Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing middle distillate petroleum streams in two temperature stages. The feedstream is hydroprocessed in two or more first temperature stages operated at a temperature from about 360.degree. C. to about 450.degree. C. The reaction product of the first temperature stage(s) is quenched to a temperature from about 260.degree. C. to about 350, stripped of H.sub.2 S, NH.sub.3 and other dissolved gases, then sent to the second temperature stage which is operated at said quenched temperature range. The product from the second temperature stage is also stripped of dissolved gases. Color bodies produced in the higher temperature first stage are hydrogenated in the last stage.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing process includes two cocurrent flow liquid reaction stages and one vapor stage, in which feed components are catalytically hydroprocessed by reacting with hydrogen. The liquid stages both produce a liquid and a hydrogen-rich vapor effluent, with most of the hydroprocessing accomplished in the first stage. The first stage vapor is also hydroprocessed. The hydroprocessed vapor and second stage vapor are cooled to condense and recover additional product liquid and produce an uncondensed hydrogen-rich vapor. After cleanup to remove contaminants, the hydrogen-rich vapor is recycled back into the first stage as treat gas. Fresh hydrogen is introduced into the second stage. This is useful for hydrotreating heteroatom-containing hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A three stage hydroprocessing process includes two liquid and one vapor reaction stages, with a hydrogen containing vapor effluent produced in both liquid stages. The second liquid stage vapor effluent comprises part of the first liquid stage feed and the first liquid stage vapor effluent is the feed for the vapor stage. At least a portion of the hydrogen for the first liquid stage and vapor stage reactions is respectively provided by the hydrogen in the second and first liquid stage vapor effluents.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for processing liquid petroleum or chemical streams wherein the stream flows countercurrent to the flow of a treat gas, such as a hydrogen-containing gas, in at least one interaction zone. The reaction vessel contains vapor, and optionally liquid, passageways to bypass one or more packed beds, preferably catalyst beds. This permits more stable and efficient vessel operation.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing process for removing impurities from a feed comprising a hydrocarbonaceous liquid comprises at least two cocurrent, upflow hydroprocessing reaction stages and a non-catalytic, vapor-liquid contacting stage. The reaction and contacting stages may all be in the same reactor vessel. The feed and a hydrogen treat gas are passed up into a catalyst bed which comprises the first reaction stage, which produces a partially hydroprocessed liquid and vapor effluent. This first stage vapor is passed up into the contacting stage in which it contacts a hydrocarbonaceous liquid which reduces the vapor impurity content. The impurity-enriched contacting liquid passes down and mixes with the first stage liquid effluent. The combined effluents and hydrogen are passed up into the second reaction stage to form a processed product liquid and hydrogen-containing vapor effluent.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a liquid petroleum or chemical stream wherein said stream flows countercurrent to the flow of a treat gas, such as a hydrogen-containing gas, in at least one reaction zone. The reaction vessel used in the practice of the present invention contains vapor and optionally liquid passageway means to bypass one or more catalyst beds. This permits more stable and efficient reaction vessel operation.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing process for removing impurities from a feed comprising a hydrocarbonaceous liquid comprises at least one cocurrent, upflow hydroprocessing reaction stage, a vapor-liquid contacting stage and a downflow hydroprocessing reaction stage. The feed and hydrogen react in the upflow stage to produce a partially hydroprocessed liquid and vapor effluent. The vapor contacts a hydrocarbonaceous liquid in the contacting stage, which transfers impurities from the vapor into the liquid. The impurity-enriched contacting liquid mixes with the upflow stage liquid effluent and the combined liquid effluents react with hydrogen in the downflow reaction stage, to form a hydroprocessed product liquid and vapor effluent. Additional product liquid is recovered by cooling and condensing either or both the contacting and downflow stage vapor effluents.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing process includes two hydroprocessing reaction stages, both of which produce a liquid and a vapor effluent, and a liquid-vapor contacting stage. The first stage vapor effluent contains impurities, such as heteroatom compounds, which are removed from the vapor by contact with processed liquid effluent derived from one or both reaction stages and, optionally, also liquid recovered from processed vapor. The first and contact stage liquid effluents are passed into the second stage to finish the hydoprocessing. The contact and second stage vapor effluents are cooled to recover additional hydroprocessed product liquid.

Abstract: A reactor is provided for reacting a liquid with a treat gas in the presence of a catalyst, the reactor comprising a continuous wall enclosing a first reaction zone, wherein the first reaction zone includes a catalyst for causing a desired reaction between the liquid and the treat gas; a liquid inlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the liquid to enter the reactor; a gas inlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to enter the reactor; a liquid outlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the liquid to exit the reactor; a gas outlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to exit the reactor; and a gas bypass device in the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to bypass a portion of the first reaction zone, the gas bypass device including a gas bypass regulating device for regulating the amount of treat gas which bypasses the first reaction zone.

Abstract: A reactor is provided for reacting a liquid with a treat gas in the presence of a catalyst, the reactor comprising a continuous wall enclosing a first reaction zone, wherein the first reaction zone includes a catalyst for causing a desired reaction between the liquid and the treat gas; a liquid inlet above the first reaction zone for allowing an unreacted portion of the liquid to enter the reactor; a gas inlet below the first reaction zone for allowing an unreacted portion of the treat gas to enter the reactor; a liquid outlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the liquid to exit the reactor; a gas outlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the treat gas to exit the reactor; and a liquid bypass device in the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the liquid to bypass a portion of the first reaction zone, the liquid bypass device including a liquid bypass regulating device for regulating the amount of liquid which bypasses the first reaction zone.

