Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing the initial heating phase for a thick wall reactor, such as a hydroprocessing reactor, by using heat tracing to heat the exterior walls of the reactor. Instead of attempting to initially heat the reactor by passing a low pressure heat transfer gas through the interior of the reactor, external heater(s) placed under the reactor insulation can be used to heat the exterior of the reactor. An example of a suitable external heater is a heat tracing blanket, where heat is provided by passing steam through pipes in contact with the external surface or by electrical heaters in contact with the external surface. This can allow for more rapid heating of the reactor, so that a target temperature can be achieved in a time of 5.0 hours or less.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing the initial heating phase for a thick wall reactor, such as a hydroprocessing reactor, by using heat tracing to heat the exterior walls of the reactor. Instead of attempting to initially heat the reactor by passing a low pressure heat transfer gas through the interior of the reactor, external heater(s) placed under the reactor insulation can be used to heat the exterior of the reactor. An example of a suitable external heater is a heat tracing blanket, where heat is provided by passing steam through pipes in contact with the external surface or by electrical heaters in contact with the external surface. This can allow for more rapid heating of the reactor, so that a target temperature can be achieved in a time of 5.0 hours or less.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for effectively loading reactor material into fixed bed reactors. The subject methods and systems for loading catalyst particles and inert particles onto a reactor bed utilize a novel sock having a helical-shape that can restrict reactor material traveling through the elevation of the fixed bed reactor to the reactor bed and avoid damaging the reactor material upon impact. The sock comprises a cylindrical tube having a plurality of helixes. Each helix of the cylindrical tube has a downward slope. The downward slope of each helix exceeds an angle of repose of the reactor material. The present methods and system are particularly effective for improving the performance of reactor bed configurations of vertically-oriented fixed bed reactors and flow distribution through the bed at designated operating conditions.

Abstract: Systems and processes for removing a first sulfur compound from a hydrocarbon stream. The systems and process utilize at least one reaction vessel incorporating a hydrolysis catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing the first sulfur compound to a second sulfur compound. The reaction vessel also incorporates a sorbent material suitable for absorbing the second sulfur compound. Following hydrolysis of the first sulfur compound to the second sulfur compound and absorption of the second sulfur compound, a hydrocarbon-containing stream having a reduced sulfur content is produced. The hydrolysis catalyst and sorbent material may be provided in separate zones within the reaction vessel or provided as a mixture in a single zone. The hydrocarbon-containing stream having a reduced sulfur content is suitable for a variety of uses, including as a feedstreams for hydrogen plants, process gas streams for power generation plants, or for other uses for hydrocarbon-containing stream having reduced sulfur content.

Abstract: A catalytic process is provided for converting a high boiling point range petroleum stream to distillate range product which includes contacting a petroleum feedstock having a boiling range from about 600° F. to about 1100° F. with a hydrocracking catalyst having a zeolite component with a framework silica to alumina ratio of at least 200:1, preferably 2000:1, and a hydrogenation component. The process is conducted under superatmospheric hydrogen partial pressure to effect at least 20% conversion, with at least 50% of the converted product remaining in the boiling range of about 330 to about 730° F.

Abstract: This invention is a process for the upgrading of distillate feeds. A batch of supported hydroprocessing catalyst is placed in a reaction zone, which is usually a fixed bed reactor. The hydroprocessing catalyst comprises an effective amount of a noble metal or metals and has a specific activity. Both low aromatic diesel and jet fuel may be produced in separate blocks over the same catalyst batch, using different feeds and often different conditions. The activity of the catalyst is restored each time the feed is switched. When production is switched from jet fuel to low aromatics diesel, activity may be regained more quickly by holding the catalyst at a higher temperature than the reaction temperature for a specific period of time prior to dropping the temperature to the reaction temperature. Switching from one feed to the other may continue for about one year before the catalyst batch is changed. A dual catalyst system may alternatively be employed.

Abstract: A process for reducing sulfur content in a gaseous stream with the production of elemental sulfur by first treating the gaseous steam with hydrogenation and hydrolysis to convert substantially all of the sulfur components therein to hydrogen sulfide. Then reducing the water content of the gaseous stream to optimize chemical equilibrium. Thereafter, the gaseous steam is contacted in an oxidation reactor with an acid catalyst at a temperature of about 150.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. to convert hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur. The product gas leaving the oxidation reactor is cooled to separate elemental sulfur by condensation. The acid catalyst is a shape selective zeolite, a metal-exchanged or impregnated alumina, or a mixture thereof. The alumina is gamma phase alumina impregnated with from about 0.2 wt % to about 2.0 wt % metal.

Abstract: There is provided a process for regenerating a coked catalyst comprising a zeolite and a noble metal such as platinum. The process involves treating the coked catalyst under somewhat mild oxidation conditions, whereby a sufficient portion of the coke is removed from the catalyst to restore the hydrocarbon sorption properties of the zeolite component to the level observed in the non-coked form. Surprisingly, the original activity of the catalyst is substantially restored, even though a substantial amount of coke remains on the regenerated catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and apparatus for creating a more uniform filter cake on a vacuum filter belt. A weir box for depositing a slurry on the filter belt has an outlet in the form of a plurality of slots spaced transversely of the filter belt with each slot being in the form of a truncated triangle with the base of the triangle being located closer to the filter belt than the truncated portion of the triangle.

Abstract: Abatement of nitrogen oxides in an industrial exhaust gas is effected by reduction of the nitrogen oxides with ammonia in the presence of a catalyst comprising a porous crystalline siliceous solid such as a ZSM-5 type zeolite. Fast responses to changes of NO.sub.x load is achieved with a zeolite of low to moderate acid activity. The catalyst may be virgin catalyst, aged catalyst previously used for the conversion of a hydrocarbon or an organic compound, or artifically aged catalyst.