Hydrocracking In All Stages Patents (Class 208/59)
  • Patent number: 8329028
    Abstract: Systems and processes for hydrocarbon conversion are provided that utilize a plurality of moving bed reactors. The reactors may be moving bed radial flow reactors. Optional mixers that mix a portion of a second hydrocarbon feed with the effluent stream from an upstream reactor, to produce reactor feed streams may be employed, and the reactor feed streams may be introduced at injection points prior to each reactor. Catalyst can be provided from the reaction zone of one reactor to the reaction zone of a downstream reactor through catalyst transfer pipes, and can be regenerated after passing through the reaction zones of the reactors. The moving bed reactors can be stacked in one or more reactor stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Clayton C. Sadler, Mary Jo Wier, Laurence O. Stine, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Publication number: 20120305447
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a vapor comprising a first hydrocarbon-containing product. The vapor comprising the first hydrocarbon-containing product is separated from the mixture, and, apart from the mixture, the first hydrocarbon-containing product is contacted with hydrogen and a catalyst containing a Column 6 metal to produce a second hydrocarbon-containing product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Michael Anthony Reynolds, Scott Lee Wellington, Frederik Arnold Buhrman
  • Patent number: 8323476
    Abstract: Systems and processes for the hydroprocessing of a hydrocarbonaceous feed are provided that utilize a plurality of moving bed reactors. The reactors may be moving bed radial flow reactors. A hydrogen injection point can be provided prior to each reactor by providing a mixer that mixes hydrogen with a hydrocarbonaceous feed, or with the effluent stream from an upstream reactor, to produce a reactor feed stream. Catalyst can be provided from the reaction zone of one reactor to the reaction zone of a downstream reactor through catalyst transfer pipes, and can be regenerated after passing through the reaction zones of the reactors. The moving bed reactors can be stacked in one or more reactor stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Clayton C. Sadler, Mary Jo Wier, Laurence O. Stine, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 8309041
    Abstract: Systems for hydrocracking a heavy oil feedstock employ a colloidally or molecularly dispersed catalyst (e.g., molybdenum sulfide) which provide for concentration of the colloidally dispersed catalyst within the lower quality materials requiring additional hydrocracking. In addition to increased catalyst concentration, the inventive systems and methods provide increased reactor throughput, increased reaction rate, and of course higher conversion of asphaltenes and lower quality materials. Increased conversion levels of asphaltenes and lower quality materials also reduces equipment fouling, enables the reactor to process a wider range of lower quality feedstocks, and can lead to more efficient use of a supported catalyst if used in combination with the colloidal or molecular catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Headwaters Heavy Oil, LLC
    Inventors: Roger K. Lott, Yu-Hwa Chang
  • Patent number: 8303802
    Abstract: An ebullated bed hydroprocessing system, and also a method for upgrading an existing ebullated bed hydroprocessing system, involves introducing a colloidal or molecular catalyst, or a catalyst precursor capable of forming the colloidal or molecular catalyst, into an ebullated bed reactor. The colloidal or molecular catalyst is formed by intimately mixing a catalyst precursor into a heavy oil feedstock and raising the temperature of the feedstock to above the decomposition temperature of the catalyst precursor to form the colloidal or molecular catalyst in situ. The improved ebullated bed hydroprocessing system includes at least one ebullated bed reactor that employs both a porous supported catalyst and the colloidal or molecular catalyst to catalyze hydroprocessing reactions involving the feedstock and hydrogen. The colloidal or molecular catalyst provides catalyst in what would otherwise constitute catalyst free zones within the ebullated bed hydroprocessing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Headwaters Heavy Oil, LLC
    Inventors: Roger K. Lott, Lap-Keung Lee
  • Patent number: 8303805
    Abstract: The production process of the invention comprises a first step of hydrodesulfurizing of catalytically-cracked gasoline so as to result in an olefin hydrogenation rate of no greater than 25 mol % in the catalytically-cracked gasoline, a total sulfur content of no greater than 20 ppm by weight based on the product oil weight, a sulfur content derived from thiophenes and benzothiophenes of no greater than 5 ppm by weight and a sulfur content derived from thiacyclopentanes of no greater than 0.1 ppm by weight, and a second step of further hydrodesulfurizing of the product oil obtained by the first step so as to result in a total of no greater than 30 mol % for the olefin hydrogenation rate in the first step and the olefin hydrogenation rate in the second step, a total sulfur content of no greater than 10 ppm by weight based on the product oil weight, and a sulfur content derived from thiols of no greater than 5 ppm by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeto Hatanaka, Koji Shimada, Hideshi Iki
  • Publication number: 20120273391
