Abstract:
An integrated hydrotreating and steam pyrolysis system for the direct processing of a crude oil is provided to produce olefinic and aromatic petrochemicals. Crude oil and hydrogen are charged to a hydroprocessing zone operating under conditions effective to produce a hydroprocessed effluent reduced having a reduced content of contaminants, an increased paraffinicity, reduced Bureau of Mines Correlation Index, and an increased American Petroleum Institute gravity. Hydroprocessed effluent is thermally cracked in the presence of steam to produce a mixed product stream, which is separated. Hydrogen from the mixed product stream is purified and recycled to the hydroprocessing zone, and olefins and aromatics are recovered from the separated mixed product stream.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/012,383 filed on Feb. 1, 2016, 
         [0002]    which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/865,032 filed on Apr. 17, 2013, which
       claims the benefit of priority of 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/788,824 filed Mar.15, 2013, and   is a Continuation-in-Part under 35 USC §365(c) of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US13/23332 filed Jan. 27, 2013, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/591,811 filed Jan. 27, 2012,
 
all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
       
 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates to an integrated hydrotreating and steam pyrolysis process for direct processing of a crude oil to produce petrochemicals such as olefins and aromatics. 
         [0007]    Description of Related Art 
         [0008]    The lower olefins (i.e., ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene) and aromatics (i.e., benzene, toluene and xylene) are basic intermediates which are widely used in the petrochemical and chemical industries. Thermal cracking, or steam pyrolysis, is a major type of process for forming these materials, typically in the presence of steam, and in the absence of oxygen. Feedstocks for steam pyrolysis can include petroleum gases and distillates such as naphtha, kerosene and gas oil. The availability of these feedstocks is usually limited and requires costly and energy-intensive process steps in a crude oil refinery. 
         [0009]    Studies have been conducted using heavy hydrocarbons as a feedstock for steam pyrolysis reactors. A major drawback in conventional heavy hydrocarbon pyrolysis operations is coke formation. For example, a steam cracking process for heavy liquid hydrocarbons is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,204 in which a mist of molten salt is introduced into a steam cracking reaction zone in an effort to minimize coke formation. In one example using Arabian light crude oil having a Conradson carbon residue of 3.1% by weight, the cracking apparatus was able to continue operating for 624 hours in the presence of molten salt. In a comparative example without the addition of molten salt, the steam cracking reactor became clogged and inoperable after just 5 hours because of the formation of coke in the reactor. 
         [0010]    In addition, the yields and distributions of olefins and aromatics using heavy hydrocarbons as a feedstock for a steam pyrolysis reactor are different than those using light hydrocarbon feedstocks. Heavy hydrocarbons have a higher content of aromatics than light hydrocarbons, as indicated by a higher Bureau of Mines Correlation Index (BMCI). BMCI is a measurement of aromaticity of a feedstock and is calculated as follows: 
         [0000]      BMCI=87552/VAPB+473.5*(sp. gr.)−456.8   (1)
       where:   VAPB=Volume Average Boiling Point in degrees Rankine and   sp. gr. =specific gravity of the feedstock.       
 
