Hydroisomerization Reactor Feedstream with Dissolved Hydrogen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydroisomerization processes face challenges in achieving high selectivity for producing high octane isomers of light paraffins due to thermodynamic equilibrium shifts towards lower octane isomers at higher temperatures, leading to suboptimal gasoline blending components.

Innovation Solution

A hydroisomerization process using a hydrogen-enriched reactor feedstream, where hydrogen is dissolved in the liquid phase to maintain a substantially two-phase system with a solid catalyst, reducing gas phase presence and optimizing reaction conditions to favor high octane isomer production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional hydroisomerization processes operate at higher temperatures to increase reaction rate, then productivity is improved, but the thermodynamic equilibrium shifts towards lower octane isomers, worsening the quality of gasoline blending components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction rateVSAvoidselectivity for high octane isomers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from gas phase to dissolved state in liquid feedstock. This parameter change allows the system to operate at lower temperatures while maintaining high reaction rates, because the dissolved hydrogen provides higher local concentration at the catalyst interface, enhancing reaction kinetics without the thermodynamic penalty of high temperature operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dissolved hydrogen as an intermediary between the gas phase hydrogen and the liquid feedstock. This intermediary form of hydrogen dissolution in the liquid phase facilitates more effective mass transfer to the catalyst, enabling the reaction to proceed efficiently at lower temperatures where high octane isomers are thermodynamically favored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If conventional processes use gas phase hydrogen, then hydrogen availability is improved, but gas handling issues and capital investment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen availabilityVSAvoidgas handling infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of hydrogen from gas phase to dissolved phase in the liquid feedstock. This eliminates the need for complex gas handling infrastructure, gas-liquid separators, and associated safety systems, while maintaining adequate hydrogen availability through dissolution equilibrium. The dissolved hydrogen is directly available at the reaction interface without requiring gas phase transport and distribution systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the reactor operates with significant gas phase presence, then hydrogen mass transfer is improved, but liquid phase reaction volume is reduced, worsening the overall reaction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass transfer rateVSAvoidliquid phase reaction volume

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the hydrogen state from gas phase to dissolved phase, eliminating the gas-liquid interface mass transfer limitation. Dissolved hydrogen is uniformly distributed throughout the liquid feedstock, providing direct molecular-level availability at the catalyst surface. This eliminates the need for gas phase presence and maximizes the liquid phase reaction volume, thereby increasing overall reaction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the production of high octane gasoline blending components by maintaining at least 90% of the feedstock in a liquid phase, reducing capital investment costs, and minimizing gas handling issues, thereby increasing the octane number of gasoline.

Implementation Method 1

A feedstock, such as a light paraffin feedstock, is enriched by incorporation of dissolved hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

hydroisomerization processes using a hydrogen-enriched reactor feedstream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS11155757B2Isomerization process using feedstock containing dissolved hydrogen

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A process and system is provided including hydroisomerization reaction zone for production of high octane gasoline blending components that provide high selectivity for producing high octane isomers of light paraffins. A light paraffin feed is enriched by incorporation of dissolved hydrogen, thereby permitting a reaction phase that is liquid or substantially liquid to produce high octane gasoline blending components. Accordingly, a substantially two phase isomerization reactor system is provided, with a hydrogen-enriched liquid feedstock phase and a solid phase catalyst.