A naphtha cracking feed stream is taken, heated and passed to a cracking reactor. Hydrogen is added to the cracking reactor to mitigate catalyst deactivation. The aliphatic compounds are selectively cracked and at least a portion of the alkyl groups on the aromatic compounds are selectively dealkylated in the presence of a cracking catalyst to produce a cracked effluent stream comprising aromatic compounds and cracked olefins.

The process for producing light olefins comprises the steps of contacting a feed stream comprising C.sub.4 to C.sub.11 hydrocarbons having at least 10 wt % paraffins and at least 15 wt % alkylaromatics with an acidic catalyst to form a cracked product comprising light olefins and aromatics. The catalyst comprises about 30 to about 80 wt-% of a crystalline zeolite and a low-acidic binder and may be regenerated.

Disclosed is a method of synthesizing nano-sized tungsten-silica core-shell particles by a silica-based sol-gel process. According to the method, tungsten-silica nanoparticles are very easy to synthesize by a simple process at ambient pressure and temperature. In addition, tungsten oxide-silica (WO.sub.x@SiO.sub.2) nanoparticles including tungsten in a stable oxidation state can be synthesized. In the tungsten oxide-silica nanoparticles, the size of the tungsten protected with the silica shell can be maintained in the nanometer range without further processing. Also disclosed is a method of synthesizing nano-sized tungsten oxide (WO.sub.x) and tungsten carbide (WC) particles by further processing of the tungsten-silica core-shell particles.

Zn-promoted and/or Ga-promoted cracking catalysts, such as cracking catalysts comprising an MSE framework zeolite or an MFI framework zeolite can provide unexpectedly superior conversion of branched paraffins when used as part of a catalyst during reforming of a hydrocarbon fuel stream. The conversion and reforming of the hydrocarbon fuel stream can occur, for example, in an internal combustion engine. The conversion and reforming can allow for formation of higher octane compounds from the branched paraffins.

The present invention relates to a catalytic hydroconversion process in dispersed phase of extra-heavy and heavy crude oils for upgrading their transport properties, that operates at low severity conditions, in such a way that the obtained product can be transported by conventional pumping to the distribution and refining centers. The main technical contributions of the hydroconversion process in dispersed phase of this invention to upgrade the transport properties of heavy and extra-heavy crudes are: Compact size and can be localized next to the production facilities on ground or offshore Use of operating conditions at low severity Reduction of the viscosity and increase of the API gravity at values that allow the transportation by pipeline of heavy or extra-heavy crude Upgrading of the crude oil properties in a permanent way Hydrocarbon and gases from production centers are used as supplies Operation in dispersed phase avoiding plugging problems Use of low-cost disposable catalysts at low concentrations.

The present invention relates to a catalytic hydroconversion process in dispersed phase of extra-heavy and heavy crude oils for upgrading their transport properties, that operates at low severity conditions, in such a way that the obtained product can be transported by conventional pumping to the distribution and refining centers. The main technical contributions of the hydroconversion process in dispersed phase of this invention to upgrade the transport properties of heavy and extra-heavy crudes are: Compact size and can be localized next to the production facilities on ground or offshore Use of operating conditions at low severity Reduction of the viscosity and increase of the API gravity at values that allow the transportation by pipeline of heavy or extra-heavy crude Upgrading of the crude oil properties in a permanent way Hydrocarbon and gases from production centers are used as supplies Operation in dispersed phase avoiding plugging problems Use of low-cost disposable catalysts at low concentrations.

The invention describes a process for start-up of a hydrotreatment or hydroconversion unit carried out in the presence of hydrogen, in at least 2 catalytic beds, process in which At least one bed contains at least one presulfurized and preactivated catalyst and at least one catalytic bed that contains a catalyst whose catalytic metals are in oxidized form, A so-called starting feedstock, which is a hydrocarbon fraction that contains at least 0.5% by weight of sulfur, lacking olefinic compounds and not containing an added sulfur-containing compound, passes through a first catalytic bed that contains said presulfurized and preactivated catalyst and then passes through at least one catalytic bed that contains a catalyst whose catalytic metals are in oxidized form, And the first presulfurized and preactivated catalyst bed reaches a temperature of at least 220 C.

The invention describes a process for start-up of a hydrotreatment or hydroconversion unit carried out in the presence of hydrogen, in at least 2 catalytic beds, process in which At least one bed contains at least one presulfurized and preactivated catalyst and at least one catalytic bed that contains a catalyst whose catalytic metals are in oxidized form, A so-called starting feedstock, which is a hydrocarbon fraction that contains at least 0.5% by weight of sulfur, lacking olefinic compounds and not containing an added sulfur-containing compound, passes through a first catalytic bed that contains said presulfurized and preactivated catalyst and then passes through at least one catalytic bed that contains a catalyst whose catalytic metals are in oxidized form, And the first presulfurized and preactivated catalyst bed reaches a temperature of at least 220 C.

The present invention provides an additive composition having the general formula: A.sub.xB.sub.yC(.sub.1-y)D.sub.zO.sub.m wherein: A is one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Group IIA of the periodic table; B, C is one or more metal elements selected from the lanthanide group, series of the periodic table or Yttrium; D is one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Manganese, Cobalt, Copper, Nickel or Ruthenium; x is a number defined by 0.5<x<4; y is a number defined by 0<=y<=1; z is a number defined by 2<z<6; m is a number which renders the catalyst substantially neutral. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the afore-mentioned additive composition. The present invention further provides mixed metal oxide catalysts comprising additive composition and its use in hydrocarbon conversion processes.

The present invention relates to a process for the partial upgrading of properties of heavy and/or extra-heavy crude oil by low severity catalytic hydrotreatment in only one reaction step. The process of the present invention is obtained upgraded oil with properties required for its transportation from offshore platforms either to maritime terminal or to refining centers. The process reduces the viscosity of heavy and/or extra-heavy crude oil, and decreases the concentration of impurities, such as sulfur, nitrogen, and metals, in such a way that heavy and/or extra-heavy crude oils can be transported to maritime terminals or to refining centers. The process increases the lifetime of the catalyst and decreased operating costs by reducing consumption of utilities because the operation of the process is carried out at lower severity. The partially upgraded oils obtained in this process can be transported directly to the maritime terminals or to existing refineries.