Petroleum Residues Processing

Recovery of catalyst from converted oil. Another way to process the residues is to add hydrogen to effect hydroconversion which avoids the formation of a large quantity of asphalt Solid catalyst is formed afterward by reaction. Membrane filtration is used to separate the converted oil from the catalyst This makes it possible to partially recycle the catalyst to the reactor. Alumina and zirconia membranes with pore diameters ranging from 30 to 600 nm have been tested for this application. The membrane with a pore diameter of 30 nm yields a stable flux and a catalyst retention better than 98% [Deschamps et al., 1989). Concentration polarization is significant and requires a high crossflow velocity and temperature to overcome it. 

Direct deasphalting of petroleum residues. Ultrafiltration zirconia membranes with a pore diameter of 6.3 nm on carbon support have been used to remove asphaltenes from a long residue at a temperature of 150X [Guizard et al., 1994]. With a higher than normal 

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Coke Coke is the solid, cellular, infusible material remaining after the carbonization of coal, pitch, petroleum residues, and certain other carbonaceous materials. The varieties of coke generally are identified by prefixing a word to indicate the source, if other than coal, (e.g., petroleum coke) or the process by which a coke is manufactured (e.g., oven coke). 

Vanadium and nickel are poisons to many catalysts and should be reduced to very low levels. Most of the vanadium and nickel compounds are concentrated in the heavy residues. Solvent extraction processes are used to reduce the concentration of heavy metals in petroleum residues. 

Another approach used to reduce the harmful effects of heavy metals in petroleum residues is metal passivation. In this process an oil-soluble treating agent containing antimony is used that deposits on the catalyst surface in competition with contaminant metals, thus reducing the catalytic activity of these metals in promoting coke and gas formation. Metal passivation is especially important in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes. Additives that improve FCC processes were found to increase catalyst life and improve the yield and quality of products. ... 

A mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons, principally methane, which issues from the earth in certain areas, particularly near petroleum wells. Natural gas was the main source of carbon black until some 50 years ago when it was found more economic to use the gas for heating and produce carbon black from petroleum residues by the more efficient furnace process. 

ARDS A process for upgrading petroleum residues by catalytic hydrogenation. 

Combifining A petroleum refining process which removes asphaltenes, sulfur, and metals from residues, before further treatment. The catalyst is an activated petroleum coke in a fluidized bed, operated under hydrogen pressure at 380 to 420°C. 

FERROSEP A magnetic process for removing iron contaminants from petroleum residues before desulfurization. Developed by Nippon Oil Company and Nippon Petroleum Refining... 

Gulf HDS A process for hydrorefining and hydrocracking petroleum residues in order to make fuels and feeds for catalytic cracking. Developed by the Gulf Research Development Company. See also hydrodesulfurization. 

Gulf Resid A process for desulfurizing petroleum residues, developed by Gulf Oil Corporation. 

HDH (2) [Hydrocracking-distillation-hydrotreatment] A process for hydiotreating and hydroconverting petroleum residues. 

HFC [Hydrocracking with fine catalyst] A Japanese process for hydrotreating and hydroconverting petroleum residues. 

Houdresid A catalytic petroleum cracking process, similar to Houdriflow, adapted to processing residues. 

HYVAHL A hydrotreating process for upgrading petroleum residues. Developed by the Institut Frangais du Petrole. Three units were operating in 1996. See also TERVAHL. 

Katsobashvili A low-pressure, catalytic process for the destructive hydrogenation of petroleum residues. Piloted in the USSR in the 1950s. 

LEDA [Low energy de-asphalting] A process for removing the asphalt fraction from petroleum residues by liquid-liquid extraction in a special rotating disc contactor. The extractant is a C3-C6 aliphatic hydrocarbon or a mixture of such hydrocarbons. Developed in 1955 by Foster Wheeler USA Corporation and still widely used 42 units were operating in 1996. 

MRH (2) A hydrocracking process for difficult petroleum residues, i. e., those containing high levels of metals, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds. It uses catalytic hydrogenation in a slurry bed. Developed by the MW Kellogg Company. 

RCC [Reduced crude oil conversion] A process for converting reduced crude oil (a petroleum fraction), and other petroleum residues, into high-octane gasoline and other lighter fuels. Based on the FCC process, but adapted to accommodate higher levels of metal contaminants which can harm the catalyst. Developed by Ashland Oil Company and UOP and... 

RDS Isomax [Residuum desulphurization] A hydrodesulfurization process for removing sulfur compounds from petroleum residues, while converting the residues to fuel oil. Developed by Chevron Research Company in the early 1970s. Ten units were operating in 1988. See also VGO Isomax, VRDS Isomax. 

RESID-fining [Residuum refining] A hydrodesulfurization process adapted for petroleum residues. Developed by Esso Research Engineering Company and licensed by them... 

ROSE (1) [Residuum Oil Supercritical Extraction] A process for extracting asphaltenes and resins from petroleum residues, using supercritical propane or isobutane as the extractant. Developed by Kerr-McGee Corporation in 1979 and sold to the MW Kellog Company in 1995, at which time 25 units had been licensed. 

SYDEC [Selective yield delayed coking] A process which converts petroleum residues to petroleum coke and lighter hydrocarbons. Developed by Foster Wheeler USA Corporation. 

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