Abstract: Methods and systems for the conversion of hydrocarbon feedstocks, in particular, naphtha feedstocks, into a hydrocarbon product stream containing a high yield of high-octane gasoline and chemicals products. In particular, the conversion takes place over a series of functionally distinctive catalyst beds, at least one of which includes a modified zeolitic catalyst comprising a zeolite, a transition metal, and optionally a binder. Systems provided include a hydrocarbon feed stream, which may be full-range naphtha, a hydrocarbon product stream, and a plurality of functionally distinctive catalyst beds arranged in series, wherein at least one of the catalyst beds comprises a modified zeolitic catalyst.

Abstract: Increased paraxylene production through the use of a split feed reforming process, wherein hydrotreated naphtha is split into light, middle and heavy fractions. Each fraction is reformed separately to generate streams containing aromatic compounds. These streams can further be processed and can undergo dealkylation, transalkylation, disproportionation, isomerization, and separation steps to maximize paraxylene production. In addition, some streams are recycled or recombined in order to maximize paraxylene production.

Abstract: Methods for making higher-octane fuel components from a feed stream of C8+ paraffins, including catalytically cracking the C8+ paraffins using a Zeolite catalyst to produce a reaction product of mid-chain paraffins and olefins and short-chain paraffins and olefins. The reaction product comprises liquid phase paraffins having an increased Octane Value over the feed stream paraffins. The reaction product further comprises a gas phase of short-chain paraffins which are separated from the liquid phase. In embodiments, the short chain olefins are hydrogenated to form mid-chain paraffins and a gas phase containing short-chain paraffins.

Abstract: A process for producing benzene comprising the steps of: (a) separating a source feedstream comprising C5-C12 hydrocarbons including benzene and alkylbenzenes into a first feedstream comprising a higher proportion of benzene than the source feedstream and a second feedstream comprising a lower proportion of benzene than the source feedstream and subsequently, (b) contacting the first feedstream in the presence of hydrogen with a first hydrocracking catalyst, and (c) contacting the second feedstream with hydrogen under second process conditions to produce a second product stream comprising benzene, wherein i) the second process conditions are suitable for hydrocracking and step (c) involves contacting the second feedstream in the presence of hydrogen with a second hydrocracking catalyst, ii) the second process conditions are suitable for toluene disproportionation and involve contacting the second feedstream with a toluene disproportionation catalyst or iii) the second process conditions are suitable for

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons such as ethyl benzene or cumene from a mixed hydrocarbon feedstream comprising subjecting C6 cut separated from said mixed hydrocarbon feedstream to hydrocracking to provide benzene and subjecting said benzene to alkylation.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for the energy efficient separation of the effluent from a TOL/A9+ transalkylation reactor. The apparatus includes a reboiled prefractionation column and a sidedraw tower that produces: 1) an overhead stream including unreacted toluene, 2) a stream including unreacted C9+ aromatics, a portion of which stream may be recycled to the reactor; and 3) a sidedraw stream including C8 aromatics that may be directed to a crystallization or selective adsorption paraxylene separation unit for recovery o a paraxylene product.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrotreating step (A) containing a hydroisomerization step (A1) that obtains a hydroisomerized oil (a1) by bringing a FT synthesis oil into contact with a hydroisomerization catalyst and/or a hydrocracking step (A2) that obtains a hydrocracked oil (a2) by bringing it into contact with a hydrocracking catalyst, and a fractionation step (B) that transfers at least a portion of the hydrotreated oil (a) composed of the hydroisomerized oil (a1) and/or the hydrocracked oil (a2) to a fractionator and, at the very least, obtains a middle distillate (b1) with a 5% distillation point of 130 to 170° C. and a 95% distillation point of 240 to 300° C., and a heavy oil (b2) that is heavier than the middle distillate (b1).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing olefins from petroleum saturated hydrocarbons. The process of the present invention comprises: contacting a preheated petroleum saturated hydrocarbons feedstock with a dehydrogenation catalyst in a dehydrogenation reaction zone of a reaction system to obtain a petroleum hydrocarbon stream containing unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, in which the dehydrogenation reaction has a conversion rate of at least 20%; and contacting the obtained petroleum hydrocarbon stream containing the unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds with olefins cracking catalyst in an olefin cracking zone of the reaction system to obtain a product stream containing olefins with a reduced number of carbon atoms.

