PTQ Q4 2023 Issue

mixture is evaluated at four differ- ent reaction temperatures (380°C, 400°C, 420°C, and 440°C). Performance of simulation model The hydrocracking unit represented in the simulation case includes two main sections: the reaction section and the fractionation section. Performance of the reaction section in the simulation case can be evaluated by comparing predicted and actual feed conversion. Figure 2 illustrates both actual and predicted feed conversion weight per cent in solid and dash lines, respectively. There is an obvious positive gap between actual and predicted values of conversion. This gap increases by increasing the WCO content in the

Physical and chemical properties of VGO, WLO, and WCO feedstock

Property

VGO 923.4

WLO 894.7

WCO

Density at 20°C, kg/m³ Total sulphur content, ppm Total nitrogen content, ppm Total oxygen content, wt% Iodine number, g I2 /100g

921.41

2.72

0.5781

0.24 110

2,751

1,238

- -

12.27

Distillation, °C: – IBP

311 369 438 506 517 164

260 430 497 565 585 194 -12

238 412 508 511 521 213

– 10% – 50% – 90% – 95%

Flash point, °C Pour point, °C

Water cont.

Nil

0.25

Kinematic viscosity, mm 2 /s

21 @ 135ºC

165.1 @ 37.8ºC

48.8 @ 37.8ºC

Table 3

The model generates good predictions on the reaction temperature and reaction conversion relationship profile of the hydrocracking reactor, which is important for estimat- ing product yields and hydrogen consumption. However, the predictions are less accurate than generally expected from strong simulation software, but the predicted values and simulation case are accepted regarding these values.

feed mixture and reaches its minimum value or vanishes when WCO is not presented in the feed mixture. This notice matches the observation illustrated in our previous work results, which states clearly, ‘increasing WCO content in feed mixture increases catalyst acidity and catalyst activity and consequently reaction conversion at the same reaction temperature’.

PTQ Q4 2023