         [0014]    As the BMCI decreases, ethylene yields are expected to increase. Therefore, highly paraffinic or low aromatic feeds are usually preferred for steam pyrolysis to obtain higher yields of desired olefins and to avoid higher undesirable products and coke formation in the reactor coil section. 
         [0015]    The absolute coke formation rates in a steam cracker have been reported by Cai et al., “Coke Formation in Steam Crackers for Ethylene Production,”  Chem. Eng.  &amp;  Proc ., vol. 41, (2002), 199-214. In general, the absolute coke formation rates are in the ascending order of olefins&gt;aromatics&gt;paraffins, wherein olefins represent heavy olefins. 
         [0016]    To be able to respond to the growing demand of these petrochemicals, other type of feeds which can be made available in larger quantities, such as raw crude oil, are attractive to producers. Using crude oil feeds will minimize or eliminate the likelihood of the refinery being a bottleneck in the production of these petrochemicals. 
         [0017]    While the steam pyrolysis process is well developed and suitable for its intended purposes, the choice of feedstocks has been very limited. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The system and process herein provides a steam pyrolysis zone integrated with a hydroprocessing zone to permit direct processing of crude oil feedstocks to produce petrochemicals including olefins and aromatics. 
         [0019]    An integrated hydrotreating and steam pyrolysis process for the direct processing of a crude oil is provided to produce olefinic and aromatic petrochemicals. Crude oil and hydrogen are charged to a hydroprocessing zone operating under conditions effective to produce a hydroprocessed effluent having a reduced content of contaminants, an increased paraffinicity, reduced Bureau of Mines Correlation Index, and an increased American Petroleum Institute gravity. Hydroprocessed effluent is thermally cracked in the presence of steam to produce a mixed product stream, which is separated. Hydrogen from the mixed product stream is purified and recycled to the hydroprocessing zone, and olefins and aromatics are recovered from the separated mixed product stream. 
         [0020]    As used herein, the term “crude oil” is to be understood to include whole crude oil from conventional sources, including crude oil that has undergone some pre-treatment. The term crude oil will also be understood to include that which has been subjected to water-oil separation; and/or gas-oil separation; and/or desalting; and/or stabilization. 
         [0021]    Other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the process of the present invention are discussed in detail below. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing information and the following detailed description are merely illustrative examples of various aspects and embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed features and embodiments. The accompanying drawings are illustrative and are provided to further the understanding of the various aspects and embodiments of the process of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The invention will be described in further detail below and with reference to the attached drawings where: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a process flow diagram of an embodiment of an integrated process described herein; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2A-2C  are schematic illustrations in perspective, top and side views of a vapor-liquid separation device used in certain embodiments of the integrated process described herein; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are schematic illustrations in section, enlarged section and top section views of a vapor-liquid separation device in a flash vessel used in certain embodiments of the integrated process described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    A process flow diagram including an integrated hydroprocessing and steam pyrolysis process and system is shown in  FIG. 1 . The integrated system generally includes a selective hydroprocessing zone, a steam pyrolysis zone and a product separation zone. 
         [0027]    The selective hydroprocessing zone includes a hydroprocessing reaction zone  4  having an inlet for receiving a mixture of crude oil feed  1  and hydrogen  2  recycled from the steam pyrolysis product stream, and make-up hydrogen as necessary (not shown). Hydroprocessing reaction zone 4 further includes an outlet for discharging a hydroprocessed effluent  5 . 
         [0028]    Reactor effluents  5  from the hydroprocessing reaction zone  4  are cooled in a heat exchanger (not shown) and sent to a high pressure separator  6 . The separator tops  7  are cleaned in an amine unit  12  and a resulting hydrogen rich gas stream  13  is passed to a recycling compressor  14  to be used as a recycle gas  15  in the hydroprocessing reactor. A bottoms stream  8  from the high pressure separator  6 , which is in a substantially liquid phase, is cooled and introduced to a low pressure cold separator  9 , where it is separated into a gas stream  11  and a liquid stream  10 . Gases from low pressure cold separator include hydrogen, H 2 S, NH 3  and any light hydrocarbons such as C 1 -C 4  hydrocarbons. Typically these gases are sent for further processing such as flare processing or fuel gas processing. According to certain embodiments of the process and system herein, hydrogen and other hydrocarbons are recovered from stream  11  by combining it with steam cracker products 44 as a combined feed to the product separation zone. All or a portion of liquid stream 10 serves as the hydroprocessed cracking feed to the steam pyrolysis zone  30 . 
         [0029]    In certain embodiments, an optional separation zone  20  (as indicated with dashed lines in  FIG. 1 ) is employed to remove heavy ends of the bottoms stream  10  from low pressure separator  9 , i.e., the liquid phase hydroprocessing zone effluents. Stream  10  is fractioned into a vapor phase and a liquid phase in separation zone  20 , which can be a flash separation device, a separation device based on physical or mechanical separation of vapors and liquids or a combination including at least one of these types of devices. Separation zone  20  generally includes an inlet receiving liquid stream  10 , an outlet for discharging a light fraction  22  comprising light components and an outlet for discharging a heavy fraction  21  comprising heavy components, which can be combined with pyrolysis fuel oil from product separation zone  70 . 
         [0030]    In certain embodiments, a vapor-liquid separation zone  36  is included in combination with separation zone  20  or as an alternative thereto, between the convection and pyrolysis sections  32 ,  34 , respectively, of the steam pyrolysis zone  30 . 
