Hydroconversion and desulfurization process

Claim 2

A process for simultaneously hydroconverting and desulfurizing a sulfur-containing heavy hydrocarbonaceous oil feed, which comprises reacting said oil with an alkali metal alkoxide derived from a C 1 to C 4 aliphatic monohydroxy saturated alcohol, in the presence of added hydrogen at hydroconversion and desulfurization conditions including an elevated temperature, and recovering a hydroconverted oil.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal alkoxide is selected from the group consisting of lithium methoxide, lithium ethoxide, sodium methoxide, sodium isopropoxide, potassium methoxide, potassium ethoxide and potassium tertiary butoxide.

Claim 4

The process of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal alkoxide is potassium methoxide.

Claim 5

The process of claim 1 wherein said hydroconversion and desulfurization conditions include a temperature in the range of about 500 to about 1500° F. and a hydrogen partial pressure ranging from about 500 to about 5000 psig.

Claim 6

The process of claim 1 wherein said hydroconversion and desulfurization conditions include a temperature ranging from about 500 to about 1000° F. and a hydrogen partial pressure ranging from about 500 to about 3000 psig.

Claim 7

The process of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal alkoxide is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 50 weight percent based on said oil feed.

Claim 8

The process of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal alkoxide is present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 30 weight percent based on said oil feed.

Claim 9

The process of claim 1 wherein said oil feed is an asphaltene-containing oil.

Claim 10

A process for the simultaneous hydroconversion and desulfurization of a sulfur-containing hydrocarbonaceous oil feed which comprises: reacting said oil feed with potassium methoxide in the presence of added hydrogen at a temperature ranging from about 500 to about 1500° F. and a hydrogen partial pressure ranging from about 500 to about 3000 psig for a time sufficient to reduce the sulfur content of said feed and to convert at least a portion of such feed to lower boiling hydrocarbon products.

Claim 11

A process for the simultaneous hydroconversion and desulfurization of a sulfur-containing hydrocarbonaceous oil feed which comprises: reacting said oil feed with potassium methoxide in the presence of added hydrogen at a temperature ranging from about 500 to about 1500° F. and a hydrogen partial pressure ranging from about 500 to about 3000 psig for a time sufficient to reduce the sulfur content of said feed and to convert at least a portion of such feed to lower boiling hydrocarbon products.