摘要 |
<p>A process for simultaneously cracking heavy hydrocarbons to form light oil and producing hydrogen is described, which comprises (1) a first step wherein steam and heavy hydrocarbons are simultaneously contacted with a catalyst in a reduced state, containing iron in the form of iron oxide, to produce hydrogen, cracked gases and cracked light oils, to convert the reduced-state catalyst into an oxidized-state catalyst, and to deposit coke on the catalyst, (2) a second step wherein the oxidized-state catalyst with coke deposited thereon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas to partially combust the coke on the catalyst, to convert the oxidizedstate catalyst into a reduced-state catalyst, and to fix a sulfur compound contained in the coke as iron sulfide with a part of the reduced-state catalyst; and (3) a third step wherein catalyst obtained from the second step, the major portion of the catalyst being recycled between the first step and second step, is contacted with an oxygencontaining gas at a temperature of from 600 to 1,000.degree.C to effect roasting and gasification of iron sulfide in the catalyst.</p> |