Abstract: A method for upgrading a hydrocarbon in which an oxygen source and a hydrogen source are ignited and the resulting synthetic gas is used to initiate a predominantly gas phase heavy oil upgrade reaction. The upgrade reaction is quenched with an additional source of un-upgraded hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The sulfur content of a liquid hydrocarbon stream is reduced under mild conditions by contracting a sulfur-containing liquid hydrocarbon stream with transition metal particles containing the transition metal in a zero oxidation state under conditions sufficient to provide a hydrocarbon product having a reduced sulfur content and metal sulfide particles. The transition metal particles can be produced in situ by adding a transition metal precursor, e.g., a transition metal carbonyl compound, to the sulfur-containing liquid feed stream and sonicating the feed steam/transition metal precursor combination under conditions sufficient to produce the transition metal particles.

Abstract: A catalyst and process is disclosed to selectively upgrade a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. The catalyst comprises a support of a tungstated oxide or hydroxide of a Group IVB (IUPAC 4) metal, a first component of at least one Group IVA (IUPAC 14) component, at least one Group VA (IUPAC 15) component or mixtures thereof, which is preferably silicon or phosphorus, and at least one platinum-group metal component which is preferably platinum.

Abstract: A process for concurrently fractionating and treating a full range naphtha stream. The full boiling range naphtha stream is first subjected to simultaneous thioetherification and splitting into a light boiling range naphtha, an intermediate boiling range naphtha and a heavy boiling range naphtha. The intermediate boiling range naphtha containing thiophene and thiophene boiling range mercaptans is passed on to a polishing hydrodesulfurization reactor where a low sulfur, low olefin gas oil is concurrently fed to the polishing reactor to insure that a liquid phase is present.

Abstract: A process to continuously prepare a hydrocarbon product having a specified desired sulphur content lower than 0.05 wt %, starting from at least two or more high-sulphur hydrocarbon feedstocks having a sulphur content of above 0.

Abstract: A process for producing a diesel fuel stock from bitumen uses steam and a hydroisomerized diesel fraction produced by a gas conversion process, to respectively stimulate the bitumen production and increase the cetane number of a hydrotreated diesel fuel fraction produced by upgrading the bitumen, to form a diesel stock. The diesel stock is used for blending and forming diesel fuel.

Abstract: A method of desulphurizing and cracking of hydrocarbons to produce fuel oil. The fuel oil is first admixed with a sensitizer and solid source of hydrogen and, preferably, with a catalyst and a desulphurizing agent. The admixture is then subjected to microwave energy. The method acts to reduce the sulphur content of the fuel oil and cracks the fuel oil into a useful source of clean, burnable energy.

Abstract: A hydrogen-rich reformate gas generator (36), such as a mini-CPO, POX, ATR or other hydrogen generator provides warm, dry, hydrogen-rich reformate gas to a hydrogen desulfurizer (17) which provides desulfurized feedstock gas to a major reformer (14) (such as a CPO) which, after processing in a water-gas shift reactor (26) and preferential CO oxidizer (27) produces hydrogen-containing reformate in a line (31) for use, for instance, as fuel for a fuel cell power plant. The expensive prior art hydrogen blower (30) is thereby eliminated, thus reducing parasitic power losses in the power plant. The drier reformate provided by the small hydrogen generator to the hydrogen desulfurizer favors hydrogen sulfide adsorption on zinc oxide and helps to reduce sulfur to the parts per billion level.

Abstract: A hydrogen-rich reformate gas generator, such as a mini-CPO (catalytic partial oxidizer) (36), provides warm, dry, hydrogen-containing reformate gas to a hydrogen desulfurizer (17) which provides desulfurized reformate gas to a major reformer (14) (such as a CPO) which, after processing in a water-gas shift reactor (26) and preferential CO oxidizer (27) produces hydrogen-containing reformate in a line (31) for use, for instance, as fuel for a fuel cell power plant. The expensive prior art hydrogen blower (30) is thereby eliminated, thus reducing parasitic power losses in the power plant. The drier reformate provided by the mini-CPO to the hydrogen desulfurizer favors hydrogen sulfide adsorption on zinc oxide and helps to reduce sulfur to the parts per billion level.