Abstract: An apparatus for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The apparatus involves changing the design of reformers and associated equipment to allow for increasing the processing temperatures in the reformers and heaters. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize advantages in the equilibriums, but require modifications to prevent increasing thermal cracking and to prevent increases in coking.

Abstract: A process to separate a multi-component hydrocarbon stream which includes ethylene and other components with at least some of the components being present in a number of phases, is provided. The process includes in a first flash stage, flashing the multi-component hydrocarbon stream, from an elevated pressure and temperature to a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a), producing a first ethylene-containing vapor stream at a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a) and a multi-phase stream which includes some ethylene. In a second flash stage, the multi-phase stream is flashed to a pressure of less than 6 bar(a), producing a second vapor stream at a pressure of less than 6 bar(a) and a bottoms stream. The first ethylene-containing vapor stream is removed from the first flash stage, the second vapor stream is removed from the second flash stage and the bottoms stream is removed from the second flash stage.

Abstract: A process for converting Fischer-Tropsch liquids and waxes into lubricant base stock and/or transportation fuels is disclosed. The process includes the steps of feeding a Fischer-Tropsch wax to a first isomerization unit to produce an isomerized Fischer-Tropsch wax product; combining a Fischer-Tropsch liquid with the isomerized Fischer-Tropsch wax product to create a mixture of the Fischer-Tropsch liquid and the Fischer-Tropsch wax product; and feeding the mixture to a fractionation column to separate the mixture into a lubricant base stock fraction and at least one transportation fuel fraction.

Abstract: The process relates to the use of any naphtha-range stream containing a portion of C8+ aromatics combined with benzene, toluene, and other non-aromatics in the same boiling range to produce toluene. By feeding the A8+ containing stream to a dealkylation/transalkylation/cracking reactor to increase the concentration of toluene in the stream, a more suitable feedstock for the methylation reaction can be produced. This stream can be obtained from a variety of sources, including the pygas stream from a steam cracker, “cat naphtha” from a fluid catalytic cracker, or the heavier portion of reformate.

Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.

Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.

Abstract: In a hydrocarbon upgrading process, a hydrocarbon feed is treated in at least one of a steam cracker, catalytic cracker, coker, hydrocracker, and reformer under suitable conditions to produce a first stream comprising olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons. A second stream composed mainly of C4 to C12+ olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons is recovered from the first stream and blended said second stream with a residual fraction from a steam cracker or an atmospheric or vacuum distillation unit to produce a third stream. The third stream is then catalytically pyrolyzed in a reactor under conditions effective to produce a fourth stream having an increased benzene and/or toluene content compared with said second stream and a C3-olefin by-product. The C3-olefin by-product is recovered and benzene and/or toluene are recovered from the fourth stream.

Abstract: Multiple grades of lube oil base feedstock are produced within a two-stage hydrocracking unit. Effluent from a first hydrocracking zone is sent to a separation zone, which includes multiple separation vessels, and a heavy liquid stream enters one cell of a dual cell fractionator charge heater and is flashed in the distillation zone of a divided wall fractionation column. A portion of the bottom stream from one side of the divided wall column is sent to the second hydrocracking zone. Feed to a second cell of the dual cell fractionation column is derived from the effluent of this second hydrocracking zone. A different lube oil base feedstocks is derived from each of the cells of the dual cell fractionation column.

Abstract: Conversion of renewable hydrocarbons to transportation fuels is required to reduce carbon emission, limit the use of fossil fuels, and develop renewable energy sources. Sorbitol, xylitol and trehelose are polyalcohols generated from the liquefaction of various sugars and carbohydrates in biomass from algae, corn, sugarcane, switchgrasses, and biological wastes. Mixtures of aqueous polyols and fuel feedstocks are catalyzed over metal catalysts to produce hexanes, pentanes, and lighter hydrocarbons. By managing the catalyst, reaction conditions and sulfur content, the octane value of the product fuel is dramatically increased.