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for hydroprocessing hydrocarbons with uneven catalyst volume distribution among two or more catalyst beds. The process operates as a liquid-full process, wherein all of the hydrogen dissolves in the liquid phase. Hydrocarbons can be converted in the process to provide a liquid product including clean fuels with multiple desired properties such as low density and high cetane number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: HASAN DINDI, Brian Paul Lamb, Luis Eduardo Murillo, Brian Boeger, Jeffrey D. Caton
  • Publication number: 20120273390
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for hydroprocessing hydrocarbons in liquid full reactors with one or more independent liquid recycle streams. The process operates as a liquid-full process, wherein all of the hydrogen dissolves in the liquid phase and one or more of the recycle streams may actually be zero. Hydrocarbons can be converted in the process to provide liquid products such as clean fuels with multiple desired properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: HASAN DINDI, Luis Eduardo Murillo
  • Publication number: 20120255885
    Abstract: Methods for processing a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock flows are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing two or more hydroprocessing stages disposed in sequence, each hydroprocessing stage having a hydroprocessing reaction zone with a hydrogen requirement and each stage in fluid communication with the preceding stage. The hydrocarbonaceous feedstock flow may be separated into portions of fresh feed for each hydroprocessing stage, and the first portion of fresh feed to the first hydroprocessing stage is heated. The heated first portion of fresh feed may be supplied with hydrogen from the hydrogen source in an amount satisfying substantially all of the hydrogen requirements of the hydroprocessing stages to a first hydroprocessing zone. The unheated second portion of fresh feed is injected counter current to the process flow as quench at one or more locations in one or more of the reaction zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Robert L. Bunting, Nicholas W. Bridge
  • Publication number: 20120248008
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process involving hydrocracking and dewaxing of a feedstream in which a converted fraction can correspond to a majority of the product from the reaction system, while an unconverted fraction can exhibit improved properties. In this hydrocracking process, it can be advantageous for the yield of unconverted fraction for gasoline fuel application to be controlled to maintain desirable cold flow properties for the unconverted fraction. Catalysts and conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable product yields and/or properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Dougherty, William J. Novak, Stuart S. Shih, Stephen J. McCarthy, Michel Daage
  • Publication number: 20120241357
    Abstract: Processes for upgrading resid hydrocarbon feeds are disclosed. The upgrading processes may include: hydrocracking a resid in a first reaction stage to form a first stage effluent; hydrocracking a deasphalted oil fraction in a second reaction stage to form a second stage effluent; fractionating the first stage effluent and the second stage effluent to recover at least one distillate hydrocarbon fraction and a resid hydrocarbon fraction; feeding the resid hydrocarbon fraction to a solvent deasphalting unit to provide an asphaltene fraction and the deasphalted oil fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Mario C. Baldassari, Ujjal K. Mukherjee, Avinash Gupta
  • Patent number: 8252169
    Abstract: This invention utilizes a novel method and set of operating conditions to efficiently and economically process a potentially very fouling hydrocarbon feedstock. A multi-stage catalytic process for the upgrading of coal pyrolysis oils is developed. Coal Pyrolysis Oils are highly aromatic, olefinic, unstable, contain objectionable sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen contaminants, and may contain coal solids which will plug fixed-bed reactors. The pyrolysis oil is fed with hydrogen to a multi-stage ebullated-bed hydrotreater and hydrocracker containing a hydrogenation or hydrocracking catalyst to first stabilize the feed at low temperature and is then fed to downstream reactor(s) at higher temperatures to further treat and hydrocrack the pyrolysis oils to a more valuable syncrude or to finished distillate products. The relatively high heat of reaction is used to provide the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the subsequent stage thus eliminating the need for additional external heat input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: James B. MacArthur, James J. Colyar, John E. Duddy
  • Patent number: 8236169
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. At least an additive material selected from inhibitor additives, anti-foam agents, stabilizers, metal scavengers, metal contaminant removers, metal passivators, and sacrificial materials, in an amount of less than 1 wt. % of the heavy oil feedstock, is added to at least one of the contacting zones. In one embodiment, the additive material is an anti-foam agent. In another embodiment, the additive material is a sacrificial material for trapping heavy metals in the heavy oil feed and/or deposited coke, thus prolonging the life of the slurry catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc
    Inventors: Joseph V Nguyen, Axel Brait, Julie Chabot, Bo Kou, Erin Maris, Rahul S. Bhaduri, Alexander E. Kuperman