         [0031]    Separation zone  20  and/or  36  includes, or consists essentially of (i.e., operates in the absence of a flash zone), a cyclonic phase separation device, or other separation device based on physical or mechanical separation of vapors and liquids. Useful vapor-liquid separation devices for zone  20  and/or  36  are illustrated by, and with reference to  FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3C . Similar arrangements of vapor-liquid separation devices are described in U.S. Patent Publication Number 2011/0247500 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In this device vapor and liquid flow through in a cyclonic geometry whereby the device operates isothermally and at very low residence time. In general vapor is swirled in a circular pattern to create forces where heavier droplets and liquid are captured and channeled through to a liquid outlet and vapor is channeled through a vapor outlet. In embodiments in which a vapor-liquid separations device  36  is provided, the liquid phase  38  is discharged as residue and the vapor phase is the charge  37  to the pyrolysis section  34 . In embodiments in which a vapor-liquid separation device  20  is provided, the liquid phase  21  is discharged as the residue and the vapor phase is the charge  22  to the convection section  32 . In embodiments in which the separation zone includes or consists essentially of a separation device based on physical or mechanical separation of vapors and liquids, the cut point can be adjusted based on vaporization temperature and the fluid velocity of the material entering the device, for example, to remove a fraction in the range of vacuum residue, or in certain embodiments compatible with the residue fuel oil blend, e.g., about 540° C. 
         [0032]    Steam pyrolysis zone  30  generally comprises a convection section  32  and a pyrolysis section  34  that can operate based on steam pyrolysis unit operations known in the art, i.e., charging the thermal cracking feed to the convection section in the presence of steam. In addition, in certain optional embodiments as described herein (as indicated with dashed lines in  FIG. 1 ), a vapor-liquid separation section  36  is included between sections  32  and  34 . Vapor-liquid separation section  36 , through which the heated steam cracking feed from convection section  32  passes and is fractioned, can be a separation device based on physical or mechanical separation of vapors and liquids, as described herein. 
         [0033]    Rejected residuals derived from streams  21  and/or  38  have been subjected to the selective hydroprocessing zone and contain a reduced amount of heteroatom compounds including sulfur-containing, nitrogen-containing and metal compounds as compared to the initial feed. This facilitates further processing of these blends, or renders them useful as low sulfur, low nitrogen heavy fuel blends. 
         [0034]    A quenching zone  40  includes an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of steam pyrolysis zone  30  for receiving mixed product stream  39 , an inlet for admitting a quenching solution  42 , an outlet for discharging an intermediate quenched mixed product stream  44  and an outlet for discharging quenching solution  46 . 
         [0035]    In general, an intermediate quenched mixed product stream  44  is converted into intermediate product stream  65  and hydrogen  62 , which is purified in the present process and used as recycle hydrogen stream  2  in the hydroprocessing reaction zone  4 . Intermediate product stream  65  is generally fractioned into end-products and residue in separation zone  70 , which can be one or multiple separation units such as plural fractionation towers including de-ethanizer, de-propanizer and de-butanizer towers, for example as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, suitable apparatus are described in “Ethylene,”  Ullmann&#39;s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry , Volume 12, Pages 531-581, in particular  FIG. 24 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 26 , which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0036]    In general product separation zone  70  includes an inlet in fluid communication with the product stream  65  and plural product outlets  73 - 78 , including an outlet  78  for discharging methane, an outlet  77  for discharging ethylene, an outlet  76  for discharging propylene, an outlet  75  for discharging butadiene, an outlet  74  for discharging mixed butylenes, and an outlet  73  for discharging pyrolysis gasoline. Additionally an outlet is provided for discharging pyrolysis fuel oil  71 . Optionally, one or both of the heavy fraction  21  from flash zone  20  and the fuel oil portion  38  from vapor-liquid separation section  36  are combined with pyrolysis fuel oil  71  and can be withdrawn as a pyrolysis fuel oil blend  72 , e.g., a low sulfur fuel oil blend to be further processed in an off-site refinery. Note that while six product outlets are shown, fewer or more can be provided depending, for instance, on the arrangement of separation units employed and the yield and distribution requirements. 
         [0037]    In an embodiment of a process employing the arrangement shown in  FIG. 1 , a crude oil feedstock  1  is admixed with an effective amount of hydrogen  2  and  15  and the mixture  3  is charged to the inlet of selective hydroprocessing reaction zone  4  at a temperature in the range of from 300° C. to 450° C. In certain embodiments, hydroprocessing reaction zone  4  includes one or more unit operations as described in commonly owned US Patent Publication Number 2011/0083996 and in PCT Patent Application Publication Numbers WO2010/009077, WO2010/009082, WO2010/009089 and WO2009/073436, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. For instance, a hydroprocessing zone can include one or more beds containing an effective amount of hydrodemetallization catalyst, and one or more beds containing an effective amount of hydroprocessing catalyst having hydrodearomatization, hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodesulfurization and/or hydrocracking functions. In additional embodiments hydroprocessing reaction zone  4  includes more than two catalyst beds. In further embodiments hydroprocessing reaction zone  4  includes plural reaction vessels each containing one or more catalyst beds, e.g., of different function. 
