Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for slurry hydroconversion of a heavy oil feed, such as an atmospheric or vacuum resid. The systems and methods allow for slurry hydroconversion using catalysts with enhanced activity and/or catalysts that can be recycled as a side product from a complementary refinery process.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for slurry hydroconversion of a heavy oil feedstock, such as an atmospheric or vacuum resid, in the presence of an enhanced or promoted slurry hydroconversion catalyst system. The slurry hydroconversion catalyst system can be formed from a) a Group VIII non-noble metal catalyst precursor/concentrate (such as an iron-based catalyst precursor/concentrate) and b) a Group VI metal catalyst precursor/concentrate (such as a molybdenum-based catalyst precursor/concentrate) and/or a Group VI metal sulfided catalyst.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for slurry hydroconversion of a heavy oil feed, such as an atmospheric or vacuum resid. The systems and methods allow for slurry hydroconversion using catalysts with enhanced activity and/or catalysts that can be recycled as a side product from a complementary refinery process.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. The processes herein allow a simple and effective method for removing the majority of coke formed in the alkali metal reagent reactions with the hydrocarbon feedstreams. This makes it cost effective to run such processes at higher severities (which result in higher coke production) thereby resulting in increased amounts of valuable converted hydrocarbon product yields. The process improvements herein may also be used to increase total throughput through a unit due to the ability to effectively manage higher coke content in the reaction products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing heavy oil feedstreams with alkali metal compounds and improving the compatibility of the to stream components in either the feed stream, an intermediate product stream, and/or the reaction product stream in the desulfurization process. The present invention utilizes a high stability aromatic-containing stream that is preferably added to the heavy oil prior to reaction with the alkali metal compounds. The resulting stream resists precipitation of reaction solids in the desulfurization reactors. Even more preferably, the desulfurization system employs at least two desulfurization reactors in series flow wherein the high stability aromatic-containing stream is contacted with the reaction product from the first reactor prior to the second reactor, wherein the first reactor can be operated at a higher severity than without the use of the high stability aromatic-containing component stream.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. After separation of the spent alkali metal reagent, the resulting product can have suitable characteristics for pipeline transport and/or further refinery processing.

Abstract: After desulfurizing a hydrocarbon feedstream using an alkali metal reagent, the hydrocarbon feedstream can include particles of spent alkali metal salts. The spent alkali metal salts can be separated from the hydrocarbon feedstream and regenerated to form an alkali metal reagent, such as a alkali hydroxide or alkali sulfide. The regeneration process can pass through an intermediate stage of forming an alkali carbonate by successive reactions with carbon dioxide and calcium oxide. The calcium oxide can also be regenerated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing sulfur from sulfur-containing hydrocarbon streams utilizing a multi-ring aromatic hydrocarbon complex containing an alkali metal ion. Preferably, the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream is comprised of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, such as a low API gravity, high viscosity crude, tar sands bitumen, an oil derived from shale, or heavy refinery intermediate stocks such as atmospheric resids or vacuum resids which are typically difficult to desulfurize and contain relatively high amounts of sulfur. However, intermediate refinery streams and refinery product streams may also be treated by the process of the current invention to achieve very low sulfur concentrations to meet environmental specification for fuels sulfur content.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. After separation of the spent alkali metal reagent, the resulting product can have suitable characteristics for pipeline transport and/or further refinery processing.

Abstract: After desulfurizing a hydrocarbon feedstream using an alkali metal reagent, the hydrocarbon feedstream can include particles of spent alkali metal salts. The spent alkali metal salts can be separated from the hydrocarbon feedstream and regenerated to form an alkali metal reagent, such as a alkali hydroxide or alkali sulfide. The regeneration process can pass through an intermediate stage of forming an alkali carbonate by successive reactions with carbon dioxide and calcium oxide. The calcium oxide can also be regenerated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing bitumen and other heavy oils such as low API gravity, high viscosity crudes, tar sands bitumen, or shale oils with alkali metal compounds under conditions to promote in-situ regeneration of the alkali metal compounds. The present invention employs the use of superheated water and hydrogen under conditions to improve the desulfurization and alkali metal hydroxide regeneration kinetics at sub-critical temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing heavy oil feedstreams with alkali metal compounds and improving the compatibility of the to stream components in either the feed stream, an intermediate product stream, and/or the reaction product stream in the desulfurization process. The present invention utilizes a high stability aromatic-containing stream that is preferably added to the heavy oil prior to reaction with the alkali metal compounds. The resulting stream resists precipitation of reaction solids in the desulfurization reactors. Even more preferably, the desulfurization system employs at least two desulfurization reactors in series flow wherein the high stability aromatic-containing stream is contacted with the reaction product from the first reactor prior to the second reactor, wherein the first reactor can be operated at a higher severity than without the use of the high stability aromatic-containing component stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing bitumen and other heavy oils such as low API gravity, high viscosity crudes, tar sands bitumen, or shale oils with alkali metal compounds under conditions to promote in-situ regeneration of the alkali metal compounds. The present invention employs the use of superheated water and hydrogen under conditions to improve the desulfurization and alkali metal hydroxide regeneration kinetics at sub-critical temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing sulfur from sulfur-containing hydrocarbon streams utilizing a multi-ring aromatic hydrocarbon complex containing an alkali metal ion. Preferably, the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream is comprised of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, such as a low API gravity, high viscosity crude, tar sands bitumen, an oil derived from shale, or heavy refinery intermediate stocks such as atmospheric resids or vacuum resids which are typically difficult to desulfurize and contain relatively high amounts of sulfur. However, intermediate refinery streams and refinery product streams may also be treated by the process of the current invention to achieve very low sulfur concentrations to meet environmental specification for fuels sulfur content.

Abstract: A slurry hydroprocessing process for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock containing nitrogen and sulfur using bulk multimetallic catalyst comprised of at least one Group VIII non-noble metal and at least two Group VIB metals wherein the ratio of Group VIB metal to Group VIII metal is about 10:1 to about 1:10.

Abstract: This invention relates to reducing the amount of thiols (mercaptans) in petroleum streams, specifically, mercaptans above the five carbon molecular weight range.

Abstract: The invention described herein is directed to (a) slurry hydroprocessing (SHP) of a feed under SHP conditions; (b) deasphalting, under deasphalting conditions the product obtained from said step (a) and recovering a solvent deasphalted oil and solvent deasphalted rock; (c) calcining said solvent deasphalted rock at a temperature of ≦about 1200° F. to produce an ash catalyst precursor; (d) recycling said ash catalyst precursor to said step (a).

Abstract: This invention relates to reducing the amount of thiols (mercaptans) in petroleum streams, specifically, mercaptans above the five carbon molecular weight range.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing petroleum feeds are desulfurized by contacting the feeds with staged addition of sodium metal at temperatures of at least about 250° C. in the presence of excess hydrogen to sodium metal. The formation of Na2S is substantially suppressed and the formation of NaSH is promoted in the desulfurization process.

Abstract: TAN containing oils, e.g., crudes, are treated by flashing to remove substantially all of the water therefrom, thermally treating the recovered liquid to reduce the naphthenic acid content thereof, and re-combining light gases recovered from the flashing step with the treated liquid.