Abstract: A continuous reactor system useful for treating petroleum oil in a multi-phase fixed bed catalytic reactor comprising a system for:feeding the oil and a reactant gas at production flow rates above a first bed of porous solid catalyst particles under conversion conditions for cocurrent downward flow therethrough, collecting and withdrawing the treated oil from the first bed and redistributing at least a portion of the treated oil to at least one succeeding catalyst bed while permitting the gaseous phase to flow directly to the succeeding lower catalyst bed, recycling a quantity of treated oil collected below a catalyst bed and reapplying the treated oil at a preceding redistribution zone above the bed from which treated oil is collected, whereby the total of oil production flow rate and recycled treated oil flow rate is maintained at a predetermined minimum sufficient to effect uniform catalyst wetting. This technique is useful for hydrodewaxing of oils over zeolite catalysts.

Abstract: A distributor system for use in multiple bed, downflow reactors which provides improved distribution across the reactor and improved vapor/liquid contact and distribution. The system comprises a collection tray arranged below the first catalyst bed in the reactor, a first, rough distributor tray which is arranged below the collection tray and which is fed from the collection tray by means of spillways in the tray and a mixing chamber beneath the spillways. The first distributor tray provides for separate vapor and liquid flow by means of apertures in the tray or downward flow of liquid and vapor chimneys for downward flow of vapor. After the first distributor tray, a second, final distributor tray is provided with downcomers for flow of liquid and vapor onto the lower catalyst bed. Each downcomer comprises an open-topped tube with a side aperture for entry of liquid into the tube, vapor entering through the open top of the tube.

Abstract: A continuous process and system is provided for a petroleum oil in a multi-phase fixed bed catalytic reactor column comprising methods and means for:feeding the oil and a reactant gas at production flow rates above a first bed of porous solid catalyst particles under conversion conditions for cocurrent downward flow therethrough, collecting and withdrawing the treated oil from the first bed and redistributing at least a portion of the treated oil to at least one succeeding catalyst bed while permitting the gaseous phase to flow directly to the succeeding lower catalyst bed, recycling a quantity of treated oil collected below a catalyst bed and reapplying the treated oil at a preceding redistribution zone above the bed from which treated oil is collected, whereby the total of oil production flow rate and recycled treated oil flow rate is maintained at a predetermined minimum sufficient to effect uniform catalyst wetting. This technique is useful for hydrodewaxing of oils over zeolite catalysts.

Abstract: The oxidation and thermal stability of severely hydrotreated lube stocks processed through a catalytic dewaxing process comprising a catalytic dewaxing step and a hydrofinishing step is improved by adding a relatively small amount of a sulfur compound upstream of the hydrofinishing step.

Abstract: A metal combustion promoter is introduced into the circulating inventory of catalyst in the catalytic cracking process to temporarily change the operating mode of the regenerator and decrease the CO content of the flue gas, thus permitting temporary shutdown of the CO-boiler of CO-incinerator, while continuing operation of the catalytic cracking process. The metal combustion promoters are compounds of platinum, iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, or rhenium. The described technique permits rapid shutdown and minimizes the time of operation outside of compliance with local or other ordinances.

Abstract: A metal combustion promoter is introduced into the circulating inventory of catalyst in the catalytic cracking process to temporarily change the operating mode of the regenerator and decrease the CO content of the flue gas, thus permitting temporary shutdown of the CO-boiler or CO-incinerator, while continuing operation of the catalytic cracking process. The metal combustion promoters are compounds of platinum, iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, or rhenium. The described technique permits rapid shutdown and minimizes the time of operation outside of compliance with local or other ordinances.

Abstract: A metal combustion promoter is introduced into the circulating inventory of catalyst in the catalytic cracking process to temporarily change the operating mode of the regenerator and decrease the CO content of the flue gas, thus permitting temporary shutdown of the CO-boiler or CO-incinerator, while continuing operation of the catalytic cracking process. The metal combustion promoters are compounds of platinum, iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, or rhenium. The described technique permits rapid shutdown and minimizes the time of operation outside of compliance with local or other ordinances.