Olefin Feed Stream Segmentation for Reactor Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydrogenation processes for olefin- and sulfur-containing streams in petroleum refineries face challenges in controlling temperature distribution and pressure conditions within the reactor, leading to suboptimal catalyst performance and inefficient sulfur removal.
Innovation Solution
The process involves dividing the olefin-containing feed stream into multiple streams with controlled olefin content, allowing precise regulation of temperature by adding olefin-rich or olefin-free streams downstream of catalyst beds, ensuring the hydrogenation reaction occurs within the optimal temperature range of 250 to 400°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the feed stream is divided into multiple streams with different olefin contents to control temperature distribution, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple feed lines and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The feed stream is divided into multiple separate feed streams (first feed stream, second feed stream, etc.) that can be introduced at different positions in the reactor. Each feed stream has a controlled olefin content, allowing independent temperature control in different reactor zones. This segmentation enables precise temperature management while maintaining relatively simple device structure by using basic flow division and injection mechanisms.
2Reliability
If olefin proportion is controlled to regulate temperature distribution, then the catalyst performance is improved, but the process complexity increases due to separate olefin feeding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Different feed streams are provided with different olefin contents tailored to the specific requirements of each reactor zone. The first feed stream may have a higher olefin content to provide necessary heat for catalyst activation, while subsequent feed streams have lower olefin content to prevent excessive temperature rise. This local quality approach ensures optimal catalyst performance in each zone without requiring complex centralized control systems.
3Productivity
If multiple catalyst beds are used with feed stream addition between them, then the hydrogenation efficiency is improved, but the reactor complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed stream is pre-divided into multiple portions with predetermined olefin contents before entering the reactor. This preliminary preparation allows the hydrogenation reaction to proceed efficiently through multiple catalyst beds without requiring complex in-reactor mixing or flow control mechanisms. The pre-arranged feed distribution simplifies the reactor design while maintaining high hydrogenation 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 allows for effective temperature control and pressure management, maintaining catalyst efficiency and achieving complete or partial hydrogenation of sulfur compounds into hydrogen sulfide, with a sulfur-free gas product post-scrubbing.
Implementation Method 1
an olefin- and hydrogen-containing gaseous feed stream (3b) is passed through a reactor (7) containing a hydrodesulphurization catalyst (8b, 10b, 11b), and the organic sulfur compounds contained in the olefin- and hydrogen-containing feed stream (1) and olefins are completely or partially hydrogenated to form hydrogen sulfide and alkanes
Implementation Method 2
olefins are completely or partially hydrogenated to form hydrogen sulfide and alkanes
Implementation Method 3
Since the gas stream and the catalyst bed in the reactor are only heated by the heat of reaction from the hydrogenation reaction of the olefins
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for desulfurizing an olefin- and hydrogen-containing charge flow, which can be mixed with additional hydrogen, and which is separated into at least two feed flows. The first charge flow is separately introduced into the reactor and impinges on a first catalyst bed comprising the catalyst pellets on a suitable holding device or a grating. There, the charge flow is heated by the hydrogenation reaction. Downstream of the first catalyst bed, an additional charge flow is supplied, thus cooling down the reaction gas and allowing the gas to be conducted through a second catalyst bed. Downstream of the second catalyst bed, further catalyst beds and further charge flow feeding devices may be provided. The catalyst beds may be placed in the reactor in any quantity, type, or shape. By carrying out the reaction in this manner, a product gas is obtained that substantially contains hydrogen sulfide only as a sulfur compound. The temperature in the catalyst beds and the gas flow is controlled by way of the olefin content in the charge flows. The higher the olefin content in a charge flow, the more the gas flow is heated in the downstream catalyst bed by the hydrogenation heat.