Field enhanced separation of hydrocarbon fractions

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for using field enhanced separations to produce multiple fractions from a petroleum input. A liquid thermal diffusion and/or electric field separation is used to produce the fractions. The fractions can then be used to form multiple outputs that share a first feature while being different with regard to a second feature. For example, a first fraction from the plurality of fractions can have a desired value for a first property such as viscosity index. Two or more additional fractions from the plurality of fractions can then be blended together to make a blended fraction or output. The blended fraction can have a value for the first property that is substantially similar to the value for the first fraction. However, for a second property, the first fraction and the blended fraction can have distinct values. As a result, multiple output fractions can be formed that share a first feature but differ in a second feature.

主权项

1. A method for processing a feedstock, comprising:
treating a feedstock with a T5 boiling point of at least 350° C. in one or more first hydroprocessing stages under effective hydroprocessing conditions to form a first hydroprocessed effluent; passing a first portion of the first hydroprocessed effluent into a gap between a first surface and a second surface in a thermal diffusion separator; performing thermal diffusion separation by maintaining the first portion of the first hydroprocessed effluent portion in the gap with a temperature differential between the first surface and the second surface of at least 5° C. for a residence time; withdrawing a plurality of fractions from the thermal diffusion separator including a first separated fraction and a second separated fraction, the second separated fraction having a viscosity index of at least 80; and treating a second portion of the first hydroprocessed effluent and the second separated fraction in one or more second hydroprocessing stages under second effective hydroprocessing conditions to form a second hydroprocessed effluent.