The present invention discloses a microchannel mixer, comprising a microchannel component and a shell, wherein the microchannel component is fixed inside the shell, wherein an inlet is provided at one end of the shell for feeding liquid and gas phase materials, and an outlet is provided at the other end for discharging the mixed material; said microchannel component comprises multiple stacked sheets and several layers of oleophilic and/or hydrophilic fiber filaments filled in the crevices between adjacent sheets, wherein the fiber filaments form several microchannels between them, and the fiber filaments are clamped and fixed by the sheets. The present invention also discloses a heavy oil hydrogenation reaction system comprising the above-mentioned microchannel mixer and a heavy oil hydrogenation process.

The present invention relates to a multiple-bed downflow reactor comprising vertically spaced beds of solid contact material and a mixing device positioned in an inter bed space between adjacent beds. The mixing device comprises a loop of first nozzles distributed around a vertical axis and arranged for ejecting a fluid in a first ejection direction into said inter bed space, on the one hand, and a loop of second nozzles distributed around the vertical axis and arranged for ejecting a fluid in a second ejection direction into said inter bed space, on the other hand. The first ejection direction is directed inwardly with respect to the loop of first nozzles. The second ejection direction is directed outwardly with respect to the loop of second nozzles.

The invention relates to a method for optimizing layered catalytic processes. This is accomplished by testing various catalysts with a compound found in a feedstock to be tested, to determine the facility of the catalyst in hydrogenating, hydrosulfurizing, or hydrodenitrogenating the molecule, and hence the feedstock. In a preferred embodiment, the Double Bond Equivalence of the feedstock and molecule are determined, and catalysts are pre-selected based upon their known ability to work with materials of this DBE value. In preferred embodiments, the layered catalysts include a demetallization catalyst, used before hydrocracking. In additional preferred embodiments, the test feedstock contains 500 ppmw or less asphaltenes, preferably C.sub.5-asphaltenes.

The invention concerns a process for the treatment of a hydrocarbon feed, said process comprising the following steps: a) a hydrotreatment step, in which the hydrocarbon feed and hydrogen are brought into contact over a hydrotreatment catalyst, b) an optional step of separating the effluent obtained from the hydrotreatment step a), c) a step of hydrocracking at least a portion of the effluent obtained from step a) or at least a portion of the heavy fraction obtained from step b), d) a step of separating the effluent obtained from step c), e) a step of precipitating sediments, f) a step of physical separation of the sediments from the heavy liquid fraction obtained from step e), g) a step of recovering a liquid hydrocarbon fraction having a sediment content, measured using the ISO 10307-2 method, of 0.1% by weight or less.

Systems and methods are provided for forming specialty products from hydrotreated FCC fractions. Optionally, the hydrotreated FCC fractions used for forming the specialty products can further include a (hydrotreated) portion of a steam cracker tar fraction. The specialty products that can be formed from hydrotreated FCC fractions include, but are not limited to, carbon blacks, resins, and carbon fibers. A convenient method for forming the hydrotreated FCC fractions can be fixed bed hydrotreatment.

Clay treatment apparatuses and methods for processing hydrocarbon products using clay treatment apparatuses are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a clay treatment apparatus includes a vessel enclosing an interior space, an active clay material disposed within the interior space of the vessel, and a clay retention structure positioned above a bottom head portion of the vessel. The clay retention structure includes a wire mesh coupled with a perforated plate. In another exemplary embodiment, a method for processing a hydrocarbon product includes the steps of contacting the hydrocarbon product with an active clay material within an interior space of a vessel and passing the hydrocarbon product through a clay retention structure that includes a wire mesh and a perforated plate.

A method of producing oil-based components is disclosed which includes providing VGO and slack wax; combining the VGO as a major component and the slack wax as a minor component to provide a feedstock; subjecting the feedstock to hydrocracking to provide a first effluent; fractionating the first effluent to provide at least a bottom fraction and a middle distillate fraction; recovering the bottom fraction and the middle distillate fraction. A method for improving a viscosity index of base oil includes subjecting the bottom fraction to a dewaxing step to provide a second effluent; fractionating the second effluent to provide at least a middle distillate and base oil; and recovering the middle distillate and the base oil.

Methods, apparatus and processes for three phase contacting and reactions in a cross flow reactor with reduced feed vaporization, low pressure operation, higher liquid holdup, lower reactor pressure drop, low severity operation, and reduced product inhibitory effects. A cross flow reactor for three phase catalytic hydroprocessing, having at least one reactor stage is disclosed. The reactor stage has a central gas distributor with perforated lateral surface for distributing gas, a middle region accommodating a packed catalyst bed, and an outer gas space for removal of effluent gases from the middle region. The middle region receives a liquid reactant and gas from central gas distributor to carry out three phase catalytic hydroprocessing reaction.

An improved vortex-type mixing device for a down-flow hydroprocessing reactor is described. The device provides improved overall mixing efficiency of an existing mixing volume in the mixing of gas and liquid phases in two-phase systems while reducing the pressure drop through the device, as compared with prior art devices. Typical hydroprocessing applications include hydrotreating, hydrofinishing, hydrocracking and hydrodewaxing.

A reactor and process for removing unsaturated alkynes and diolefinic impurities from olefins and oxygenates.