Mild hydrocracking of an unstable feedstock in a three-phase fluidized-bed reactor: behavior of the process and of the chemical compounds

The mild hydrocracking (400[degrees]C, 125 atm) of an unstable feedstock (shale oil) was performed in a three-phase fluidized-bed reactor with a commercial sulfided Ni-Mo catalyst. The hydroprocessing was monitored with respect to the physicochemical properties and the chemical composition of the natural and treated oil. The unit attained steady state after 36 h on stream for almost all parameters (viscosity, density, conversion, selectivity, etc.). Chemical composition data of the feedstock and the treated oil were, in general, in good agreement with the physicochemical characterizations. In this paper the mild hydrocracking in a three-phase fluidized-bed reactor is shown to be an alternative process for the treatment of unstable feedstocks.