Abstract: A fuel processing method is operable to remove substantially all of the sulfur present in an undiluted hydrocarbon fuel stock supply which is used to power a fuel cell power plant in a mobile environment, such as an automobile, bus, truck, boat, or the like; or in a stationary environment. The power plant hydrogen fuel source can be gasoline, diesel fuel, or other like fuels which contain relatively high levels of organic sulfur compounds such as mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, thiophenes and the like. The undiluted hydrocarbon fuel supply is passed through a nickel reactant desulfurizer bed wherein essentially all of the sulfur in the organic sulfur compounds reacts with the nickel reactant, and is converted to nickel sulfide, while the now desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel supply continues through the remainder of the fuel processing system. The method involves adding hydrogen to the fuel stream prior to the desulfurizing step. The method can be used to desulfurize either a liquid or a gaseous fuel stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a catalytic system comprising a metal of group VIII, a metal of group VI, a metal oxide as carrier and suitable quantities of a component selected from a zeolite of the FER type, phosphorous, and a mixture thereof, in upgrading of hydrocarbons boiling in the naphtha range containing sulfur impurities, namely in hydrodesulfurization with contemporaneous skeleton isomerization of olefins contained in said hydrocarbons and/or with reduction of olefins hydrogenation, carried out in a single step.

Abstract: A fuel processing method is operable to remove substantially all of the sulfur present in an undiluted hydrocarbon fuel stock supply which is used to power a fuel cell power plant in a mobile environment, such as an automobile, bus, truck, boat, or the like; or in a stationary environment. The power plant hydrogen fuel source can be gasoline, diesel fuel, or other like fuels which contain relatively high levels of organic sulfur compounds such as mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, thiophenes and the like. The undiluted hydrocarbon fuel supply is passed through a nickel reactant desulfurizer bed wherein essentially all of the sulfur in the organic sulfur compounds reacts with the nickel reactant, and is converted to nickel sulfide, while the now desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel supply continues through the remainder of the fuel processing system. The method involves adding hydrogen to the fuel stream prior to the desulfurizing step. The method can be used to desulfurize either a liquid or a gaseous fuel stream.

Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbons such as gas oil feedstocks are hydrotreated by passing feedstreams comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid hydrocarbons through a catalyst bed comprising honeycomb or similarly structured monolithic hydrotreating catalysts at controlled superficial liquid linear velocities and gas:liquid feedstream ratios; good hydrotreating selectivity and high one-pass conversion rates for sulfur and other heteroatoms are provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an extinction recycle naphtha hydrocracking processes. Large pore zeolite catalysts with Constraint Indices less than 2, such as USY or beta, which are loaded with noble metals such as Pt or Pd or with transition metals such as Ni in combination with Mo or W are employed. Preferably, low hydrogen partial pressures, and a feedstock relatively rich in hydrogen and low in aromatics content, are used, in order to extend catalyst cycle length.

Abstract: A process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst is described that is carried out in a three-phase reactor in which the liquid Peclet number is in the range 0 (excluded) to about 10, with a superficial gas velocity Ug that is preferably less than 35 cm.s−1, to encourage gas transfer into the liquid phase and avoid too much attrition of the catalyst grains.

Abstract: A system for enhancing fluid/solids contacting in a fluidization reactor by controlling the particle size distribution of the solid particulates in the reactor.

