Systems and methods for crude oil separation and upgrading, which include the ability to reduce aromatic complex bottoms content in gasoline and higher-quality aromatic compounds. In some embodiments, aromatic complex bottoms are recycled for further processing. In some embodiments, aromatic complex bottoms are separated for further processing.

A method for upgrading pyrolysis oil includes contacting a pyrolysis oil feed with hydrogen in the presence of a mixed metal oxide catalyst in a first slurry reactor, where: the pyrolysis oil feed comprises multi-ring aromatic compounds comprising greater than or equal to sixteen carbon atoms, and contacting the pyrolysis oil feed with hydrogen in the presence of the mixed metal oxide catalyst in the first slurry reactor to convert at least a portion of the multi-ring aromatic compounds in the pyrolysis oil feed to light aromatic compounds comprising di-aromatic compounds, tri-aromatic compounds, or both, passing an intermediate stream comprising the light aromatic compounds to a second slurry reactor downstream of the first slurry reactor; and contacting the intermediate stream with hydrogen in the presence of a mesoporous zeolite supported metal catalyst in a second slurry reactor.

A process for commencing a continuous reaction in a reactor system includes introducing a catalyst to a catalyst processing portion of the reactor system, the catalyst initially having a first temperature of 500 C or less, and contacting the catalyst at the first temperature with a commencement fuel gas stream, which includes at least 80 mol % commencement fuel gas, in the catalyst processing portion. Contacting of the catalyst with the commencement fuel gas stream causes combustion of the commencement fuel gas. The process includes maintaining the contacting of the catalyst with the commencement fuel gas stream until the temperature of the catalyst increases from the first temperature to a second temperature at which combustion of a regenerator fuel source maintains an operating temperature range in the catalyst processing portion.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for producing aromatic compounds in high yield from a mixed aromatic feed stream. Also disclosed are systems and methods for producing aromatic compounds in high yield from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like.

Processes, catalysts, and reactor systems for reforming heavy aromatic compounds (C.sub.11+) into C.sub.6-8 aromatic compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are processes, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic compounds and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare propylene from a mixture of hydrocarbons having an olefin content of between 5 and 50 wt. % and boiling for more than 90 vol. % between 35 and 280 ?C or from a hydrocarbon feed comprising paraffins, naphthenics and/or aromatics and optionally up to 10 wt. % of olefins, by first contacting the feed with a low acidic density cracking catalyst in a reactor, separating propylene and subsequently contacting the residue with a high acidic density cracking catalyst in a reactor at a more elevated temperature, separating propylene and recycling the residue to first and second cracking reactors. Aromatics may be added to first and second cracking step to improve cycle length.

Process for deep conversion of heavy hydrocarbon feed, which includes: a) ebullated bed hydroconverting the feed in at least one three-phase reactor containing at least one supported hydroconversion catalyst; b) atmospheric fractionating effluent from a) producing gasoline fraction, gas oil cut, and atmospheric residue; c) vacuum fractionation of at least a portion of the atmospheric residue to obtain a vacuum gas oil fraction and an unconverted vacuum residue fraction; d) deasphalting at least a portion of the unconverted vacuum residue fraction with an organic solvent obtaining a hydrocarbon cut depleted in asphaltenes, termed deasphalted oil, and residual asphalt; and e) liquid/liquid extraction on the hydrocarbon cut depleted in asphaltenes extracting aromatics by a polar solvent producing an extract enriched in aromatics and resins and a raffinate depleted in aromatics and resins, at least a portion of the extract sent to the inlet of the hydroconversion as an aromatic diluent.

A process for producing xylenes, in particular para-xylene that is less energy intensive than conventional processes is provided. In an embodiment the process comprises contacting a feed mixture in an isomerization zone with a catalyst at isomerization conditions and producing an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the feed mixture, wherein the catalyst comprises an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane. Xylene isomerization can also be coupled with a p-xylene extraction process, where the raffinate (p-xylene deprived stream) from the extraction process is fed to an isomerization reactor to produce p-xylene. In an embodiment, the process can comprise: a) providing a feed stream comprising a mixture of xylene isomers including p-xylene; b) extracting p-xylene from the feed stream using a separator to separate the feed stream into a p-xylene rich stream and a p-xylene deprived stream; and c) delivering the p-xylene deprived stream to an isomerization unit, the isomerization unit including an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane, and using the isomerization unit to produce an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the p-xylene deprived stream delivered to the isomerization unit. In any one or more aspects, the isomerization unit can be operated at a temperature in the range of less than 350°, for example about 20° C. to about 200° C.

A process for the production of ultralow aromatic specialty distillate from different refinery streams particularly high sulfur streams. The process produces de-aromatized distillates with benzene content below 1 ppmw. Hydrocarbon feedstock having boiling temperature in the range of 90 and 350° C., preferably 140 and 320° C. The hydrocarbon feedstocks are obtained from any petroleum-refinery or bio-refinery or any other source producing hydrocarbon streams.

The invention concerns a process and a facility for reducing the concentration of heavy polycyclic aromatic compounds (HPNA) in the recycle loop of hydrocracking units, which comprises a fractionation column.

In accordance with this process, a portion of the stream present at the level of at least one plate (I) which is the supply plate or a plate located between the supply plate and said residue evacuation point, or if stripping gas is injected, between the supply plate and said stripping gas injection point, is withdrawn from the fractionation column.

A portion, preferably all, of said withdrawn stream is recycled to the hydrocracking step directly or after optional separation of the gases. The residue is purged in its entirety.

In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the stream present at the level of at least one plate (II) located between the supply plate and the plate for withdrawing the heaviest distillate fraction is also withdrawn from the column. After stripping, all or a portion of the gas is recycled to the column and the liquid is sent for hydrocracking.