Chapter 3 - Hydroprocessing of Petroleum

Abstract

As the most advanced hydrogen addition method, hydroprocessing is an essential process for conversion of various petroleum fractions and residues to commercial fuels and other products. Depending on the origin of the feed, wide ranges of operating conditions are employed in commercial hydroprocessing units. To suit processing requirements, a refiner may choose from among reactors employing different types of beds. This chapter describes hydroprocessing of petroleum. The presence of an active catalyst is needed for an efficient hydrogen transfer to reactant molecules. The design of catalytic reactors, particularly their internals, may have a pronounced effect on the operation. A high performance of hydroprocessing units requires an optimal matching of the type of feed with that of catalyst and reactor. This ensures that the rate of catalyst deactivation is kept at a minimum. Most spent catalysts generated during hydroprocessing of the feeds derived from petroleum require special management procedures. One may also include in this category of the feeds synthetic crude obtained from heavy oils and tar sands. Nonpetroleum feeds include those derived from bio crude, oil shale, and coal-derived liquids. Furthermore, the severity of hydroprocessing depends on the properties of the feed and it always increases from light feeds towards heavy feeds.