Asphaltene hydrodesulfurization with small catalyst particles in a parallel reactor system

Abstract

The hydrodesulfurization of a crude oil or a reduced crude containing the asphaltene fraction proceeds at unexpectedly low temperatures by utilizing a Group VI and Group VIII metal containing catalyst on alumina when the catalyst particles are very small and have a diameter between about 1/20 and 1/40 inch and are disposed in a parallel catalyst bed system.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for the hydrodesulfurization of a crude oil or a reduced crude oil containing the asphaltene fraction of the crude comprising passing said oil together with hydrogen through a plurality of reactors arranged in parallel, each of said reactors containing a series of compact beds of catalyst particles comprising a Group VI metal and Group VIII metal on alumina, the particles in said compact catalyst beds being between about 1/20 and 1/40 inch in diameter, .[.and.]. the hydrogen partial pressure in said plurality of compact parallel beds being .[˜]. 1,000 to 5,000 pounds per square inch .Iadd.and a throughput of at least 127 volumes of oil per volume of catalyst is continued for at least 10 days. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein the particles in said beds are between about 1/25 and 1/36 inch in diameter. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein the particles in said beds are between about 1/29 and 1/34 inch in diameter. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst comprises nickel-cobalt-molybdenum on alumina. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein the charge oil contains between about 0.002 and 0.03 weight percent of nickel and vanadium. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1 including the step of applying a hydrogen quench to said reactors to control the temperature thereof. 
     
     
       7. A process for the hydrodesulfurization of a crude oil or a reduced crude oil containing the asphaltene fraction of the crude comprising passing said oil together with hydrogen through a plurality of reactors arranged in parallel, each of said reactors containing a series of compact beds of catalyst particles comprising a Group VI metal and Group VIII metal on alumina, the particles in said compact catalyst beds being between about 1/20 and 1/40 inch in diameter, the hydrogen partial pressure in said plurality of compact parallel beds being .[˜]. 1,000 to 5,000 pounds per square inch, .[.and.]. injecting a portion of the hydrogen .Iadd.as a .Iaddend.quench between the catalyst beds in each of said series .Iadd.and a throughput of at least 127 volumes of oil per volume of catalyst is continued for at least 10 days..Iaddend. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 7 wherein the particles in said beds are between about 1/25 and 1/36 inch in diameter. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 7 wherein the particles in said beds are between about 1/29 and 1/34 inch in diameter. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 7 wherein the catalyst comprises nickel-cobalt-molybdenum on alumina. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 7 wherein the charge oil contains between about 0.002 and 0.03 weight percent of nickel and vanadium. 
     
     
       12. The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen partial pressure is 1,000 to 3,000 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
       13. The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen partial pressure is 1,500 to 2,500 pounds per square inch. .[.14. The process of claim 1 wherein throughput is continued for at least 10 days and 127 volumes of oil per 
     
     
        volume of catalyst..]. 15. The process of claim 7 wherein the hydrogen 
     
     
        partial pressure is 1,000 to 3,000 pounds per square inch. 16. The process of claim 7 wherein the hydrogen partial pressure is 1,500 to 2,500 pounds per square inch. .[.17. The process of claim 7 wherein throughput is continued for at least 10 days and 127 volumes of oil per volume of 
     
     
        catalyst..]. .Iadd.18.  Claim 1 wherein a throughput of at least 1,293 volumes of oil per volume of catalyst is continued for at least 97.6 days. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. Claim 7 wherein a throughput of at least 1,293 volumes of oil per volume of catalyst is continued for at least 97.6 days. .Iaddend.