Fluid Zeolite Catalyst Conversion of Alcohols and Oxygenated Derivatives to Hydrocarbons by Controlling Exothermic Reaction Heat

The application of fluidized catalyst techniques, developed particularly in the petroleum industry for effecting chemical reaction embodying the distribution of heat and/or the disposal of undesired heat, has long been accepted as a major processing tool of the industry. For example, fluidized catalyst techniques have been particularly useful for catalytic cracking of oil vapors to produce lower boiling products and regeneration of the catalyst used in such an operation. It has also been proposed to use the fluidized catalyst technique, primarily for the disposal of generated heat, in the highly exothermic reactions of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and the known Oxo process and in other such exothermic processes. In the fluidized catalyst operations previously developed, disposal of the reaction heat has been accomplished by many different techniques including transfer of catalyst through cooling sections and/or indirect cooling means with liquids or a fluid catalyst to absorb reaction heat transferred directly or indirectly by the finely divided fluidized catalyst particles. Not only are these prior art catalyst techniques used for temperature control by addition and/or removal of heat, but they have also been found useful for maintaining selective conversions and extending the active life of the catalyst used in the process.

The present invention is concerned with an arrangement of apparatus and method of operation employing a fluid catalyst system in which methanol and related oxygenates are converted particularly to dimethyl ether and hydrocarbons in an upflowing catalyst phase system comprising relatively diluted and more dense phase systems. The exothermic heat of reaction is utilized as hereinafter disclosed to provide product selectivity and prolong the useful life of the catalyst employed in the chemical conversion operation. U.S. Pat. Nos. considered in the preparation of this application include 2,373,008; 3,480,408; 3,969,426; 4,013,732; 4,035,430; 4,044,061; 4,046,825; 4,052,479; 4,071,573 and 4,118,431.

This invention relates to the method and means for effecting selective chemical reactions in the presence of a catalyst comprising a select class of particulate crystalline zeolites. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with effecting exothermic chemical reactions, in the presence of crystalline zeolites of selected crystal arrangement, thereby particularly promoting the formulation of hydrocarbon product materials higher boiling than the reactant charge material. In a more particular aspect, the present invention is concerned with effecting the conversion of lower alcohols, related oxygenates and derivatives thereof in a fluidized mass of catalytic particulate material comprising a selected class of crystalline zeolite providing a pore dimension greater than about 5 Angstroms, pore windows of a size provided by 10-membered rings of oxygen atoms, a silica/alumina ratio of at least 12 and a constraint index in the range of 1 to 12. The present invention is also concerned with an arrangement of apparatus for effecting the catalytic conversion of alcohols and compounds of carbon and hydrogen, with and without combined oxygen, with a fluid mass of catalyst particles, under temperature restricted conditions, to achieve high yields of higher boiling hydrocarbons, including gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons.

The present invention is concerned with the conversion of methanol, or a mixture of lower alcohols and related oxygenates such as ethers, aldehydes and ketones, in the presence of a special type of zeolite catalyst maintained in an upflowing fluid condition comprising a dispersed catalyst phase riser contact zone discharging into a more dense upflowing fluid mass of catalyst particles. The alcohol-containing feed, initially charged in liquid and/or vaporous condition, may be relatively pure methanol or other lower alcohol or may comprise an ether derivative thereof as a part of the feed.

In our previous application Ser. No. 89,706, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,631, we disclosed a method whereby initial conversion of the methanol feed to dimethylether intermediate was carried out to at least 70% of theoretical completion prior to passing the reaction mixture to the second relatively dense fluid mass of catalyst particles for final conversion thereof to C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 hydrocarbons. A method has now been found whereby the initial conversion of the methanol-containing feed, that is the conversion carried out in the first relatively dispersed catalyst phase riser contact zone, may be desirably carried out for a time, temperature and pressure suitable to achieve up to 70% conversion of methanol and other oxygenates in the reactant feed.

The drawing is a diagrammatic representation, in elevation, of one arrangement of apparatus for effecting the catalytic conversion of lower alcohols, ether derivatives and related oxygenates in a special fluid catalyst system to form hydrocarbons, including gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons and LPG products.

In a particular operation of the apparatus of the invention, a vaporized methanol feed, with or without related oxygenates, is mixed with the zeolite catalyst charged to the bottom of the riser contact zone (as more particularly discussed below) to form a suspension for flow upwardly through the riser. In this dispersed catalyst phase operation, if operating in a vaporized feed mode, it is desirable to restrict the catalyst charged to the riser to a temperature of about 322.degree. C. (612.degree. F.) while employing a catalyst to feed ratio of about 10 to 1 and, when employing a 20 to 1 ratio, the catalyst temperature is preferably restricted to about 366.degree. C. (690.degree. F.). If operating in a liquid feed mode, it will be found desirable to employ higher temperatures and/or catalyst-to-feed ratios. The dispersed catalyst phase suspension is passed through a riser contact zone of at least 20 feet in length, and more preferably from 25 feet up to about 70 feet in length, before encountering a distributor grid across the bottom of a larger diameter more dense fluid mass of catalyst thereabove. In this arrangement, the reactant residence time in the riser will vary within the process restrictions herein identified.

