Patent attributes
A method of hydroprocessing hydrocarbons is provided using a substantially liquid-phase reactor having first and second catalyst beds with a heat transfer section positioned therebetween. The first and second catalyst beds and the heat transfer section are combined within the same reactor vessel. Each catalyst bed having an inlet temperature and an exit temperature and having a hydroprocessing catalyst therein with a maximum operating temperature range. The method hydroprocesses the hydrocarbons and removes sufficient heat from the hydrocarbons using the heat transfer section so that the exit temperature of the hydrocarbons existing the first catalyst bed is substantially maintained below the maximum operating temperature range of the hydroprocessing catalysts in the first bed and, at the same time, also providing the hydrocarbons to the second catalyst bed at the inlet temperature so that the exit temperature of the hydrocarbons at the exit of the second catalyst bed also does not exceed the maximum operating temperature range of the hydroprocessing catalyst in the second bed.
