A two-step process that includes a pyrolytic first step carried out in a mechanically or gravitationally impelled reactor and a catalytic fluid bed second step that upgrades the resulting vapor, for the conversion of waste plastics, polymers, and other waste materials to useful chemical and fuel products such as paraffins, olefins, and aromatics such as BTX is described.

A process for commencing a continuous reaction in a reactor system includes introducing a catalyst to a catalyst processing portion of the reactor system, the catalyst initially having a first temperature of 500 C or less, and contacting the catalyst at the first temperature with a commencement fuel gas stream, which includes at least 80 mol % commencement fuel gas, in the catalyst processing portion. Contacting of the catalyst with the commencement fuel gas stream causes combustion of the commencement fuel gas. The process includes maintaining the contacting of the catalyst with the commencement fuel gas stream until the temperature of the catalyst increases from the first temperature to a second temperature at which combustion of a regenerator fuel source maintains an operating temperature range in the catalyst processing portion.

A process for commencing a continuous reaction in a reactor system includes introducing a catalyst to a catalyst processing portion of the reactor system, the catalyst initially having a first temperature of 500 C or less, and contacting the catalyst at the first temperature with a commencement fuel gas stream, which includes at least 80 mol % commencement fuel gas, in the catalyst processing portion. Contacting of the catalyst with the commencement fuel gas stream causes combustion of the commencement fuel gas. The process includes maintaining the contacting of the catalyst with the commencement fuel gas stream until the temperature of the catalyst increases from the first temperature to a second temperature at which combustion of a regenerator fuel source maintains an operating temperature range in the catalyst processing portion.

A two-step process that includes a pyrolytic first step carried out in a mechanically or gravitationally impelled reactor and a catalytic fluid bed second step that upgrades the resulting vapor, for the conversion of waste plastics, polymers, and other waste materials to useful chemical and fuel products such as paraffins, olefins, and aromatics such as BTX is described.

A reaction unit for catalytic conversion of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon containing feedstock to a petrochemical mixture, includes a housing; a fluid bed distributor plate located at a bottom of the housing; a regeneration zone and a stripping zone located above the fluid bed distributor plate, in which catalytic particles are housed; a reaction zone located above the stripping zone; and a condensation zone located above the reaction zone, in which a petrochemical product fluid is condensed.

A reaction unit for catalytic conversion of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon containing feedstock to a petrochemical mixture, includes a housing; a fluid bed distributor plate located at a bottom of the housing; a regeneration zone and a stripping zone located above the fluid bed distributor plate, in which catalytic particles are housed; a reaction zone located above the stripping zone; and a condensation zone located above the reaction zone, in which a petrochemical product fluid is condensed.

A catalyst structure includes a porous support structure, where the support structure includes an aluminosilicate material and any two or more metals loaded in the porous support structure selected from Ga, Ag, Mo, Zn, Co and Ce. The catalyst structure is used in a hydrocarbon upgrading process that is conducted in the presence of methane, nitrogen or hydrogen.

A reaction unit for catalytic conversion of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon containing feedstock to a petrochemical mixture, includes a housing; a fluid bed distributor plate located at a bottom of the housing; a regeneration zone and a stripping zone located above the fluid bed distributor plate, in which catalytic particles are housed; a reaction zone located above the stripping zone; and a condensation zone located above the reaction zone, in which a petrochemical product fluid is condensed.

A reaction unit for catalytic conversion of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon containing feedstock to a petrochemical mixture, includes a housing; a fluid bed distributor plate located at a bottom of the housing; a regeneration zone and a stripping zone located above the fluid bed distributor plate, in which catalytic particles are housed; a reaction zone located above the stripping zone; and a condensation zone located above the reaction zone, in which a petrochemical product fluid is condensed.

A catalyst structure includes a porous support structure, where the support structure includes an aluminosilicate material. Any two or more metals are loaded in the porous support structure, the two or more metals selected from the group consisting of Ga, Ag, Mo, Zn, Co and Ce, where each metal loaded in the porous support structure is present in an amount from about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %. In example embodiments, the catalyst structure includes three or more of the metals loaded in the porous support structure. The catalyst structure is used in a hydrocarbon upgrading process that is conducted in the presence of methane, nitrogen or hydrogen.