         [0038]    Hydroprocessing reaction zone  4  operates under parameters effective to hydrodemetallize, hydrodearomatize, hydrodenitrogenate, hydrodesulfurize and/or hydrocrack the crude oil feedstock. In certain embodiments, hydroprocessing is carried out using the following conditions: operating temperature in the range of from 300° C. to 450° C.; operating pressure in the range of from 30 bars to 180 bars; and a liquid hour space velocity in the range of from 0.1 h −1  to 10 h −1 . Notably, using crude oil as a feedstock in the hydroprocessing zone advantages are demonstrated, for instance, as compared to the same hydroprocessing unit operation employed for atmospheric residue. For instance, at a start or run temperature in the range of 370° C. to 375° C., the deactivation rate is around 1° C./month. In contrast, if residue were to be processed, the deactivation rate would be closer to about 3° C./month to 4° C./month. The treatment of atmospheric residue typically employs pressure of around 200 bars whereas the present process in which crude oil is treated can operate at a pressure as low as 100 bars. Additionally to achieve the high level of saturation required for the increase in the hydrogen content of the feed, this process can be operated at a high throughput when compared to atmospheric residue. The LHSV can be as high as 0.5 hr −1  while that for atmospheric residue is typically 0.25 hr −1 . An unexpected finding is that the deactivation rate when processing crude oil is going in the inverse direction from that which is usually observed. Deactivation at low throughput (0.25 hr −1 ) is 4.2° C./month and deactivation at higher throughput (0.5 hr −1 ) is 2.0° C./month. With every feed which is considered in the industry, the opposite is observed. This can be attributed to the washing effect of the catalyst. 
         [0039]    Reactor effluents  5  from the hydroprocessing zone  4  are cooled in an exchanger (not shown) and sent to a high pressure cold or hot separator  6 . Separator tops  7  are cleaned in an amine unit  12  and the resulting hydrogen rich gas stream  13  is passed to a recycling compressor  14  to be used as a recycle gas  15  in the hydroprocessing reaction zone  4 . Separator bottoms  8  from the high pressure separator  6 , which are in a substantially liquid phase, are cooled and then introduced to a low pressure cold separator  9 . Remaining gases, stream  11 , including hydrogen, H 2 S, NH 3  and any light hydrocarbons, which can include C 1 -C 4  hydrocarbons, can be conventionally purged from the low pressure cold separator and sent for further processing, such as flare processing or fuel gas processing. In certain embodiments of the present process, hydrogen is recovered by combining stream  11  (as indicated by dashed lines) with the cracking gas, stream  44 , from the steam cracker products. 
         [0040]    In certain embodiments the bottoms stream  10  is the feed  22  to the steam pyrolysis zone  30 . In further embodiments, bottoms  10  from the low pressure separator  9  are sent to separation zone  20  wherein the discharged vapor portion is the feed  22  to the steam pyrolysis zone  30 . The vapor portion can have, for instance, an initial boiling point corresponding to that of the stream  10  and a final boiling point in the range of about 370° C. to about 600° C. Separation zone  20  can include a suitable vapor-liquid separation unit operation such as a flash vessel, a separation device based on physical or mechanical separation of vapors and liquids or a combination including at least one of these types of devices. Certain embodiments of vapor-liquid separation devices, as stand-alone devices or installed at the inlet of a flash vessel, are described herein with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3C , respectively. 
         [0041]    The hydroprocessed effluent  10  contains a reduced content of contaminants (i.e., metals, sulfur and nitrogen), an increased paraffinicity, reduced BMCI, and an increased American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity. The hydroprocessed effluent  10  is optionally conveyed to separation zone  20  to remove heavy ends as bottoms stream  21  and provide the remaining lighter cut as pyrolysis feed  22 . In certain embodiments in which separation zone  20  is not used hydrotreated effluent  10  serves as the pyrolysis feedstream without separation of bottoms. 
         [0042]    The pyrolysis feedstream, e.g. having an initial boiling point corresponding to that of the feed and a final boiling point in the range of about 370° C. to about 600° C., is conveyed to the inlet of a convection section  32  in the presence of an effective amount of steam, e.g., admitted via a steam inlet. In the convection section 32 the mixture is heated to a predetermined temperature, e.g., using one or more waste heat streams or other suitable heating arrangement. The heated mixture of the pyrolysis feedstream and additional steam is passed to the pyrolysis section  34  to produce a mixed product stream  39 . In certain embodiments the heated mixture of from section  32  is passed through a vapor-liquid separation section  36  in which a portion  38  is rejected as a fuel oil component suitable for blending with pyrolysis fuel oil  71 . 
         [0043]    The steam pyrolysis zone  30  operates under parameters effective to crack fraction  22  (or effluent  10  in embodiments in which separation zone  20  is not employed) into the desired products including ethylene, propylene, butadiene, mixed butenes and pyrolysis gasoline. In certain embodiments, steam cracking in the pyrolysis section is carried out using the following conditions: a temperature in the range of from 400° C. to 900° C. in the convection section and in the pyrolysis section; a steam-to-hydrocarbon ratio in the convection section in the range of from 0.3:1 to 2:1 (wt.:wt.); and a residence time in the convection section and in the pyrolysis section in the range of from 0.05 seconds to 2 seconds. 
         [0044]    In certain embodiments, the vapor-liquid separation section  36  includes one or a plurality of vapor liquid separation devices  80  as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C . The vapor liquid separation device  80  is economical to operate and maintenance free since it does not require power or chemical supplies. In general, device  80  comprises three ports including an inlet port for receiving a vapor-liquid mixture, a vapor outlet port and a liquid outlet port for discharging and the collection of the separated vapor and liquid, respectively. Device  80  operates based on a combination of phenomena including conversion of the linear velocity of the incoming mixture into a rotational velocity by the global flow pre-rotational section, a controlled centrifugal effect to pre-separate the vapor from liquid (residue), and a cyclonic effect to promote separation of vapor from the liquid (residue). To attain these effects, device  80  includes a pre-rotational section  88 , a controlled cyclonic vertical section  90  and a liquid collector/settling section  92 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the pre-rotational section  88  includes a controlled pre-rotational element between cross-section (S 1 ) and cross-section (S 2 ), and a connection element to the controlled cyclonic vertical section  90  and located between cross-section (S 2 ) and cross-section (S 3 ). The vapor liquid mixture coming from inlet  82  having a diameter (D 1 ) enters the apparatus tangentially at the cross-section (S 1 ). The area of the entry section (S 1 ) for the incoming flow is at least 10% of the area of the inlet  82  according to the following equation: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     π 
                     * 
                     
