Description
Owing to the demand for high octane gasoline as a transportation fuel, the catalytic naphtha reformer has become one of the most important processes in petroleum refineries for the conversion of normal heptane to iso-heptane. In this research, a mathematical model was developed for a system of packed bed reators for catalytic Reforming of Naphtha. The kinetic parameters for the reforming process was obtained from literature. The developed model equations were integrated numerically using the Runge-Kutta Algorithm embedded in MatLab Software.
Results obtained from the developed models were compared against industrial plant data of the catalytic reforming reactor of the Port-Harcourt Refinery Company, Rivers State, Nigeria to check its validity. The percentage absolute error (deviation) of the concentrations of Aromatics, Naphthene, Paraffin, and Hydrogen were 1.3%, 2.5%, 9.4%, 2.75% and outlet temperature of reactor 1, reactor 2 and reactor 3 were 0.2%, 0.6% and 0.1% respectively. These results show reasonable agreement with the industrial data, hence the models can be reliably used for simulation studies of the catalytic reforming unit. The models could predict the concentration of catalysts in terms of mole fractions, concentration of product and temperature progression along the height of the catalytic reforming reactors. Sensitivity analysis were carried out on four process variables and their effects on the reformate composition were as follows: Increasing the inlet feed temperature increased aromatic yield; Increasing the total pressure increased aromatic yield (though minimal) in the reformate; Increasing the feed flow rate decreased aromatic yield (though minimal) in the reformate and increase in the liquid hourly space velocity decreased aromatic yield.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page
Title Page
Abstract
Declaration
Certification
Acknowledgement
Dedication
Table of content
List of tables
List of figures
Nomenclature
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Aims of the Study
1.4 Objectives of the Study
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Scope of the Study
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Extent of Past Work
2.1.1 Catalytic Reforming Process
2.1.2 Octane Number
2.1.3 Typical Naphtha Feedstocks
2.1.4 The Reaction Chemistry
2.1.5 Process Description
2.1.6 Catalysts and Mechanisms
2.1.7 Catalytic Reforming Units
2.1.7.1 Semi-Regenerative Reforming Catalysts Unit (SR)
2.1.7.2 Cyclic Catalytic Reformer
2.1.7.3 Continuous Regenerative Catalyst Unit
2.1.8 Operating Variables
2.1.9 Catalyst Deactivation
2.1.10 Chemical Reactors
2.2 Limitations of Past Work
2.3 Present Work
2.4 Expected Outcome
CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Materials
3.2 Methods
3.3 Model Development
3.3.1 Material Balance
3.3.2 Energy Balance
3.4 Kinetics of the Process
3.4.1 Reaction Rate Expression
3.6 Heat Exchanger Modeling
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Model Validation
4.2 Sensitivity Analysis
4.2.1 Effect of Temperature
2.2.2 Effect of Feed Flowrate
4.2.3 Effect of Reactor Pressure
4.2.4 Effect of Liquid Hourly Space Velocity (LHSV)
4.2.5 Effect of Increase in LMTD for the Heaters
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendations
5.3 Contribution to Knowledge
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
1.1 Background of the Study
Reforming process has been truly created to the regularly expanding requests of gas. These requests have realized changes in refinery tasks just as the improvement of completely new procedures. Procedures like liquid catalyst breaking and alkylation were created amid World War II to expand the generation of engine and flying gas. After the war, there was a need to create higher octane gas which will meet the prerequisites of cars with hydro-pressure motors. One approach to upgrading the octane number was to include Tetra Ethyl Lead (TEL) to the gas. In 1970 anyway, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested a slow stage down of the lead content in fuel. Luckily, another technique had just been presented that could enhance the octane rating of fuel called catalyst transforming which utilizes an arrangement of chemical responses to make high octane gas mixing segments.
The usage of catalyst naphtha reforming as a procedure for creating high-octane fuel is currently as critical as it has been in business use for more than 69 years. The catalyst reformer possesses a key position in the refinery, utilizing hydrogen to enhance feedstock by hydrotreating forms; giving a high-esteem included reformate for the gas pool; and regularly sweet-smelling benzene, toluene, and xylene for petrochemical use. In the refinery complex, the new innovation seems to have more effect. The catalyst, reactor and feed treatment developments imagined for catalyst improving procedures have all profited by hydrogenation, dehydrogenation and isomerisation forms.The long haul viewpoint for the catalyst improving business sector keeps on flourishing. The working states of catalyst reforming units are unforgiving and the requirement for reorganization is expanding.