Abstract: A hydrocracking process that includes a wax fraction hydrocracking step of hydrocracking the wax fraction contained within a Fischer-Tropsch synthetic oil to obtain a hydrocracked product, a gas-liquid separation step of using a multi-stage gas-liquid separator to separate the hydrocracked product into a gas component, a heavy oil component and a light oil component, a specific component content estimation step of determining the flow rate ratio between the heavy oil component and the light oil component, and using this flow rate ratio to determine an estimated value for the content of a specific hydrocarbon component contained within the hydrocracked product, and a control step of controlling the operation of the wax fraction hydrocracking step on the basis of this estimated value, so that the content of the specific hydrocarbon component falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention concerns integration of hydroprocessing and steam cracking. A feed comprising crude or resid-containing fraction thereof is severely hydrotreated and passed to a steam cracker to obtain an olefins product.

Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.

Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.

Abstract: A hydrocracking process that includes a wax fraction hydrocracking step of hydrocracking the wax fraction contained within a Fischer-Tropsch synthetic oil to obtain a hydrocracked product, a gas-liquid separation step of using a multi-stage gas-liquid separator to separate the hydrocracked product into a gas component, a heavy oil component and a light oil component, a specific component content estimation step of determining the flow rate ratio between the heavy oil component and the light oil component, and using this flow rate ratio to determine an estimated value for the content of a specific hydrocarbon component contained within the hydrocracked product, and a control step of controlling the operation of the wax fraction hydrocracking step on the basis of this estimated value, so that the content of the specific hydrocarbon component falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A process for making a lubricating base oil having a viscosity index of at least 110, comprising the steps of: combining a waxy light neutral base oil and a wax derived from pyrolyzing a plastics feed comprising polyethylene to form a blend; hydroisomerization dewaxing the blend; and recovering the lubricating base oil from an effluent from the hydroisomerization dewaxing step.

Abstract: Process for the production of high-quality kerosene and diesel fuels and for the coproduction of hydrogen from a so-called light naphtha cut to which any quantity of LPG cut can be added where the steps of the process include: separating normal and iso-paraffins, dehydrogenation of the paraffins, oligomerization of the olefins and hydrogenation of the oligomerized olefins, the process permitting the production of kerosene and diesel fuels meeting market specifications, or even improved relative to the latter.

Abstract: The invention provides for a process for dewaxing a waxy hydrocarbon feedstock to form a lubricant oil. The invention is also directed to a catalyst system comprising a hydrotreating catalyst upstream of a dewaxing catalyst, used in the dewaxing of a waxy hydrocarbon feedstock to form a lubricant oil. In particular, the invention is directed to a process and catalyst system designed to maintain yield of lubricant oil product. Specifically, the yield of lubricant oil does not decrease more than 2%, at a target pour point, over a dewaxing temperature range. The hydrotreating catalyst helps prevent aging of the dewaxing catalyst and maintains lubricant oil product yield at a target pour point over a wide temperature range. The hydrotreating catalyst comprises platinum, palladium, or combinations thereof on a low acidity inorganic oxide support where acidity is measured by a decalin conversion of less than 10% at 700° F.

Abstract: The invention provides a low aromatic producing process for catalytical conversion of Fisher-Tropsch derived olefins to distillates (COD), which process includes the step of contacting Fisher-Tropsch derived olefins with a zeolite type catalyst at pressures of more than 50 barg.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one of the temperatures at which a petroleum product will manifest delayed haze and the temperature at which haze will not exist in the product is provided. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a sample of the product, a light source, light detector, heaters and coolers combined with microprocessor means for storing and analyzing at least one of light transmitted or scattered by the sample. Measurements are useful in determining the haze properties of the product and also for controlling a dehazing process to meet target haze properties.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for fluid catalytic cracking. The process may include providing a torch oil to a stripping section of a first reaction zone, which in turn can communicate at least a partially spent catalyst to a regeneration zone for providing additional heat duty to the regeneration zone.