It is contemplated providing in the riser contact zone a residence time of 1 to 10 seconds. In the more dense phase of catalyst thereabove, a reactant product residence time in contact with catalyst is within the range of 5 to 80 seconds.

The exothermic operation contemplated within the above operating constraints is predicated upon a catalyst concentration within the riser contact zone within the range of 1 to 15 pounds per cubic foot and in the range of 20 to about 40 pounds per cubic foot in the more dense catalyst bed phase above the grid. A catalyst-reactant temperature rise restriction, not to exceed more than about 90.degree. C. (195.degree. F.) exothermic temperature rise is maintained between the riser suspension inlet and reactant product outlet above the dense fluid bed of catalyst. Thus, the temperature constraints of the operation are selected to restrict the product outlet of the dense fluid bed of catalyst to below 427.degree. C. (800.degree. F.), and preferably the temperature is not substantially above 407.degree. C. (765.degree. F.). The pressure of the operation is maintained low, generally not above about 4 atmospheres. It is preferred that the reactor pressure at the bottom of the dense bed be restricted to within the range of 2 to 2.5 atmospheres.

These conditions allow the conversion of the methanol feed with minimum contact of methanol with the final desired products. The reaction path for methanol conversion to hydrocarbons shows that very high space velocities, within the range of about 50 to 200 such as occurs in a dilute catalyst phase, causes methanol to be converted to dimethyl ether and water. This conversion is up to about 70% completed before any significant quantities of aromatics are formed.

This initial methanol conversion step is important since methanol and aromatics readily combine to form tetramethylbenzene (durene) in greater than desirable quantities. This reaction would occur if methanol were injected directly into a fluid mass of catalyst characterized by good backmixing. The desired hydrocarbon products, preferably comprising C.sub.10 and lower boiling materials, are obtained usually at the low space velocities in the range of 0.5 to 3.0. This is the space velocity range within which the upper or dense catalyst phase bed is operated.

The apparatus of this invention causes a very large portion of the methanol feed to be converted into dimethylether and olefins in a dilute catalyst phase riser reactor prior to contact with significant quantities of higher boiling materials, including aromatics, and the remaining conversion thereof to desired hydrocarbons in the upper more dense catalyst phase of the reactor arrangement. The disclosed method of operation prevents or substantially reduces the occurrence of reactions proceeding to the formation of substantial amounts of paraffins and aromatics and minimizes back-mixing of the reactant feed with aromatic products.

By maintaining a high coke level on the catalyst, in the range of 5 to 20 weight percent, and thereby reducing the catalyst activity, olefins are preferentially produced for a given space velocity under selected temperature conditions. The high coke level is maintained by a limited regeneration of a portion of the catalyst recovered from the reaction zone. Generally speaking, carbon burning can be limited by controlling the amount of oxygen available to burn the coke on the catalyst. Any technique suitable for the purpose may be employed.

The methanol conversion operation of this invention is one which requires and is designed to obtain substantial restriction of the reactant vapor bubble growth to low orders of magnitude. Thus, the vapor-catalyst hydraulic relationship in the contact zone is restricted by baffles, tubes or a combination thereof, or by any other suitable apparatus means therein, which will restrict the free space and provide a surface area of the baffles equivalent to a hydraulic diameter not to exceed about 8 inches and preferably not more than about 4 inches. Bubble dispersing means in the catalyst contact zones, and particularly the dense fluid bed catalyst contact zone, may also be accomplished with some success with Pall type rings of desired relatively large size, vertically displaced baffle means such as honeycomb sections or portions thereof permitting transverse flow, sections of Glitsch grid, perforated pipe sections, and other known baffling means suitable for the purpose. It is particularly desirable, however, to use elongated open or closed end tubes vertically distributed in the most dense fluid bed and perforated in the walls thereof to provide the surface area above identified and transverse flow of catalyst particles in suspension.

The dispersed catalyst phase riser reactor of this invention may be a single large diameter riser reactor tube. Alternatively, a plurality of smaller diameter riser tubes, such as 3 or 4 or more separate riser tubes bundled adjacent to one another or separated from one another, as desired, may be employed in place of a single riser tube. Charging catalyst and alcohol reactant in either vapor or liquid form to the bottom of each riser reactor tube to form a suitable suspension may be accomplished by conventional techniques known in the prior art to provide an upflowing suspension of the desired particle concentration.