Abstract: Hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks admixed with a flow-through catalyst and hydrogen are hydroprocessed in a hydroprocessing reactor containing a captive hydroprocessing catalyst. The flow-through catalyst is continually withdrawn with the hydroprocessed feed from the hydroprocessing reactor. The flow-through catalyst may be an FCC, hydrocracking, isomerization or ring-opening catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, the captive hydroprocessing catalyst contains Co, Ni and/or Mo on an alumina base and the flow-through catalyst is an FCC zeolitic catalyst which is withdrawn with the hydroprocessed feed from the hydroprocessing reactor and then sent to an FCC unit.

Abstract: A means and method for spraying liquid and gas onto and across a particulate bed includes a horizontal liquid distribution tray disposed over the bed containing a plurality of gas and liquid spray distributors extending through the tray. The distributors include separate gas and liquid conduits or pipes having an entrance on top and an exit below, with the exits proximate each other underneath the tray. The conduits are coaxial with a portion of the gas conduit surrounded by the liquid conduit to define an annular space between them for the liquid to flow downwardly through. The gas flows down through the gas conduit, exiting as a gas core surrounded by the downflowing liquid. The gas expands and contacts the surrounding liquid to spray it on the matter below. A liquid spray generating device is located below the gas and liquid exit. Siphon caps automatically provide pulse flow of the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalytic cracking process which includes more than one catalytic cracking reaction step. The process integrates a hydroprocessing step between the catalytic cracking reaction steps in order to maximize olefins production, distillate quality and octane level of the overall cracked product. Preferably, the hydroprocessing step is included between the reaction stages, and a portion of the hydroprocessed products, i.e., a naphtha and mid distillate fraction, is combined with cracked product for further separation and hydroprocessing. It is also preferred that the first catalytic cracking reaction step be a short contact time reaction step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalytic cracking process which includes more than one catalytic cracking reaction step. The process integrates a hydroprocessing process step between the catalytic cracking reaction steps in order to maximize olefins production, mid-distillate quality and naphtha octane level in the cracked products. Preferably, a first cracked hydrocarbon product is obtained from a first cracking stage and separated into a mid-distillate and gas oil containing fraction having an initial boiling point of at least 300.degree. F., the distillate and gas oil containing fraction is hydroprocessed, and a naphtha fraction and a gas oil containing bottoms fraction of the hydroprocessed material are cracked in a second cracking stage.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing liquid petroleum and chemical streams in two or more hydroprocessing stages, which stages are in separate reaction vessels and wherein each reaction stage contains a bed of hydroprocessing catalyst. The liquid product from the first reaction stage is sent to a stripping stage and stripped of H.sub.2 S, NH.sub.3 and other dissolved gases. The stripped product stream is then sent to the next downstream reaction stage, the product from which is also stripped of dissolved gases and sent to the next downstream reaction stage until the last reaction stage, the liquid product of which is stripped of dissolved gases and collected or passed on for further processing. The flow of treat gas is in a direction opposite the direction in which the reaction stages are staged for the flow of liquid. Each stripping stage is a separate stage, but all stages are contained in the same stripper vessel.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing liquid petroleum and chemical streams in a single reaction vessel containing two or more hydroprocessing reaction stages. The liquid product from the first reaction stage is stripped of H.sub.2 S, NH.sub.3 and other dissolved gases, then sent to the next downstream reaction stage. The product from the downstream reaction stage is also stripped of dissolved gases and sent to the next downstream reaction stage until the last reaction stage, the liquid product of which is stripped of dissolved gases and collected or passed on for further processing. The flow of treat gas is in a direction opposite the direction in which the reaction stages are staged for the flow of liquid.

Abstract: Petroleum reactors are provided which are comprised of one or more serially disposed reaction zones, each zone containing a suitable catalyst, wherein each reaction zone is followed by a non-reaction zone. One or more of said reaction zones contains a vapor by-pass means such that the vapor from one or more upstream non-reaction zones by-passes one or more downstream reaction zones and is introduced into a downstream non-reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalytic cracking process which includes more than one catalytic cracking reaction step. The process integrates a hydroprocessing step between the catalytic cracking reaction steps in order to maximize olefins production, distillate quality and octane level of the overall cracked product. Preferably, the hydroprocessing step is included between the reaction stages, and a portion of the hydroprocessed products, i.e., a naphtha and mid distillate fraction, is combined with cracked product for further separation and hydroprocessing. It is also preferred that the first catalytic cracking reaction step be a short contact time reaction step.

Abstract: A process for automatically providing for periodic surge flow or liquid slugs in the catalyst bed to insure that the catalyst is periodically fully wetted. Therefore, before dry spots develop in the bed and some catalyst particles are deprived of the liquid reactants, the aforesaid liquid pulse or slug will rewet the catalyst. This desired periodic introduction of a liquid slug through a catalyst bed is accomplished by the provision of a plurality of automatically actuating and operating siphon means disposed and distributed across the area of the distributor tray means within the reactor.

Abstract: The invention is for a fixed bed reactor with two phase gas and liquid flow. The reactor has at least one auxiliary bed of solid particles disposed above the main bed of solid particles. The auxiliary bed has a liquid bypass comprised of hollow tubing extending through the auxiliary bed. Liquid receptacles provide a liquid seal above the liquid bypasses, thereby preventing gas from bypassing along with the liquid. The liquid spilled from the flow receptacles seeks its lowest level and flows through the auxiliary bed. The tubing provides a bypass first for the liquid and later for both the liquid and gas when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and the liquid seal is thereby broken. This feed arrangement allows for a low pressure drop bypassing of the auxiliary bed, when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and clogged. The invention is also applicable to other apparatuses which use a flow arrangement similar to fixed bed reactors, but which do not necessarily utilize a chemical reaction.