Vanadium–Potassium-Alumina Additives for SOx Removal in FCC-Effect of Vanadium Content

CATEGORY: VANADIUM 
Vanadium–Potassium-Alumina Additives for SOx Removal in FCC-Effect of Vanadium Content

Type	Journal Article
Author	Rafael Pereira dos Santos
Author	Bianca Guatiguaba
URL	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10562-015-1548-x
Volume	145
Issue	7
Pages	1382-1387
Publication	Catalysis Letters
Date	2015/05/14
Abstract	Fluid catalytic cracking is a major processes responsible for refinery sulfur emissions. Researchers studied the effect of vanadium loading over an alumina previously modified with potassium for sulfur mitigation. Vanadium is a key variable. Even at very low amounts, all reaction steps involved in such process were improved.

The limiting process in steam methane reforming with gas diffusion into a porous catalytic wall in a flow reactor

CATEGORY: STEAM METHANE REFORMING 
The limiting process in steam methane reforming with gas diffusion into a porous catalytic wall in a flow reactor

Type	Journal Article
Author	Motohiro Saito
Author	Junichi Kojima
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319915012318
Volume	40
Issue	29
Pages	8844-8855
Publication	International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Date	August 3, 2015
Abstract	Transport phenomena for a reaction in a channel with a catalytic wall are important, not only in the gas phase but also within the catalyst layer. The research described here provides a direct method for obtaining the reaction rate of steam methane reforming by taking into account the internal diffusion of the porous catalyst on the channel wall. In an experiment with various thicknesses of nickel-based catalyst, researchers observed the limiting modes by means of the concentrations at the interface between the gas flow and the catalyst layer. According to interpretation of the experimental results using one-dimensional diffusion equation perpendicular to the flow direction, researchers observed a power-law-type reaction rate with an upper limit to be appropriate for explaining the region where the reaction was saturated. They offer a versatile criterion for the rate-limiting condition through an analytical discussion based on dimensionless numbers.

Enabling electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to ammonia at ambient conditions through rational catalyst design

CATEGORY: RATIONAL CATALYST DESIGN 
Enabling electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to ammonia at ambient conditions through rational catalyst design

Type	Journal Article
Author	Younes Abghoui
Author	Anna L. Garden
URL	http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2015/cp/c4cp04838e
Volume	17
Issue	7
Pages	4909-4918
Publication	Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Date	2015-02-04
Abstract	Commercial design of a sustainable route for on-site production of ammonia represents a potential economic and environmental breakthrough. In an analogous process to the naturally occurring enzymatic mechanism, synthesis of ammonia could be achieved in an electrochemical cell, in which electricity would be used to reduce atmospheric nitrogen and water into ammonia at ambient conditions. Unfortunately, such a process has not been realized. This is due to slow kinetics and low faradaic efficiencies. While progress has been made, there is no device that can produce ammonia efficiently from air and water at room temperature and ambient pressure. Authors describe a method in which electronic structure calculations are used to screen for catalysts that are stable, active and selective towards N2 electro-reduction to ammonia, while simultaneously suppressing the competing H2 evolution reaction. They apply the method to transition metal nitride catalysts. The most promising candidates are the (100) facets of the rocksalt structures of VN and ZrN, which exhibit the potential to produce ammonia in high yield at low onset potentials.

Maximizing propylene production via FCC technology

CATEGORY: PROPYLENE 
Maximizing propylene production via FCC technology

Type	Journal Article
Author	Aaron Akah
Author	Musaed Al-Ghrami
URL	Free Full Text Source:  http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13203-015-0104-3
Pages	1-16
Publication	Applied Petrochemical Research
Date	2015/03/22
Abstract	This review looks at the main processes available for the production of light olefins with a focus on maximizing the production of propylene. Maximization of propylene production has become the focus of most refineries because it is in high demand and there is a supply shortage from modern steam crackers, which now produce relatively less propylene. The flexibility of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) to various reaction conditions makes it possible as one of the means to close the gap between supply and demand. The appropriate modification of the FCC process is accomplished by the synergistic integration of the catalyst, temperature, reaction-residence time, coke make, and hydrocarbon partial pressure. The main constraints for maximum propylene yield are based on having a suitable catalyst, suitable reactor configuration and reaction conditions

Thermodynamic analysis of H2 production from CaO sorption-enhanced methane steam reforming thermally coupled with chemical looping combustion as a novel technology

CATEGORY: HYDROGEN 
Thermodynamic analysis of H2 production from CaO sorption-enhanced methane steam reforming thermally coupled with chemical looping combustion as a novel technology