The crystalline zeolites utilized herein are members of a novel class of zeolite materials which exhibit unusual properties. Although these zeolites have unusually low alumina contents, i.e. high silica to alumina mole ratios, they are very active even when the silica to alumina mole ratio exceeds 30. The activity is surprising since catalytic activity is generally attributed to framework aluminum atoms and/or cations associated with these aluminum atoms. These zeolites retain their crystallinity for long periods in spite of the presence of steam at high temperature which induces irreversible collapse of the framework of other zeolites, e.g. of the X and A type. Furthermore, carbonaceous deposits, when formed, may be removed by burning at higher than usual temperatures to restore activity. These zeolites, used as catalysts, generally have low coke-forming activity and therefore are conducive to long times on stream between regenerations by burning carbonaceous deposits with oxygen-containing gas such as air.

An important characteristic of the crystal structure of this novel class of zeolites is that it provides a selective constrained access to and egress from the intracrystalline free space by virtue of having an effective pore size intermediate between the small pore Linde A and the large pore Linde X, i.e. the pore windows of the structure are of about a size such as would be provided by 10-membered rings of silicon atoms interconnected by oxygen atoms. It is to be understood, of course, that these rings are those formed by the regular disposition of the tetrahedra making up the anionic framework of the crystalline zeolite, the oxygen atoms themselves being bonded to the silicon (or aluminum, etc.) atoms at the centers of the tetrahedra.

The silica to alumina mole ratio referred to may be determined by conventional analysis. This ratio is meant to represent, as closely as possible, the ratio in the rigid anionic framework of the zeolite crystal and to exclude aluminum in the binder or in cationic or other form within the channels. Although zeolites with a silica to alumina mole ratio of at least 12 are useful, it is preferred in some instances to use zeolites having substantially higher silica/alumina ratios, e.g., 1600 and above. In addition, zeolites are otherwise characterized herein but which are substantially free of aluminum, that is zeolites having silica to alumina mole ratios of up to infinity, are found to be useful and even preferable in some instances. Such "high silica" or "highly siliceous" zeolites are intended to be included within this description. Also to be included within this definition are substantially pure silica analogs of the useful zeolites described herein, that is to say those zeolites having no measurable amount of aluminum (silica to alumina mole ratio of infinity) but which otherwise embody the characteristics disclosed.

The novel class of zeolites, after activation, acquires an intracrystalline sorption capacity for normal hexane which is greater than that for water, i.e., they exhibit "hydrophobic" properties. This hydrophobic character can be used to advantage in some applications.

The novel class of zeolites useful herein have an effective pore size such as to freely sorb normal hexane. In addition, the structure must provide constrained access to larger molecules. It is sometimes possible to judge from a known crystal structure whether such constrained access exists. For example, if the only pore windows in a crystal are formed by 8-membered rings of silicon and aluminum atoms, then access by molecules of larger cross-section than normal hexane is excluded and the zeolite is not of the desired type. Windows of 10-membered rings are preferred, although in some instances excessive puckering of the rings or pore blockage may render these zeolites ineffective.

Although 12-membered rings in theory would not offer sufficient constraint to produce advantageous conversions, it is noted that the puckered 12-ring structure of TMA offretite does show some constrained access. Other 12-ring structures may exist which may be operative for other reasons and, therefore, it is not the present invention to entirely judge the usefulness of a particular zeolite solely from theoretical structural considerations.

Rather than attempt to judge from crystal structure whether or not a zeolite possesses the necessary constrained access to molecules of larger cross-section than normal paraffins, a simple determination of the "Constraint Index" as herein defined may be made by passing continuously a mixture of an equal weight of normal hexane and 3-methylpentane over a sample of zeolite at atmospheric pressure according to the following procedure. A sample of the zeolite, in the form of pellets or extrudate, is crushed to a particle size about that of coarse sand and mounted in a glass tube. Prior to testing, the zeolite is treated with a stream of air at 540.degree. C. for at least 15 minutes. The zeolite is then flushed with helium and the temperature is adjusted between 290.degree. C. and 510.degree. C. to give an overall conversion of between 10% and 60%. The mixture of hydrocarbons is passed at 1 liquid hourly space velocity (i.e., 1 volume of liquid hydrocarbon per volume of zeolite per hour) over the zeolite with a helium dilution to give a helium to (total) hydrocarbon mole ratio of 4:1. After 20 minutes on stream, a sample of the effluent is taken and analyzed, most conveniently by gas chromatography, to determine the fraction remaining unchanged for each of the two hydrocarbons.

