Abstract

Moving bed hydrocarbon conversion processes are disclosed wherein a carbonaceous material is deposited on a solid catalyst used in the conversion process to form a coked catalyst which is regenerated in a regeneration zone in order to remove the carbonaceous deposit material from the catalyst and provide a regenerated catalyst having an increased number of active catalyst sites relative to the coked catalyst. The regenerated catalyst is then added to the reaction zone at a rate effective to enhance the conversion to desired products without enhancing the conversion to undesired by-products. When a radial flow reaction zone is employed a relatively constant amount of active catalyst sites can be maintained through the reaction zone by increasing the thickness of annulus through which the catalyst flows in the lower section of the reaction zone wherein the catalyst is more severely coked and has fewer active catalyst sites. The conversion of aliphatic hetero compounds, such as methanol to produce olefins in the C2 -C4 carbon range is specifically exemplified.