GB966915A - Process for contacting a hydrocarbon liquid with a gas comprising hydrogen - Google Patents

Abstract

Hydrocarbon liquids, especially petroleum distillates containing at least 0.5% by weight of sulphur, are treated with a gas comprising hydrogen, e.g. to effect desulphurization, and are passed upwardly therewith through an expanded bed of solid particles maintained in random motion within a continuous liquid phase, liquid and gas being withdrawn therefrom free from the solid particles. As shown, gas and feedstock are passed by 1 to heater 3 and thence to reactor 5 which contains an "ebullated" mass of a hydrogenation catalyst, e.g. nickel molybdate, or (preferably) cobalt molybdate on alumina, the rate of flow being such that the bed is expanded to 10-50% more than its settled volume. In general, the particle size of the bed is 0.01-0.25 inch and the catalyst has a bulk density of 25-50 lb./ft.3. The reaction conditions are 550-850 DEG F., 500-3000 p.s.i.g., a liquid hourly space velocity of 2-40 vols./vol. of expanded bed and a liquid flow rate of 10-70 gallons/min. per sq. foot of bed area. The reaction mixture passes through screen 9 which retains particles of catalyst and then enters separator 12; liquid leaves by 14 <PICT:0966915/C4-C5/1> and vapour, from which hydrogen may be recovered for reuse, by 13. Part of the liquid may be recycled with the feed by line 16. When the feed is a distillate of boiling range 400-900 DEG F., the hydrogen is used at a pressure of 500-1500 p.s.i.g. and in amounts of at least 700 S.C.F./bbl. oil. For distillates at least 20% of which boil above 650 DEG F., the pressure used is 1000-1200 p.s.i.g. and the liquid hourly space velocity 2-20 vols./vol. For heavy oils boiling above 650 DEG F. not less than 6 vols. of treated oil are recycled per vol. of fresh oil charged and before recycling, the treated oil is stripped of hydrocarbons boiling below 650 DEG F., hydrogen being used in an amount of 125-200 S.C.F./bbl.