While the above experimental procedure will enable one to achieve the desired overall conversion of 10 to 60% for most zeolite samples and represents preferred conditions, it may occasionally be necessary to use somewhat more severe conditions for samples of very low activity, such as those having an exceptionally high silica to alumina mole ratio. In those instances, a temperature of up to about 540.degree. C. and a liquid hourly space velocity of less than one, such as 0.1 or less, can be employed in order to achieve a minimum total conversion of about 10%.

The "Constraint Index" is calculated as follows: ##EQU1##

The Constraint Index approximates the ratio of the cracking rate constants for the two hydrocarbons. Zeolites suitable for the present invention are those having a Constraint Index of 1 to 12. Constraint Index (CI) values for some typical materials are:

The above-described Constraint Index is an important and even critical definition of those zeolites which are useful in the instant invention. The very nature of this parameter and the recited technique by which it is determined, however, admit of the possibility that a given zeolite can be tested under somewhat different conditions and thereby exhibit different Constraint Indices. Constraint Index seems to vary somewhat with severity of operation (conversion) and the presence or absence of binders. Likewise, other variables such as crystal size of the zeolite, the presence of occluded contaminants, etc., may affect the constraint index. Therefore, it will be appreciated that it may be possible to so select test conditions as to establish more than one value in the range of 1 to 12 for the Constraint Index of a particular zeolite. Such a zeolite exhibits the constrained access as herein defined and is to be regarded as having a Constraint Index in the range of 1 to 12. Also contemplated herein as having a Constraint Index in the range of 1 to 12 and therefore within the scope of the defined novel class of highly siliceous zeolites are those zeolites which, when tested under two or more sets of conditions within the above-specified ranges of temperature and conversion, produce a value of the Constraint Index slightly less than 1, e.g. 0.9, or somewhat greater than 12, e.g. 14 or 15, with at least one other value within the range of 1 to 12. Thus, it should be understood that the Constraint Index value as used herein is an inclusive rather than an exclusive value. That is, a crystalline zeolite when identified by any combination of conditions within the testing definition set forth herein as having a Constraint Index in the range of 1 to 12 is intended to be included in the instant novel zeolite definition whether or not the same identical zeolite, when tested under other of the defined conditions, may give a Constraint Index value outside of the range of 1 to 12.

The novel class of zeolites defined herein is exemplified by ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-38, ZSM-48 and other similar materials.

ZSM-5 is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,702,886 and U.S. Pat. No. Re. 29,948. The entire descriptions contained within those patents, particularly the X-ray diffraction pattern of therein disclosed ZSM-5, are incorporated herein by reference.

ZSM-11 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,979. That description, and in particular the X-ray diffraction pattern of said ZSM-11, is incorporated herein by reference.

ZSM-12 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,449. That description, and in particular the X-ray diffraction pattern disclosed therein, is incorporated herein by reference.

ZSM-23 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,842. The entire content thereof, particularly the specification of the X-ray diffraction pattern of the disclosed zeolite, is incorporated herein by reference.

ZSM-35 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,245. The description of that zeolite, and particularly the X-ray diffraction pattern thereof, is incorporated herein by reference.

ZSM-38 is more particularly described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,859. The description of that zeolite, and particularly the specified X-ray diffraction pattern thereof, is incorporated herein by reference.

ZSM-48 can be identified, in terms of moles of anhydrous oxides per 100 moles of silica, as follows:

wherein:

M is at least one cation having a valence n; and

RN is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 organic compound having at least one amine functional group of pK.sub.a .ltoreq.7.

It is recognized that, particularly when the composition contains tetrahedral, framework aluminum, a fraction of the amine functional groups may be protonated. The doubly protonated form, in conventional notation, would be (RNH).sub.2 O and is equivalent in stoichiometry to 2RN+H.sub.2 O.

The characteristic X-ray diffraction pattern of the synthetic zeolite ZSM-48 has the following significant lines:

These values were determined by standard techniques. The radiation was the K-alpha doublet of copper, and a scintillation counter spectrometer with a strip chart pen recorder was used. The peak heights, I, and the positions as a function of 2 times theta, where theta is the Bragg angle, were read from the spectrometer chart. From these, the relative intensities, 100 I/I.sub.o, where I.sub.o is the intensity of the strongest line or peak, and d (obs.), the interplanar spacing in A, corresponding to the recorded lines, were calculated. In the foregoing table the relative intensities are given in terms of the symbols W=weak, VS=very strong and W-S=weak-to-strong. Ion exchange of the sodium with cations reveals substantially the same pattern with some minor shifts in interplanar spacing and variation in relative intensity. Other minor variations can occur depending on the silicon to aluminum ratio of the particular sample, as well as if it has been subjected to thermal treatment.

