How New Reactor Internals Can Be Used to Enhance Profitability

Reactor issues such as thermal maldistribution and high pressure drop are indicators that a refinery may be failing to capture the maximum value from a hydroprocessing unit.  Fortunately, a low-cost revamp involving the installation of state of the art reactor internals can usually address such issues.  These include High Dispersion trays, which help to prevent thermal maldistribution by achieving near-perfect wetting and ultra-uniform utilization of the catalyst, anti-fouling trays designed to reduce pressure drop buildup, quench internals for uniform process and quench mixing at the interbeds, catalyst support grids, ultra-low bottom baskets, and a vast range of specialty devices to accommodate required elevation changes for bed optimization.

When installing Shell Global Solutions reactor internals, there are often opportunities to capture additional value.  In addition, because these reactor internals are designed for fast removal and installation, they can help to increase “days on stream”, which is worth significant revenue.  There are safety advantages, such as far less confined space residence time, too, because cutting and welding are not required and manways are large to enable fast entry and exit.  In some cases even no inert entry is required to get access to the bed.

This presentation will discuss many of the most common issues encountered in a hydroprocessing reactor and, through the inclusion of case studies, explain how Shell Global Solutions reactor internals can help to resolve them.