Hydroprocessing of Heavy Oils. Final Technical Report, September 4, 1979-November 3, 1980

摘要

Hydroprocessing of No. 4 fuel oil to produce a steam-reforming feed suitable for an integrated fuel cell power generation facility was studied. The program included both a system analysis and experimental hydroprocessing work. The initial phase of the experimental work was designed to determine the feasibility of converting the feed to a product suitable for a conventional steam reformer in a single-stage operation. Three catalysts were tested: American Cyanamid AER0 HDS-20A, Shell 324, and a proprietary Union Carbide hydrocracking catalyst. Sustained operation with a significant amount of conversion could not be achieved in this mode of operation with these catalysts. The second phase of the experimental work was designed to investigate a two-stage operation in which the feed was first hydrotreated and then hydrocracked. Shell 324 was used as the hydrotreating catalyst; the Union Carbide catalyst was used in the hydrocracking stage. Four blends with a 0.087 to 0.187-weight-percent sulfur content and a 0.07 to 0.11-weight-percent nitrogen content were made from the product collected from the hydrotreater. These were used as feed to the hydrocracker. A significant amount of conversion was obtained in the hydrocracker with the blend containing 0.087-weight-percent sulfur and 0.07-weight-percent nitrogen. Although this is promising, the results were not achieved at conditions that would be acceptable for the integrated operation of the fuel processing section with the fuel cell. The results of this study indicate that work on developing a low-pressure (less than 500 psig) hydrocracking catalyst that is sulfur- and nitrogen-resistant should be considered.