Integrated Hydrodesulfurization and Hydrocracking Process

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydroprocessing methods for producing low sulfur diesel and other hydrocarbon products are costly and require significant investment in compression equipment due to the need for separate and independent hydrocarbon feedstock processing units.

Innovation Solution

An integrated process that reacts middle distillate hydrocarbon streams with hydrogen at a lower pressure in a hydrodesulfurization zone and heavy distillate hydrocarbon streams with hydrogen at a higher pressure in a hydrocracking zone, utilizing the same make-up hydrogen to minimize compression equipment requirements and reduce costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate and independent hydroprocessing units are used for hydrodesulfurization and hydrocracking, then each unit can be optimized for its specific function, but the investment and operating costs increase due to duplicate compression equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidcompression equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate hydroprocessing units (hydrodesulfurization and hydrocracking) into an integrated system where the hydrocracking unit operates at higher pressure and the hydrodesulfurization unit operates at lower pressure, sharing a common hydrogen compression system. This merging eliminates duplicate compression equipment while maintaining functional optimization through pressure differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogen compression system serves multiple functions: it provides compressed hydrogen to both the hydrocracking unit (at higher pressure) and the hydrodesulfurization unit (at lower pressure). This multi-functional use of compression equipment reduces overall system complexity and investment costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate hydroprocessing units are used for hydrodesulfurization and hydrocracking, then each unit can process its feedstock independently, but the operating costs increase due to duplicate equipment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent processingVSAvoidoperating costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the hydrogen supply systems of both units, allowing a single compression system to serve both hydrodesulfurization and hydrocracking processes. This reduces operating costs associated with running duplicate compression equipment while maintaining independent processing capabilities through pressure control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses parameter changes (pressure levels) to differentiate between the two processing functions. The hydrocracking unit operates at higher pressure while the hydrodesulfurization unit operates at lower pressure, allowing both to process their feedstocks independently while sharing common equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional separate hydroprocessing methods are used, then process simplicity is maintained, but investment costs increase due to separate compression equipment for each unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidcompression equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compression equipment of separate hydroprocessing units into a shared system, reducing the total number of compressors and associated equipment. This maintains process simplicity while reducing device complexity and investment costs.

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

This integrated process reduces investment and operating costs while producing low sulfur diesel and other valuable hydrocarbon products by optimizing hydrogen use and integrating hydrodesulfurization and hydrocracking units.

Implementation Method 1

the middle distillate hydrocarbon feedstock is reacted with a hydrogen rich gaseous stream having a first pressure in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodesulfurization: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

the heavy distillate hydrocarbon feedstock is reacted with a hydrogen rich gaseous stream having a second pressure in a hydrocracking zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrocracking: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS7470358B1Integrated process for the production of low sulfur diesel

Publication Date: 2008.12.30 UOP LLC

AI summary

An integrated process for the production of low sulfur diesel. The process utilizes a middle distillate hydrocarbon stream and a heavy distillate hydrocarbon stream. The middle distillate hydrocarbon feedstock is reacted with a hydrogen rich gaseous stream having a first pressure in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone and the heavy distillate hydrocarbon feedstock is reacted with a hydrogen rich gaseous stream having a second pressure in a hydrocracking zone.