Presulfiding Sorbent Particles for Desulfurization Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in desulfurization processes is to maintain high unit up-time and efficiency while meeting stringent sulfur reduction regulations in hydrocarbon fuels, as existing methods require frequent downtime for maintenance and are costly due to increased operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A process involving presulfiding sorbent particles with a presulfiding agent in a reactor, followed by regeneration and reintroduction into the reactor, to achieve a sulfur loading increase of at least 15% above initial levels, allowing for effective desulfurization of hydrocarbon feed streams with minimized downtime and increased operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional desulfurization processes are used to meet sulfur reduction regulations, then sulfur levels in fuel are reduced, but unit downtime increases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sorbent is presulfided in advance before being introduced into the desulfurization process. This preliminary sulfiding action prepares the sorbent to function more effectively from the start, extending its operational life and reducing the frequency of maintenance shutdowns while maintaining effective sulfur removal
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional desulfurization processes are used to meet sulfur reduction regulations, then sulfur levels in fuel are reduced, but operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
By presulfiding the sorbent before use, the sorbent achieves better desulfurization performance from the beginning of its operational cycle, allowing for longer service intervals and reduced operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the sulfur loading parameter of the sorbent by presulfiding it to contain between 1.5-4.0 wt% sulfur before deployment. This parameter change enhances the sorbent's effectiveness, allowing it to operate longer at optimal efficiency, thereby reducing operational expenses
3Productivity
If sorbent particles are presulfided to increase sulfur loading by at least 15%, then desulfurization efficiency is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The presulfiding step is integrated into the overall desulfurization process flow, combining the sorbent preparation and deployment operations into a unified process sequence that achieves enhanced efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity
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 process enhances the sulfur loading of sorbent particles, enabling efficient desulfurization of hydrocarbon streams with reduced downtime and operational costs, thereby maximizing unit up-time and compliance with stringent sulfur reduction regulations.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a plurality of sorbent particles with a presulfiding agent under presulfiding conditions in the reactor to thereby provide a plurality of at least partly sulfided sorbent particles
Implementation Method 2
contacting the at least partly sulfided sorbent particles with the hydrocarbon feed stream under desulfurization conditions in the reactor to thereby provide a sulfur-depleted effluent stream
Data Source
AI summary
A process for presulfiding a plurality of sorbent particles prior to using at least a portion of the particles to at least partially desulfurize a hydrocarbon feed stream. Typically, presulfiding can be carried out in a presulfiding zone under presulfiding conditions. In one embodiment, the process can be carried out in a desulfurization system comprising a fluidized bed reactor and fluidized bed regenerator and can be completed in less than about 36 hours.