Patent ID: 7651604

Claim:
A two-stage low pressure reaction process for the catalytic hydrotreatment of heavy petroleum hydrocarbons containing a high content of metals, total sulfur, asphaltenes and total nitrogen to improve the properties of the feed hydrocarbons, limit the formation of sediment and sludge, and attain a high removal of contaminants, said process comprising subjecting said heavy petroleum hydrocarbon feedstock to a first reaction stage with hydrogen and a catalyst comprising nickel-molybdenum-titania on gamma alumina and a second reaction stage with hydrogen and a catalyst comprising cobalt-molybdenum-titania on gamma alumina, wherein each of said stages is conducted at a pressure of 40 to 130 kg/cm 2 , a temperature of 320° to 450° C., a space velocity (LHSV) of 0.2 to 3.0 h −1 , and a hydrogen/hydrocarbon ratio (H 2 /HC) of 350 to 1,200 nl/l.