  • Patent number: 8231776
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a petroleum distillate product is provided, the method includes subjecting an untreated light Fischer-Tropsch liquid to a two-step hydrogenation process, each step to be carried in the presence of a catalyst comprising an amorphous substrate having a metallic composition embedded therein. After the first step of hydrogenation, an intermediate hydrotreated light Fischer-Tropsch liquid is obtained, followed by the second step of hydrogenation thereof, obtaining the petroleum distillate product as a result. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Peter Kokayeff
  • Publication number: 20120145593
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a metal-containing non-acidic catalyst at a temperature of 375° C. to 500° C. to produce a vapor comprising a first hydrocarbon-containing product. The vapor comprising the first hydrocarbon-containing product is separated from the mixture, and, apart from the mixture, the first hydrocarbon-containing product is contacted with hydrogen and a catalyst containing a Column 6 metal at a temperature of 260° C.-425° C. to produce a second hydrocarbon-containing product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec MILAM, Michael Anthony REYNOLDS, Scott Lee WELLINGTON, Frederik Arnold BUHRMAN
  • Patent number: 8158841
    Abstract: To provide a method for hydrotreating a synthetic hydrocarbon oil, which removes olefins and oxygen-containing compounds by hydrotreatment with the gasification rate restrained and can efficiently convert the synthetic hydrocarbon oil generated by the FT process to a liquid fuel suitable as a fuel for diesel-powered vehicles. A hydrotreating method is disclosed in which a synthetic hydrocarbon oil generated by FT synthesis is hydrotreated using a catalyst in which a definite catalytic metal is allowed to be carried on a support, under definite reaction conditions, with the gasification rate restrained to a definite value or less, thereby removing the olefins and the oxygen-containing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd., Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel Engineering Corporation, Inpex Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hara, Toshio Shimizu, Yutaka Miyata
  • Publication number: 20120074038
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in a continuous liquid phase utilizes a hydroprocessing catalyst comprising pills that have a largest dimension that averages no more than 1.27 mm ( 1/20 inch) and more than 100 nm to produce a hydrocarbonaceous product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: John A. Petri, Peter Kokayeff, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 8110091
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of heavy petroleum feedstocks in order to produce a gas oil fraction having a sulphur content of less than 50 ppm and generally 10 ppm which comprises the following stages: e) mild hydrocracking in a catalyst fixed bed, f) separation of the hydrogen sulphide, of a distillate cut including a gas oil fraction and of a fraction which is heavier than the gas oil, g) hydrotreating, by contact with at least one catalyst, of at least a portion of the distillate cut obtained in stage b) including the gas oil fraction, as a mixture with a feedstock resulting from a crude or refined renewable source, h) separation of a gas oil cut comprising less than 50 ppm of sulphur. Advantageously, the heavy fraction is sent for catalytic cracking. Preferably, the process is carried out with makeup hydrogen introduced in stage c) and very advantageously all the makeup hydrogen for the process is introduced in stage c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Thierry Chapus, Karin Marchand
  • Patent number: 8092672
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for catalytic hydroconversion processing of less volatile carbonaceous material to volatile liquid products is disclosed. The process is carried out in a plug-flow reactor system using nanosize metallic catalyst particles dispersed in the reactant slurry with compressed hydrogen/hydrogen-sulfide at a temperature between about 275° C. and 525° C. at a pressure of between about 800 psi and 6000 psi and a residence time in the reactors between about 1 minute and 4 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Energy Catalysis Incorporated
    Inventors: Partha S. Ganguli, Alfred G. Comolli
  • Publication number: 20120004478
    Abstract: A divided wall column can allow for fractionation of multiple streams while maintaining separate product qualities. Effluents from multiple stages of a reaction system can be processed in a single divided wall column. The divided wall column can produce multiple cuts from each separated area, as well as at least one output from a common area. At least one reaction stage can advantageously have a continuous liquid phase environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Umansky, Richard C. Dougherty, Michael A. Hayes, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110315596
