Catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons in reactor fractionator

Claim 1

A process for simultaneous distillation and hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon feeds stocks boiling predominantly above about 650° F. which comprises introducing said stocks to an intermediate point as the sole hydrocarbon feed in a vertical column of a hydrocracking catalyst on a porous solid support, introducing hydrogen to said column below said intermediate point for flow upwardly in said column at a rate sufficient to act as a stripping medium between about 500 and 25,000 standard cubic feet of hydrogen per barrel of said feedstock, maintaining a temperature gradient in said column from a maximum below said intermediate point by reason of exothermic heat of hydrocracking to a minimum thereabove whereby higher rolling constituents of said stocks are caused to flow downwardly as liquid counter-current to said hydrogen at hydrocracking conditions of 300 to 3000 psig, LHSV of 0.25 to 2 and temperature of 600°-1000° F. while lighter constituents and hydrocracking conversion products are caused to flow upwardly as vapor concurrent with said hydrogen resulting in fractional distillation of feed stocks and conversion products in said column, withdrawing liquid hydrocarbon products from the bottom of said column, withdrawing distillate hydrocarbon product vapor from the top of said column, condensing said product vapor and recycling such condensed liquid product as reflux to the top of said column for temperature control.