Simultaneous HDS and Hydrocracking of Heavy Oil

An atmospheric residue from a heavy crude oil of 13°API was used as feedstock for hydrotreating experiments. The main properties of the residue feed are 5.4°API, 

74 wt% sulfur, 722 ppm Ni + V, and 21.77 wt% insolubles in nC-i. The feed passes through two catalytic bed pilot-scale reactors in series packed with Ni-Mo supported in alumina hydrotreatment catalyst, whose main properties are 1/18 nominal size, 205mVg specific surface area, 0.825 cc/g pore volume, 160.8 A average pore diameter, 1.12 wt% Ni, and 4.36 wt% Mo. The test was conducted at total LHSV of 0.2h , reaction temperature of 382°C, total pressure of 9.6MPa, and hydrogen-to-oil ratio of 5800 SCF H2/bbl oil. 

The feed and products were characterized in order to determine the total sulfur content and distillation curve. Sulfur content in the feedstock and products was determined with HORIBA equipment (SLFA-2100) by using the standard ASTM D-4294 method. The variation coefficient of the analysis with this instrument is 0.006%. 

Distillation curve was carried out by the TBP method. During distillation it was possible to recover different fractions, which were further analyzed by sulfur content, so that apart from the distillation curve, the sulfur curve was also obtained. 

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