Inventors:
James R. Murphy - Houston TX
Assignee:
Pullman Incorporated - Chicago IL
International Classification:
C10G 3106, C10G 3110, C10G 1300, C10G 2300
Abstract:
A pretreating process for upgrading heavy petroleum feedstocks is disclosed. In a pretreating zone, the feedstock is contacted, in the presence of hydrogen, with a cracking catalyst. In this pretreating zone, the heavy metals content of the feedstock is reduced, and a significant quantity of the feedstock coke precursors are converted directly to oils which are readily recoverable from the pretreating zone effluent. Further, some unconverted coke precursors and the heavy metals complexed therewith are separated from the pretreating zone effluent in a solid asphaltic fraction. The pretreating zone effluent remaining after separation of this solid asphaltic fraction is an upgraded feedstock having significantly reduced heavy metal, sulfur, and Conradson carbon residue contents.