a supercritical upgrading reactor. The supercritical upgrading reactor upgrades a combined feed stream while a supercritical standby reactor delivers a cleaning fluid into the supercritical standby reactor. The supercritical reactors may have one or more catalyst layers and one or more purging fluid inlets, and the catalyst layers may have differing void volume ratios.

A method of converting a liquid hydrocarbon stream to lower boiling point hydrocarbons may include converting the liquid hydrocarbon stream to an aerosolized hydrocarbon particle stream, and subjecting the aerosolized hydrocarbon particle stream to reaction conditions. Reaction conditions may include a temperature from 25° C. to 1,000° C. and a pressure from 1 bar to 15 bar. The method may further include forming the lower boiling point hydrocarbons in the aerosolized hydrocarbon particle stream and separating the lower boiling point hydrocarbons from the aerosolized hydrocarbon particle stream. The lower boiling point hydrocarbons may comprise at least C.sub.2—C.sub.4 olefins.

A method of converting a liquid hydrocarbon stream to lower boiling point hydrocarbons may include converting the liquid hydrocarbon stream to an aerosolized hydrocarbon particle stream, and subjecting the aerosolized hydrocarbon particle stream to reaction conditions. Reaction conditions may include a temperature from 25° C. to 1,000° C. and a pressure from 1 bar to 15 bar. The method may further include forming the lower boiling point hydrocarbons in the aerosolized hydrocarbon particle stream and separating the lower boiling point hydrocarbons from the aerosolized hydrocarbon particle stream. The lower boiling point hydrocarbons may comprise at least C.sub.2—C.sub.4 olefins.

Supercritical upgrading reactors and reactor systems are provided for upgrading a petroleum-based composition using one or more purging fluid inlets to prevent plugging of the catalyst layer in the reactor. Processes for upgrading petroleum-based compositions by utilizing a reactor having at least one purging fluid inlet are also provided.

Supercritical upgrading reactors and reactor systems are provided for upgrading a petroleum-based composition using one or more purging fluid inlets to prevent plugging of the catalyst layer in the reactor. Processes for upgrading petroleum-based compositions by utilizing a reactor having at least one purging fluid inlet are also provided.