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           〚 
                           
                             D 
                              
                             
                                 
                             
                              
                             1 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                         〛 
                       
                       2 
                     
                   
                   4 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   2 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0046]    The pre-rotational element  88  defines a curvilinear flow path, and is characterized by constant, decreasing or increasing cross-section from the inlet cross-section S 1  to the outlet cross-section S 2 . The ratio between outlet cross-section from controlled pre-rotational element (S 2 ) and the inlet cross-section (S 1 ) is in certain embodiments in the range of 0.7≦S 2 /S 1 ≦1.4 
         [0047]    The rotational velocity of the mixture is dependent on the radius of curvature (R 1 ) of the center-line of the pre-rotational element  88  where the center-line is defined as a curvilinear line joining all the center points of successive cross-sectional surfaces of the pre-rotational element  88 . In certain embodiments the radius of curvature (R 1 ) is in the range of 2≦R 1 /D 1 ≦6 with opening angle in the range of 150°≦αR 1 ≦250°. 
         [0048]    The cross-sectional shape at the inlet section S 1 , although depicted as generally square, can be a rectangle, a rounded rectangle, a circle, an oval, or other rectilinear, curvilinear or a combination of the aforementioned shapes. In certain embodiments, the shape of the cross-section along the curvilinear path of the pre-rotational element  38  through which the fluid passes progressively changes, for instance, from a generally square shape to a rectangular shape. The progressively changing cross-section of element 88 into a rectangular shape advantageously maximizes the opening area, thus allowing the gas to separate from the liquid mixture at an early stage and to attain a uniform velocity profile and minimize shear stresses in the fluid flow. 
         [0049]    The fluid flow from the controlled pre-rotational element  88  from cross-section (S 2 ) passes section (S 3 ) through the connection element to the controlled cyclonic vertical section  90 . The connection element includes an opening region that is open and connected to, or integral with, an inlet in the controlled cyclonic vertical section  90 . The fluid flow enters the controlled cyclonic vertical section  90  at a high rotational velocity to generate the cyclonic effect. The ratio between connection element outlet cross-section (S 3 ) and inlet cross-section (S 2 ) in certain embodiments is in the range of 2≦S3/S 1 ≦5. 
         [0050]    The mixture at a high rotational velocity enters the cyclonic vertical section  90 . Kinetic energy is decreased and the vapor separates from the liquid under the cyclonic effect. Cyclones form in the upper level  90   a  and the lower level  90   b  of the cyclonic vertical section  90 . In the upper level  90   a , the mixture is characterized by a high concentration of vapor, while in the lower level  90   b  the mixture is characterized by a high concentration of liquid. 
         [0051]    In certain embodiments, the internal diameter D 2  of the cyclonic vertical section  90  is within the range of 2≦D 2 /D 1 ≦5 and can be constant along its height, the length (LU) of the upper portion  90   a  is in the range of 1.2≦LU/D 2 ≦3, and the length (LL) of the lower portion  90   b  is in the range of 2≦LL/D 2 ≦5. 
         [0052]    The end of the cyclonic vertical section  90  proximate vapor outlet  84  is connected to a partially open release riser and connected to the pyrolysis section of the steam pyrolysis unit. The diameter (DV) of the partially open release is in certain embodiments in the range of 0.05≦DV/D 2 ≦0.4. 
         [0053]    Accordingly, in certain embodiments, and depending on the properties of the incoming mixture, a large volume fraction of the vapor therein exits device  80  from the outlet  84  through the partially open release pipe with a diameter DV. The liquid phase (e.g., residue) with a low or non-existent vapor concentration exits through a bottom portion of the cyclonic vertical section  90  having a cross-sectional area S 4 , and is collected in the liquid collector and settling pipe  92 . 
         [0054]    The connection area between the cyclonic vertical section  90  and the liquid collector and settling pipe  92  has an angle in certain embodiments of 90°. In certain embodiments the internal diameter of the liquid collector and settling pipe  92  is in the range of 2≦D 3 /D 1 ≦4 and is constant across the pipe length, and the length (LH) of the liquid collector and settling pipe  92  is in the range of 1.2≦LH/D 3 ≦5. The liquid with low vapor volume fraction is removed from the apparatus through pipe  86  having a diameter of DL, which in certain embodiments is in the range of 0.05≦DL/D 3 ≦0.4 and located at the bottom or proximate the bottom of the settling pipe. 
         [0055]    In certain embodiments, a vapor-liquid separation device is provided similar in operation and structure to device  80  without the liquid collector and settling pipe return portion. For instance, a vapor-liquid separation device  180  is used as inlet portion of a flash vessel  179 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . In these embodiments the bottom of the vessel  179  serves as a collection and settling zone for the recovered liquid portion from device  180 . 