Type	Journal Article
Author	Lin Zhu
Author	Junming Fan
URL	http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/er.3248/abstract
Volume	39
Issue	3
Pages	356-369
Publication	International Journal of Energy Research
Date	March 10, 2015
Abstract	Describes an innovative technique for hydrogen production route of CaO sorption-enhanced methane steam reforming (SEMSR) thermally coupled with chemical looping combustion (CLC). Labeled CLC-SEMSR, it represents an improvement of previous methane steam reforming (MSR) thermally coupled with CLC technology (CLC-MSR). The application of CLC, instead of furnace, achieves separation of CO2 from flue gas without the need for additional energy. The heat for the reformer is provided by thermally coupling CLC. The addition of CaO sorbents captures CO2 as it is formed from the reformer gas to the solid phase, displacing the normal MSR equilibrium restrictions and obtaining higher purity of H2. The advantage of CLC-SEMSR is its potential to obtain higher purity of H2 (95%) at lower operating temperature (655 °C), as against H2 purity of 77.1% at higher temperature (900 °C) in previous CLC-MSR. In addition, the energy efficiency of this process could reach 83.3% at optimal conditions.

System And Process For Recovering Power And Steam From Regenerator Flue Gas (Patent Application UOP)

CATEGORY: FLUE GAS 
System And Process For Recovering Power And Steam From Regenerator Flue Gas (Patent Application UOP)
United States Patent Application 20150252725
September 10, 2015
Assignee: UOP LLC
Abstract
A power generation process for use in a processing unit that includes the steps of: using a regenerator to produce a flue gas stream; removing catalyst particles from the flue gas stream; routing the flue gas stream to a combustor/expander unit after performing the step of removing catalyst particles; and using rotation of the turbine of the combustor/expander unit as a source of rotary power. Preferably, the combustor/expander unit includes a combustion chamber and a power recovery turbine housed within a single casing. In certain embodiments, the flue gas stream is routed between the regenerator and the combustor/expander without passing through a compressor.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a power generation process for use in a processing unit, such as a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, and more particularly to a process for generating power from regenerator flue gas that includes a combustor/expander unit formed of a combustion chamber and a power recovery turbine housed within a single casing. Preferably, the process also includes components for recovering steam from the flue gas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Flue gas from the regenerator of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit can be used for steam generation in a Flue Gas Cooler (FGC). Alternatively, the flue gas can be used to make power in an expander, and then to generate steam in the FGC. Traditional FCC power recovery technologies are limited with regard to the amount of power recovery because the inlet temperature of the expander is constrained by the maximum temperature of the flue gas exiting the regenerator.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In embodiments of the present invention, a novel process flow scheme is utilized for power recovery and steam generation in a processing unit, such as an FCC unit. Although the examples provided will focus on an FCC unit, the present process can be utilized in other types of processing units, such as in a methanol to olefins (MTO) processing unit and in a biomass conversion processing unit.
[0004] One of the objectives of certain embodiments of the present invention is to increase both power and steam generation via increased flue gas temperature and flow rate. To achieve this, an auxiliary fuel combustion chamber is placed in front of the flue gas expander in which the flue gas from the regenerator is burnt together with supplemental fuel (as needed) and a source of oxygen, such as air.
[0005] As mentioned above, traditional FCC power recovery technologies are limited with regard to the amount of power recovery because the turbine inlet temperature is constrained by the maximum temperature allowed by the regenerator. In the present invention, this limit is overcome by adding a combustor in front of the expander.
[0006] Power recovery is usually more valuable than heat recovery, as it can drive other rotating equipment (such as the main air blower) or a generator for electricity production. Although this invention aims to increase power recovery, steam generation can be increased as well due to increased heat content in the flue gas via increased flue temperature and flow rate.
[0007] More specifically, the present invention provides a power generation process for use in a processing unit that includes the steps of: using a regenerator to produce a flue gas stream; removing catalyst particles from the flue gas stream; routing the flue gas stream to a combustor/expander unit after performing the step of removing catalyst particles; and using rotation of the turbine of the combustor/expander unit as a source of rotary power. Preferably, the combustor/expander unit includes a combustion chamber and a power recovery turbine housed within a single casing, although separate units are also contemplated. In certain embodiments, the flue gas stream is routed between the regenerator and the combustor/expander unit without passing through a compressor.
[0008] The present invention also provides a power generation process for use in a processing unit, including the steps of: using a regenerator to produce a flue gas stream; routing the flue gas stream to a first steam generator; removing catalyst particles from the flue gas stream after the flue gas stream has been routed to the first steam generator; routing the flue gas stream to a combustor/expander unit after performing the step of removing catalyst particles; and using rotation of the turbine of the combustor/expander unit as a source of rotary power. Once again, preferably, the combustor/expander unit comprises a combustion chamber and a power recovery turbine housed within a single casing, although separate units are also contemplated, and the flue gas is preferably routed between the regenerator and the combustor/expander unit without passing through a compressor. In some embodiments, the present invention could allow for standardization of a combustor/expander and associated equipment to improve the return on investment, as opposed to maximizing power generation.
Free Full Text Source:  http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=uop.AS.&OS=AN/uop&RS=AN/uop

