TWO-STAGE PETROLEUM RESIDUUM HYDROCONVERSION USING A COUNTERCURRENT GAS-LIQUID FIRST STAGE

摘要

A process for hydroprocessing a petroleum residuum fraction. In a hydrothermal dissolving-stripping zone a mixture is formed which comprises petroleum residuum and its hydrothermal reaction products. Simultaneously, substantial amounts of light products are stripped from the mixture by countercurrent contact with a hydrogen gas stream at elevated temperatures. A gaseous stream comprising the light products is withdrawn and the remaining heavier effluent is contacted in a reaction zone with a second hydrogen gas stream and externally supplied hydrocracking catalyst at temperatures generally lower than the temperature of the hydrothermal dissolvingstripping zone.