With Subsequent Treatment Of Product Patents (Class 208/212)
  • Patent number: 6841062
    Abstract: This invention relates to a crude oil desulfurization process which comprises hydrodesulfurizing a crude oil feed in a crude desulfurization unit. The desulfurized crude oil is then separated into a light gas oil fraction, a vacuum gas oil fraction and a vacuum residuum fraction. The vacuum gas oil is hydrocracked to form at least one low sulfur fuel product. The light gas oil fraction is hydrotreated. The vacuum gas oil may be hydrocracked in one or more stages. Hydrocracking in the second stage, if present, will convert of at least 20% of the first zone effluent, to create a low sulfur light gas oil fraction. The light gas oil fraction may then be hydrotreated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce E. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6827845
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with an immiscible phase comprising at least one organic peracid or precursors of organic peracid in a liquid phase reaction mixture maintained substantially free of catalytic active metals and/or active metal-containing compounds and under conditions suitable for oxidation of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6824676
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Gary G. Podrebarac, Willibrord A. Groten, Lawrence A. Smith, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040209771
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for hydroprocessing a heavy hydrocarbon oil, comprising bringing a heavy hydrocarbon oil into contact with hydroprocessing catalyst I in the presence of hydrogen in a first stage, after which the effluent of the first stage is contacted in whole or in part with hydroprocessing catalyst II in the presence of hydrogen in a second stage. The method according to the invention combines efficient contaminant removal with high cracking rate and low sediment formation. The invention also pertains to the combination of catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Katsuhisa Fujita
  • Publication number: 20040188327
    Abstract: A process for fractionating and treating of a full range naphtha stream. The full boiling range naphtha stream is first split into a light boiling range naphtha, an intermediate boiling range naphtha and a heavy boiling range naphtha. The bottoms are subjected to hydrodesulfurization and the effluent combined with the intermediate boiling range naphtha containing thiophene and thiophene boiling range mercaptans and subjected to a second hydrodesulfurization. The effluent from the polishing reactor may be combined with the light boiling range naphtha to produce a new full boiling range naphtha containing substantially less total sulfur than the original feed. The mercaptans in the light naphtha may be removed by thioetherification prior to splitting or by wet caustic wash afterwards. The object being to meet higher standards for sulfur removal, by treating the components of the naphtha feed with the process that preserves the olefinic while most expediently removing the sulfur compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Willibrord A. Groten
  • Patent number: 6793804
    Abstract: An integrated hydrotreating process which produces a high quality feed for the FCC to maintain sulfur in FCC gasoline to a level lower than 30 ppm from a high boiling feedstock and an ultra low sulfur diesel stream preferably less than 10 ppm from a cracked diesel boiling material. The high boiling feedstock is firstly hydrotreated to reduce the concentration of heterogeneous compounds which produces lower boiling hydrocarbonaceous compounds boiling in the diesel range and the resulting hydrotreated high boiling feedstock is separated in a high pressure stripper. The resulting hydrocarbonaceous compounds boiling in the diesel range together with other cracked and/or straight run material in the diesel boiling range are further hydrotreated in an integrated second hydrotreating zone to meet ultra low sulfur diesel specifications and a high cetane index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Lindsay, Gary R. Brierley, Tom N. Kalnes
  • Patent number: 6787026
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for hydroprocessing vacuum gas oils and other feeds in order to produce unconverted oil suitable for use as base oil feed for white oils, Group III oils, and BMCI (Bureau of Mines Correlation Index) ethylene plant feed. Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and light products are removed from the first stage at high pressure in order to produce a higher quality of unconverted oil that is suitable for Group III base oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Darush Farshid
  • Publication number: 20040129606
    Abstract: A process for concurrently fractionating and hydrotreating a full range naphtha stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Gary G. Podrebarac, Mario J. Maraschino, Montri Vichailak
  • Publication number: 20040118750
