Patent ID: 6783660
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
The hydroprocessing method of the instant invention, which has at least two reaction stages, comprises the following steps:(a) passing a hydrocarbon feed into a first reaction stage, which is maintained at hydroprocessing conditions, where it is contacted with a catalyst in a fixed bed and at least a portion of the feed is converted; (b) combining the effluent of step (a) with product material from a second reaction stage and passing the combined stream to a separation zone; (c) separating the stream of step (b) into an unconverted liquid effluent and at least one converted stream comprising products having a boiling point below that of the feed; (d) passing the unconverted liquid effluent from step (c) to a second reaction stage, said stage comprising a plurality of reaction zones, wherein each zone is maintained at hydrocracking conditions and separation occurs between each zone; (e) contacting the feed in the first reaction zone of step (d) with a catalyst in a fixed bed, thereby converting at least a portion of the feed; (f) separating the effluent of step (e) into an unconverted liquid effluent, and a hydrogen-rich converted stream; (g) recycling the hydrogen-rich converted stream of step (f) to combine with the effluent of step (a); (h) passing the unconverted liquid effluent from step (f) to a second reaction zone of the second stage, the zone being maintained at hydrocracking conditions; (i) contacting the feed in the second reaction zone of step (h) with a catalyst in a fixed bed, thereby converting at least a portion of the feed; (j) fractionating the effluent of step (i) to produce gas, naphtha, and one or more middle distillate product streams, unconverted material being recycled to step (d).