Processes and Systems for Conversion of Alkyl Bromides to Higher Molecular Weight Hydrocarbons in Circulating Catalyst Reactor-Regenerator Systems

A process comprising:

• reacting at least bromomethane over a crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst in at least one conversion reactor to produce at least an effluent stream comprising higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrogen bromide;
• introducing a portion of the catalyst from the conversion reactor into a two-stage stripping unit;
• introducing a stripping gas into an upper stage of the two-stage stripping unit to displace hydrocarbons from the portion of the catalyst, the hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having six or more carbon atoms;
• introducing a first inert gas into a lower stage of the two-stage stripping unit to remove a quantity of the stripping gas from the portion of the catalyst;
• introducing the portion of the catalyst from the two-stage stripping unit into a regeneration reactor to form a regenerated catalyst, wherein the portion of the catalyst is contacted with an oxygen-containing stream for coke removal;
• and
• introducing at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst into the conversion reactor.

A reactor system comprising:

• a conversion reactor configured for reaction of at least alkyl bromides over a catalyst to produce at least a stream comprising higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrogen bromide;
• a two-stage stripping unit configured to receive a portion of the catalyst from the conversion reactor, the two-stage stripping unit comprising a first stripping stage configured for contact of the portion of the catalyst with a stripping gas, and a second stripping stage configured for contact of the portion of the catalyst with an inert gas;
• a regeneration reactor configured for oxidation of the portion of the catalyst from the two-stage stripping unit;
• and
• a second stripping unit configured for contact of the portion of the catalyst from the regeneration reactor with an inert gas.