Hydroprocess for a hydrocarbon stream from coal tar

Abstract

A coal tar process is described. A coal tar stream is provided, and the coal tar stream is separated to provide a plurality of hydrocarbon streams. At least one of the hydrocarbon streams is hydroprocessed in a fluidized bed hydroprocessing zone with a catalyst to provide a gaseous volatile product and a solid heavy hydrocarbon product absorbed onto the catalyst. The gaseous volatile product is separated from the catalyst. The catalyst is regenerating by separating the absorbed heavy hydrocarbon product from the catalyst. The regenerated catalyst is recycled into the hydroprocessing zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process comprising:
 providing a coal tar stream;   separating the coal tar stream to provide a plurality of hydrocarbon streams;   hydroprocessing at least one of the hydrocarbon streams in a fluidized bed hydroprocessing zone with a catalyst to provide a gaseous volatile product and a solid heavy hydrocarbon product absorbed onto the catalyst;   separating the gaseous volatile product from the catalyst;   regenerating the catalyst by separating the absorbed heavy hydrocarbon product from the catalyst; and   recycling the regenerated catalyst into the hydroprocessing zone.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon stream has a minimum boiling point of about 450° C. to about 500° C. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises one or more of a toluene-insoluble stream, a hexane-insoluble stream, and a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble stream. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises a pitch stream. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the hydroprocessing takes place at an H 2  partial pressure ranging from about 3.4 MPa (500 psig) to about 17.2 MPa (2500 psig). 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein regenerating the catalyst comprises burning off the absorbed heavy hydrocarbon product from the catalyst. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein a hydrocarbon stream flow rate into the hydroprocessing zone is controlled based on a rate of catalyst withdrawal to reduce buildup of heavy material on the catalyst. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  further comprising:
 removing the separated gaseous volatile product. 
 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8  further comprising:
 processing the separated gaseous volatile product by one or more of hydrotreating, hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, deoxygenation, desulfurization, and hydrogenation. 
 
     
     
         10 . A process comprising:
 pyrolyzing a coal feed to provide a coal tar stream and a coke stream;   separating the coal tar stream to provide a plurality of hydrocarbon streams;   hydroprocessing at least one of the hydrocarbon streams in a fluidized bed hydroprocessing zone with a catalyst to provide a gaseous volatile product and a solid heavy hydrocarbon product absorbed onto the catalyst;   separating the gaseous volatile product from the catalyst;   regenerating the catalyst by separating the absorbed heavy hydrocarbon product from the catalyst; and   recycling the regenerated catalyst into the hydroprocessing zone.   
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the hydrocarbon stream has a minimum boiling point of about 450° C. to about 500° C. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises a pitch stream. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises one or more of a toluene-insoluble stream, a hexane-insoluble stream, and a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble stream. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the hydroprocessing takes place at an H 2  partial pressure ranging from about 3.4 MPa (500 psig) to about 17.2 MPa (2500 psig). 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 10  further comprising:
 removing the separated gaseous volatile product. 
 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15  further comprising:
 processing the separated gaseous volatile product by one or more of hydrotreating, hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, deoxygenation, desulfurization, and hydrogenation. 
 
     
     
         17 . A process comprising:
 hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon stream from a coal tar stream in a fluidized bed hydroprocessing zone with a catalyst to provide a gaseous volatile product and a solid heavy hydrocarbon product absorbed onto the catalyst;   separating the gaseous volatile product from the catalyst;   regenerating the catalyst by separating the absorbed heavy hydrocarbon product from the catalyst; and   recycling the regenerated catalyst into the hydroprocessing zone.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises one or more of a toluene-insoluble stream, a hexane-insoluble stream, and a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble stream. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises pitch. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises a coal stream having a minimum boiling point of at least 525° C.