         [0056]    In general a vapor phase is discharged through the top  194  of the flash vessel  179  and the liquid phase is recovered from the bottom  196  of the flash vessel  179 . The vapor-liquid separation device  180  is economical to operate and maintenance free since it does not require power or chemical supplies. Device  180  comprises three ports including an inlet port  182  for receiving a vapor-liquid mixture, a vapor outlet port  184  for discharging separated vapor and a liquid outlet port  186  for discharging separated liquid. Device  180  operates based on a combination of phenomena including conversion of the linear velocity of the incoming mixture into a rotational velocity by the global flow pre-rotational section, a controlled centrifugal effect to pre-separate the vapor from liquid, and a cyclonic effect to promote separation of vapor from the liquid. To attain these effects, device  180  includes a pre-rotational section  188  and a controlled cyclonic vertical section  190  having an upper portion  190   a  and a lower portion  190   b . The vapor portion having low liquid volume fraction is discharged through the vapor outlet port  184  having a diameter (DV). Upper portion  190   a  which is partially or totally open and has an internal diameter (DII) in certain embodiments in the range of 0.5&lt;DV/Dll&lt;1.3. The liquid portion with low vapor volume fraction is discharged from liquid port  186  having an internal diameter (DL) in certain embodiments in the range of 0.1&lt;DL/DIl&lt;1.1. The liquid portion is collected and discharged from the bottom of flash vessel  179 . 
         [0057]    In order to enhance and to control phase separation, heating steam can be used in the vapor-liquid separation device  80  or  180 , particularly when used as a standalone apparatus or is integrated within the inlet of a flash vessel. 
         [0058]    While the various members are described separately and with separate portions, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that apparatus  80  or apparatus  180  can be formed as a monolithic structure, e.g., it can be cast or molded, or it can be assembled from separate parts, e.g., by welding or otherwise attaching separate components together which may or may not correspond precisely to the members and portions described herein. 
         [0059]    It will be appreciated that although various dimensions are set forth as diameters, these values can also be equivalent effective diameters in embodiments in which the components parts are not cylindrical. 
         [0060]    Mixed product stream  39  is passed to the inlet of quenching zone  40  with a quenching solution  42  (e.g., water and/or pyrolysis fuel oil) introduced via a separate inlet to produce an intermediate quenched mixed product stream  44  having a reduced temperature, e.g., of about 300° C., and spent quenching solution  46  is discharged. The gas mixture effluent  39  from the cracker is typically a mixture of hydrogen, methane, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. After cooling with water or oil quench, mixture  44  is compressed in a multi-stage compressor zone  51 , typically in 4-6 stages to produce a compressed gas mixture  52 . The compressed gas mixture  52  is treated in a caustic treatment unit  53  to produce a gas mixture  54  depleted of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. The gas mixture  54  is further compressed in a compressor zone  55 , and the resulting cracked gas  56  typically undergoes a cryogenic treatment in unit 57 to be dehydrated, and is further dried by use of molecular sieves. 
         [0061]    The cold cracked gas stream  58  from unit  57  is passed to a de-methanizer tower  59 , from which an overhead stream  60  is produced containing hydrogen and methane from the cracked gas stream. The bottoms stream  65  from de-methanizer tower  59  is then sent for further processing in product separation zone  70 , comprising fractionation towers including de-ethanizer, de-propanizer and de-butanizer towers. Process configurations with a different sequence of de-methanizer, de-ethanizer, de-propanizer and de-butanizer can also be employed. 
         [0062]    According to the processes herein, after separation from methane at the de-methanizer tower  59  and hydrogen recovery in unit  61 , hydrogen  62  having a purity of typically 80-95 vol % is obtained. Recovery methods in unit  61  include cryogenic recovery (e.g., at a temperature of about −157° C.). Hydrogen stream  62  is then passed to a hydrogen purification unit  64 , such as a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit to obtain a hydrogen stream  2  having a purity of 99.9%+, or a membrane separation units to obtain a hydrogen stream  2  with a purity of about 95%. The purified hydrogen stream  2  is then recycled back to serve as a major portion of the requisite hydrogen for the hydroprocessing zone. In addition, a minor proportion can be utilized for the hydrogenation reactions of acetylene, methylacetylene and propadienes (not shown). In addition, according to the processes herein, methane stream  63  can optionally be recycled to the steam cracker to be used as fuel for burners and/or heaters. 
         [0063]    The bottoms stream  65  from de-methanizer tower  59  is conveyed to the inlet of product separation zone  70  to be separated into methane, ethylene, propylene, butadiene, mixed butylenes and pyrolysis gasoline discharged via outlets  78 ,  77 ,  76 ,  75 ,  74  and  73 , respectively. Pyrolysis gasoline generally includes C5-C9 hydrocarbons, and benzene, toluene and xylenes can be extracted from this cut. Optionally, one or both of the unvaporized heavy liquid fraction  21  from flash zone  20  and the rejected portion  38  from vapor-liquid separation section  36  are combined with pyrolysis fuel oil  71  (e.g., materials boiling at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the lowest boiling C10 compound, known as a “C10+” stream) and the mixed stream can be withdrawn as a pyrolysis fuel oil blend  72 , e.g., a low sulfur fuel oil blend to be further processed in an off-site refinery. 
