TARGETED DESULFURIZATION PROCESS AND APPARATUS INTEGRATING GAS PHASE OXIDATIVE DESULFURIZATION AND HYDRODESULFURIZATION TO PRODUCE DIESEL FUEL HAVING AN ULTRA-LOW LEVEL OF ORGANOSULFUR COMPOUNDS

摘要

Desulfurization of hydrocarbon feeds is achieved by flashing the feed at a target cut point temperature to obtain two fractions. A first fraction contains refractory organosulfur compounds, which boils at or above the target cut point temperature. A second fraction boiling below the target cut point temperature is substantially free of refractory sulfur-containing compounds. The second fraction is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone operating under mild conditions to reduce the quantity of organosulfur compounds to an ultra-low level. The first fraction is contacted with gaseous oxidizing agent over an oxidation catalyst having a formula CuxZn1-xAL2O4 in a gas phase catalytic oxidation reaction zone to convert the refractory organosulfur compounds to SOx and low sulfur hydrocarbons. The by-product SOx is subsequently removed, producing a stream containing a reduced level of organosulfur compounds.