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of refinery transportation fuel or components for refinery blending of transportation fuels having a reduced amount of sulfur and/or nitrogen-containing impurities. The process involves contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing the above impurities with an immiscible phase containing hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid in an oxidation zone to selectively oxidize the impurities. After a gravity phase separation, the hydrocarbon phase containing any remaining oxidized impurities, is passed to an extraction zone wherein aqueous acetic acid is used to extract a portion of any remaining oxidized impurities. A hydrocarbon stream having reduced impurities can then be recovered. The acetic acid phase effluents from the oxidation and the extraction zones can then be passed to a common separation zone for recovery of the acetic acid and for optional recycle back to the oxidation and extraction zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Larry W. Kruse, George A. Huff, Michael Muskett
  • Publication number: 20040104144
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels which are liquid at ambient conditions by selective oxygenation of refinery feedstocks comprising a mixture of organic compounds. The organic compounds are oxygenated in a liquid reaction medium with an oxidizing agent and heterogeneous oxygenation catalyst system which exhibits a capability to enhance the incorporation of oxygen into a mixture of liquid organic compounds to form a mixture comprising hydrocarbons, oxygenated organic compounds, water of reaction, and acidic co-products. The mixture is separated to recover at least a first organic liquid of low density and at least a portions of the catalyst metal, water of reaction and acidic co-products. Advantageously, the organic liquid is washed with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate solution, or other soluble chemical base capable to neutralize and/or remove acidic co-products of oxidation, and recover oxygenated product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Gary P. Hagen, George A. Huff, William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Publication number: 20040099574
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of a light cracked naphtha is disclosed wherein the light cracked naphtha is first subjected to thioetherification and fractionation into two boiling fractions. The lower boiling fraction is removed as overheads for later recombination with the product and the higher boiling fraction is combined with a heavy cracked naphtha and subjected to simultaneous hydrodesulfurization and fractionation to separate the higher boiling fraction from the heavy cracked naphtha which is recycled. The recycled heavy cracked naphtha is eventually desulfurized and hydrogenated to produce a clean solvent which washes the catalyst and extends catalyst life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Manoj Som, Gary G. Podrebarac, Scott W. Shorey
  • Patent number: 6736962
    Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of mercaptan sulfur in a petroleum stream without significantly changing its octane value. The process comprising a three-phase system wherein the petroleum stream to be treated is passed through a fixed bed of catalyst in the presence of a stripping gas. The stripping gas can be either hydrogen containing gas or an method wherein the composition of the catalyst utilized varies according to the stripping gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bruce Randall Cook, Robert Charles Welch, Richard Harry Ernst, William Edward Winter, Jr., Richard Alan Demmin, Charles Alfred Euker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040079677
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for hydroprocessing vacuum gas oils and other feeds in order to produce unconverted oil suitable for use as base oil feed for white oils, Group III oils, and BMCI (Bureau of Mines Correlation Index) ethylene plant feed. Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and light products are removed from the first stage at high pressure in order to produce a higher quality of unconverted oil that is suitable for Group III base oils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Darush Farshid
  • Patent number: 6723230
    Abstract: A process to regenerate iron-based hydrogen sulfide sorbents using steam. The steam is preferably mixed with hydrogen-containing gas and/or an inert gas, such as nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, the sorbent is first exposed to the steam and then exposed to a hydrogen-containing gas at regeneration conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jingguang G. Chen, Leo D. Brown, William C. Baird, Jr., Gary B. McVicker, Edward S. Ellis, Michele S. Touvelle, Darryl P. Klein, David E. W. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6723229
    Abstract: A four stage process for producing high quality white oils, particularly food or medicinal grade mineral oils from mineral oil distillates. The first reaction stage employs a sulfur resistant hydrotreating catalyst and produces a product suitable for use as a high quality lubricating oil base stock. The second reaction stage employs a hydrogenation/hydrodesulfurization catalyst. The third stage employs a reduced metal sulfur sorbent producing a product stream which is low in aromatics and which has substantially “nil” sulfur. The final reaction stage employs a selective hydrogenation catalyst that produces a product suitable as a food or medicinal grade white oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Sylvain S. Hantzer, Jean Willem Beeckman, Stephen J. McCarthy, Arthur Paul Werner
  • Publication number: 20040069685