On the Way to a More Open Porous Network of a Co–Re/Al2O3 Catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Pore Size and Particle Size Effects on Its Performance

CATEGORY: FISCHER-TROPSCH 
On the Way to a More Open Porous Network of a Co–Re/Al2O3 Catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Pore Size and Particle Size Effects on Its Performance

Type	Journal Article
Author	David Merino
Author	Iñigo Pérez-Miqueo
URL	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11244-015-0436-3
Pages	1-12
Publication	Topics in Catalysis
Date	2015/08/06
Abstract	Researchers employed five distinct γ-alumina supports, one commercial and four prepared in a macro-mesoporosity range of 7–1000 nm using a variety of preparation methods. They used a simple method to obtain a macro-mesoporous alumina support by modification of an initial commercial mesoporous alumina with a pore generating agent. They employed supports to prepare Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts. Catalytic results revealed that with small catalyst PS, the behavior is similar among them. With large catalyst PS, C5+ selectivity considerably decreased and CH4 selectivity increased for all catalysts due to diffusional restrictions. However, the effect of diffusion limitations of reactants and products through catalyst pores were lower for catalysts with a higher mesoporosity, and much lower for the catalyst obtained when the support was modified to add macroporosity between 100 and 1000 nm. The macropores improve the transport of reactants and heavy hydrocarbons produced between the gaseous phase and the active sites. The result is better performance of the catalyst, reducing the undesirable effects of a diffusion-limited regime.

View of Sustainable Energy from the Petroleum Refinery Perspective

CATEGORY: ENERGY CONSERVATION 
View of Sustainable Energy from the Petroleum Refinery Perspective

Type	Journal Article
Author	Norman Lieberman
Volume	2
Issue	4
URL	Free Full Text Source: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/276470580_View_of_Sustainable_Energy_from_the_Petroleum_Refinery_Perspective
Pages	368-376
Publication	Journal of Sustainable Energy Engineering
Date	2015-04-07
Abstract	With the fall in natural gas prices, U.S. refiners have largely lost interest in energy conservation capital projects even though climate change is destroying bio-diversity and endangering the future of mankind. Refinery management does not appreciate the history of CO2, CH4, and O2 in the atmosphere, nor the probable consequences of altering the composition of the atmosphere, and the pH and temperature of the ocean.

Desalter Operation (Patent Application ExxonMobil Research and Engineering)

