High frequency energy application to petroleum feed processing

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining the active life of a catalyst in organic feed processing by applying a series of electromagnetic radiation pulses to the catalyst in a reactor. The pulsing of the catalyst selectively heats and cools the catalyst and can regulate the relative internal pressure of the catalyst particles to stimulate the acceleration of oil macromolecules mass-exchange through the catalyst pores and surface. This allows for the removal of cracked oil molecules from the particles. The application of electromagnetic pulses also regulates the activity of the catalyst. The electromagnetic radiation reduces the formation of coke on the catalyst and increases the life of the catalyst in the reactor. Further, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing water and salt from an organic feed. Water and salt is removed by applying a series of electromagnetic radiation pulses to the organic feed. A first pulse condenses water contained in the feed and induces salt to dissolve in the condensed water. A second pulse vaporizes a portion of the condensed water droplets to bring the droplets to the surface of the organic feed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 243,681, filed Sep. 16, 2002, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 709,307, filed Nov. 13, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,451,174, of which benefit and priority is claimed hereby under 35 U.S.C. § 120 and the disclosure of which are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates broadly to a method and apparatus for exposing a processing catalyst to high frequency energy in the presence of an organic feed such as a hydrocarbon feed. Further, the invention is directed to pulsing high frequency energy to remove water and salt from organic feeds such as petroleum feeds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In all oil processes using catalysts, deactivation of the catalyst occurs due to poisoning of catalysts and due to coke formation on the catalyst. The precipitation of heavy ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In all oil processes using catalysts, deactivation of the catalyst occurs due to poisoning of catalysts and due to coke formation on the catalyst.

The precipitation of heavy metals, such as nickel, vanadium, iron, can also result in the deactivation of the catalyst.

With traditional methods for regenerating the catalyst there is the loss of catalytic material, deterioration due to abrasion, and loss in activity.

However, these systems typically utilize a plasma initiator in the reactor resulting in more complicated hydroprocessing systems.

This emulsion is very expensive to separate.

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