Co-processing Renewable and Petroleum Feedstocks in Hydrotreating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integration of renewable and conventional petroleum feedstocks in hydroprocessing poses challenges due to different hydrotreating requirements and compatibility issues, leading to inefficiencies and high hydrogen consumption.
Innovation Solution
A process involving separate reaction zones for hydrotreating petroleum and renewable feedstocks, where petroleum feedstocks are initially treated in one zone with processes like hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, and hydrodemetallization, and then combined with renewable feedstocks in a second zone for hydrodeoxygenation, decarboxylation, and hydrogenation, allowing for optimized reactor design and conditions for each.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If renewable feedstocks and petroleum feedstocks are co-processed in the same reaction zone, then processing capacity is increased, but hydrotreating efficiency deteriorates due to incompatible requirements and interference between feedstocks
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrotreating process is divided into two separate reaction zones: a first reaction zone for petroleum feedstock and a second reaction zone for renewable feedstock. This segmentation allows each feedstock to be treated under its optimal conditions without interference, resolving the contradiction between processing capacity and hydrotreating efficiency.
2Reliability
If separate reaction zones are used for petroleum and renewable feedstocks, then hydrotreating efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrotreating system is designed with multi-functionality, where each reaction zone can handle specific feedstock types with tailored catalysts and conditions. The first reaction zone uses catalysts optimized for sulfur removal from petroleum, while the second uses catalysts optimized for oxygen removal from renewable feedstocks, achieving high efficiency without excessive complexity.
3Loss of energy
If petroleum feedstock is treated first in a first reaction zone, then hydrogen consumption is reduced in the second reaction zone, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Petroleum feedstock is treated in the first reaction zone before the renewable feedstock is introduced in the second zone. This preliminary treatment removes sulfur and other contaminants that would otherwise interfere with the hydrodeoxygenation of renewable feedstocks, reducing hydrogen consumption in the second zone and improving overall process efficiency.
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 minimizes interference between the two feedstocks, increases processing capacity, and allows for independent optimization of reactor design and conditions, reducing hydrogen consumption and exothermic heat buildup, thus enhancing overall efficiency and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodemetallization processes can be used to remove undesirable sulfur, nitrogen and metallic components
Implementation Method 2
hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodemetallization processes can be used to remove undesirable sulfur, nitrogen and metallic components
Implementation Method 3
hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodemetallization processes can be used to remove undesirable sulfur, nitrogen and metallic components
Implementation Method 4
in the second reaction zone hydrotreating a combination of the first reaction zone effluent and the renewable feed, wherein the hydrotreating of the combination comprises one or more of hydrodeoxygenation, decarboxylation, decarbonylation
Implementation Method 5
in the second reaction zone hydrotreating a combination of the first reaction zone effluent and the renewable feed, wherein the hydrotreating of the combination comprises one or more of hydrodeoxygenation, decarboxylation, decarbonylation
Implementation Method 6
in the second reaction zone hydrotreating a combination of the first reaction zone effluent and the renewable feed, wherein the hydrotreating of the combination comprises one or more of hydrodeoxygenation, decarboxylation, decarbonylation
Implementation Method 7
These processes utilize hydrogen as a reactant, optionally in combination with one or more other gases, and a catalyst, and are typically performed at elevated temperature and/or pressure
Implementation Method 8
These processes utilize hydrogen as a reactant, optionally in combination with one or more other gases, and a catalyst, and are typically performed at elevated temperature and/or pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to processes for handling renewable hydrocarbon feeds and conventional hydrocarbon feeds. One aspect of the disclosure provides a process for co-processing a renewable feed and a petroleum feed, the process comprising: hydrotreating the petroleum feed in a first reaction one, wherein the hydrotreating of the petroleum feed comprises one or more of hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodemetallization, isomerization, hydrogenation of olefins, and hydrocracking, to form a first reaction zone effluent; conducting the first reaction zone effluent to a second reaction zone; and in the second reaction zone hydrotreating a combination of the first reaction zone effluent and the renewable feed, wherein the hydrotreating of the combination comprises one or more of hydrodeoxygenation, decarboxylation, decarbonylation, isomerization and hydrogenation of olefins of the renewable feed, to form a second reaction zone effluent.