Abstract: Provided is A method of manufacturing diesel fuel, including: fractionating in a first fractionator a synthetic oil obtained by Fisher-Tropsch synthesis into at least two fractions of a middle fraction, and a wax fraction containing a wax component heavier than the middle fraction; hydroisomerizing the middle fraction by bringing the middle fraction into contact with a hydroisomerizing catalyst to produce a hydroisomerized middle fraction; hydrocracking the wax fraction by bringing the wax fraction into contact with a hydrocracking catalyst to produce a wax decomposition compound; fractionating in a second fractionator a mixture of the hydroisomerized middle fraction and the hydrocracked wax fraction into at least two fractions including a kerosene fraction and a gas oil fraction; and mixing the at least two fractions at a predetermined blend ratio to produce a diesel fuel having a kinematic viscosity at 30° C. of 2.5 mm2/s or more and a pour point of ?7.5° C. or less.

Abstract: For shortening the starting time of an autothermal reformer, the autothermal reformer is started by a method comprising: a first preheating step of heating a reforming catalyst up to a predetermined temperature with use of heating means, the heating means being positioned upstream of the reforming catalyst to heat the reforming catalyst; a second preheating step of stopping the heating after arrival at the predetermined temperature, feeding vaporized fuel and air to the reforming catalyst at the predetermined temperature, allowing the fuel to be oxidized by the reforming catalyst and thereby heating the reforming catalyst; and a starting step of also supplying steam to the reforming catalyst heated by the second preheating step and starting autothermal reforming under the condition for a steady state.

Abstract: A heat exchange reactor for carrying out endothermic or exothermic reactions comprising: a housing defining an external reactor wall (1), a plurality of heat transfer tubes (2) arranged within said housing for the supply or removal of heat in catalyst beds (3, 3?) disposed at least outside (3) said heat transfer tubes (2), and built-in elements (4) disposed in the outer periphery of said catalyst bed (3).

Abstract: An integrated process for producing lubricant base oils from feedstocks under sour conditions is provided. The ability to process feedstocks under higher sulfur 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, or a high pressure separation can be used to partially eliminate contaminants.

Abstract: The process as described herein produces a moderately aromatic isoparaffinic base oil from a distillate range product. This process comprises: (a) providing a distillate range paraffin feed comprising paraffins and cycloparaffins; (b) mildly reforming the distillate range paraffin feed to convert at least a portion of the cycloparaffins to alkylaromatics and provide a mildly reformed distillate range stream; (c) treating a stream comprising the mildly reformed distillate range stream in a molecular redistribution reactor to provide a distributed stream; (d) dewaxing at least a portion of the distributed stream to provide a dewaxed stream; (e) combining at least a portion of the dewaxed stream with the stream to be processed in the molecular redistribution reactor to provide the distributed stream; and (f) isolating a moderately aromatic isoparaffinic base oil from the dewaxed stream.

Abstract: Process to prepare a haze free base oil having a cloud point of below 0° C. and a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of greater than 10 cSt by performing the following steps: (a) hydroisomerisation of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product, (b) isolating one or more fuel products and a distillation residue, (c) reducing the wax content of the residue by contacting the feed with a hydroisomerization catalyst under hydroisomerization conditions, and (d) solvent dewaxing the product of step (c) to obtain the haze free base oil.

Abstract: Low-energy, low-capital hydrogen production is disclosed. A reforming exchanger 14 is placed in parallel with an autothermal reformer (ATR) 10 to which are supplied a preheated steam-hydrocarbon mixture. An air-steam mixture is supplied to the burner/mixer of the ATR 10 to obtain a syngas effluent at 650°-1050° C. The effluent from the ATR is used to heat the reforming exchanger, and combined reformer effluent is shift converted and separated into a mixed gas stream and a hydrogen-rich product stream. High capital cost equipment such as steam-methane reformer and air separation plant are not required.

