System and process for hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, or hydrofinishing

In a system for hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, or hydrofinishing catalytic reaction, or a combination thereof, the system comprising:

• an external high shear device comprising at least one generator comprising a rotor and a stator having a shear gap therebetween, and an inlet for a fluid stream comprising hydrogen gas and a liquid phase selected from liquid phases comprising sulfur-containing species and hydrocarbons;
• liquid phases comprising nitrogen-containing species and hydrocarbons;
• and liquid phases comprising unsaturated hydrocarbons;
• wherein the high shear device produces a dispersion of the hydrogen gas and the liquid phase;
• and
• a fixed bed reactor comprising catalyst, wherein the fixed bed reactor is configured to receive the dispersion from the high shear device and to maintain a predetermined bulk pressure and temperature for the catalytic hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, or hydrofinishing reaction.