A method of cracking a hydrocarbon feed under fluid catalytic cracking conditions includes adding FCC compatible inorganic particles having a first particle type including one or more boron oxide components and a first matrix component into a FCC unit and adding cracking microspheres having a second particle type including a second matrix component, a phosphorus component and 20% to 95% by weight of a zeolite component into the FCC unit.

A method of cracking a hydrocarbon feed under fluid catalytic cracking conditions includes adding FCC compatible inorganic particles having a first particle type including one or more boron oxide components and a first matrix component into a FCC unit and adding cracking microspheres having a second particle type including a second matrix component, a phosphorus component and 20% to 95% by weight of a zeolite component into the FCC unit.

A process to catalytically transform natural gas liquid (NGL) into higher molecular weight hydrocarbons includes providing an NGL stream, catalytically dehydrogenating at least a portion of the NGL stream components to their corresponding alkene derivatives, catalytically oligomerizing at least a portion of the alkenes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and recovering the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. The NGL stream can be extracted from a gas stream such as a gas stream coming from shale formations. The higher molecular weight hydrocarbons can be hydrocarbons that are liquid at ambient temperature and ambient pressure.

Methods of treating hydroconversion catalysts used for cracking of hydrocarbons are described. A method can include mixing an inactive hydroconversion catalyst with a solid hydrocarbon containing material having a melting point of 50° C. or greater. The inactive hydroconversion catalyst/solid hydrocarbon containing material mixture can be contacted with a gaseous stream that includes hydrogen (H.sub.2) and a sulfur-containing compound under conditions sufficient to sulfide the catalyst and carbonize at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing material on the sulfided catalyst to obtain a treated sulfided hydroconversion catalyst.

A process for preparing olefins, especially ethylene, butylene and propylene, includes contacting a renewable naphtha having a hexane and heptane content of from 70% to 80% with a heterogeneous cracking catalyst comprising a matrix component and a molecular sieve having a framework of silica, alumina and a metal selected from Zn, Fe, Ce, La, Y, Ga and/or Zr.

A process for preparing olefins, especially ethylene, butylene and propylene, includes contacting a renewable naphtha having a hexane and heptane content of from 70% to 80% with a heterogeneous cracking catalyst comprising a matrix component and a molecular sieve having a framework of silica, alumina and a metal selected from Zn, Fe, Ce, La, Y, Ga and/or Zr.

Processes for producing alcohols from biomass are provided. The processes utilize supercritical methanol to depolymerize biomass with subsequent conversion to a mixture of alcohols. In particular the disclosure relates to continuous processes which produce high yields of alcohols through recycling gases and further employ dual reactor configurations which improve overall alcohol yields. Processes for producing higher ethers and olefins from the so-formed alcohols, through alcohol coupling and subsequent dehydration are also provided. The resulting distillate range ethers and olefins are useful as components in liquid fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel.

Processes for producing alcohols from biomass are provided. The processes utilize supercritical methanol to depolymerize biomass with subsequent conversion to a mixture of alcohols. In particular the disclosure relates to continuous processes which produce high yields of alcohols through recycling gases and further employ dual reactor configurations which improve overall alcohol yields. Processes for producing higher ethers and olefins from the so-formed alcohols, through alcohol coupling and subsequent dehydration are also provided. The resulting distillate range ethers and olefins are useful as components in liquid fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel.

According to one or more embodiments presently disclosed, a catalyst for converting hydrocarbons may include catalytic oxidized metal materials comprising oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. At least 95 wt. % of the catalytic oxidized metal materials may be a combination of oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. The catalyst may additionally include a mesoporous support material comprising pores having an average pore diameter of from 2 nm to 50 nm. At least 95 wt. % of the mesoporous support material may comprise alumina. At least 95 wt. % of the catalyst may be the combination of the catalytic oxidized metal materials and the mesoporous support material. Additional embodiments are included, such as methods for making the presently disclosed catalysts.

According to one or more embodiments presently disclosed, a catalyst for converting hydrocarbons may include catalytic oxidized metal materials comprising oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. At least 95 wt. % of the catalytic oxidized metal materials may be a combination of oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. The catalyst may additionally include a mesoporous support material comprising pores having an average pore diameter of from 2 nm to 50 nm. At least 95 wt. % of the mesoporous support material may comprise alumina. At least 95 wt. % of the catalyst may be the combination of the catalytic oxidized metal materials and the mesoporous support material. Additional embodiments are included, such as methods for making the presently disclosed catalysts.