Internal perspective – efficient reactor internals are the shortcut to efficient hydroprocessing unit performance

Abstract

Hydroprocessing units are today pushed more and more as environmental legislations are tightening, and margins are reducing. Key factors in achieving high profi tability of the hydroprocessing unit are to ensure that the unit has a long cycle length and short turnarounds. Increasing cycle length can of course be done by increasing catalyst activity, but even the highest activity catalysts requires that the distribution of liquid and gas in the reactor is optimal. In two-phase plug flow reactors it is crucial that distribution trays disperse oil and gas on the entire surface area of the reactor, ensuring all catalyst is used and maximum activity is obtained. The distribution trays therefore have major influence on the utilisation of the catalyst, and thus cycle length. Furthermore, cleverly designed reactor internals increase the safety of operators and reduce shutdown time. Access to and through such reactor internals as well as maintenance of the internals is simple and fast.

Taking into account all these facts, it is obvious that the profi tability of a hydroprocessing unit is directly dependent on the performances and design of the reactor internals.