Predicting petroleum coke morphology from feedstock properties

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a method includes desulfurizing a hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of a desulfurization catalyst. A hydrocarbon product is recovered. The color of the hydrocarbon product is improved and the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon product is reduced by flash distilling the product.

1 . A method for processing a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising:
 desulfurizing a hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of a desulfurization catalyst;   recovering a hydrocarbon product; and   improving the color of the hydrocarbon product and reducing the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon product by flash distilling the hydrocarbon product.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising hydrocracking the hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrocracking catalyst. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the feedstock comprises hydrocarbons with a boiling point above the diesel boiling range. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon product comprises diesel. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon product comprises greater than or equal to 75 percent by weight diesel. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the color of the hydrocarbon product is improved to a color of less than or equal to 2.5 as determined by ASTM standards. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the color of the hydrocarbon product is improved to a color of less than or equal to 1.5 as determined by ASTM standards. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein flash distilling the hydrocarbon product reduces the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon product. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon product is reduced by less than or equal to 40 percent by weight of the total hydrocarbon product. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon product is reduced by greater than or equal to 40 percent by weight of the total hydrocarbon product 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein flash distilling the hydrocarbon product generates an overhead hydrocarbon stream comprising 99 percent by weight diesel. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein hydrocracking the hydrocarbon feedstock occurs prior to desulfurizing the hydrocarbon feedstock. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein desulfurizing the hydrocarbon feedstock occurs prior to hydrocracking the hydrocarbon feedstock. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein desulfurizing the hydrocarbon feedstock occurs concurrently to hydrocracking the hydrocarbon feedstock. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the hydrocracking catalyst and the desulfurization catalyst are the same. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the hydrocracking catalyst and the desulfurization catalyst are dissimilar. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the desulfurization catalyst is a nickel molybdenum catalyst.