Method of removing contaminant from hydrocarbonaceous fluid

Abstract

A method of removing a catalyst-poisoning contaminant, such as arsenic or selenium, from a hydrocarbonaceous fluid, such as a synthetic crude, characterized by a multi-step process as follows. First, at least two guard beds are prepared from a plurality of particles of material that is either iron, cobalt, nickel, oxides, or sulfides of these metals or mixtures thereof. Next, the synthetic crude oil is admixed with hydrogen at a superatmospheric pressure of at least 500 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) and flowed past the particles serially through the guard beds, contacting the particles in the first bed at a temperature in the range of from about 300.degree. to about 550.degree.F and contacting the particles in the second and subsequent guard beds at a temperature greater than said first bed and greater than 550.degree. and up to about 850.degree.F. Some reduction in the concentration of the contaminant is effected in the first, low temperature guard bed. A generalized distribution of the contaminant over a major part of the low temperature guard bed is effected, instead of a high concentration in the first part of the bed to be contacted. Surprisingly, the low temperature bed effects a more general deposition of the contaminant on the second, high temperature bed, and prevents flow-blocking concentration in the first part of the high temperature guard bed. Also disclosed are specific process details, including a preferred type of material.