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of a light boiling range (C5-350° F.) fluid catalytically cracked naphtha, which may be first subjected to a thioetherification to react the diolefins with mercaptans contained in it to form sulfides, is fed to a high pressure (>250 psig) catalytic distillation hydrodesulfurization step along with hydrogen under conditions to react most of the organic sulfur compounds, including sulfides from the thioetherification to form H2S. The H2S and a light product stream (C5's and C6's) are removed as overheads. The bottoms from the catalytic distillation hydrodesulfurization step is fractionated and the bottoms from the fractionation contacted with hydrogen in a straight pass hydrogenation step in the presence of a hydrodesulfurization catalyst at pressure of >250 and temperature >400° F. to further reduce the sulfur content.

Abstract: A process for the hydrodesulfurization of cracked olefin streams is described, the process aiming at reducing the sulfur content while at the same time minimizing the hydrogenation degree of said olefins. In order to dilute the added reaction hydrogen, the process makes use of non-reactive compounds such as N2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, C4H10, CO2, group VIII noble gases as well as admixtures of same in any amount, in gas or vapor phase.

Abstract: A process for concurrently fractionating and hydrotreating of a full range naphtha stream. The full boiling range naphtha stream, for example which is derived from fluid catalytic cracking, is first subjected to simultaneous hydrogenation of the thiophene contained therein and thioetherification and fractionation to remove the mercaptans the light fraction and then to simultaneous hydrodesulfurization and splitting of the bottoms into an intermediate boiling range naphtha and a heavy boiling range naphtha. The three boiling range naphthas are treated separately according to the amount of sulfur in each cut and the end use of each fraction.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon streams by contacting the hydrocarbon stream, especially a gasoline stream, with an adsorbent material. The adsorbent material is regenerated with hydrogen or a hydrogen/H2S mixture.

Abstract: A process for the separation of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon mixture using a membrane is provided. Preferred hydrocarbon mixtures are oil refining fractions such as light cracked naphtha. Membranes are composed of either ionic or non-ionic materials and preferentially permeate sulfur compounds over other hydrocarbons. A single or multi-stage membrane system separates the hydrocarbon mixture into a sulfur-rich fraction and a sulfur-lean fraction. The sulfur-lean fraction may be used in fuel mixtures and the sulfur-rich fraction may be further treated for sulfur reduction.

Abstract: A deactivated sorbent composition is reactivated by contacting the deactivated sorbent with a reducing stream under activation conditions sufficient to reduce the amount of sulfates associated with the sorbent composition.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing a gasoline stream while continuing to maintain the octane rating of the blend stock. A gasoline stream containing sulfur compounds and olefins is introduced into a fractionation zone to produce a low boiling fraction containing mercaptan sulfur compounds and olefins, a mid boiling fraction containing thiophene and olefins, and a high boiling fraction containing sulfur compounds. The low boiling fraction containing mercaptan sulfur compounds is contacted with an aqueous alkaline solution to selectively remove mercaptan sulfur compounds. The mid boiling fraction containing thiophene is extracted to produce a raffinate stream containing olefins and having a reduced sulfur content relative to the mid boiling fraction and a hydrocarbonaceous stream rich in thiophene.

Abstract: For converting hydrocarbons: step a) treating a hydrocarbon feed with hydrogen in at least one three-phase reactor (1), containing ebullated bed hydroconversion catalyst; a step b) passing effluent from step a) to a separation zone (2) to recover a fraction F1 containing at least a portion of gas, gasoline and atmospheric gas oil contained in the effluent from step a), and a fraction F2 containing compounds with boiling points of more than that of the atmospheric gas oil; step c) hydrodesulphurizing at least a portion of fraction F1; and step d) passing at least a portion of fraction F2 to catalytic cracking section (6).

Abstract: A method for producing a lube basestock from a waxy feed is disclosed in which a feed containing to 50 wt % or more of wax is hydrotreated and stripped to lower the nitrogen and sulfur content of the feed. The feed is then hydroisomerized under conditions to 370° C. hydrocatalytically dewaxed with a catalyst comprising a mixture of a catalytically active metal on a zeolite dewaxing catalyst and an amorphous catalyst, or alternatively is solvent dewaxed and then hydrocatalytically dewaxed with the just described catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a low-sulfur motor gasoline and the product made therefrom. In one embodiment, process involves separating a catalytically cracked naphtha into at least a light fraction boiling below about 165° F. and a heavy fraction boiling above about 165° F. The light fraction is treated to remove sulfur by a non-hydrotreating method, and the heavy fraction is hydrotreated to remove sulfur to a level of less than about 100 ppm.

Abstract: The process for desulfurizing a gas oil fraction according to the invention comprises a low-boiling gas oil fraction hydrodesulfurization step (I) wherein a low-boiling gas oil fraction is desulsurized under the condition of a H2/Oil ratio of 70 to 200 Nm3/kl to obtain a treated oil, a high-boiling gas oil fraction hydrodesulfurization step (II) wherein a high-boiling gas oil fraction is desulsurized under the condition of a H2Oil ratio of 200 to 800 Nm3/kl to obtain a treated oil, and a step (III) wherein the treated oil obtained in the step (I) is mixed with the treated oil obtained in the step (II), and in this process, at least a part of a gas containing unreacted hydrogen in the step (II) is used for the hydrodesulfurization of the step (I). According to the invention, there can be provided a process and an apparatus for desulfurizing a gas oil fraction, which are capable of using hydrogen and energy efficiently and capable of producing a highly desulfurized gas oil in a small catalytic amount.

Abstract: A process for the hydrodesulfurization of a cracked naphtha stream is disclosed where very little of the valuable olefins are saturated. The process is a two staged process wherein the H2S is removed between the stages to prevent recombinant mercaptans formation. Because the H2S is removed between the stages milder conditions can be used in the second stage polishing reactor to achieve the same desulfurization levels with less olefin loss.

Abstract: A process for the production of naphtha streams from cracked naphthas having sulfur levels which help meet future EPA gasoline sulfur standards (30 ppm range and below).

Abstract: An improved catalyst activation process for olefinic naphtha hydrodesulfurization. This process maintains the sulfur removal activity of the catalyst while reducing the olefin saturation activity.

Abstract: Savings in the processing of a naphtha boiling range feed containing a thiophene are achieved by fractionating the feed stream in a single dividing wall column to yield a C6-minus overhead stream, a side-draw containing the majority of the C6 and C7 paraffins and olefins, and a bottoms stream comprising C7 and heavier hydrocarbons. A dividing wall column provides better control of the concentration of both thiophene and toluene in the side-draw. Less of the valuable naphtha is lost and the amount of thiophene in the overhead product is minimized.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing middle distillates by charging a sulfur-containing middle distillate and a hydrogen-containing diluent to a reaction zone in respective amounts and under reaction conditions sufficient to vaporize substantially all of the sulfur-containing middle distillate present in the reaction zone. In the reaction zone, the vaporized middle distillate is contacted with a sorbent comprising a promoter metal and zinc oxide to thereby provide a desulfurized middle distillate comprising less sulfur than the sulfur-containing middle distillate initially charged to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a liquid petroleum or chemical stream wherein said feedstream flows countercurrent to the flow of a treat gas, such as a hydrogen-containing gas, in at least one reaction zone. The feedstream is treated so that it is substantially free of particulate matter and foulant precursors.

Abstract: During the regeneration of a sulfurized sorbent comprising zinc aluminate, a promoter metal and zinc sulfide by contact with an oxygen-containing stream to convert at least a portion of said zinc sulfide to zinc oxide the average sulfur dioxide partial pressure in the regeneration zone is controlled within the range of from about 0.1 to about 10 psig to minimize sulfation of the sorbent.

