By
Edward Furimsky, Research Scientific, IMAF Group, Canada
Description
The book provides the most up-to-date information on testing and development of hydroprocessing catalysts with the aim to improve performance
of the conventional and modified catalysts as well as to develop novel catalytic formulations. Besides diverse chemical composition,
special attention is devoted to pore size and pore volume distribution of the catalysts. Properties of the catalysts are discussed in
terms of their suitability for upgrading heavy feeds. For this purpose atmospheric residue was chosen as the base for defining other
heavy feeds which comprise vacuum gas oil, deasphalted oil and vacuum residues in addition to topped heavy crude and bitumen. Attention
is paid to deactivation with the aim to extent catalyst life during the operation. Into consideration is taken the loss of activity
due to fouling, metal deposition, coke formed as the result of chemical reaction and poisoning by nitrogen bases. Mathematical models
were reviewed focussing on those which can simulate performance of the commercial operations. Configurations of hydroprocessing reactors
were compared in terms of their capability to upgrade various heavy feeds providing that a suitable catalyst was selected. Strategies
for regeneration, utilization and disposal of spent hydroprocesing catalysts were evaluated. Potential of the non-conventional hydroprocessing
involving soluble/dispersed catalysts and biocatalysts in comparison with conventional methods were assessed to identify issues which
prevent commercial utilization of the former. A separate chapter is devoted to catalytic dewaxing because the structure of dewaxing catalysts
is rather different than that of hydroprocessing catalysts, i.e., the objective of catalytic dewaxing is different than that of the conventional
hydroprocessing, The relevant information in the scientific literature is complemented with the Patent literature covering the development
of catalysts and novel reactor configurations.
Separate chapter was added to distinguish upgrading capabilities of the residues
catalytic cracking processes from those employing hydroprocessing. Upper limits on the content of carbon residue and metals in the feeds
which can still be upgraded by the former processes differ markedly from those in the feeds which can be upgraded by hydroprocessing.
It is necessary that the costs of modifications of catalytic cracking processes to accommodate heavier feeds are compared with that of
hydroprocessing methods.
Objective of the short chapter on upgrading by carbon rejecting processes was to identify limits of contaminants
in heavy feeds beyond which catalytic upgrading via hydroprocessing becomes uneconomical because of the costs of catalyst inventory and
that of reactors and equipment.
Included in series
Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis
Audience:
Researchers in petroleum research institutes and petroleum refining industries, graduate students and consultants in the petroleum industry.