    Abstract: An integrated process for producing naphtha fuel, diesel fuel and/or lubricant base oils from feedstocks under sour conditions is provided. The ability to process feedstocks under higher sulfur and/or nitrogen conditions allows for reduced cost processing and increases the flexibility in selecting a suitable feedstock. The sour feed can be delivered to a catalytic dewaxing step without any separation of sulfur and nitrogen contaminants. The integrated process includes an initial dewaxing of a feed under sour conditions, optional hydrocracking of the dewaxed feed, and a separation to form a first diesel product and a bottoms fraction. The bottoms fraction is then exposed to additional hydrocracking and dewaxing to form a second diesel product and optionally a lubricant base oil product. Alternatively, a feedstock can be hydrotreated, fractionated, dewaxed, and then hydrocracked to form a diesel fuel and a dewaxed, hydrocracked bottoms fraction that is optionally suitable for use as a lubricant base oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Krista Marie Prentice, Michel Daage, Ajit Bhaskar Dandekar, Christopher Gordon Oliveri, Rohit Vijay, Stephen J. McCarthy, Wenyih F. Lai, Bradley R. Fingland
  • Patent number: 8034232
    Abstract: Methods and systems for hydrocracking a heavy oil feedstock using, a colloidally or molecularly dispersed catalyst (e.g., molybdenum sulfide) which provide for concentration of the colloidally dispersed catalyst within the lower quality materials requiring additional hydrocracking. In addition to increased catalyst concentration, the inventive systems and methods provide increased reactor throughput, increased reaction rate, and of course higher conversion of asphaltenes and lower quality materials. Increased conversion levels of asphaltenes and lower quality materials also reduces equipment fouling, enables the reactor to process a wider range of lower quality feedstocks, and can lead to more efficient use of a supported catalyst if used in combination with the colloidal or molecular catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Roger K. Lott, Yu-Hwa Chang
  • Publication number: 20110240518
    Abstract: A process for the hydrodesulfurization of gasoline is disclosed, the process including: feeding (1) a cracked naphtha containing mercaptans and other organic sulfur compounds and (2) hydrogen to a first hydrodesulfurization reactor containing one or more beds of a hydrodesulfurization catalyst; contacting sulfur compounds comprising the other organic sulfur compounds in the cracked naphtha with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrodesulfurization catalyst to convert a portion of the other organic sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide; withdrawing from the hydrodesulfurization reactor an effluent comprising hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulfide. The effluent from the hydrodesulfurization reactor is fed to a membrane separation system containing a membrane for partitioning the hydrocarbons from the hydrogen sulfide. For example, the membrane may be selective to hydrogen sulfide, to separate a permeate fraction comprising hydrogen sulfide from a residue fraction comprising the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Gary G. Podrebarac, Raymond Chafin
  • Publication number: 20110220546
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock is hydrocracked in a hydrocracking zone and the effluent is fractioned to recover a light fraction, a middle fraction containing aromatic compounds and a heavy fraction. The heavy fraction is recycled to the hydrocracking zone for further hydrocracking. The middle fraction is introduced to an aromatic separation zone. A product stream is recovered from the aromatic separation zone comprising a middle fraction having a reduced content of aromatic compounds as compared to the middle fraction recovered from the fractionator. Aromatics from the aromatic separation zone are recycled to the hydrocracking zone for further hydrogenation and cracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: OMER REFA KOSEOGLU, ADNAN AL-HAJJI, ALI MAHMOOD AL-SOMALI, HENDRIK MULLER, MOHAMMED ABDULLAH AL-GHAMDI
  • Publication number: 20110210045
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process employs a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. In one embodiment, water and/or steam being injected into at least a contacting zone. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing at least a slurry catalyst. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from at least one of the separation zones is recycled back to at least a contacting zone (“recycled mode”). In one embodiment, the number of separation zones is less than the number of contacting zones in the system. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally treated in an in-line hydrotreater; and the bottom stream is optionally further treated in a fractionator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: c/o Chevron Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Kou, Shuwu Yang, Bruce Reynolds, Julie Chabot
  • Patent number: 8002970
    Abstract: The present invention concerns doped catalysts on a mixed zeolite/alumino-silicate support with a low macropore content, and hydrocracking/hydroconversion and hydrotreatment processes employing them. The catalyst comprises at least one hydrodehydrogenating element selected from the group formed by elements from group VIB and group VIII of the periodic table and a doping element in a controlled quantity selected from phosphorus, boron and silicon, and a support based on zeolite Y defined by a lattice parameter a of the unit cell in the range 24.40×10?10 m to 24.15×10?10 m and silica-alumina containing a quantity of more than 5% by weight and 95% by weight or less of silica (SiO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Patrick Euzen, Patrick Bourges, Christophe Gueret, Carole Bobin, Alexandra Chaumonnot, Hugues Dulot
  • Publication number: 20110192765