    Abstract: The oil refining method according to the present invention comprises the fractional distillation process 1 for distilling and separating the feed oil into the distillate M1 and the residue M2; the hydrorefining process 2 wherein at least a part of the distillate M1 is refined by hydrogenation and desulfurized thereby to obtain the hydrorefined oil M3; the solvent deasphalting process 3 wherein the residue M2 is deasphalted with a solvent thereby to obtain the deasphalted oil M4 as an extract and asphaltene (pitch) M5 as the residue; the hydrodemetalizating/desulfurizing process 4 wherein at least a part of the deasphalted oil M4 is demetalized and desulfurized by hydrogenation thereby to obtain the HDMS refined oil M6; and the first mixing process 5 wherein a part of the HDMS refined oil M6 and at least a part of the hydrorefined oil M3 are mixed thereby to produce oil products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Makoto Inomata, Yasushi Fujimura, Tsuyoshi Okada, Kozo Imura, Hajime Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20040040889
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Willibrord A. Groten
  • Patent number: 6692635
    Abstract: Process for the production of gasoline with a low sulfur content that comprises at least the following two stages: a) a hydrogenation stage of the unsaturated sulfur containing compounds, b) a decomposition stage of saturated sulfur containing compounds, and optionally a preliminary stage for pretreatment of the feedstock such as selective hydrogenation of dienes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Blaise Didillon, Denis Uzio, Nathalie Marchal
  • Patent number: 6676829
    Abstract: A method is provided for removing sulfur from an effluent produced by hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed, said effluent having a heavy fraction containing polyaromatic sulfur compounds and a lighter fraction, said method comprising contacting the effluent with a noble metal containing hydrodearomatization catalyst on a support under super-atmospheric hydrogen pressure and reaction conditions sufficient to hydrogenate at least one ring of said polyaromatic sulfur compounds and thereby produce a product with a reduced sulfur content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Philip J. Angevine, Anna B. Gorshteyn, Larry A. Green, Yuk Mui Louie, David A. Pappal, Peter J. Owens, Richard J. Quann, Jolie A. Rhinehart
  • Patent number: 6673230
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels which are liquid at ambient conditions by selective oxygenation of refinery feedstocks comprising a mixture of organic compounds. The organic compounds are oxygenated in a liquid reaction medium with an oxidizing agent and heterogeneous oxygenation catalyst system which exhibits a capability to enhance the incorporation of oxygen into a mixture of liquid organic compounds to form a mixture comprising hydrocarbons, oxygenated organic compounds, water of reaction, and acidic co-products. The mixture is separated to recover at least a first organic liquid of low density and at least a portions of the catalyst metal, water of reaction and acidic co-products. Advantageously, the organic liquid is washed with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate solution, or other soluble chemical base capable to neutralize and/or remove acidic co-products of oxidation, and recover oxygenated product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Gary P. Hagen, George A. Huff, Jr., William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Publication number: 20040000506
    Abstract: A light cracked naphtha is treated to convert mercaptans to sulfides and saturate dienes and then subjected to destructive hydrodesulfurization (HDS) to convert the organic sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide. The recombinant mercaptans formed by reaction of hydrogen sulfide and olefins at the outlet of the HDS are generally heavier than the light cracked naphtha is fractionated in admixture with a heavy cracked naphtha. A low sulfur content light cracked naphtha is produced as an overheads and the major portion of the mercaptans leave with heavy cracked naphtha as bottoms. It also advantageous to pass the heavy cracked naphtha through the HDS in admixture with the light cracked naphtha, since the recombinant mercaptans formed with the heavy cracked naphtha olefins (which displace some of the lower mercaptans which would form the light cracked naphtha olefins) will be even higher boiling and easier to separate by fractionation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Gary G. Podrebarac, Willibrord A. Groten, Manoj Som, Martinus J. Almering
  • Patent number: 6641714
    Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline of relatively high octane number is produced from a catalytically or thermally cracked, olefin-rich, sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream by hydrodesulfurization followed by treatment over an acidic catalyst containing a molecular sieve belonging to the MCM-22 family in combination with a metal component, preferably selected from the transition elements of the 4th and 5th periods of the Periodic Table. The treatment over the acidic catalyst in the second step restores the octane loss which takes place as a result of the hydrogenative treatment and results in a low sulfur gasoline product with an octane number comparable to that of the hydrocarbon feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Dennis E. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20030188994
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon F. Stuntz, Robert C. W. Welch, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Patent number: 6623627
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Lubo Zhou
  • Patent number: 6620311
