Hydroconversion process for petroleum resids by hydroconversion over carbon supported metal catalyst followed by selective membrane separation

US7931798B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Martin L. Gorbaty · Westfield, US
• David T. Ferrughelli · Flemington, US
• Edward W. Corcoran, Jr. · Easton, US
• Stephen M. Cundy · Lebanon, US
• Andrew Kaldor · Hackettstown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 2008
• Grant date: Apr 26, 2011
• Expiry date: Aug 12, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C10G2300/107
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A heavy residual petroleum feed boiling above 650° F.+ (345° C.+) is subjected to hydroconversion at elevated temperature in the presence of hydrogen at a hydrogen pressure not normally higher than 500 psig (3500 kPag) using a dispersed metal-on-carbon catalyst to produce a hydroconverted effluent which is fractionated to form a low boiling fraction and a relatively higher boiling fraction which is subjected to membrane separation to produce a permeate which is low in metals and Microcarbon Residue (MCR) as well as a retentate, containing most of the MCR and metals. The process has the advantage that the hydroconversion may be carried out in low pressure equipment with a low hydrogen consumption as saturation of aromatics is reduced.