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising at least one IZM-2 zeolite, at least one amorphous matrix, at least one hydro-dehydrogenating element selected from the group formed by the elements from group VIB and from group VIII of the periodic table and excluding platinum and palladium. The catalyst also optionally contains a controlled quantity of at least one doping element selected from phosphorus, boron and silicon, optionally at least one element from group VB of the periodic table of the elements, and optionally a group VIIA element. The invention also relates to hydrocracking and hydrotreatment processes implementing this catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Emmanuelle Guillon, Laurent Simon
  • Publication number: 20110147264
    Abstract: Systems and processes for the hydroprocessing of a hydrocarbonaceous feed are provided that utilize a plurality of moving bed reactors. The reactors may be moving bed radial flow reactors. A hydrogen injection point can be provided prior to each reactor by providing a mixer that mixes hydrogen with a hydrocarbonaceous feed, or with the effluent stream from an upstream reactor, to produce a reactor feed stream. Catalyst can be provided from the reaction zone of one reactor to the reaction zone of a downstream reactor through catalyst transfer pipes, and can be regenerated after passing through the reaction zones of the reactors. The moving bed reactors can be stacked in one or more reactor stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Clayton C. Sadler, Mary Jo Wier, Laurence O. Stine, Christopher Naunheimer
  • Patent number: 7943036
    Abstract: A flexible once-through process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process employs a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Darush Farshid, Bruce Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7938954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock with reduced heavy oil deposits, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones zone under hydrocracking conditions to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater. At least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from at least one of the separation zones is recycled back to the first contacting zone in the system, in an amount ranging between 3 to 50 wt. % of the heavy oil feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Bo Kou, Vivion Andrew Brennan, Erin Maris, Shuwu Yang, Bruce Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7938953
    Abstract: An improved process for heavy oil conversion and upgrading and a combined method for heavy oil conversion and vacuum gas-oil treatment are described herein. The method utilizes the creation and recycle of a separate product from the vacuum still, which is thereafter recycled back to the heavy oil conversion reactor. The result is the production of a higher quality medium gas oil product relative to the overall vacuum gas oil product which is acceptable for use in a typical vacuum gas oil treatment process. Additionally, there is a higher diesel yield selectivity from the heavy oil conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Institute Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: James J. Colyar, John Duddy
  • Publication number: 20110100873
    Abstract: An improved process for hydrocracking heavy petroleum feedstocks wherein hydrogen-containing streams associated with a hydrocracker are subjected to rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption having a cycle time of less than 30 S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: John W. Viets, Narasimhan Sundaram, Bal K. Kaul, David L. Stern
  • Patent number: 7935243
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock with reduced heavy oil deposits, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones zone under hydrocracking conditions to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products, wherein the first contacting zone is operated at a temperature of at least 10° F. lower than a next contacting zone. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and, optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater. At least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from at least one of the separation zones is recycled back to the first contacting zone in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Bo Kou, Vivion Andrew Brennan, Erin Maris, Shuwu Yang
  • Patent number: 7931796
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones with at least some of the fresh slurry catalyst being supplied to at least a contacting zone other than the first contacting zone. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing the slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater. A least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from the separation zones is recycled back to the first contacting zone in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Kaidong Chen, Bruce Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7931797
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. In the once-through upgrade system, little if any of the unconverted material and slurry catalyst mixture is recycled back to the system for further upgrading. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. The slurry catalyst feed comprises an active metal catalyst having an average particle size of at least 1 micron in a hydrocarbon oil diluent, at a concentration of greater than 500 wppm of active metal catalyst to heavy oil feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Shuwu Yang, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20110079541
