610
The Chemistry and Technology of Petroleum
and vacuum tower bottoms, coal derived liquids and bitumen. An internal liquid recycle is provided with a pump to expand the catalyst bed, continuously. As a result of expanded bed operating
mode, small pressure drops and isothermal operating conditions are accomplished. Small diameter
extruded catalyst particles as small as 0.8 mm (1/32 in.) can be used in this reactor.
Although the process may not be the means by which direct conversion of the bitumen to a synthetic crude oil would be achieved, it does nevertheless offer an attractive means of bitumen conversion. Indeed, the process would play the part of the primary conversion process from which liquid
products would accrue—these products would then pass to a secondary upgrading (hydrotreating)
process to yield a synthetic crude oil.
EEuent
ermowell nozzle
Catalyst addition line
Density detector radiation
source well
Density detectors
Normal bed level
Feed
Skin
TCs
Recycle pump
FIGURE 22.8 LC-Fining expanded-bed reactor.
Reactor
Tail gas
compressor
Recycle and MUH 2
compressor
Fuel
gas
PSA
Wash
water
Amine
Products
Makeup
H 2
Sour
water
Stripping
and
fractionation
Oil
preheater
H 2
Heater
H 2 S
removal
H 2 S
Oil feed
FIGURE 22.7 LC-Fining process.