The ZSM-48 can be prepared from a reaction mixture containing a source of silica, water, RN, an alkali metal oxide (e.g. sodium) and optionally alumina. The reaction mixture should have a composition, in terms of mole ratios of oxides, falling within the following ranges:

wherein RN is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 organic compound having amine functional group of pK.sub.a .ltoreq.7. The mixture is maintained at 80.degree.-250.degree. C. until crystals of the material are formed. H.sup.+ (added) is moles acid added in excess of the moles of hydroxide added. In calculating H.sup.+ (added) and OH values, the term acid (H.sup.+) includes both hydronium ion, whether free or coordinated, and aluminum. Thus aluminum sulfate, for example, would be considered a mixture of aluminum oxide, sulfuric acid, and water. An amine hydrochloride would be a mixture of amine and HCl. In preparing the highly siliceous form of ZSM-48 no alumina is added. Thus, the only aluminum present occurs as an impurity in the reactants.

Preferably, crystallization is carried out under pressure in an autoclave or static bomb reactor at 80.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. Thereafter, the crystals are separated from the liquid and recovered. The composition can be prepared utilizing materials which supply the appropriate oxide. Such compositions include sodium silicate, silica hydrosol, silica gel, silicic acid, RN, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, aluminum sulfate, sodium aluminate, aluminum oxide, or aluminum itself. RN is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 organic compound containing at least one amine functional group of pK.sub.a .ltoreq.7, as defined above, and includes such compounds as C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, cyclic amine (such as piperidine, pyrrolidine and piperazine), and polyamines such as NH.sub.2 -C.sub.n H.sub.2n -NH.sub.2 wherein n is 4-12.

The original cations can be subsequently replaced, at least in part, by calcination and/or ion exchange with another cation. Thus, the original cations are exchanged into a hydrogen or hydrogen ion precursor form or a form in which the original cation has been replaced by a metal of Groups II through VIII of the Periodic Table. Thus, for example, it is contemplated to exchange the original cations with ammonium ions or with hydronium ions. Catalytically active forms of these would include, in particular, hydrogen, rare earth metals, aluminum, manganese and other metals of Groups II and VIII of the Periodic Table.

It is to be understood that by incorporating by reference the foregoing patents to describe examples of specific members of the novel class with greater particularity, it is intended that identification of the therein disclosed crystalline zeolites be resolved on the basis of their respective X-ray diffraction patterns. As discussed above, the present invention contemplates utilization of such catalysts wherein the mole ratio of silica to alumina is essentially unbounded. The incorporation of the identified patents should therefore not be construed as limiting the disclosed crystalline zeolites to those having the specific silica-alumina mole ratios discussed therein, it now being known that such zeolites may be substantially aluminum-free and yet, having the same crystal structure as the disclosed materials, may be useful or even preferred in some applications. It is the crystal structure, as identified by the X-ray diffraction "fingerprint", which establishes the identity of the specific crystalline zeolite material.

The specific zeolites described, when prepared in the presence of organic cations, are substantially catalytically inactive, possibly because the intra-crystalline free space is occupied by organic cations from the forming solution. They may be activated by heating in an inert atmosphere at 540.degree. C. for one hour, for example, followed by base exchange with ammonium salts followed by calcination at 540.degree. C. in air. The presence of organic cations in the forming solution may not be absolutely essential to the formation of this type zeolite; however, the presence of these cations does appear to favor the formation of this special class of zeolite. More generally, it is desirable to activate this type catalyst by base exchange with ammonium salts followed by calcination in air at about 540.degree. C. for from about 15 minutes to about 24 hours.

Natural zeolites may sometimes be converted to zeolite structures of the class herein identified by various activation procedures and other treatments such as base exchange, steaming, alumina extraction and calcination, alone or in combinations. Natural minerals which may be so treated include ferrierite, brewsterite, stilbite, dachiardite, epistilbite, heulandite, and clinoptilolite.

The preferred crystalline zeolites for utilization herein include ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-38, and ZSM-48, with ZSM-5 being particularly preferred.

In a preferred aspect of this invention, the zeolites hereof are selected as those providing among other things a crystal framework density, in the dry hydrogen form, of not less than about 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter. It has been found that zeolites which satisfy all three of the discussed criteria are most desired for several reasons. When hydrocarbon products or by-products are catalytically formed, for example, such zeolites tend to maximize the production of gasoline boiling range hydrocarbon products. Therefore, the preferred zeolites useful with respect to this invention are those having a Constraint Index as defined above of about 1 to about 12, a silica to alumina mole ratio of at least about 12 and a dried crystal density of not less than about 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter. The dry density for known structures may be calculated from the number of silicon plus aluminum atoms per 1000 cubic Angstroms, as given, e.g., on Page 19 of the article ZEOLITE STRUCTURE by W. M. Meier. This paper, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, is included in PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE ON MOLECULAR SIEVES, (London, April 1967) published by the Society of Chemical Industry, London, 1968.

