Patent US4537676A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4537676A
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Reducing metal content of oil feeds
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1982-01-04
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Granted: 1985-08-27
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Expires: 2002-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A method for reducing the concentration of metal contaminants, such as vanadium and nickel, in the distillate from a petroleum fraction is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the petroleum fraction in a contacting zone with an effective amount of sulfur dioxide of a sulfur dioxide precursor at a temperature ranging between about 200 DEG C. and 450 DEG C. for a period of time ranging between about 0.01 and 5 hours after which the fraction is passed to a vacuum separation zone and separated into a distillate having a relatively low metals content and a bottoms having a relatively high metals content.
Inventors
- 👤 Roby Bearden
- 👤 Gordon F. Stuntz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:16
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G21/00; C10G21/06; C10G21/08; C10G53/00; C10G53/02; C10G53/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for reducing the metal contaminant concentration in distillate derived by processing a bottoms fraction from an atmospheric separation where the bottoms fraction contains metal contaminant, said method comprising: A. passing the bottoms fraction into a contacting zone maintained at a temperature ranging between about 200° C. and about 450° C. and contacting the bottoms fraction therein with one or more metal devolatilization agents selected from the group consisting of vapor phase sulfur dioxide and precursors of vapor phase sulfur dioxide so that the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the contacting zone ranges from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt.% of the bottoms fraction; and B. passing the bottoms fraction from the contacting zone into a vacuum separation zone wherein the bottoms fraction containing the metal contaminant is separated into a distillate having a relatively low metal contaminant concentration and a bottoms having a relatively high metal contaminant concentration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for reducing the metal contaminant concentration in distillate derived by processing a bottoms fraction from an atmospheric separation where the bottoms fraction contains metal contaminant, said method comprising: A. passing the bottoms fraction into a contacting zone maintained at a temperature ranging between about 200° C. and about 450° C. and contacting the bottoms fraction therein with one or more metal devolatilization agents selected from the group consisting of vapor phase sulfur dioxide and precursors of vapor phase sulfur dioxide so that the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the contacting zone ranges from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt.% of the bottoms fraction; and B. passing the bottoms fraction from the contacting zone into a vacuum separation zone wherein the bottoms fraction containing the metal contaminant is separated into a distillate having a relatively low metal contaminant concentration and a bottoms having a relatively high metal contaminant concentration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal devolatilization agent is a non-halogen containing devolatilization agent selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide and sulfur dioxide precursors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal devolatilization agent is selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, sulfurous acid, ammonium bisulfite and alkali metal bisulfites.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the bottoms fraction from the contacting zone is separated into a distillate having a relatively low metal contaminant concentration and a bottoms having a relatively high metal contaminant concentration without the addition of solvent to the fraction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the distillate has a cut point of at least 520° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the distillate has a cut point of at least 565° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the distillate has a cut point of at least 590° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the metal contaminant comprises nickel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the metal contaminant further comprises vanadium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the metal devolatilization agent comprises sulfur dioxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the contacting zone is maintained at a temperature ranging between about 250° C. and about 400° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the bottoms fraction is contacted with about 0.5 to about 5.0 weight percent sulfur dioxide, based upon the weight of the petroleum fraction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the bottoms fraction is contacted with about 1 to about 3 weight percent sulfur dioxide, based upon the weight of the bottoms fraction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the residence time of the bottoms fraction in the contacting zone ranges between about 0.01 and about 5 hours.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the absolute pressure at the top of the vacuum separation zone is maintained between about 10 and about 100 mmHg.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for reducing the concentration of nickel and vanadium in distillate derived by processing a bottoms fraction from an atmospheric separation where the bottoms fraction contains nickel and vanadium, said method comprising: A. passing the bottoms fraction into a contacting zone maintained at a temperature ranging between about 200° C. and about 450° C. and contacting the bottoms fraction therein with about 0.5 to about 5.0 weight percent vapor phase sulfur dioxide, based upon the weight of the bottoms fraction for a period of time ranging between about 0.01 and about 5 hours; and B. thereafter passing the bottoms fraction into a vacuum separation zone wherein the petroleum fraction is separated into a distillate having a relatively low concentration of nickel and vanadium and a bottoms having a relatively high nickel and vanadium concentration.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for reducing the concentration of nickel and vanadium in distillate derived by processing a bottoms fraction from an atmospheric separation where the bottoms fraction contains nickel and vanadium, said method comprising: A. passing the bottoms fraction into a contacting zone maintained at a temperature ranging between about 200° C. and about 450° C. and contacting the bottoms fraction therein with about 0.5 to about 5.0 weight percent vapor phase sulfur dioxide, based upon the weight of the bottoms fraction for a period of time ranging between about 0.01 and about 5 hours; and B. thereafter passing the bottoms fraction into a vacuum separation zone wherein the petroleum fraction is separated into a distillate having a relatively low concentration of nickel and vanadium and a bottoms having a relatively high nickel and vanadium concentration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-26 | 1989-02-25 | 1989-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-26 | 1993-02-25 | 1993-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-26 | 1997-02-25 | 1997-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |