Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving a deasphalting unit process by producing an improved feedstream for the deasphalting process via ultrafiltration of a vacuum resid-containing feedstream. In particular, the present invention produces an improved quality feedstream to a solvent deasphalting process which results in improved deasphalted oil (DAO) production rates and/or higher quality deasphalted oils. The present invention can be particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with an existing deasphalting equipment to result in improved deasphalted oil (DAO) production rates and/or higher quality deasphalted oils from the existing deasphalting equipment without the need for significant equipment modifications to the existing deasphalting unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2007
Date of Patent:
June 15, 2010
Assignee:
ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
Inventors:
Daniel P. Leta, Lisa M. Rogers, Merryl J. Miranda, Keith K. Aldous, Stephen M. Cundy, MaryKathryn Lee, Edward W. Corcoran