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Frédéric Morel, Stéphane Kressmann, James Colyar
  • Publication number: 20030168380
    Abstract: Process for the production of gasoline with a low sulfur content that comprises at least the following two stages:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Blaise Didillon, Denis Uzio, Nathalie Marchal
  • Publication number: 20030146133
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Shigeki Nagamatsu, Jun Abe, Akira Sugimoto, Makoto Inomata, Tetsuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6596914
    Abstract: A multi-step process for desulfurizing liquid petroleum fuels that also removes nitrogen-containing compounds and aromatics. The process steps are: thiophene extraction; thiophene oxidation; thiophene-oxide and -dioxide extraction; raffinate solvent recovery and polishing; extract solvent recovery; and recycle-solvent purification. The thiophene oxidation is accomplished with hydrogen peroxide and the extraction solvent is acetic acid in combination with secondary solvents. The operating conditions in the process are relatively mild at near ambient pressure and less than 145° C. throughout the process, and the only chemical consumed in the process is hydrogen peroxide. The process design can be modified to accommodate a variety of liquid hydrocarbon feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Walter Gore, Steve Bonde, Geoffrey E. Dolbear, Ebbe R. Skov
  • Publication number: 20030127362
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Halbert, John P. Greeley, Robert C. Welch
  • Publication number: 20030116470
    Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising: an upgrader for receiving said heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving said synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, said further hydrogen gas being supplied to said hydroprocessing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Philip Rettger, Randall Goldstein, Jim Arnold
  • Publication number: 20030116473
    Abstract: A method for hydrodesulfurization which comprises introducing partially desulfurized oil, which is a light oil fraction containing sulfur, and hydrogen to a reactor packed with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst, wherein the partially desulfurized oil has a sulfur content of 2000 ppm or less and preferably a polycyclic aromatic compound content of 3 wt % or more, wherein the amount of hydrogen sulfide contained in the partially desulfurized oil and hydrogen introduced to the reactor is 1.5 mol % or less with respect to that of the hydrogen introduced, and wherein the hydrodesulfurization catalyst comprises a carrier comprising a porous inorganic oxide and also comprises tungsten and one of nickel and cobalt as a metal component supported on the carrier. The method allows the production of a desulfurized light oil having a sulfur content of 50 ppm or less without the use of a special crude oil, and under operation conditions providing high productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Ryutaro Koide, Hideo Tanaka, Yasuhito Goto
  • Patent number: 6583186
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for hydroprocessing Fischer-Tropsch products. The invention in particular relates to an integrated method for producing liquid fuels from a hydrocarbon stream provided by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The method involves separating the Fischer-Tropsch products into a light fraction and a heavy fraction. The heavy fraction is subjected to hydrocracking conditions, preferably through multiple catalyst beds, to reduce the chain length. The products of the hydrocracking reaction following the last catalyst bed, optionally after a hydroisomerization step, are combined with the light fraction. The combined fractions are hydrotreated, and, optionally, hydroisomerized. The hydrotreatment conditions hydrogenate double bonds, reduce oxygenates to paraffins, and desulfurize and denitrify the products. Hydroisomerization converts at least a portion of the linear paraffins into isoparaffins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Richard O. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6579443
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Larry L. Iaccino, Edward S. Ellis, Ramesh Gupta, Brenda A. Raich
  • Publication number: 20030106839
    Abstract: A process for the selective hydrodesulfurization of olefinic naphtha streams containing a substantial amount of organically bound sulfur and olefins. The olefinic naphtha stream is selectively hydrodesulfurized in a first sulfur removal stage and resulting product stream, which contains hydrogen sulfide and organosulfur is fractionated at a temperature to produce a light fraction containing less than about 100 wppm organically bound sulfur and a heavy fraction containing greater than about 100 wppm organically bound sulfur. The light fraction is stripped of at least a portion ofits hydrogen sulfide and can be collected or passed to gasoline blending. The heavy fraction is passed to a second sulfur removal stage wherein at least a portion of any remaining organically bound sulfur is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: John C. Coker, Garland B. Brignac, Thomas R. Halbert, John G. Matragrano, Brij Gupta, Robert C. Welch, William E. Winter
  • Patent number: 6569314
