Residual oil desulfurization in multiple zones without concommitant increase in hydrogen consumption

摘要

A process is provided for the desulfurization of residual oil by (a) separating the residual oil into a first and a second fraction; (b) reacting the first fraction with hydrogen over a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a first reaction zone at hydrodesulfurization conditions such that a liquid effluent of lower sulfur content than the residual oil is obtained; (c) combining the hydrodesulfurization liquid effluent with the second residual oil fraction; and (d) reacting the resultant mixture over a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalyst in a second reaction zone at hydrogen transfer conditions. This process provides for desulfurization of residual oils at lower hydrogen consumptions than conventional processes.