Abstract: In a conventional hydrodesulfurization process sulfur is removed from liquid hydrocarbons by reacting the sulfur in the liquid hydrocarbons with hydrogen to form H2S. A sour hydrogen gas stream consisting of unreacted hydrogen, H2S, and undesired light hydrocarbons is then separated from the liquid hydrocarbons, and the H2S is removed to sweeten the hydrogen stream for recycling. Some of the undesired light hydrocarbons resulting from the reaction may be separated by the purging method discussed. In the present invention efficient separation of the light hydrocarbons is enabled without substantial loss of recyclable hydrogen. Both the H2S and light hydrocarbons are separated from the sour hydrogen gas stream by passing the stream through an absorber where it is reacted with a nonaqueous liquor. The light hydrocarbons are absorbed in the liquor, from which they are subsequently separated.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feedstock, includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon feed having an initial characteristic; providing a first hydrogen-containing gas; feeding the hydrocarbon feed and the first hydrogen-containing gas cocurrently to a first hydroprocessing zone so as to provide a first hydrocarbon product; providing a plurality of additional hydroprocessing zones including a final zone and an upstream zone; feeding the first hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a recycled gas to the upstream zone so as to provide an intermediate hydrocarbon product; and feeding the intermediate hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a second hydrogen-containing gas to the final zone so as to provide a final hydrocarbon product having a final characteristic which is improved as compared to the initial characteristic.

Abstract: An integrated process for improved hydrocarbon recovery from a natural gas resource is disclosed. A methane-rich stream, an LPG stream and optionally a C5+ stream are isolated from a natural gas source in a first separation zone and desulfurized. The methane-rich stream is converted to syngas and subjected to hydrocarbon synthesis, for example, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The products from the hydrocarbon synthesis typically include a C4− fraction, a C5-C20 fraction, and a C20+ wax fraction. These fractions are isolated in a second separation zone. The C4− fraction is recycled through the first separation zone to provide methane for conversion to synthesis gas and an additional LPG fraction. The C4− fraction can be treated, for example, with hydrotreating or hydroisomerization catalysts and conditions before or after the separation.

Abstract: A method of desulphurizing and cracking of hydrocarbons to produce fuel oil. The fuel oil is first admixed with a sensitizer and solid source of hydrogen and, preferably, with a catalyst and a desulphurizing agent. The admixture is then subjected to microwave energy. The method acts to reduce the sulphur content of the fuel oil and cracks the fuel oil into a useful source of clean, burnable energy.

Abstract: A process is described for the upgrading of hydrocarbon mixtures which boil within the naphtha range containing sulfur impurities, i.e. a hydrodesulfuration process with contemporaneous skeleton isomerization and reduced hydrogenation degree of the olefins contained in said hydrocarbon mixtures, the whole process being carried out in a single step. The process is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a metal of group VI B, a metal of group VIII and a carrier of acid nature consisting of a mesoporous silico-alumina.

Abstract: A method for upgrading a hydrocarbon in which an oxygen source and a hydrogen source are ignited and the resulting synthetic gas is used to initiate a predominantly gas phase heavy oil upgrade reaction. The upgrade reaction is quenched with an additional source of un-upgraded hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbons such as gas oil feedstocks are hydrotreated by passing feedstreams comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid hydrocarbons through a catalyst bed comprising honeycomb or similarly structured monolithic hydrotreating catalysts at controlled superficial liquid linear velocities and gas:liquid feedstream ratios; good hydrotreating selectivity and high one-pass conversion rates for sulfur and other heteroatoms are provided.

Abstract: A process for concurrently fractionating and hydrotreating of a full range naphtha stream. The full boiling range naphtha stream is first subjected to simultaneous thioetherification and fractionation to remove the mercaptans the light fraction and then to simultaneous hydrodesulfurization and splitting of the remainder into an intermediate boiling range naphtha and a heavy boiling range naphtha. The three boiling range naphthas are treated separately according to the amount of sulfur in each cut and the end use of each fraction.