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 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. At least a fraction of up flowing vapor product is condensed to produce a condensate comprised of the heavier fraction of the vapor phase product stream and a lighter remaining vapor stream. The condensate and potentially the lighter remaining vapor stream are further hydroprocessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Larry L. Iaccino, Edward S. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6554994
    Abstract: A reactor system and process for hydrotreating a heavy feedstock contaminated with metals sulfur and carbon residue using an upflow fixed bed reactor with at least two catalyst layers having different hydrogenation activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Reynolds, Fred W. Lam, Julie Chabot, Fernando J. Antezana, Robert Bachtel, Kirk R. Gibson, Richard Threlkel, Pak C. Leung
  • Publication number: 20030010674
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels which are liquid at ambient conditions by selective oxygenation of refinery feedstocks comprising a mixture of organic compounds. The organic compounds are oxygenated in a liquid reaction medium with an oxidizing agent and heterogeneous oxygenation catalyst system which exhibits a capability to enhance the incorporation of oxygen into a mixture of liquid organic compounds to form a mixture comprising hydrocarbons, oxygenated organic compounds, water of reaction, and acidic co-products. The mixture is separated to recover at least a first organic liquid of low density and at least a portions of the catalyst metal, water of reaction and acidic co-products. Advantageously, the organic liquid is washed with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate solution, or other soluble chemical base capable to neutralize and/or remove acidic co-products of oxidation, and recover oxygenated product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Gary P. Hagen, George A. Huff, William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto
  • Patent number: 6495029
    Abstract: A process for the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of the multiple condensed ring heterocyclic organosulfur compounds present in petroleum and chemical streams. The stream is passed through at least one reaction zone countercurrent to the flow of a hydrogen-containing treat gas, and through at least one sorbent zone. The reaction zone contains a bed of Group VIII metal-containing hydrodesulfurization catalyst and the sorbent zone contains a bed of hydrogen sulfide sorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: James J. Schorfheide, Edward S. Ellis, Michele S. Touvelle, Ramesh Gupta
  • Patent number: 6475376
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Jossens, Curtis L. Munson, Gunther H. Dieckmann
  • Publication number: 20020157988
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Jossens, Curtis L. Munson, Gunther H. Dieckmann
  • Publication number: 20020148756
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with a soluble quaternary ammonium salt containing halogen, sulfate, or bisulfate anion, and an immiscible aqueous phase comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide, and at least one member of the group consisting of phosphomolybdic acid and phosphotungstic acid, in a liquid reaction mixture under conditions suitable for reaction of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: George Ernest Morris, Andrew Richard Lucy, William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff
  • Publication number: 20020144932
    Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels by selective oxidation of feedstocks comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Oxidation feedstock is contacted with an immiscible phase comprising at least one organic peracid or precursors of organic peracid in a liquid phase reaction mixture maintained substantially free of catalytic active metals and/or active metal-containing compounds and under conditions suitable for oxidation of one or more of the sulfur-containing and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Blending components containing less sulfur and/or less nitrogen than the oxidation feedstock are recovered from the reaction mixture. Advantageously, at least a portion of the immiscible acid-containing phase is recycled to the oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: William H. Gong, Monica Cristina Regalbuto, George A. Huff
  • Patent number: 6454934
    Abstract: A petroleum processing method comprising the steps of: performing an atmospheric distillation of crude oil; collectively hydrodesulfurizing the resultant distillates consisting of gas oil and fractions whose boiling point is lower than that of gas oil in a reactor in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst at 310 to 370° C. under 30 to 70 kg/cm2G (first hydrogenation step); and further performing hydrodesulfurization at lower temperatures (second hydrogenation step). When the second hydrogenation step is carried out only for the heavy naphtha obtained by separating the distillates after the first hydrogenation step, the second hydrogenation temperature can be in the range of 250 to 400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Inomata, Toshiya Okumura, Shigeki Nagamatsu
  • Patent number: 6451198
