Multireactor parallel flow hydrocracking process

A hydrocarbon conversion process which comprises:

• a.) dividing a feed stream into a number of portions having the same composition and passing each portion into an upper portion of a separate reaction zone of a multi-reaction zone reaction section of the process, with the reaction section comprising at least two on-stream reaction zones of substantially equal configuration and operated at substantially the same conversion conditions and also comprising at least one off-stream reaction zone of substantially equal configuration which is being regenerated, and with each reaction zone containing an upper first catalyst bed comprising hydrotreating catalyst and a lower second catalyst bed comprising hydrocracking catalyst;
• b.) passing a hydrogen-rich gas stream into a lower portion of each on-stream reaction zone and upward through the reaction zone;
• c.) collecting liquid phase hydrocarbons at the bottom of each reaction zone into a common liquid retention zone and recycling at least a portion of these hydrocarbons to the first catalyst bed of an on-stream reaction zone;
• and,
• d.) combining vapor rising out of each on-stream reaction zone and passing the resultant combined gas stream to a product recovery section of the process.

A hydrocracking process which comprises:

• a.) dividing a feed stream into a number of portions having the same composition and passing each portion of the feed stream into the upper portion of a separate on-stream reaction zone of a reaction section comprising at least two on-stream reaction zones and at least one off-stream reaction zone which is being regenerated, all of the reaction zones being of substantially equal configuration and operated at substantially the same pressure, with each reaction zone containing an upper first catalyst bed comprising hydrotreating catalyst, a lower second catalyst bed comprising hydrocracking catalyst and a vapor-liquid contacting zone located above the first catalyst bed;
• b.) passing a hydrogen-rich gas stream into a lower portion of each reaction zone, including the regenerating reaction zone, and upward through the reaction zone;
• c.) collecting liquid phase unconverted hydrocarbons at the bottom of each on-stream reaction zone into a common liquid retention zone and recycling at least a portion of the unconverted hydrocarbons to the first catalyst bed of the same on-stream reaction zone;
• d.) combining vapor rising out of the contacting zone of the on-stream reaction zones and the regenerating reaction zone, and passing the resultant combined gas stream to a product recovery section of the process;
• e.) returning the off-stream reaction zone to on-stream operation;
• f.) beginning regeneration of a different reaction zone, with all of the reaction zones being sequentially regenerated to provide a continuous process;
• and,
• g.) recovering a product distillate stream and a liquid hydrocarbon stream, which liquid hydrocarbon stream is charged to the vapor-liquid contacting zones, from the combined gas stream.