Abstract: Bismuth- and phosphorus-containing naphtha reforming catalysts, methods of making such catalysts, and a naphtha reforming process using such catalysts.

Abstract: The overall efficiency of a regenerative bed reverse flow reactor system is increased where the location of the exothermic reaction used for regeneration is suitably controlled. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the combustion to improve the thermal efficiency of bed regeneration in a cyclic reaction/regeneration processes. The process for thermal regeneration of a regenerative reactor bed entails (a) supplying the first reactant through a first channel means in a first regenerative bed and supplying at least a second reactant through a second channel means in the first regenerative bed, (b) combining said first and second reactants by a gas mixing means situated at an exit of the first regenerative bed and reacting the combined gas to produce a heated reaction product, (c) passing the heated reaction product through a second regenerative bed thereby transferring heat from the reaction product to the second regenerative bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to process for producing middle distillates having good cold flow properties, such as the Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) measured in accordance with the IP method 309, and a high Cetane number, as well as to a process for production of such distillates. More particularly, this invention relates to a process in which middle distillates are produced from a mainly paraffinic synthetic crude which is produced by the reaction of CO and H2, typically by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. The middle distillates produced by the process of the invention are predominantly isoparaffinic, the isoparaffins being methyl, ethyl and/or propyl branched.

Abstract: For producing very high quality base stock and for simultaneously producing high quality middle distillates, successive hydroisomerisation and catalytic dewaxmg steps are employed wherein the hydroisomerisation is carried out in the presence of a catalyst containing at least one noble metal deposited on an amorphous acidic support, the dispersion of the metal being 20%-100%. The support is preferably an amorphous silica-alumina. Catalytic dewaxing is carried out in the presence of a catalyst containing at least one hydrodehydrogenating element (group VIII) and at least one molecular sieve selected from ZBM-30, EU-2 and EU-11.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock containing waxy components and having an end boiling point exceeding 650° F., which includes contacting the feedstock at superatmospheric hydrogen partial pressure with an isomerization dewaxing catalyst that includes ZSM-48 and contacting the feedstock with a hydrocracking catalyst to produce an upgraded product with a reduced wax content. Each catalyst is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the cloud point and the pour point of the feedstock at a conversion of greater than about 10%, and an overall distillate yield of greater than about 10% results from the process.

Abstract: For producing basic oils and in particular very high quality oils, i.e. oils possessing a high viscosity index (VI), a low aromatics content, good UV stability and a low pour point, from oil cuts having an initial boiling point higher than 340° C., possibly with simultaneous production of middle distillates (in particular gasoils and kerosene) of very high quality, i.e. having a low aromatics content and a low pour point, the invention provides a flexible procedure for producing oils and middle distillates from a charge containing heteroatoms, i.e. containing more than 200 ppm by weight of nitrogen, and more than 500 ppm by weight of sulphur. The procedure comprises at least one hydrorefining stage, at least one stage of catalytic dewaxing on zeolite, and at least one hydrofinishing stage.

Abstract: Low-energy, low-capital hydrogen production is disclosed. A reforming exchanger 14 is placed in parallel with an autothermal reformer (ATR) 10 to which are supplied a preheated steam-hydrocarbon mixture. An air-steam mixture is supplied to the burner/mixer of the ATR 10 to obtain a syngas effluent at 650°-1050° C. The effluent from the ATR is used to heat the reforming exchanger, and combined reformer effluent is shift converted and separated into a mixed gas stream and a hydrogen-rich product stream. High capital cost equipment such as steam-methane reformer and air separation plant are not required.

Abstract: A reforming and isomerization process has been developed. A reforming feedstream is charged to a reforming zone containing a reforming catalyst and operating at reforming conditions to generate a reforming zone effluent. Hydrogen and an isomerization feedstream is charged into an isomerization zone to contact an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to increase the branching of the hydrocarbons. The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst comprising a support comprising a sulfated oxide or hydroxide of at least an element of Group IVB, a first component being at least one lanthanide series element, mixtures thereof, or yttrium, and a second component being a platinum group metal or mixtures thereof. The reforming zone effluent is combined with the isomerization zone effluent to form a combined effluent stream and separated into a product stream enriched in C5 and heavier hydrocarbons and an overhead stream enriched in C4 and lighter boiling compounds.

Abstract: A process for producing a lubricating oil basestock having at least 90 wt. % saturates and a VI of at least 105 by selectively hydroconverting a raffinate from a solvent extraction zone in a two step hydroconversion zone followed by a hydrofinishing zone, and a lubricating oil basestock produced by said process.

Abstract: The invention provides distillate fuel blend components with improved seal swell and lubricity properties obtained from Fischer Tropsch products. The blends contain a highly paraffinic distillate fuel component and distillate-boiling alkylcycloparaffins and/or distillate-boiling alkylaromatics. The invention further provides processes for obtaining such blends using the products of Fischer Tropsch processes. Finally, the invention provides methods for improving seal swell and lubricity properties for distillate fuels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for converting hydrocarbons using at least one globally endothermic chemical reaction, in which a hydrocarbon feed successively traverses at least two reaction zones each containing at least one solid catalyst and comprising between said reaction zones an intermediate step, in a non catalytic zone, for reheating the stream (ST) from the first of the two reaction zones prior to its introduction into said second reaction zone, and in which said reheating is carried out in a heat exchanger, with heat transfer essentially by convection using a thermal fluid TF with a coking sensitivity index CS that is less than that of the stream ST, the difference in temperature ?T between the temperature of the fluid TF at the inlet to the exchanger and the temperature of the stream ST at the heat exchanger outlet being less than 250° C. The invention also concerns the use of said process for converting hydrocarbons and a unit for carrying out the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for improving the octane number of a synthetic naphtha stream and optionally for producing olefins and/or solvents. In one embodiment, the method comprises aromatizing at least a portion of a synthetic naphtha stream to produce an aromatized hydrocarbon stream; and isomerizing at least a portion of the aromatized hydrocarbon stream to produce an isomerized aromatized hydrocarbon stream having a higher octane rating than the synthetic naphtha stream. Alternatively, the method comprises providing at least three synthetic naphtha cuts comprising a C4-C5 stream; a C6-C8 stream and a C9-C11 stream; aromatizing some of the C6-C8 stream to form an aromatized hydrocarbon stream with a higher octane number; steam cracking some of the C6-C8 stream and optionally the C9-C11 stream to form olefins; and selling some portions of C9-C11 stream as solvents. In preferred embodiments, the synthetic naphtha is derived from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of xylenes from reformate. The process is carried out by methylating the benzene, toluene, or both present in the reformate to produce a resulting product having a higher xylenes content than the reformate. Greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene can be produced by the process.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant is provided with a reformer (18) producing a reformate gas and a carbon monoxide removal device (1) removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas as a result of catalytic reactions. When the carbon monoxide removal device (1) is operating at a low temperature, a heat exchanger (10) supplies gaseous heat transmitting medium to a heat exchange portion (5) of the carbon monoxide removal device (1) and warms the catalyst using heat exchange operations with the catalyst in the carbon monoxide removal device (1). The pressure regulation valve (12) regulates the pressure of the gaseous heat transmitting medium and maintains the temperature of the catalyst between the catalyst activation temperature and the predetermined upper limiting temperature of the catalyst in order to employ latent heat resulting from the heat of condensation of the steam for heating the catalyst.

Abstract: A product of reduced sulfur content is produced from an olefin-containing hydrocarbon feedstock which includes sulfur-containing impurities. The feedstock is contacted with an olefin-modification catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions which are effective to produce an intermediate product which has a reduced amount of olefinic unsaturation relative to that of the feedstock as measured by bromine number. The intermediate product is then contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under conditions which are effective to convert at least a portion of its sulfur-containing impurities to hydrogen sulfide.