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydrocracking an oil feedstock to produce a light oil stream without build-up of heavy polynuclear aromatic (HPNA) hydrocarbons in the recycle stream is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) hydrocracking the oil feedstock with a hydrotreating catalyst in a first reactor to produce an effluent stream; (2) fractionating the effluent stream into first, second and third product streams, wherein the first product stream includes C1-C4, naphtha and diesel boiling in the range of 36-370° C., the second product stream includes hydrocarbon components with an initial nominal boiling point of 370° C. and a final boiling point ranging from 420-480° C., and the third product stream that includes HPNA hydrocarbons and other hydrocarbons boiling above about 420° C. to about 480° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Omer Refa KOSEOGLU
  • Publication number: 20110073522
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a catalyst comprising at least one amorphous material comprising silicon with a hierarchical and organized porosity and at least one hydrodehydrogenating element selected from the group formed by elements from group VIB and/or group VIII of the periodic table of the elements. Said amorphous material comprising silicon with a hierarchical and organized porosity is constituted by at least two spherical elementary particles, each of said spherical particles comprising a matrix based on oxide of silicon, which is mesostructured, with a mesopore diameter in the range 1.5 to 30 nm and having amorphous and microporous walls with a thickness in the range 1.5 to 50 nm, said elementary spherical particles having a maximum diameter of 200 microns. The invention also concerns hydrocracking/hydroconversion and hydrotreatment processes employing said catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Audrey Bonduelle, Alexandra Chaumonnot
  • Patent number: 7906013
    Abstract: A process is provided to produce an ultra low sulfur diesel with less than about 10 ppm sulfur using a two-phase or liquid-phase continuous reaction zone to convert a diesel boiling range distillate preferably obtained from a mild hydrocracking unit. In one aspect, the diesel boiling range distillate is introduced once-through to the liquid-phase continuous reaction zone over-saturated with hydrogen in an amount effective so that the liquid phase remains substantially saturated with hydrogen throughout the reaction zone as the reactions proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Peter Kokayeff, Laura E. Leonard, Michael R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110049010
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock are disclosed. The system employs a plurality of contacting zones and at least one separation zone, wherein a solvating hydrocarbon having a normal boiling point less than 538° C. (1000° F.) is employed. In the system, a mixture of heavy oil feedstock and solvating hydrocarbon is provided to a contact zone along with a slurry catalyst feed in a hydrocarbon diluent. The contacting zone operates at a temperature and pressure near the critical temperature and pressure of the heavy oil and solvating hydrocarbon mixture to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tayseer A. Abdel-Halim, Axel Brait
  • Patent number: 7897035
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones with at least some of the heavy oil feedstock being supplied to at least a contacting zone other than the first contacting zone. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock, forming upgraded products of lower boiling boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater. At least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from at least one of the separation zones is recycled back to the first contacting zone in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Julie Chabot
  • Patent number: 7897036
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock with reduced heavy oil deposits, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones zone under hydrocracking conditions to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products, wherein water and/or steam being injected into first contacting zone in an amount of 1 to 25 weight % on the weight of the heavy oil feedstock. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater. At least a portion of the non-volatile fractions recovered from at least one of the separation zones is recycled back to the first contacting zone in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Bo Kou, Vivion Andrew Brennan, Erin Maris, Shuwu Yang
  • Publication number: 20110017637
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones in sequential mode, parallel mode, or combinations thereof to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. In one embodiment, the effluent stream from the contacting zone is sent to a separation zone in series operating at a pressure drop of at most 100 psi from the contacting zone. In another embodiment, the effluent from a contacting zone to the next contacting zone in series for further upgrade, with the next contacting zone having a pressure drop of at most 100 psi, with the pressure drop is not due to a pressure reducing device as in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce Reynolds, Julie Chabot
  • Publication number: 20110017635
