HYDROTREATMENT PROCESS KINETICS FOR BITUMEN AND BITUMEN-DERIVED LIQUIDS

Hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodesulfurization and resid conversion data f or the Whiterocks bitumen and bitumen-derived liquid were analysed usi ng a modified power rate law model. The data were obtained with a fixe d-bed reactor in the upflow mode. A space velocity (WHSV(alpha)) term was included to account for deviations from plug flow behaviour. The u pflow mode was preferred to the trickle-bed mode to ensure complete we tting of the catalyst and nearly isothermal operation. The apparent ki netic parameters were obtained by combined non-linear regression and O DE solver techniques for the analysis of laboratory data. A simple nth -order power rate law expression for hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodes ulfurization was examined. The higher than first-order kinetics for hy drodenitrogenation and hydrodesulfurization of the bitumen and bitumen -derived liquids were explained by invoking two parallel first-order r eactions for the facile and refractory fractions or lumps. Parallel an d consecutive reaction schemes were used to examine the extent of conv ersion of the resid fraction to middle distillate, gas oil and naphtha . The apparent kinetic parameters were also determined.