Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A hydrodesulfurization process is provided for continuously effecting hydrodesulfurization of a liquid sulfur-containing hydrocarbon feedstock which comprises: (a) providing a hydrodesulfurization zone maintained under hydrodesulfurization conditions and comprising a column reactor having a plurality of reaction trays therein mounted one above another, each tray defining a respective reaction stage adapted to hold a predetermined liquid volume and a charge of a sulfided solid hydrodesulfurization catalyst therein, liquid downcomer means associated with each reaction tray adapted to allow liquid to pass down the column reactor from that tray but to retain solid catalyst thereon, and gas upcomer means associated with each reaction tray adapted to allow gas to enter that tray from below and to agitate the mixture of liquid and catalyst on that tray; (b) supplying liquid sulfur-containing hydrocarbon feedstock to the uppermost one of said plurality of reaction trays; (c) supplying hydrogen-containing gas below the lowermost one of said plurality of reaction trays; (d) allowing liquid to pass downward through the column reactor from tray to tray; (e) allowing hydrogen-containing gas to pass upward through the column reactor from tray to tray; (f) recovering from the uppermost one of said plurality of reaction trays and off-gas containing hydrogen sulfide produced by hydrodesulfurization; and (g) recovering from the lowermost one of said plurality of reaction trays a liquid hydrocarbon product of reduced sulfur content.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim