Richard S. Threlkel

Advances in Chevron RDS technology for heavy oil upgrading flexibility

Abstract Over the last 20 years, environmental and market forces have not only increased the demand for residuum hydrotreating technology but have also changed it from a technology which simply desulfurizes to one which provides maximum conversion. Simultaneously greater feed flexibility was also being demanded. Chevron has been active throughout this period developing RDS/VRDS technology and the catalysts that go with that technology. Currently, Chevron provides a whole range of RDS catalysts from HDM catalysts which can handle heavy, high metals feeds to active residuum HDN catalysts which can produce RFCC feed. In addition, Chevron has developed a new technology called Onstream Catalyst Replacement (OCR) which allows refiners to handle very high metals feeds without shutting down their residuum hydrotreater for catalyst changeouts. These continuing developments put Chevron in a unique position to provide a wide range of residuum hydrotreating technology and catalysts for the coming decade and beyond.