HYDROCRACKING PROCESS AND SYSTEM INCLUDING SEPARATION OF HEAVY POLY NUCLEAR AROMATICS FROM RECYCLE BY IONIC LIQUIDS AND SOLID ADSORBENTS

摘要

A process for the treatment of a hydrocracking unit bottoms recycle stream, and preferably the fresh hydrocracker feed to remove heavy poly-nuclear aromatic (HPNA) compounds and HPNA precursors employs, in the alternative, an adsorption step which removes most of the HPNA compounds followed by an ionic liquid extraction step to remove the remaining HPNA compounds, or a first ionic liquid extraction step which removes most of the HPNA compounds followed by an adsorption step to remove the remaining HPNA compounds. Ionic liquids of the general formula Q⁺A^- are identified for use in the process; organic polar solvents are identified for removal of the HPNA compounds in solution. Suitable adsorbents are identified for use in packed bed or slurry bed columns that operate within specified temperature and pressure ranges.