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. In the once-through upgrade system, little if any of the unconverted material and slurry catalyst mixture is recycled back to the system for further upgrading. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. The slurry catalyst feed comprises an active metal catalyst having an average particle size of at least 1 micron in a hydrocarbon oil diluent, at a concentration of greater than 500 wppm of active metal catalyst to heavy oil feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Julie Chabot, Shuwu Yang, Bruce Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20110017636
    Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. At least an additive material selected from inhibitor additives, anti-foam agents, stabilizers, metal scavengers, metal contaminant removers, metal passivators, and sacrificial materials, in an amount of less than 1 wt. % of the heavy oil feedstock, is added to at least one of the contacting zones. In one embodiment, the additive material is an anti-foam agent. In another embodiment, the additive material is a sacrificial material for trapping heavy metals in the heavy oil feed and/or deposited coke, thus prolonging the life of the slurry catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph V. Nguyen, Bo Kou, Julie Chabot, Erin Maris, Axel Brait, Rahul S. Bhaduri, Alexander E. Kuperman
  • Publication number: 20100326884
    Abstract: Methods for processing a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock flows are provided. In one aspect, the method includes providing two or more hydroprocessing stages disposed in sequence, each hydroprocessing stage having a hydroprocessing reaction zone with a hydrogen requirement and each stage in fluid communication with the preceding stage. A hydrogen source is provided substantially free of hydrogen from a hydrogen recycle compressor. The hydrocarbonaceous feedstock flow is separated into an portions of fresh feed for each hydroprocessing stage, and the first portion of fresh feed to the first hydroprocessing stage is heated. The heated first portion of fresh feed is supplied with hydrogen from the hydrogen source in an amount satisfying substantially all of the hydrogen requirements of the hydroprocessing stages to a first hydroprocessing zone. The unheated second portion of fresh feed is admixed with effluent from previous stage to quench the hot reactor effluent before entering a second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: John A. Petri, Vedula K. Murty, Peter Kokayeff
  • Patent number: 7851663
    Abstract: A method for producing petroleum jelly from hydrocarbons. The method converts the hydrocarbon source into a synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is converted into at least a light-hydrocarbons stream and a heavy-hydrocarbons stream, which both include a plurality of paraffins and a plurality of olefins. The plurality of paraffins is reacted with the plurality of olefins in the presence of a dialkyl peroxide initiator to form the petroleum jelly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Ramin Abhari
  • Publication number: 20100298598
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of preparing a crystalline molecular sieve comprising: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element Y, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, water, optionally at least one seed crystal, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element X, the reaction mixture having the following molar composition: Y:X2=2 to infinity, preferably from about 2 to about 1000, OH?:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.1 to 1, M+:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Wenyih Frank Lai, Robert Ellis Kay
  • Publication number: 20100243520
    Abstract: A method and assembly for utilizing open-cell cellular solid material in a component separation unit to separate one or more process streams into component process streams having desired compositions. A method and assembly for using said open-cell cellular solid material to separate process streams into desired component process streams in a component separation unit, wherein the open-cell cellular solid material can include oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, ceramics, metals, polymers, and chemical vapor deposition materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: John N. Glover, Peter G. Ham, Krishna K. Rao, Stephen J. McGovern
  • Publication number: 20100243519
    Abstract: A method and assembly for utilizing open-cell cellular solid material in a component separation unit to separate one or more process streams into component process streams having desired compositions. A method and assembly for using said open-cell cellular solid material to separate process streams into desired component process streams in a component separation unit, wherein the open-cell cellular solid material can include oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, ceramics, metals, polymers, and chemical vapor deposition materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: John N. Glover, Peter G. Ham, Krishna K. Rao, Stephen J. McGovern
  • Patent number: 7803265
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting distillate to gasoline-range hydrocarbons using a two-stage catalyst system including a first catalyst containing platinum, palladium, or platinum and palladium, and an acidic support, and a second catalyst containing iridium and an inorganic oxide support, and optionally nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Tushar V. Choudhary, Paul F. Meier, Edward L. Sughrue, II, Walter E. Alvarez