         [0064]    In certain embodiments, selective hydroprocessing or hydrotreating processes can increase the paraffin content (or decrease the BMCI) of a feedstock by saturation followed by mild hydrocracking of aromatics, especially polyaromatics. When hydrotreating a crude oil, contaminants such as metals, sulfur and nitrogen can be removed by passing the feedstock through a series of layered catalysts that perform the catalytic functions of demetallization, desulfurization and/or denitrogenation. 
         [0065]    In one embodiment, the sequence of catalysts to perform hydrodemetallization (HDM) and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is as follows: 
         [0066]    A hydrodemetallization catalyst. The catalyst in the HDM section are generally based on a gamma alumina support, with a surface area of about 140-240 m 2 /g. This catalyst is best described as having a very high pore volume, e.g., in excess of 1 cm 3 /g. The pore size itself is typically predominantly macroporous. This is required to provide a large capacity for the uptake of metals on the catalysts surface and optionally dopants. Typically the active metals on the catalyst surface are sulfides of Nickel and Molybdenum in the ratio Ni/Ni+Mo&lt;0.15. The concentration of Nickel is lower on the HDM catalyst than other catalysts as some Nickel and Vanadium is anticipated to be deposited from the feedstock itself during the removal, acting as catalyst. The dopant used can be one or more of phosphorus (see, e.g., US Patent Publication Number 2005/0211603 which is incorporated by reference herein), boron, silicon and halogens. The catalyst can be in the form of alumina extrudates or alumina beads. In certain embodiments alumina beads are used to facilitate un-loading of the catalyst HDM beds in the reactor as the metals uptake will range between from 30 to 100% at the top of the bed. 
         [0067]    An intermediate catalyst can also be used to perform a transition between the HDM and HDS function. It has intermediate metals loadings and pore size distribution. The catalyst in the HDM/HDS reactor is essentially alumina based support in the form of extrudates, optionally at least one catalytic metal from group VI (e.g., molybdenum and/or tungsten), and/or at least one catalytic metals from group VIII (e.g., nickel and/or cobalt). The catalyst also contains optionally at least one dopant selected from boron, phosphorous, halogens and silicon. Physical properties include a surface area of about 140-200 m 2 /g, a pore volume of at least 0.6 cm 3 /g and pores which are mesoporous and in the range of 12 to 50 nm. 
         [0068]    The catalyst in the HDS section can include those having gamma alumina based support materials, with typical surface area towards the higher end of the HDM range, e.g. about ranging from 180-240 m 2 /g. This required higher surface for HDS results in relatively smaller pore volume, e.g., lower than 1 cm 3 /g. The catalyst contains at least one element from group VI, such as molybdenum and at least one element from group VIII, such as nickel. The catalyst also comprises at least one dopant selected from boron, phosphorous, silicon and halogens. In certain embodiments cobalt is used to provide relatively higher levels of desulfurization. The metals loading for the active phase is higher as the required activity is higher, such that the molar ratio of Ni/Ni+Mo is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.3 and the (Co+Ni)/Mo molar ratio is in the range of from 0.25 to 0.85. 
         [0069]    A final catalyst (which could optionally replace the second and third catalyst) is designed to perform hydrogenation of the feedstock (rather than a primary function of hydrodesulfurization), for instance as described in Appl. Catal. A General, 204 (2000) 251. The catalyst will be also promoted by Ni and the support will be wide pore gamma alumina. Physical properties include a surface area towards the higher end of the HDM range, e.g., 180-240 m 2 /g This required higher surface for HDS results in relatively smaller pore volume, e.g., lower than 1cm 3 /g. 
       EXAMPLE 
       [0070]    A comparative example was conducted as shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. Atmospheric residue was used as a feedstock to a hydroprocessing unit. A virgin crude oil was distillated to produce a light naphtha fraction, a heavy naphtha fraction, a kerosene fraction, a diesel fraction and an atmospheric residue fraction boiling above 370° C. The atmospheric residue fraction was hydrotreated to produce a hydrotreated effluent containing a light naphtha fraction, a heavy naphtha fraction, a kerosene fraction, a diesel fraction, an atmospheric residue fraction boiling above 370° C. and a vacuum residue fraction boiling above 540° C. The hydrotreated effluent excluding the vacuum residue fraction was passed to a steam pyrolysis reactor to produce ethylene. The ethylene yield was 6.5 wt % from the virgin crude oil, or 21.6 wt % from the feed to steam pyrolysis. 
         [0071]    In another operation, a whole crude oil feedstock was processed according to the process described with respect to  FIG. 1 . A hydrotreated effluent was produced containing a light naphtha fraction, a heavy naphtha fraction, a kerosene fraction, a diesel fraction, a gas oil fraction boiling between 370° C. and 540° C., and a vacuum residue fraction boiling above 540° C. The hydrotreated effluent excluding the vacuum residue fraction was passed to a steam pyrolysis reactor to produce ethylene. The ethylene yield was 19.1 wt % based on the mass of the whole crude oil feed, or 23.3 wt % based on the mass of the feed to the steam pyrolysis zone. The ethylene yield in this process based on whole crude oil as a feedstock was about three times the yield of a process using atmospheric residue as a feed to the steam pyrolysis zone. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Processing of Atmospheric Residue Compared to Processing of Whole Crude Oil 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Atmospheric Residue Processing 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Hydrotreatment 
                 Steam 
                   
