Integrated hydrotreating and steam pyrolysis processes for the direct processing of a crude oil to produce olefinic and aromatic petrochemicals.

An integrated hydrotreating and steam pyrolysis process for the direct processing of a crude oil to produce olefinic and aromatic petrochemicals by separating the crude oil into light components and heavy components.

The present technology provides a process that includes heating a first mixture of elemental sulfur and particles comprising an alkali metal sulfide in a liquid hydrocarbon to a temperature of at least 150 C., to provide a sulfur-treated mixture comprising agglomerated particles; and separating the agglomerated particles from the sulfur-treated mixture to provide a desulfurized liquid hydrocarbon and separated solids. This process may be used as part of a suite of processes for desulfurizing liquid hydrocarbons contaminated with organosulfur compounds and other heteroatom-based contaminants. The present technology further provides processes for converting carbon-rich solids (e.g., petroleum coke) into fuels.

The present technology provides a process that includes heating a first mixture of elemental sulfur and particles comprising an alkali metal sulfide in a liquid hydrocarbon to a temperature of at least 150 C., to provide a sulfur-treated mixture comprising agglomerated particles; and separating the agglomerated particles from the sulfur-treated mixture to provide a desulfurized liquid hydrocarbon and separated solids. This process may be used as part of a suite of processes for desulfurizing liquid hydrocarbons contaminated with organosulfur compounds and other heteroatom-based contaminants. The present technology further provides processes for converting carbon-rich solids (e.g., petroleum coke) into fuels.

The methods described herein provide an efficient way to remove and isolate short chain fatty acids from hydrocarbons that are produced upon the heating of a fatty acid resource. The short chain fatty acids can be continuously isolated and fed into the pyrolysis reactor, which in turn increases the overall efficiency of the production of the hydrocarbons. Alternatively, the short chain fatty acids can be isolated and used in other applications.

The methods described herein provide an efficient way to remove and isolate short chain fatty acids from hydrocarbons that are produced upon the heating of a fatty acid resource. The short chain fatty acids can be continuously isolated and fed into the pyrolysis reactor, which in turn increases the overall efficiency of the production of the hydrocarbons. Alternatively, the short chain fatty acids can be isolated and used in other applications.

A process and apparatus for oxidizing thiol compounds from an alkaline stream. The process includes passing a thiol rich alkaline stream and an oxygen containing gas to a low pressure oxidizing zone to oxidize at least a portion of the thiol compounds to disulfide compounds. A liquid stream comprising the alkali containing the disulfide compounds is passed through a pump to increase the pressure and form a pressurized alkaline stream. The pressurized alkaline stream and a sulfur lean liquid light hydrocarbon stream are introduced to a high pressure disulfide separation vessel to form a sulfur lean alkaline stream and a sulfur rich liquid light hydrocarbon stream.

Steam pyrolysis and hydroprocessing are integrated including hydrogen redistribution to permit direct processing of crude oil feedstocks to produce petrochemicals including olefins and aromatics. A feed is initially split into a light portion and a heavy portion, and the heavy portion is hydroprocessed. A hydroprocessed effluent is charged, along with steam, to a convection section of a steam pyrolysis zone. The mixture is heated and passed to a vapor-liquid separation section. A residual portion is removed and light components are charged to a pyrolysis section of the steam pyrolysis zone. A mixed product stream is recovered from the steam pyrolysis zone and it is separated into product including olefins and aromatics.

Steam pyrolysis and hydroprocessing are integrated including hydrogen redistribution to permit direct processing of crude oil feedstocks to produce petrochemicals including olefins and aromatics. A feed is initially split into a light portion and a heavy portion, and the heavy portion is hydroprocessed. A hydroprocessed effluent is charged, along with steam, to a convection section of a steam pyrolysis zone. The mixture is heated and passed to a vapor-liquid separation section. A residual portion is removed and light components are charged to a pyrolysis section of the steam pyrolysis zone. A mixed product stream is recovered from the steam pyrolysis zone and it is separated into product including olefins and aromatics.

Disclosed are methods and systems for removing a highly reactive polymer precursor such as carbonyls from a liquid hydrocarbon stream. Embodiments may disclose a method for removal of carbonyls from a liquid hydrocarbon stream comprising the steps of providing a liquid hydrocarbon stream containing carbonyls, providing a liquid bisulfite stream comprising an alkali metal bisulfite, and contacting the liquid hydrocarbon stream and the liquid bisulfite stream in a mass transfer device wherein at least a portion of the carbonyl reacts with the alkali metal bisulfite to form a solid adduct that is soluble in the bisulfite solution.