    Abstract: A process for transforming a gas oil cut into a dearomatized fuel with a high cetane number comprises at least one first, deep desulphurization and deep denitrogenation step in which the gas oil cut and hydrogen are passed over a catalyst comprising a mineral support, at least one group VIB metal or metal compound, at least one group VIII metal or metal compound, and phosphorous or at least one phosphorous compound, and at least one subsequent second step, dearomatization, in which the desulphurized and denitrogenated product from the first step is passed with hydrogen over a catalyst comprising a mineral support and at least one group VIII noble metal or noble metal compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Frédéric Morel, Henri Delhomme, Nathalie George-Marchal
  • Patent number: 6447673
    Abstract: A hydrofining process in which a sulfur- and hydrocarbon-containing processing stream is supplied to a multi-stage hydrotreating reactor incorporating separate stages of cobalt molybdenum catalysts. Hydrogen may be supplied concurrently or counter-currently with the hydrocarbon-containing processing stream. The processing stream is passed into contact with an initial catalyst stage comprising a cobalt molybdenum desulfurization catalyst present in a minor amount of the total composite amount of catalysts within the reactor. Thereafter the processing stream is passed through a subsequent catalyst stage comprising a major amount of cobalt molybdenum hydrocracking catalyst. The effluent stream having a reduced sulfur content is then withdrawn from the hydrotreating reactor. The initial and subsequent catalyst stages are separated by an intervening sector within the reactor containing an inert particulate refractory material, specifically silica particles generally spheroidal in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Merry Holli Garrett Cordera, Charles Allen Comeaux, Koenraad Jacques Herrebout, Joe David Hunter
  • Publication number: 20020070147
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for reducing the sulfur content of a hydrocarbon feedstock to a value of less than about 200 ppm, comprising optionally subjecting a catalyst comprising a Group VIB metal component, a Group VIII metal component, and an S-containing organic additive to a sulfidation step and/or activation step, and contacting a feedstock with a 95% boiling point of about 450° C. or less with the optionally sulfided and/or activated catalyst under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to form a product with a sulfur content of less than about 200 ppm, preferably less than about 50 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Maria Sonnemans, Sonja Eijsbouts
  • Publication number: 20020008049
    Abstract: A petroleum processing method comprising the steps of: performing an atmospheric distillation of crude oil; collectively hydrodesulfurizing the resultant distillates consisting of gas oil and fractions whose boiling point is lower than that of gas oil in a reactor in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst at 310 to 370° C. under 30 to 70 kg/cm2G (first hydrogenation step); and further performing hydrodesulfurization at lower temperatures (second hydrogenation step). When the second hydrogenation step is carried out only for the heavy naphtha obtained by separating the distillates after the first hydrogenation step, the second hydrogenation temperature can be in the range of 250 to 400° C. The hydrodesulfurization having been performed for each of gas oil, kerosene, heavy naphtha and light naphtha in the art can be collectively and efficiently carried out, so that the oil refinery plant can be simplified and so that the cost of oil refinery equipment and running cost can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: MAKOTO INOMATA, TOSHIYA OKUMURA, SHIGEKI NAGAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20020005373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and dual reactor system for hydrotreating a wide cut cat naphtha stream comprising heavy cat naphtha (HCN) and intermediate cat naphtha (ICN). Accordingly, a HCN fraction is hydrotreated under non-selective hydrotreating conditions and an ICN fraction is hydrotreated under selective hydrotreating conditions. The hydrotreated HCN and ICN effluents may be conducted to heat exchangers to pre-heat the ICN feed, obviating the need for a furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Brij Gupta, John P. Greeley, Thomas R. Halbert
  • Publication number: 20010054572
    Abstract: Catalyst activation of a platinum reforming catalyst system contained in a multiple reactor system by simultaneously reducing the catalyst with hydrogen while introducing a nonmetallic chlorine-containing compound into a reactor of the multiple reactor system in an amount to provide from about 0.05 to about 0.3 weight percent chlorine on the catalyst and thereafter purging the system with about 100 to about 50,000 cubic feet of hydrogen per cubic foot of catalyst resulting in a reforming system having increased activity and providing enhanced RON values with reduced cracking of feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Fan-Nan Lin
  • Patent number: 6306287
    Abstract: A hydrotreatment process is carried out in at least two steps to hydrotreat a heavy hydrocarbon fraction containing asphaltenes, sulphur-containing impurities and metallic impurities, comprising a first hydrodemetallization step and a subsequent second hydrodesulphurization step, in which the hydrodemetallization step comprises one or more hydrodemetallization zones with fixed beds preceded by at least two hydrodemetallization guard zones (A) and (B), also with fixed beds, disposed in series for cyclic use consisting of successive repetition of steps b) and c) defined below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Alain Billon, Frédéric Morel, Stéphane Kressmann, Sun Dong Kim, Sung Ki Ha, Haen Heor