               
               
                   
                 of Stream B6 
                 Pyrolysis of 
                 Whole Crude Oil Processing 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Virgin Crude 
                 (Atmospheric 
                 Stream D1-D6 
                 Hydrotreated 
                 Steam Pyrolysis 
               
               
                   
                 Distillation 
                 Residue) 
                 ex HT 
                 Arab Light 
                 of Stream H1-H5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Flow Rate, kg/hr 
                 56,975 
                 25,229 
                 17,054 
                 56,975 
                 46,599 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 B 
                   
                 D 
                   
                 F 
                   
                 H 
                   
                 J 
               
               
                   
                   
                 A 
                 Flow 
                 C 
                 Flow 
                   
                 Flow 
                 G 
                 Flow 
                 I 
                 Flow 
               
               
                 Stream 
                   
                 Yield, 
                 Rate 
                 Yield, 
                 Rate 
                   
                 Rate 
                 Yield, 
                 Rate 
                 Yield, 
                 Rate 
               
               
                 No. 
                 Fraction 
                 wt % 
                 (kg/hr) 
                 wt % 
                 (kg/hr) 
                 E 
                 (kg/hr) 
                 wt % 
                 (kg/hr) 
                 wt % 
                 (kg/hr) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 L. Naphtha 
                 7.9 
                 4,524 
                 2.0 
                 494 
                   
                   
                 4.5 
                 2,575 
               
               
                 2 
                 H. Naphtha 
                 10.2 
                 5,817 
                 2.5 
                 641 
                   
                   
                 8.5 
                 4,863 
               
               
                 3 
                 Kerosene 
                 17.0 
                 9,680 
                 6.7 
                 1,683 
                   
                   
                 19.9 
                 11,321 
               
               
                 4 
                 Diesel 
                 20.6 
                 11,725 
                 13.3 
                 3,363 
                   
                   
                 19.6 
                 11,176 
               
               
                 5 
                 GO (370- 
                 — 
                   
                 — 
                   
                   
                   
                 29.2 
                 16,664 
               
               
                   
                 540° C.) 
               
               
                 6 
                 370+ 
                 44.3 
                 25,229 
                 43.1 
                 10,873 
               
               
                   
                 Atmospheric 
               
               
                   
                 Residue 
               
               
                 7 
                 Vacuum 
                 — 
                 — 
                 32.4 
                 8,174 
                   
                   
                 18.2 
                 10,376 
               
               
                   
                 Residue, 
               
               
                   
                 540° C.+ 
               
               
                 8 
                 Ethylene 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 21.6 
                 3,680 
                   
                   
                 23.3 
                 10,858 
               
               
                   
                 Yield, wt % 
               
               
                   
                 FF 
               
               
                 9 
                 Ethylene 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 6.5 
                   
                   
                   
                 19.1 
                 10,858 
               
               
                   
                 Yield, wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Crude 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Total 
                 100.0 
                 56,975 
                 100 
                 25,229 
                   
                   
                 100.0 
                 56,975 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0072]    As shown in Table 2 below, additional advantages of processing a whole crude oil instead of an atmospheric residue includes significantly reduced hydrogen consumption, higher yield of ethylene product on a feedstock basis and minimized overall processing and capital investment costs. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison of Processing of Atmospheric 
               
               
                 Residue Compared to Whole Crude Oil 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Atmospheric Residue 
                 Whole Crude Oil 
               
               
                   
                 Processing 
                 Processing 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Operating Pressure 
                 &gt;150 
                 bar 
                 100-150 
                 bar 
               
             
          
           
               
                 LHSV 
                 0.25 
                 0.5-0.7 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Deactivation Rate 
                 4-5° 
                 C./month 
                 1-2° 
                 C./month 
               
               
                 Hydrogen Consumption 
                 1000 
                 scf/bbl 
                 377 
                 scf/bbl 
               
               
                 Product Sulfur Content 
                 5000-10,000 
                 ppmw 
                 &lt;500 
                 ppmw 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Distillation Costs 
                 YES, atmospheric only 
                 NO 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0073]    The method and system herein provides improvements over known steam pyrolysis cracking processes: 
         [0074]    use of crude oil as a feedstock to produce petrochemicals such as olefins and aromatics; 
         [0075]    the hydrogen content of the feed to the steam pyrolysis zone is enriched for high yield of olefins; 
         [0076]    in certain embodiments coke precursors are significantly removed from the initial whole crude oil which allows a decreased coke formation in the radiant coil; and 
         [0077]    additional impurities such as metals, sulfur and nitrogen compounds are also significantly removed from the starting feed which avoids post treatments of the final products. 
         [0078]    In addition, hydrogen produced from the steam cracking zone is recycled to the hydroprocessing zone to minimize the demand for fresh hydrogen. In certain embodiments the integrated systems described herein only require fresh hydrogen to initiate the operation. Once the reaction reaches the equilibrium, the hydrogen purification system can provide enough high purity hydrogen to maintain the operation of the entire system. 
         [0079]    The method and system of the present invention have been described above and in the attached drawings; however, modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and the scope of protection for the invention is to be defined by the claims that follow.