Hydroprocessing units and methods for preventing corrosion in hydroprocessing units

Abstract

Methods for operating a hydroprocessing reactor and preventing corrosion in a hydroprocessing unit are provided. The hydroprocessing reactor includes surfaces exposed to corrosive compounds. In one aspect, a graphene-based coating is applied to the surfaces of the reactor. A feed comprising crude oil or its fractions and hydrogen is introduced into the reactor, and the operating temperature of the reactor is increased to 36° C.-600° C. The reactor is operated at a pressure of 10 bar-250 bar. The feed is then hydroprocessed in the reactor and the coating defines a barrier on the surfaces of the reactor to prevent corrosion. In another aspect, after application of the coating, the coated surface is tested to determine whether the coating covers the entire surface. Additional coating is then applied to one or more areas of the surface that were determined not to be covered by the initial coating.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure is generally related to methods for coating surfaces and, more particularly, is related to methods for coating a metal surface of a hydroprocessing unit with a graphene-based coating, thereby producing an improved hydroprocessing unit that prevents corrosion and has an extended life cycle.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]Hydrotreating and hydrocracking process technologies (commonly called “hydroprocessing”) are used commercially in various petroleum refineries. Hydroprocessing is a process that includes removing unwanted impurities, such as sulfur and nitrogen, from the crude oil fractions with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce clean transportation fuels or prepare feedstock for other refining processes. Hydroprocessing is applied to a variety of feeds from naphtha to residual oils.[0003]Hydrotreating and hydrocracking process technologies generally require high hydrogen partial pressures, resulting in high-pressure equip...

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