Patent ID: 8852426
Filing Date: 2014-10-07
Classification: B01D,C10G

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a hydrocarbon feed to reduce the concentration of undesired organosulfur compounds comprising: subjecting the hydrocarbon feed to a mild hydrotreating process effective to convert labile organosulfur compounds and separating the hydrotreated effluent into an aromatic-lean fraction that is recovered as a hydrotreated hydrocarbon product and an aromatic-rich fraction that contains sterically hindered refractory aromatic organosulfur compounds; contacting the aromatic-rich fraction with an isomerization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to remove steric hindrance of certain compounds and produce an isomerized effluent including isomerate and any remaining unreacted hydrogen; flashing the isomerized effluent to produce a light isomerized effluent and a heavy isomerized effluent; recovering the light isomerized effluent; and recycling at least a portion of the heavy isomerized effluent to the mild hydrotreating process.