When the crystal structure is unknown, the crystal framework density may be determined by classical pycnometer techniques. For example, it may be determined by immersing the dry hydrogen form of the zeolite in an organic solvent which is not sorbed by the crystal. Or, the crystal density may be determined by mercury porosimetry, since mercury will fill the interstices between crystals but will not penetrate the intracrystalline free space.

It is possible that the unusual sustained activity and stability of this special class of zeolites is associated with its high crystal anionic framework density of not less than about 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter. This high density must necessarily be associated with a relatively small amount of free space within the crystal, which might be expected to result in more stable structures. This free space, however, is important as the locus of catalytic activity.

Crystal framework densities of some typical zeolites, including some which are not within the purview of this invention, are:

When synthesized in the alkali metal form, the zeolite is conveniently converted to the hydrogen form, generally by intermediate formation of the ammonium form as a result of ammonium ion exchange and calcination of the ammonium form to yield the hydrogen form. In addition to the hydrogen form, other forms of the zeolite wherein the original alkali metal has been reduced to less than about 1.5 percent by weight may be used. Thus, the original alkali metal of the zeolite may be replaced by ion exchange with other suitable metal cations of Groups I through VIII of the Periodic Table, including, by way of example, nickel, copper, zinc, palladium, calcium or rare earth metals.

In practicing a particularly desired chemical conversion process, it may be useful to incorporate the above-described crystalline zeolite with a matrix comprising another material resistant to the temperature and other conditions employed in the process. Such matrix material is useful as a binder and imparts greater resistance to the catalyst for the severe temperature, pressure and reactant feed stream velocity conditions encountered in many cracking processes.

Useful matrix materials include both synthetic and naturally occurring substances, as well as inorganic materials such as clay, silica and/or metal oxides. The latter may be either naturally occurring or in the form of gelatinous precipitate or gels including mixtures of silica and metal oxides. Naturally occurring clays which can be composited with the zeolite include those of the montmorillonite and kaolin families, which families include the sub-bentonites and the kaolins commonly known as Dixie, McNamee-Georgia and Florida clays or others in which the main mineral constituent is halloysite, kaolinite, dickite, nacrite or anauxite. Such clays can be used in the raw state as originally mined or initially subjected to calcination, acid treatment or chemical modification.

In addition to the foregoing materials, the zeolites employed herein may be composited with a porous matrix material, such as alumina, silica-alumina, silica-magnesia, silica-zirconia, silica-thoria, silica-beryllia, and silica-titania, as well as ternary compositions, such as silica-alumina-thoria, silica-alumina-zirconia, silica-alumina-magnesia and silica-magnesia-zirconia. The matrix may be in the form of a cogel. The relative proportions of zeolite component and inorganic oxide gel matrix, on an anhydrous basis, may vary widely with the zeolite content ranging from between about 1 to about 99 percent by weight and more usually in the range of about 5 to about 80 percent by weight of the dry composite.

The present invention is concerned with an arrangement of apparatus and the method of using catalyst of selected activity therein for effecting the exothermic conversion of hetero type compounds, ethers and carbonyl compounds with a fluid mass of catalyst particles in a manner particularly promoting and selecting the formation of olefinic, paraffinic, naphthenic and aromatic compounds. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a method and systems employed for dispersing the exothermic heat of chemical reaction, generated in the preparation of the above components and related compounds, by contacting a fluidized catalyst comprising a ZSM-5 crystalline zeolite with one or more reactants selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Referring now to the drawing by way of example, a reactor arrangement is shown comprising a lower riser section 2 in open communication with the bottom of a larger diameter vessel 4 containing a relatively dense fluid bed of catalyst 6 having an upper interface 8. A distributor grid 10 is positioned across the lower bottom portion of vessel 4 and above the outlet of riser 2. Riser section 2 may comprise more than one separate riser, as mentioned above. There may be a plurality of separate riser conduits within riser 2 such as two, three or four risers, each separately fed with reactant feed and catalyst. In the specific arrangement of the drawing a fluid suspension of catalyst in methanol vapors is formed in the bottom portion of riser 2. Catalyst is charged to the lower portion of riser 2 by "U" bend transfer conduits 12 and 12'. In a preferred alternative embodiment, "U" bend transfer conduits 12 and 12' may instead comprise inclined conduits containing conventional slide-type catalyst control valves. The feed is charged to the bottom of the riser by inlet means 14 and 14' communicating with an inverted pan 16 open in the bottom thereof. The vaporous feed thus introduced mixes with introduced catalyst to form a suspension thereafter passed through the riser. Catalyst mass 6 is filled with a plurality of vertical elongated tubes 18 provided with openings in the wall thereof to restrict bubble growth within the fluid catalyst bed 6 as herein provided.

