Mobil Oil Corporation

Billy K Huh

Tsoung Y Yan

Nai Y Chen

Thomas F Degnan

Cynthia T-w Chu

Chaya R Venkat

Gary J Green

Anil B Ketkar

Thomas E Degnan

Aliphatic C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbons are converted in the presence of a particular zeolite catalyst to a mixture of aromatics, optionally containing olefins.

Process for converting light aliphatics to aromatics

A catalytic cracking process operates with a getter additive present where hot catalyst meets heavy metals laden crude. The getter additive is a material which is selective for metals, and has a particle size/density such that the getter additive remains in the FCC unit for no more than 24 hours, and preferably is removed within one hour or less. Addition of 1-5 weight percent alumina having an average particle size of 10-40 microns will remove much of the metal content from the feed, and the metals laden additive will itself be rapidly removed from the FCC unit preventing migration of metal or degradation of the cracking operation due to the presence of metal. Preferably the additive is fine particles which are mixed with the hydrocarbon feed to the unit.

Catalytic cracking of heavy oils

A catalytic cracking process for converting heavy, metals laden feed to lighter products is disclosed. The catalyst regenerator is operated under relatively reducing conditions, to produce a flue gas containing at least 1 mole % carbon monoxide. An additive, preferably alumina, is added to the circulating catalyst inventory to selectively sorb metal contaminants in the feed. The reducing conditions in the catalyst regenerator minimize formation of highly oxidized forms of vanadium, permitting higher vanadium levels to be tolerated on the cracking catalyst. The additive material has a greater affinity for vanadium than the cracking catalyst, and absorbs a disproportionate amount of metals in the feed. Preferably a soft, friable, alumina additive is used which results in the production of alumina fines rich in vanadium, which are discharged from the unit with catalyst fines. The process works especially well in fluidized catalytic cracking processes, with removal of vanadium laden alumina fines from the FCC regenerator with the regenerator flue gas.

Catalytic cracking process with partial CO combustion

An FCC or fluidized catalytic cracking process and apparatus for converting heavy metals laden crudes is disclosed. The heavy feed, conventional catalyst and an additive or vanadium getter contact the feed in a riser reactor. The additive is segregated from conventional FCC catalyst upstream of the conventional FCC regenerator. An elutriating, upflow riser reactor may be used with a coarse, rapidly settling getter. A fine, slowly settling getter may be used, with getter segregation achieved by using an elutriating cyclone on the riser outlet, an elutriating catalyst stripper, a sieve, or the like. The spent getter may be used once through, regenerated in a separate getter regenerator, or used as a source of fuel. Alumina and sponge coke are preferred getters.

Apparatus for FCC process with catalyst separation

A catalytic cracking catalyst and process which tolerates high levels of vanadium and coke precursors in the feed is disclosed. A zeolite in an alumina free binder or coating, preferably silica, is used as the cracking catalyst. RE-USY in silica is especially preferred as it has a low affinity for vanadium, low coking characteristics and high stability. Preferably a vanadium getter additive is present as separate particles to act as a vanadium sink. The catalyst and process may be used in fluidized bed catalytic cracking (FCC) or in moving bed catalytic cracking units. A method of making a coated catalyst, by adding a layer of an alumina free material to a core of alumina containing cracking catalyst is also disclosed.

Metals tolerant catalytic cracking catalyst, method of manufacture and

A process for removing catalyst fines from slurry oil is disclosed. A settling reagent, such as coal, alumina, or coke, is added to a fines containing heavy oil bottoms product from a fractionator downstream of a catalytic cracking unit. The settling reagent promotes rapid settling and removal of fines from heavy oil product. Settling may be performed in a slurry settler, or a centrifuge. A catalytic cracking process for heavy, metals laden oil is also disclosed using a settling reagent to clarify slurry oil, then recycling settled settling reagent to contact the heavy oil in the catalytic cracking process.

Clarification of slurry oil

FCC process with catalyst separation

A method for improving the cetane number of an aromatic hydrocarbon oil such as FCC light cycle oil and thereby increase its value as a blending stock for diesel fuel or heating oil. In one embodiment, the FCC light cycle oil is alkylated in the presence of a solid acidic catalyst and with a linear mono-olefin having a chain length of at least five carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the light cycle oil is alkylated with an olefin having three to nine carbon atoms or a mixture thereof and with ZSM-20 as catalyst to decrease the frequency of catalyst regeneration.

Distillate fuel quality of FCC cycle oils

Combustible carbonaceous particles such as particles of sponge coke or coal are incorporated with the circulating inventory of cracking catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The carbonaceous particles selectively sorb metal contaminants in the feed, thereby extending catalyst life, and they also serve to reduce NO.sub.x emissions in certain instances. The sorbed metals values may be recovered as the carbonaceous particles are burned.

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Lawrenceville, NJ, United States of America

Billy K Huh