Hydrocarbon conversion process utilizing a magnetic field in a fluidized bed of catalitic particles

Abstract

A hydrocarbon conversion process, such as catalytic desulfurization of a vaporized petroleum feedstock with hydrogen or catalytic reforming of a vaporized hydrocarbon feedstock, is carried out by passing the gaseous medium upwardly through a fluidized bed of magnetizable composite particles having catalytic activity for hydrocarbon conversion and which contain 2 to 40 volume % ferro- or ferrimagnetic material to a nontime varying (direct current) and substantially uniform applied magnetic field having a substantial component along the direction of gravity such that the composite particles have a component of magnetization along the direction of gravity. The gaseous medium is also the fluidizing medium passing upwardly at a superficial gas velocity ranging between: (1) at least twice the normal minimum superficial gas velocity required to fluidize the bed in the absence of said applied magnetic field, and (2) less than the superficial gas velocity required to cause time-varying fluctuations of pressure difference through said bed for a 0.1 to 1 second time interval during continuous fluidization in the presence of said applied magnetic field.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.