Hydrotreating Unit Biofuel Co-Processing Temperature Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydrotreating systems face challenges in co-processing biofuel feeds with petroleum-based diesel due to temperature control issues when unsaturated moieties in biofuel feeds release heat, limiting the proportion of biofuel feed that can be processed to no greater than 5 weight %.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where the petroleum-based diesel feed is heated before introduction to the hydrotreating unit, while the biofuel feed remains unheated and is introduced separately, allowing for greater control of reaction temperatures by using a heating apparatus and quench gas to manage temperature fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If biofuel feed and petroleum-based diesel feed are mixed prior to introduction to the hydrotreating unit, then co-processing can be achieved with reduced costs, but temperature control becomes difficult and biofuel feed proportion is limited to no greater than 5 weight %

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveco-processing cost reductionVSAvoidreaction temperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the co-processing stream into two separate feed streams: a first stream containing petroleum-based diesel feed and a second stream containing biofuel feed. These streams are introduced separately into different zones of the hydrotreating unit, allowing independent temperature control for each feed type while achieving co-processing benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If unsaturated moieties in biofuel feed are saturated in the presence of hydrogen, then hydrocarbon products in the diesel boiling point range are produced, but large amounts of heat are released making temperature control difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon product productionVSAvoidreaction temperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different thermal conditions to different zones of the hydrotreating unit. The first zone receives heated petroleum-based diesel feed and operates at higher temperatures suitable for its processing, while the second zone receives unheated or less-heated biofuel feed, creating localized temperature conditions that match the specific requirements of each feed type and prevent runaway temperature increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If separate process streams and equipment are used for independent processing of biofuel feed and petroleum-based diesel feed, then temperature control is improved, but production costs dramatically increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction temperature controlVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the processing of two different feed types into a single hydrotreating unit by introducing them through separate streams into different zones. This approach combines the benefits of separate processing (temperature control) with the advantages of integrated processing (shared equipment, reduced capital costs, improved economics) without requiring completely separate processing trains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables co-processing of higher proportions of biofuel feed with petroleum-based diesel feed, up to 15 weight %, without significant process modifications, improving temperature control and efficiency in the hydrotreating process.

Implementation Method 1

heating a petroleum-based diesel feed. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed is introduced to a hydrotreating process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

many biofuel feeds have unsaturated moieties that, when saturated in the presence of hydrogen, release large amounts of heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 3

when saturated in the presence of hydrogen, release large amounts of heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic Reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentUS8911514B2Hydrotreating methods and hydrotreating systems

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 UOP LLC

AI summary

Hydrotreating methods and hydrotreating systems are provided herein. In an embodiment, a hydrotreating method includes heating a petroleum-based diesel feed. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed is introduced to a hydrotreating process. An unheated carbonaceous feed is introduced to the hydrotreating process separate from the heated petroleum-based diesel feed. The heated petroleum-based diesel feed and the unheated carbonaceous feed are co-processed in the hydrotreating process. In an embodiment of a hydrotreating system, the hydrotreating system includes a hydrotreating unit, and a heating apparatus, with the heating apparatus heating petroleum-based diesel feed prior to introduction to the hydrotreating unit. The unheated carbonaceous feed source is in fluid communication with the hydrotreating unit for introducing an unheated carbonaceous feed to the hydrotreating unit separate from the petroleum-based diesel feed.