Hydroprocessing co-catalyst compositions and methods of introduction thereof into hydroprocessing units

Abstract

A hydroprocessing co-catalyst composition may comprise in an embodiment a first component comprising co-catalyst particles and a liquid carrier, and a second component comprising a dispersant and a dispersant diluent. The co-catalyst particles may be in the micron size range, and the dispersant may promote dispersion of the co-catalyst particles in materials such as the liquid carrier, the dispersant diluent, and combinations thereof. Methods of introducing a hydroprocessing co-catalyst composition into a hydroprocessing system are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of introducing co-catalyst particles into a hydroprocessing system, the method comprising:
 a) providing a composition A comprising the co-catalyst particles and a liquid carrier;   b) providing a composition B comprising a dispersant and a dispersant diluent;   c) combining composition B with composition A to form a composition C, wherein composition C comprises a suspension of the co-catalyst particles; and   d) after step c), contacting the co-catalyst particles with a hydrocarbon feed of the hydroprocessing system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step d) comprises contacting the co-catalyst particles with the hydrocarbon feed such that the co-catalyst particles are entrained with the hydrocarbon feed within the hydroprocessing system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dispersant comprises polyisobutylene succinimide. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the dispersant further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the dispersant further comprises oleic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the co-catalyst particles have a mean particle size between about 2 microns and 100 microns, and   the co-catalyst particles comprise a support comprising a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, aluminosilicates, silica, boria, magnesia, titania, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-catalyst particles have a mean particle size between about 4 microns and 40 microns. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein composition A comprises from about 5 wt. % to 50 wt. % of the co-catalyst particles and from about 50 wt. % to 95 wt. % of the liquid carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid carrier comprises oil. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the co-catalyst particles are hydrophilic, and   step a) comprises suspending the co-catalyst particles in the liquid carrier.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid carrier comprises a material selected from the group consisting of vacuum gas oil, light vacuum gas oil, heavy vacuum gas oil, lube oil base stock, heavy diesel, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon feed comprises heavy oil feedstock having a boiling range up to at least about 650° F. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during step d) the hydrocarbon feed is at a temperature in the range from about 350° F. to 750° F. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 e) prior to step d), diluting composition C with a catalyst introduction diluent to provide a diluted suspension of the co-catalyst particles.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the catalyst introduction diluent comprises oil having a boiling range from about 350° F. to 1125° F., and   during step e) the catalyst introduction diluent is at a temperature in the range from about ambient temperature to 700° F.   
     
     
         16 . A method of introducing co-catalyst particles into a hydroprocessing system, the method comprising:
 a) providing a composition A comprising the co-catalyst particles and a liquid carrier, wherein the co-catalyst particles have a mean particle size between about 2 microns and 100 microns, and the liquid carrier comprises oil;   b) providing a composition B comprising a dispersant and a dispersant diluent;   c) combining composition A with composition B to form a composition C; and   d) contacting composition C with a hydrocarbon feed of the hydroprocessing system.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the hydrocarbon feed comprises heavy oil feedstock having a boiling range up to at least about 650° F., and   during step d) the hydrocarbon feed is at a temperature in the range from about 350° F. to 750° F.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step d) comprises contacting composition C with the hydrocarbon feed such that the co-catalyst particles are entrained with the hydrocarbon feed within the hydroprocessing system. 
     
     
         19 . A method of introducing co-catalyst particles into a hydroprocessing system, the method comprising:
 a) providing a composition A comprising the co-catalyst particles and a liquid carrier, wherein the co-catalyst particles comprise a support comprising a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, aluminosilicates, silica, boria, magnesia, titania, and combinations thereof, and the co-catalyst particles have a mean particle size between about 2 microns and 100 microns;   b) providing a composition B comprising a dispersant and a dispersant diluent;   c) combining composition B with composition A to form a composition C, wherein composition C comprises a suspension of the co-catalyst particles; and   d) contacting composition C with a hydrocarbon feed of the hydroprocessing system such that the co-catalyst particles are entrained with the hydrocarbon feed within the hydroprocessing system.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein composition C is miscible with the hydrocarbon feed, and the hydrocarbon feed comprises heavy oil feedstock having a boiling range up to at least about 650° F.