GB548525A - An improved process for the catalytic treatment of hydrocarbon oils - Google Patents

Abstract

548,525. Hydrocarbons. STANDARD OIL DEVELOPMENT CO. Feb. 14,1941, No. 2010. Convention date, Dec. 30, 1939. Drawings to Specification. [Class 2 (iii)] In the known catalytic heat treatment in the presence of free hydrogen of hydrocarbons substantially boiling within the gasoline range, in which there is no net consumption of hydrogen or in which hydrogen is liberated, the process is conducted so that recompression of the gases containing hydrogen which are recycled is reduced to a minimum by (a) heating the hydrocarbon oil and gas rich in hydrogen separately before introduction into the reaction zone and (b) passing the products into a fractionator without fall in pressure and without indirect cooling. The following catalytic processes are specified : dehydrogenation, aromatization, cyclization, alkylation and isomerization. Preferably the products leaving the reaction zone are quenched or partly cooled by direct heat exchange with a cooling medium of higher boiling point than the products, e.g. a gas oil, which may circulate through the lower part of the fractionator. Pressures of 50 to 750 pounds per square inch are employed. In an example, the treatment of a heavy naphtha with a gas rich in hydrogen is described, using activated alumina impregnated with molybdenum oxide as catalyst. Two pairs of reaction vessels are advantageous, one pair being used for the reforming process while the catalyst in the other is rejuvenated.