Patent ID: 10961470

Abstract:
A system for upgrading a hydrocarbon feed includes a thermal hydrodealkylation unit and a hydrocracking unit. A method for reducing formation of heavy polynuclear aromatic compounds during hydrocracking includes contacting a hydrocarbon feed comprising polynuclear aromatic compounds with hydrogen at reaction conditions sufficient to hydrodealkylate at least a portion of the polynuclear aromatic compounds in the hydrocarbon feed to produce a hydrodealkylated effluent. The method can also include contacting at least a portion of the hydrodealkylated effluent with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrocracking catalyst, where the contacting causes at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the hydrodealkylated effluent to undergo hydrocracking to produce a hydrocracked effluent. The systems and methods may reduce or prevent formation of heavy polynuclear aromatic compounds in the hydrocracking unit by hydrodealkylating heavy polynuclear aromatic precursors in the hydrocarbon feed.