Upgrading of Coal Liquids. Interim Report: Hydrotreating and Reforming Exxon Donor Solvent (EDS) Process Derived Naphthas

摘要

Exxon Donor Solvent (EDS) Process naphtha has been processed in research pilot plants into 100 octane motor fuel by conventional refinery processes, using commercial UOP catalysts. The naphtha comprises principally cyclic hydrocarbons. In addition, it contains over 10% heterocyclic structures, such as phenols, pyridines, and thiophenes. Hydrotreatment was effective in reducing the sulfur and nitrogen to levels acceptable for reforming. Conditions used were substantially more severe than required to clean up a Middle East naphtha. However, they were well within commercial practice for hydrotreating heavier petroleum distillates. Reforming the hydrotreated naphtha gave 90 volume percent of 100 octane gasoline. Conditions were relatively mild due to the predominance of cyclic structures in the feed. Dehydrogenation of naphthenes to aromatics was the principal reaction. It yielded 1630 SCF/bbl hydrogen, about twice the amount needed for the preliminary hydrotreatment. Other naphthas, derived by hydrocracking EDS Process 400 exp 0 F exp + distillates, were also successfully reformed to high octane at high yields, plus hydrogen for use in upstream processing. (ERA citation 05:002414)