A method for producing light aromatics, includes the steps of: i) contacting a feedstock comprising heavy aromatic(s) with a catalyst in a fluidized reactor for aromatics lightening reaction in the presence of hydrogen to obtain a product rich in C6-C8 light aromatic(s) and a spent catalyst, wherein the heavy aromatic is one or more selected from C9+ aromatics; ii) separating the resulted product rich in C6-C8 light aromatic(s) to obtain hydrogen, a non-aromatic component, C6-C8 light aromatic(s) and a C9+ aromatic component; and iii) recycling at least a part of the C9+ aromatic component to the fluidized reactor. The method has strong adaptability to feedstocks and high flexibility in operation and allows a long-period stable operation. The method can produce high-value light aromatics from heavy aromatics that are difficult to be treated and utilized.

A method for producing one or more of benzene, toluene, or xylene may include contacting a feed stream including C.sub.9+ alkylaromatic hydrocarbons with a catalyst mixture to form one or more of benzene, toluene, or xylene. The catalyst mixture may include mesoporous zeolite Beta, ZSM-5 zeolite, one or more active metals, and binder material. The feed stream may include C.sub.9+ alkylaromatic hydrocarbons in an amount of at least 10 wt. %. The weight ratio of mesoporous zeolite Beta to ZSM-5 zeolite may be from 2 to 4.

A method for producing one or more of benzene, toluene, or xylene may include contacting a feed stream including C.sub.9+ alkylaromatic hydrocarbons with a catalyst mixture to form one or more of benzene, toluene, or xylene. The catalyst mixture may include mesoporous zeolite Beta, ZSM-5 zeolite, one or more active metals, and binder material. The feed stream may include C.sub.9+ alkylaromatic hydrocarbons in an amount of at least 10 wt. %. The weight ratio of mesoporous zeolite Beta to ZSM-5 zeolite may be from 2 to 4.

The present invention relates to a method of forming mixed xylenes from a heavy reformate using a dealkylation-transalkylation system that includes the step of introducing a heavy reformate containing methyl ethyl benzenes and tri-methyl benzenes and sufficiently free of toluene into the dealkylation stage with a hydrogen-containing material such that the heavy reformate and the hydrogen-containing material intermingle and contact a hydrodealkylation catalyst. The dealkylation-transalkylation system includes dealkylation stages, non-aromatic product gas separations and transalkylation stages. The BTEX component toluene forms from the reaction of methyl ethyl benzenes and hydrogen in the presence of the hydrodealkylation catalyst. The method also includes the step of introducing a dealkylated heavy reformate into the transalkylation stage such that the dealkylated heavy reformate contacts a transalkylation catalyst, forming a transalkylation stage product mixture that includes mixed xylenes.

The present invention relates to a method of forming mixed xylenes from a heavy reformate using a dealkylation-transalkylation system that includes the step of introducing a heavy reformate containing methyl ethyl benzenes and tri-methyl benzenes and sufficiently free of toluene into the dealkylation stage with a hydrogen-containing material such that the heavy reformate and the hydrogen-containing material intermingle and contact a hydrodealkylation catalyst. The dealkylation-transalkylation system includes dealkylation stages, non-aromatic product gas separations and transalkylation stages. The BTEX component toluene forms from the reaction of methyl ethyl benzenes and hydrogen in the presence of the hydrodealkylation catalyst. The method also includes the step of introducing a dealkylated heavy reformate into the transalkylation stage such that the dealkylated heavy reformate contacts a transalkylation catalyst, forming a transalkylation stage product mixture that includes mixed xylenes.

The present invention relates to a method of forming mixed xylenes from a heavy reformate using a dealkylation-transalkylation system that includes the step of introducing a heavy reformate containing methyl ethyl benzenes and tri-methyl benzenes and sufficiently free of toluene into the dealkylation stage with a hydrogen-containing material such that the heavy reformate and the hydrogen-containing material intermingle and contact a hydrodealkylation catalyst. The dealkylation-transalkylation system includes dealkylation stages, non-aromatic product gas separations and transalkylation stages. The BTEX component toluene forms from the reaction of methyl ethyl benzenes and hydrogen in the presence of the hydrodealkylation catalyst. The method also includes the step of introducing a dealkylated heavy reformate into the transalkylation stage such that the dealkylated heavy reformate contacts a transalkylation catalyst, forming a transalkylation stage product mixture that includes mixed xylenes.

Embodiments in the present disclosure describe a process for recovery of lighter mono-aromatic compounds from a stream containing alkyl bridged non-condensed alkyl multi-aromatic compounds by conversion to non-condensed alkyl mono-aromatic compounds. The process includes supplying, to a reactor, a hydrocarbon feedstock containing alkyl bridged non-condensed alkyl aromatic compounds and a hydrogen stream. The process further includes allowing the alkyl-bridged non-condensed alkyl multi-aromatic compounds to react with hydrogen in the presence of a suitable catalyst to produce alkyl mono-aromatic compounds. The process may include processing the alkyl mono-aromatic compounds to produce valuable products, such as para-xylene. Various other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

A system and method including providing a feed having alkyl-bridged multi-aromatic compounds to a tubular reactor, heating the tubular reactor, and cleaving an alkyl bridge of the alkyl-bridged multi-aromatic compounds.

A system and method including providing a feed having alkyl-bridged multi-aromatic compounds to a tubular reactor, heating the tubular reactor, and cleaving an alkyl bridge of the alkyl-bridged multi-aromatic compounds.