Abstract: The present invention is a chemical reactor and method for catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. The chemical reactor has reactor microchannels for flow of at least one reactant and at least one product, and a catalyst material wherein the at least one reactant contacts the catalyst material and reacts to form the at least one product. The improvement, according to the present invention is: the catalyst material is on a porous material having a porosity that resists bulk flow therethrough and permits molecular diffusion therein. The porous material further has a length, a width and a thickness, the porous material defining at least a portion of one wall of a bulk flow path through which the at least one reactant passes.

Abstract: A two step sulfur removal for treatment of hydrocarbonaceous fuel intended for use in a fuel cell comprising a mild hydrotreating step followed by an extraction step reduces the sulfur content in fuel to 5 ppm total sulfur or less and a fuel processor suitable for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A two step sulfur removal for treatment of hydrocarbonaceous fuel intended for use in a fuel cell comprising a mild hydrotreating step followed by an extraction step reduces the sulfur content in fuel to 5 ppm total sulfur or less and a fuel processor suitable for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A membrane process for the removal of sulfur species from a naphtha feed, in particular, a FCC light cat naphtha, without a substantial loss of olefin yield is disclosed. The process involves contacting a naphtha feed stream with a membrane having sufficient flux and selectivity to separate a sulfur deficient retentate fraction from a sulfur enriched permeate fraction, preferably, under pervaporation conditions. Sulfur deficient retentate fractions are useful directly into the gasoline pool. Sulfur-enriched permeate fractions are rich in sulfur containing aromatic and nonaromatic hydrocarbons and are further treated with conventional sulfur removal technologies, e.g. hydrotreating, to reduce sulfur content. The process of the invention provides high quality naphtha products having a reduced sulfur content and a high content of olefin compounds.

Abstract: A process where the need to circulate hydrogen through the catalyst is eliminated. This is accomplished by mixing and/or flashing the hydrogen and the oil to be treated in the presence of a solvent or diluent in which the hydrogen solubility is “high” relative to the oil feed. The type and amount of diluent added, as well as the reactor conditions, can be set so that all of the hydrogen required in the hydroprocessing reactions is available in solution. The oil/diluent/hydrogen solution can then be fed to a plug flow reactor packed with catalyst where the oil and hydrogen react. No additional hydrogen is required, therefore, hydrogen recirculation is avoided and trickle bed operation of the reactor is avoided. Therefore, the large trickle bed reactors can be replaced by much smaller tubular reactor.

Abstract: A process for concurrently fractionating and treating of a full range naphtha stream. The full boiling range naphtha stream is first subjected to simultaneous thioetherification or selective hydrogenation and splitting into a light boiling range naphtha, an intermediate boiling range naphtha and a heavy boiling range naphtha. The intermediate boiling range naphtha containing thiophene and thiophene boiling range mercaptans, dienes or mixtures may be subjected to a second thioetherification or selective hydrogenation, depending on its make-up, and then passed on to a polishing hydrodesulfurization reactor or the entire intermediate stream may be passed directly to the polishing reactor. The bottoms are subjected to concurrent hydrodesulfurization and fractional distillation and the combined overheads and bottoms are fed to the polishing reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for hydrodesulphurising a gas oil wherein a sulphur level of less than 50 ppm is obtained, said process comprising a) contacting a gas oil with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrodesulphurisation catalyst, and b) adjusting the temperature and pressure of hydrodesulphurisation so the temperature-pressure relationship lies on or between the curves T=211.15 P0.1363 and T=243.83 P0.1232, for all values of P≧0 where T=temperature in ° C., and P=pressure in bar a.

Abstract: This invention teaches an improved ebullated-bed reactor hydrotreating/hydrocracking process for treating heavy vacuum gas oil (HVGO) and deasphalted oil (DAO) feeds. The reactor is designed to operate at minimum catalyst bed expansion so as to maximize reactor kinetics and approach plug flow reactor process performance. Further, the invention allows for the production of a uniform product quality and production output that does not substantially vary with time.