Patent ID: 6338793
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: C08F,C10G

Abstract:
A process for the hydrodesulfurization of a diesel boiling range petroleum fraction which comprises:(a) feeding a diesel boiling range petroleum fraction containing organic sulfur compounds to a distillation column reactor containing a bed of hydrodesulfurization catalyst at a point above said bed; (b) feeding hydrogen to said distillation column reactor at a point below said bed; (c) concurrently in said distillation column reactor (1) distilling said diesel boiling range petroleum fraction whereby there are vaporous petroleum products rising upward through said distillation column reactor, an internal reflux of liquid flowing downward in said distillation column reactor and condensing products within said distillation column reactor, and (2) contacting said diesel boiling range petroleum fraction and said hydrogen in the presence of a hydrodesulfurization catalyst at a total pressure of less than about 300 psig, hydrogen partial pressure in the range of 0.1 to less than 100 psi and a temperature in the range of 400Â° to 800Â° F. whereby a portion of the organic sulfur compounds contained in said diesel boiling range petroleum fraction react with hydrogen to form H2S; (d) withdrawing an overheads from said distillation column reactor containing said H2S; (e) separating the H2S from said overheads by condensing a higher boiling fraction of said overheads; (f) returning a portion of said condensed higher boiling fraction of said overheads to said distillation column reactor as reflux; and (g) withdrawing a bottoms product having a lower sulfur content than said diesel boiling range petroleum fraction.