A family of new crystalline molecular sieves designated SSZ-91 is disclosed, as are methods for making SSZ-91 and uses for SSZ-91. Molecular sieve SSZ-91 is structurally similar to sieves falling within the ZSM-48 family of molecular sieves, and is characterized as: (1) having a low degree of faulting, (2) a low aspect ratio that inhibits hydrocracking as compared to conventional ZSM-48 materials having an aspect ratio of greater than 8, and (3) is substantially phase pure.

Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO.sub.2. At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H.sub.2O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (H) and the required energy input, compared to pure dry reforming in which no H.sub.2O is present. Such dry reforming (reaction with CO.sub.2 only) or CO.sub.2-steam reforming (reaction with both CO.sub.2 and steam) processes are advantageously integrated with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to yield liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Further integration may involve the use of a downstream finishing stage involving hydroisomerization to remove FT wax. Yet other integration options involve the use of combined CO.sub.2-steam reforming and FT synthesis stages (optionally with finishing) for producing liquid fuels from gas streams generated in a number of possible processes, including the hydropyrolysis of biomass.

Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO.sub.2. At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H.sub.2O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (H) and the required energy input, compared to pure dry reforming in which no H.sub.2O is present. Such dry reforming (reaction with CO.sub.2 only) or CO.sub.2-steam reforming (reaction with both CO.sub.2 and steam) processes are advantageously integrated with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to yield liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Further integration may involve the use of a downstream finishing stage involving hydroisomerization to remove FT wax. Yet other integration options involve the use of combined CO.sub.2-steam reforming and FT synthesis stages (optionally with finishing) for producing liquid fuels from gas streams generated in a number of possible processes, including the hydropyrolysis of biomass.

Processes and apparatus for isomerizing hydrocarbons are provided. The process comprises isomerizing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed stream comprising at least one of C4 to C7 hydrocarbons in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and hydrogen under isomerization conditions to produce an isomerized stream. The isomerized stream is stabilized in a stabilizer to provide a stabilizer off-gas stream comprising chlorides and a liquid isomerate stream. At least a portion of the stabilizer off-gas stream is contacted with a dried feed stream to remove chlorides from the stabilizer off-gas stream. The dried feed stream is not cooled before absorbing the chlorides. A portion of the dried feed stream may bypass the absorbing section. A chiller is disposed on top of the vessel with the absorbing section.

Processes and apparatus for isomerizing hydrocarbons are provided. The process comprises isomerizing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed stream comprising at least one of C4 to C7 hydrocarbons in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and hydrogen under isomerization conditions to produce an isomerized stream. The isomerized stream is stabilized in a stabilizer to provide a stabilizer off-gas stream comprising chlorides and a liquid isomerate stream. At least a portion of the stabilizer off-gas stream is contacted with a dried feed stream to remove chlorides from the stabilizer off-gas stream. The dried feed stream is not cooled before absorbing the chlorides. A portion of the dried feed stream may bypass the absorbing section. A chiller is disposed on top of the vessel with the absorbing section.

Processes and apparatus for isomerizing hydrocarbons are provided. The process comprises isomerizing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed stream comprising at least one of C4 to C7 hydrocarbons in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and hydrogen under isomerization conditions to produce an isomerized stream. The isomerized stream is stabilized in a stabilizer to provide a stabilizer off-gas stream comprising chlorides and a liquid isomerate stream. At least a portion of the stabilizer off-gas stream is contacted with a dried feed stream to remove chlorides from the stabilizer off-gas stream. The dried feed stream is not cooled before absorbing the chlorides. A portion of the dried feed stream may bypass the absorbing section. A chiller is disposed on top of the vessel with the absorbing section.

Processes and apparatus for isomerizing hydrocarbons are provided. The process comprises isomerizing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed stream comprising at least one of C4 to C7 hydrocarbons in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and hydrogen under isomerization conditions to produce an isomerized stream. The isomerized stream is stabilized in a stabilizer to provide a stabilizer off-gas stream comprising chlorides and a liquid isomerate stream. At least a portion of the stabilizer off-gas stream is contacted with a dried feed stream to remove chlorides from the stabilizer off-gas stream. The dried feed stream is not cooled before absorbing the chlorides. A portion of the dried feed stream may bypass the absorbing section. A chiller is disposed on top of the vessel with the absorbing section.

Processes and apparatus for isomerizing hydrocarbons are provided. The process comprises isomerizing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed stream comprising at least one of C4 to C7 hydrocarbons in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and hydrogen under isomerization conditions to produce an isomerized stream. The isomerized stream is stabilized in a stabilizer to provide a stabilizer off-gas stream comprising chlorides and a liquid isomerate stream. At least a portion of the stabilizer off-gas stream is contacted with a dried feed stream to remove chlorides from the stabilizer off-gas stream. The dried feed stream is not cooled before absorbing the chlorides. A portion of the dried feed stream may bypass the absorbing section. A chiller is disposed on top of the vessel with the absorbing section.

Processes and apparatus for isomerizing hydrocarbons are provided. The process comprises isomerizing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed stream comprising at least one of C4 to C7 hydrocarbons in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and hydrogen under isomerization conditions to produce an isomerized stream. The isomerized stream is stabilized in a stabilizer to provide a stabilizer off-gas stream comprising chlorides and a liquid isomerate stream. At least a portion of the stabilizer off-gas stream is contacted with a dried feed stream to remove chlorides from the stabilizer off-gas stream. The dried feed stream is not cooled before absorbing the chlorides. A portion of the dried feed stream may bypass the absorbing section. A chiller is disposed on top of the vessel with the absorbing section.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes passing a feed stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons through a methyl tertiary butyl ether unit producing a first process stream; passing the first process stream through a selective hydrogenation unit producing a second process stream; passing the second process stream through an isomerization unit producing a third process stream; and passing the third process stream through a hydration unit producing the fuel additive and a recycle stream.