In the arrangement of the drawing, a reactant material such as methanol, or one comprising methanol and ether, is charged in vaporous condition to the bottom of riser 2 by conduits 14 and 14' at a temperature of about 121.degree. C. (250.degree. F.) to about 260.degree. C. (500.degree. F.) for admixture with cooled and stripped recycled catalyst charged by conduits 12 and 12'. A suspension mix temperature in the range of 301.degree. C. (574.degree. F.) to 351.degree. C. (664.degree. F.) is formed with the adjusted recycled catalyst and charged vaporous reactant for passage upwardly through the riser represented by riser 2 in essentially a dispersed catalyst phase condition within the range of 1 to 15, and preferably from 2 to 5, pounds of catalyst per cubic foot. The upflowing suspension in the riser section is maintained under operating conditions to achieve up to 70% conversion of charged methanol or other oxygen-containing reactants in the feed before passing through distributor grid 10 and into the bottom of the more dense fluid mass of catalyst 6 thereabove. Completion of the reactions to obtain more than two-carbon bonded hydrocarbons is accomplished within the dense fluid catalyst bed 6 so that, desirably, at least 99.5% of methanol in the feed is converted to a hydrocarbon product comprising C.sub.1 to gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons without exceeding an upper temperature limit of about 399.degree. C. (750.degree. F.) to about 427.degree. C. (800.degree. F.) and preferably not above about 407.degree. C. (765.degree. F.). Cyclone separation equipment (not shown) is provided in the upper portion of vessel 4 to effect recovery of entrained catalyst particles from reaction products. Products of reaction are recovered from the vessel by conduits 20 for separation and recovery in downstream equipment (not shown) for the recovery of gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons.

Catalyst is withdrawn from bed 6 by conduits 22 and 22' for transfer and downflow through catalyst stripping and cooling chamber 24 and 24'. Baffles (not shown) may or may not be employed in an upper portion of chamber 24 and 24' and above indirect heat exchange means 26 and 26' providing high temperature steam positioned in a lower bottom portion of chamber 24 and 24'. Stripping gas, such as steam and preferably recycle gas obtained from the process, is charged to vessel 24 and 24' by conduits 28 and 28' respectively. The stripping gas is preferably introduced below heat exchange means 26 and 26' for stripping the catalyst cooled to a desired temperature and before withdrawal from the strippers. The stripping gas passes generally upwardly through vessels 24 and 24', countercurrent to downflowing catalyst, for the recovery by displacement of strippable hydrocarbons and particularly aromatics from the catalyst at a controlled temperature suitable for recycle to riser 2. Stripped products and stripping gas are removed by conduits 30 and 30' for passage to the dispersed catalyst phase 5 of vessel 4 and removal after cyclone separation (not shown) with reaction products by conduit 20. The stripped catalyst, essentially free of aromatics, passes downwardly through steam developing indirect heat exchange means 26 and 26', during which time the catalyst temperature is reduced to a level suitable for charging to the base of riser 2, as above discussed, and forming a suspension temperature in riser 2 as defined above. The partially cooled catalyst passes from the bottom of strippers 24 and 24' by conduits 12 and 12' communicating with the lower portion of riser 2 as "U" shaped catalyst transfer conduits.

A portion of the catalyst inventory is withdrawn from a bottom portion of bed 6 into a catalyst withdrawal well, provided in the vessel above grid 10, and thence by conduit 32 provided with flow control valve 34 for catalyst regeneration. Generally, the volume of catalyst withdrawn by conduit 32 will be from about 5% to 10% per hour of the total catalyst in the system. The catalyst withdrawn by conduit 32 is passed to the base of a riser 36 wherein it is mixed with a transport gas or lift gas introduced by conduit 38. The lift gas may be an inert gas or it may be a gas mixture used to effect regeneration of the catalyst by a partial removal of deposited coke. A suspension is thus formed in riser 36 and the suspension is passed upwardly through riser 36 into regeneration zone 40 containing a bed of regenerated catalyst 42. A regeneration gas of desired oxygen concentration may be added to the bottom of riser 36 or it may be introduced to a bottom portion of bed 42 by conduit 44 and provided with a suitable distributing grid within vessel 40. A CO.sub.2 rich gaseous product of the partial coke burning regeneration operation is recovered from zone 40 by conduit 46 after passing through cyclonic separating means (not shown) normally housed in the upper portion of vessel 40.

