Abstract:
One or more processes for recovering entrained ionic liquid from a hydrocarbon phase containing droplets of ionic liquid are described. The processes includes contacting the hydrocarbon phase containing the droplets of ionic liquid with a retaining material in a separation zone. The droplets of ionic liquid are retained by the retaining material. The ionic liquid may be recovered from the retaining material with a solvent or desorbent. The retaining material may be regenerated and the ionic liquid may be reactivated. The retaining material may be used in a wash vessel to retain or remove contaminant solids within the reactor or other vessels.
Abstract:
Methods of recovering droplets of ionic liquid catalyst from a process stream are described. The volume fraction of ionic liquid in the hydrocarbon is increased to cause the ionic liquid droplets to coalesce. One method incorporates various combinations of gravity separation zone(s) and fractionation zones. Another method involves using a combination of a flash vessel and a fractionation zone, as well as an optional gravity separation zone.
Abstract:
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a slurry hydrocracking reactor. The hydrocarbons are recovered by taking a drag stream of the slurry in the reactor. After separating lighter hydrocarbons in a separation zone, the heavier hydrocarbons can be processed in a deashing zone, with a vacuum column bottoms from a separation of the effluent stream recovered from the reactor. The deashing zone can recover the heavier hydrocarbons in a deashed pitch. Additionally, a VGO rich stream from the deashing zone may be recycled back to the reactor.