Catalytic Conversion of Aromatic Complex Bottoms
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aromatic complex bottoms from catalytic reforming processes are not efficiently utilized, as they deteriorate gasoline quality and are often considered process reject material, due to their high sulfur, aromatics, and benzene content, which does not meet regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
The process involves reacting C9+ aromatic complex bottoms under fluidized catalytic cracking conditions to produce FCC naphtha, light olefins, and cycle oil, and using a transalkylation catalyst to convert aromatics into C8 aromatic compounds, thereby improving their suitability as gasoline blending components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aromatic complex bottoms are used as gasoline blending components, then refinery productivity increases, but fuel quality deteriorates due to high sulfur, aromatics, and benzene content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by conducting fluidized catalytic cracking under specific operating conditions (temperature range of 450-750°C, catalyst-to-oil ratio of 2:1 to 10:1, residence time of 0.1-5 seconds) to transform the chemical composition of aromatic complex bottoms, reducing sulfur, aromatics, and benzene content to levels meeting fuel specifications while maximizing gasoline yield
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts harmful components (sulfur, aromatics, benzene) from aromatic complex bottoms through fluidized catalytic cracking and subsequent separation processes, removing these detrimental substances while retaining and converting valuable hydrocarbon components into gasoline blending materials
2Reliability
If conventional hydrotreating conditions are applied, then sulfur and nitrogen are removed to less than 0.5 ppmw levels, but aromatic complex bottoms are still produced as reject material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful aromatic complex bottoms reject stream into a valuable resource by applying fluidized catalytic cracking to transform these materials into gasoline blending components, thereby turning a waste product into a revenue-generating feedstock
3Manufacturing precision
If benzene hydrogenation is used to reduce benzene content, then fuel specifications are met, but total aromatics content must also be reduced by blending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by conducting fluidized catalytic cracking of aromatic complex bottoms to pre-reduce benzene and aromatics content before blending operations, thereby reducing the extent of subsequent hydrogenation and blending required to meet fuel specifications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively converts heavy aromatic complex bottoms into valuable gasoline blending components and petrochemical products, enhancing refinery productivity and compliance with stringent fuel specifications.
Implementation Method 1
reacting C9+ aromatic complex bottoms under fluidized catalytic cracking conditions to produce FCC naphtha, light olefins, and cycle oil
Implementation Method 2
using a transalkylation catalyst to convert aromatics into C8 aromatic compounds
Data Source
AI summary
Processes and systems are disclosed for improving the yield from reforming processes. Aromatic complex bottoms, or a heavy fraction thereof, are subjected to catalytic conversion to produce additional gasoline and higher-quality aromatic compounds.