Regeneration of the catalyst is accomplished at a relatively low restricted temperature, generally not substantially above 482.degree. C. (900.degree. F.), and under conditions to achieve only a partial removal of coke or carbonaceous deposits rather than to provide a clean burned catalyst for the reasons above expressed. Thus, carrying significant levels of coke on the catalyst is used in this methanol conversion operation as a means for controlling catalyst activity and selectivity characteristics. Such coke retention levels include from 5% to 20% by weight of coke on catalyst. In view of the temperature restrictions in bed 6 of reactor 4, it is necessary to pass a relatively low temperature catalyst of high residual coke from regenerator 40 to catalyst bed 6 by conduits 48 and 48'. On the other hand, regenerated catalyst may be passed directly to stripper 24 for flow downwardly therethrough together with catalyst passed thereto by conduit 22 and thus returned to the circulating catalyst system.

The reactor system above described may comprise more than the two catalyst stripping-cooling zones 24 and 24' shown. In fact, it is contemplated providing four or more of such catalyst stripping-cooling zone arrangements connected to a riser reaction zone to control a commercial system within the limits herein defined.

For example, at a LHSV of 1.0 and 12% coke by weight on the catalyst, 7% by weight of C.sub.2 to C.sub.5 olefins are produced. Lowering the coke level increases catalyst activity and, at the same space velocity, a lower proportion of C.sub.2 to C.sub.5 's would remain, that is, more olefins would be converted to aromatics and paraffins.

By maintaining high coke level to produce olefins, the conversion of the formed C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 olefins and isoparaffins produced into additional gasoline in a downstream alkylation unit is enhanced. This further conversion of olefins results in a higher 9-10 RVP gasoline yield.

In the apparatus arrangement of this invention, the pressure in stripper-cooling chambers, and thus the upper level of catalyst retained therein, is controlled by gaseous stripping material withdrawal conduits 30 and 30' which in turn are provided with pressure contact valves 50 and 50'. Thus the pressure at the bottom of the stripping-cooling chamber is equivalent to the pressure maintained in the dispersed catalyst phase of reactor chamber 4 plus the head of pressure developed by the dense bed of catalyst in vessel 4 through withdrawal conduit 22 and 22' and the dense bed of catalyst 23 and 23' extending downwardly through vessels 24 and 24'. Valves 52 and 52' are for the purpose of shutting off the flow of catalyst from the bottom of vessels 24 and 24'. Some additional head of pressure is developed in conduits 12 and 12' to at least the bottom of the "U" bend of the catalyst transfer conduit.

The flow of catalyst from the bottom of the "U" bend upwardly therein into the riser reactor 2 for admixture with reactant is controlled by charging gaseous material into the upflowing catalyst by conduits 15 and 15'. The gaseous material charged by conduits 15 and 15' may be inert to the reactions desired or may be hydrocarbon gaseous products of the reaction. Alternatively, the gaseous material thus charged may comprise methanol-containing feed otherwise charged by conduits 14 and 14' to the riser.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that, as mentioned above, instead of employing "U" bend catalyst transfer conduits, one may use straight sloping standpipes communicating with the bottom of riser 2. In this arrangement, catalyst flow control valves will be located adjacent the bottom of the standpipe. In this embodiment, the methanol reactant will be charged to the bottom of the riser. This sloping standpipe riser arrangement with feed charged to the bottom of the riser will be generally similar to that shown for the catalyst regeneration arrangement employing standpipe 32, valve 34, riser 36 and gaseous material inlet 38. Of course, there would be a sloping standpipe from each stripping-cooling vessel communicating with the bottom section of the riser reactor.

The apparatus of the invention contemplates relatively high catalyst circulation rates through the stripping-cooling zones as well as through a plurality of cyclone separators in the upper dispersed catalyst phase of reactor vessel 4. Although not specifically shown, it is contemplated employing from 6 to 8 combinations of 3-stage cyclones to achieve separation of catalyst particles from reaction products. Separated catalyst will be returned to the lower bottom portion of bed 6, but above grid 10, by cyclone diplegs suitable for the purpose.

To facilitate distribution of the suspension across the bottom of grid 10 following traverse of riser section 2, a plurality of diverging conical shaped baffles 54, coaxially aligned with the riser and positioned within one another, are provided above the riser outlet in the dish shaped bottom section of vessel 4. The distributed suspension passes through grid 10 and into the bed of catalyst for flow upwardly therethrough about the gas bubble restricting baffles 18 discussed above.

Having thus generally described the apparatus and its method of operation for upgrading feeds comprising lower alcohols and derivatives thereof, and described specific embodiments in support of the disclosure, it is to be understood that no undue restrictions are to be imposed by reasons thereof except as defined by the following claims.