Methods for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons utilizing countercurrent flow regenerators

A method for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, the method comprising:

• contacting a feed stream comprising one or more hydrocarbons with a particulate solid in a dehydrogenation reactor, wherein the particulate solid comprises an oxygen-carrier material, and wherein in the dehydrogenation reactor:
• the one or more hydrocarbons are dehydrogenated to form hydrogen and one or more products;
• and
• at least a portion of the hydrogen is reacted with oxygen from the oxygen-carrier material to form water and reduce the oxygen content in the oxygen-carrier material;
• passing the particulate solid from the dehydrogenation reactor to a regeneration unit, wherein:
• the particulate solid moves in a generally downward direction through the regeneration unit and gases move in a generally upwards direction through the regeneration unit, such that the particulate solid and gases move in a countercurrent flow pattern through the regeneration unit;
• the regeneration unit comprises a first gas inlet and a second gas inlet, the second gas inlet is beneath the first gas inlet, an oxygen-containing gas enters into the regeneration unit through the first gas inlet, and a fuel enters into the regeneration unit through the second gas inlet;
• in an area of the regeneration unit above the second gas inlet and beneath the first gas inlet, at least a portion of the fuel is reacted with oxygen from the oxygen-carrier material of the particulate solid;
• and
• passing at least a portion of the particulate solid from the regeneration unit to the dehydrogenation reactor.