Increasing Refinery Product Slate Flexibility via revamping the Cat Feed Hydrotreater
Southwest Process Technology Conference
2016
8th Southwest Process Technology Conference
Southwest Process Technology Conference
Petroleum Refining Technology 1
Friday, October 7, 2016 - 8:30am to 8:55am
Revamping to Cat Feed Hydrotreaters (CFHT) to mild hydrocracking (MHC) service can provide this product slate flexibility while further increasing the quality of the FCC feed, thus benefitting overall liquid yields. In most cases, vacuum gasoil conversions in the range of 30-40% can be achieved in existing units with minor modifications to the reaction section. New product fractionators are typically required in order to separate the cracked distillates while also allowing the refiner to recover the mid-distillate boiling material found in most CFHT feeds. The resultant overall apparent net conversion is typically 40-50%. During periods of high gasoline margins, the Unit can be run in a low-conversion mode to maximize FCC feed rate and gasoline production.
This paper will present case studies, commercial experience, catalyst developments, and economics highlighting the benefits of the concept.