Hydrotreating Methods And Hydrotreating Systems (UOP LLC)

CATEGORY: HYDROTREATING
PATENT
Hydrotreating Methods And Hydrotreating Systems (UOP LLC)
Pub. No.:    WO/2013/089893    International Application No.:    PCT/US2012/058216
Publication Date:  20.06.2013
Applicants:  UOP LLC [US/US]; 25 East Algonquin Road P. O. Box 5017 Des Plaines, Illinois 60017-5017 (US)
Inventors:
BANERJEE, Soumendra M.; (US).
HOEHN, Richard K.; (US)
Abstract: 
Hydrotreating methods and hydrotreating systems are provided herein. In an embodiment, a hydrotreating method includes heating a petroleum-based diesel feed. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed is introduced to a hydrotreating process. An unheated carbonaceous feed is introduced to the hydrotreating process separate from the heated petroleum-based diesel feed. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed and the unheated carbonaceous feed are co-processed in the hydrotreating process. In an embodiment of a hydrotreating system, the hydrotreating system includes a hydrotreating unit, and a heating apparatus, with the heating apparatus heating petroleum-based diesel feed prior to introduction to the hydrotreating unit. The unheated carbonaceous feed source is in fluid communication with the hydrotreating unit for introducing an unheated carbonaceous feed to the hydrotreating unit separate from the petroleum-based diesel feed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to hydrotreating methods and hydrotreating systems, and more particularly relates to hydrotreating methods and hydrotreating systems for co-processing a petroleum-based diesel and a carbonaceous feed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] The emphasis on alternative and sustainable sources of energy has increased in recent years as the demand for gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel increases worldwide, spurred by concern over depletion of petroleum resources and global warming from carbon dioxide emissions stemming from burning of petroleum-based fuels. One such alternative and sustainable source is what has been termed renewable or bio fuel feeds. Examples of bio fuel feeds include, but are not limited to, plant oils such as corn, rapeseed, canola, soybean, and algal oils; animal fats such as inedible tallow; fish oils; and various waste streams such as yellow and brown greases and sewage sludge. The common feature of these biofuel feeds is that they are composed of glycerides and free fatty acids (FFA). Both of these compounds contain aliphatic carbon chains having from 8 to 24 carbon atoms. The aliphatic carbon chains in the triglycerides or FFAs can also be mono-, di- or poly-unsaturated. Some of the glycerides from the renewable sources may be
monoglycerides or diglycerides instead of or in addition to the triglycerides.
[0003] The properties of the biofuel feeds that are composed of glycerides and FFAs make them unsuitable for direct replacement or supplementation of petroleum-based diesel fuel in vehicle engines. For example, such biofuel feeds have poor cold-flow properties
(e.g., cloud point and cold filter plugging point). However, such biofuel feeds can be processed into hydrocarbon products in the diesel boiling point range for direct replacement or supplementation of petroleum-based diesel fuel in vehicle engines.
[0004] It is generally known that hydrocarbon products in the diesel boiling point range can be produced by processes that include hydrotreating the biofuel feed that is composed of glycerides and triglycerides in a hydrotreating unit. For example, it is generally known that biofuel feed that is composed of glycerides and triglycerides can be independently processed in a hydrotreating unit to produce the hydrocarbon products in the diesel boiling range. The resulting hydrocarbon products can then be mixed with petroleum-based diesel fuel. However, such independent processing of the biofuel feed requires separate process streams and equipment, thus dramatically adding production costs.
[0005] As an alternative to independent processing of biofuel feed that is composed of glycerides and triglycerides and petroleum-based diesel feed, co-processing the biofuel feed and petroleum-based diesel feed in a hydrotreating unit has become an attractive endeavor. Co-processing promises reduced costs over independent processing of biofuel feed and petroleum-based diesel feed by utilizing the same process streams and equipment that are used for processing the petroleum-based diesel feed alone. In known processes, the biofuel feed and petroleum-based diesel feed are mixed prior to introduction to the hydrotreating unit. However, many biofuel feeds have unsaturated moieties that, when saturated in the presence of hydrogen, release large amounts of heat. If saturation of the unsaturated moieties in the biofuel feed occurs in the first zone of a hydrotreating unit, it may be difficult to control reaction temperatures in the first zone as well as later zones that are downstream of the first zone of the hydrotreating unit. These factors have traditionally limited the amount of biofuel feed that can be co-processed with the petroleum-based diesel feed in hydrotreating units to no greater than 5 weight % based on the total weight of the mixture.
[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a hydrotreating system and method for co-processing biofuel feed and petroleum-based diesel feed that allows for greater amounts of biofuel feed to be co-processed with petroleum-based diesel feed while
enabling greater control of reaction temperatures in the various zones of the hydrotreating unit. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Hydrotreating methods and hydrotreating systems are provided herein. In an embodiment, a hydrotreating method includes heating a petroleum-based diesel feed. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed is introduced to a hydrotreating process. An unheated carbonaceous feed is introduced to the hydrotreating process separate from the heated petroleum-based diesel feed. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed and the unheated carbonaceous feed are co-processed in the hydrotreating process.
[0008] In another embodiment of a hydrotreating method, a petroleum-based diesel feed is heated in a heating apparatus. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed is introduced to a hydrotreating unit from the heating apparatus. An unheated biofuel feed is introduced to the hydrotreating unit separate from the petroleum-based diesel feed, the unheated biofuel feed comprising a source of fatty acids or derivatives thereof. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed and the unheated biofuel feed is co-processed in the hydrotreating unit.
[0009] In an embodiment of a hydrotreating system, the hydrotreating system includes a hydrotreating unit, and a heating apparatus. The hydrotreating system configured for fluid communication with a petroleum-based diesel feed source, and is also configured for fluid communication with an unheated carbonaceous feed source for introducing an unheated carbonaceous feed to the hydrotreating unit separate from the petroleum-based diesel feed. The heating apparatus heats petroleum-based diesel feed from the petroleum-based diesel feed source prior to introduction to the hydrotreating unit. The heating apparatus is in fluid communication with the hydrotreating unit for introducing heated petroleum-based diesel feed from the heating apparatus to the hydrotreating unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a hydrotreating system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
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