An integrated process is provided for producing benzene, toluene, and/or xylene and hydrogen from shale gas under the feeding of carbon dioxide. The integrated process for producing an aromatic compound and hydrogen can efficiently and continuously produce high value-added aromatic compounds and hydrogen without the need to separate methane from shale gas through cryogenic distillation.

An integrated process is provided for producing benzene, toluene, and/or xylene and hydrogen from shale gas under the feeding of carbon dioxide. The integrated process for producing an aromatic compound and hydrogen can efficiently and continuously produce high value-added aromatic compounds and hydrogen without the need to separate methane from shale gas through cryogenic distillation.

The present disclosure provide processes of separating aromatic isomers; liquid-liquid extraction systems and processes; liquid-liquid extraction solvents; cucurbituril macrocycle selective for the extraction of aromatic isomers; related materials, methods, and systems; and the like. The process of separating aromatic isomers may include contacting an isomers solution including one or more aromatic isomers, with an aqueous solution including a cucurbituril macrocycle, to produce a first aqueous phase and a first organic phase, wherein the cucurbituril macrocycle is selective for the extraction of at least one of said aromatic isomers.

The present disclosure provide processes of separating aromatic isomers; liquid-liquid extraction systems and processes; liquid-liquid extraction solvents; cucurbituril macrocycle selective for the extraction of aromatic isomers; related materials, methods, and systems; and the like. The process of separating aromatic isomers may include contacting an isomers solution including one or more aromatic isomers, with an aqueous solution including a cucurbituril macrocycle, to produce a first aqueous phase and a first organic phase, wherein the cucurbituril macrocycle is selective for the extraction of at least one of said aromatic isomers.

A catalyst containing a IZM-2 zeolite and a specific content of alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal compounds, and a process for the isomerization of an aromatic C8 cut using the catalyst.

A catalyst containing a IZM-2 zeolite and a specific content of alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal compounds, and a process for the isomerization of an aromatic C8 cut using the catalyst.

An integrated process for conversion of a hydrocarbon stream comprising at least 60% by weight C5-C6 normal paraffins and iso-paraffins to enhanced value aromatics. The process includes passing the hydrocarbon stream through the first reactor, the first reactor being an aromatization reactor with an aromatization catalyst disposed therein to generate an aromatization product stream. The process further includes passing the aromatization product stream through a separator configured to remove C1-C4 gases to generate an aromatic rich stream. The process finally includes passing the aromatic rich stream combined with a reformate effluent fraction from a catalytic reforming unit to an aromatic recovery complex to separate the aromatic rich stream into a benzene fraction, a toluene fraction, a para-xylene fraction, an aromatic bottoms fraction comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons, and a non-aromatics fraction. An associated system for performing the process is also provided.

An integrated process for conversion of a hydrocarbon stream comprising at least 60% by weight C5-C6 normal paraffins and iso-paraffins to enhanced value aromatics. The process includes passing the hydrocarbon stream through the first reactor, the first reactor being an aromatization reactor with an aromatization catalyst disposed therein to generate an aromatization product stream. The process further includes passing the aromatization product stream through a separator configured to remove C1-C4 gases to generate an aromatic rich stream. The process finally includes passing the aromatic rich stream combined with a reformate effluent fraction from a catalytic reforming unit to an aromatic recovery complex to separate the aromatic rich stream into a benzene fraction, a toluene fraction, a para-xylene fraction, an aromatic bottoms fraction comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons, and a non-aromatics fraction. An associated system for performing the process is also provided.

Disclosed is a process for recovering paraxylene in which a first simulated moving bed adsorption unit is used to produce two extract streams—one rich in paraxylene and a paraxylene-rich extract stream that is lean in ethylbenzene and an ethylbenzene-rich extract stream that is lean in paraxylene- and a paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream. A significant amount of the ethylbenzene is removed in the ethylbenzene-rich extract stream (at least enough to limit buildup in the isomerization loop), so the paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream may be isomerized in the liquid phase. Avoiding vapor phase isomerization saves energy and capital, as liquid phase isomerization requires less energy and capital than the vapor phase isomerization process due to the requirement of vaporizing the paraxylene-depleted stream and the use of hydrogen, which requires an energy and capital intensive hydrogen recycle loop.

Disclosed is a process for recovering paraxylene in which a first simulated moving bed adsorption unit is used to produce two extract streams—one rich in paraxylene and a paraxylene-rich extract stream that is lean in ethylbenzene and an ethylbenzene-rich extract stream that is lean in paraxylene- and a paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream. A significant amount of the ethylbenzene is removed in the ethylbenzene-rich extract stream (at least enough to limit buildup in the isomerization loop), so the paraxylene-depleted raffinate stream may be isomerized in the liquid phase. Avoiding vapor phase isomerization saves energy and capital, as liquid phase isomerization requires less energy and capital than the vapor phase isomerization process due to the requirement of vaporizing the paraxylene-depleted stream and the use of hydrogen, which requires an energy and capital intensive hydrogen recycle loop.