| abstract |
A hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, e.g., a heavy oil or residuum, is contacted under suitable reaction conditions with free hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and at least one olefin polymer, preferably polypropylene or polystyrene, so as to produce a hydrocarbon product stream having increased API60 gravity and lower content of heavies. Generally, the amounts of impurities (sulfur, nitrogen, nickel and vanadium) contained in the feed stream are reduced in this hydrotreating process. |