7.8 Technical questions

1. Why is hydrogen used in the reforming reaction?

Ans: Hydrogen reduces the coke formation on the catalyst and therefore increases the shell life of the highly expensive platinum catalyst.

2. Why is reforming a very important process in the refinery?

Ans: The reforming is one of the most important operation in the refinery to enhance product quality.  Further, the total hydrogen requirement in the refinery for various hydrotreaters is produced in the reforming process. Therefore, the reformer contributes to both most important requirements of the refinery.

3. Looking at the process flow-sheet of the reforming and isomerisation process, what insights you gain towards the flowsheet evolution?

Ans: Both reforming and isomerisation flow sheets are typical examples of reactor-separator-recycle systems that are extensively studied in process synthesis and evaluation studies.  These flow sheets are candidate examples to illustrate the process development required for other non-conventional and novel technologies such as bio-fuel processing etc.

4. What research contributions can be provided by chemical engineers to both reforming and isomerisation reactions?

Ans: Both reforming and isomerisation reactions are centrally built upon the catalyst.  Therefore, catalyst engineering is the most important area where research contribution by chemical engineers will be of paramount significance.  In fact, process modifications of the entire petroleum refinery are dictated by catalyst engineering and energy integration research.

5. Why is make up AlCl₃ required in the isomerisation process?

Ans: A part of the AlCl₃ gets converted to the HCl and therefore gets lost. The make up AlCl₃ therefore replaces the lost HCl in the process.

6. Comment upon the HCl distribution between light ends and bottom liquid product in the flash drum?

Ans: Most of the HCl distributes towards the liquid phase only.  Little quantites of HCl enter the light end stream (gas phase).  The distribution of HCl is dictated by the operating conditions of the flash drum.

 

References:

1. Gary J.H. ,   Handwerk G.E., Petroleum Refining: Technology and Economics, Taylor & Francis, 2005

2. Jones D.S.J., Elements of Petroleum Processing, John Wiley & Sons, 1995