CATEGORY: DESALTERS 
Desalter Operation (Patent Application ExxonMobil Research and Engineering)
United States Patent Application 20150267127
September 24, 2015
Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering
Abstract
A petroleum desalting process is improved by introducing the an alkaline compound such as sodium carbonate into the water phase, preferably in the vicinity of the water/oil interface which forms between the oil and water layers. This makes the rapid and effective separation of the oil and water phases from the emulsion layer possible.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/556,398, filed 1 Dec. 2014 which claimed priority from application Ser. No. 61/918,843, filed 20 Dec. 2013. The present application claims the benefit under 35 USC 120 of application Ser. No. 14/556,398.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the operation of petroleum desalters and in particular to an improved method of adding demulsifiers to the desalting process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Crude petroleum normally contains salts that may corrode refinery units; salt is removed from the crude oil by a process known as "desalting", in which hot crude oil is mixed with water and a suitable demulsifying agent to form a water-in-oil emulsion which provides intimate contact between the oil and water, transferring salt into the water. The salty emulsion is then passed into a high voltage electric field inside a closed separator vessel. The electric field forces water droplets to coalesce, forming larger water droplets. As the water droplet volumes increase, they settle to the bottom of the tank under gravitation. The desalted oil forms at the upper layer in the desalter from where it is continuously drawn off for distillation. The salty water is withdrawn from the bottom of the desalter.
[0004] During operation of desalter units, a stable emulsion phase (also known as a "rag layer") of variable composition and thickness forms above the interface between the oil- and the separated bulk water phase at the bottom of the desalter. This interface will be referred to here as "oil/bulk-resolved-water interface". The formation of a rag layer is mostly due to stability of the oil/bulk-resolved-water interface caused by natural surfactants (e.g. asphaltene, naphthenic acid) and/or solids. Particularly, solids can reside at the interface generating a physical barrier against the immersion of water droplets into the bulk water phase at the bottom of the desalter. Rag layer formation is especially problematic for crude with high amount of natural surfactants and/or solids. The growth of rag layer reduces workable volume and may short the electric circuit and force unplanned and costly desalter shut down.
[0005] Additionally, processing crudes with high rag layer formation tendencies in rent desalter configurations may cause poor desalting (salt removal) efficiency due to solids build up at the bottom of the vessel, and/or a solids-stabilized rag layer leading to erratic level control and insufficient residence time for proper water/oil separation. Formation of the rag layer has become a major desalter operating concern, generating desalter upsets, increased preheat train fouling, and deteriorating quality of the brine effluent and disruption of the operation of the downstream wastewater treatment facilities.
[0006] The water content of the rag layer may range from 20 to 95% water with the balance being hydrocarbon (normally full range crude oil) and up to 5 weight percent inorganic solids. Precipitated asphaltenes, waxes, and paraffins may also be found at elevated levels in the rag layer (compared to the incoming crude oil) which combine with particulates (solids), to bind the mixture together to form a complex structure that is highly stable. Intractable emulsions of this kind comprising oil, water and solids make adequate separation and oil recovery difficult. Often, these stable emulsions arising from the desalter are periodically discarded as slop streams. This results in expensive treating or handling procedures or pollution problems as well as the fact that crude oil is also lost with these emulsions and slop streams.
[0007] Refinery sites which process high solids-content crudes have the most pervasive problems with emulsion formation, Heavy crude oils and bitumens from Western Canada which contain elevated levels of small clay fines and other small solids are particularly prone to forming large volumes of highly stable emulsion and with such feeds, growth of the rag layer is more prevalent. These feeds are, however, being introduced to refineries in greater quantities despite two main disadvantages related to the efficacy of desalting. First, the viscosity of these crudes can be quite high, so transport of water through the feed is slower than in high API gravity crude. Second, the density mismatch between water and oil is lower, so the gravitational energy gradient is reduced compared to higher API gravity crudes. Growth of the rag layer in the desalter requires either the amount of crude passed through the desalter is reduced or removal of the rag layer from the desalting vessel for external treatment.
[0008] Attempts to mitigate the effects of rag layer formation are normally carried out by withdrawal of the emulsion from the unit or by the addition of chemical demulsifiers upstream of a desalter. The use of the demulsifier has proven to be effective in reducing emulsion stability between electrodes in a desalter, but may not be effective in reducing the rag layer build-up which is mainly due to stability of the oil/bulk-resolved-water interface. The common practice for application of demulsifiers has been to add the chemical demulsifiers to the water, oil, or the emulsion before introducing the oil/water mixture to the electric field, as shown by the following references.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,908 (Mitchell/Phillips Petroleum), discloses the use of steam to make emulsion and adding demulsifier to the mixture.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,867,382 (Droughton) discloses the use of demulsifier and mesoporous materials for reducing water-in-oil emulsion stability.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 7,923,418 (Becker/Baker Hughes) discloses the use of acrylate polymer emulsion breakers for reducing stability of a water-in-oil emulsion,
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 7,981,979 (Flatt/Nalco) discloses the use of siloxane cross-linked demulsifiers for reducing water-in-oil emulsion stability.
[0013] The above-listed patents disclose the addition of chemical demulsifiers to water, oil, or emulsion before introducing an electric field. This is a common practice in the application of demulsifiers for several decades. A shortcoming of the current practice is due, in part, to the inability of chemical demulsifiers to reach high enough concentrations at the oil/bulk-resolved-water interface, particularly at the beginning of the desalter operation. in our co-pending application No. 145/556,398, however, we disclosed an improved desalting method in which a demulsifier is injected into the emulsion layer or into the water phase in the region of the emulsion layer to promote separation of the oil and water phases from the emulsion layer. Among the demulsifiers contemplated for use were the polyethyleneimines, polyamines, polyols, ethoxylated alcohol sulfates, long chain alcohol ethoxylates, long chain alkyl sulfate salts, e.g. sodium salts of lauryl sulfates, epoxies, di-epoxides (which may be ethoxylated and/or propoxylated) and the succinated polyamines prepared by the succination of polyarmines/polyamine/imines with a long chain alkyl substituted maleic anhydride.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] We have now found that the addition of an alkaline acting compound such as sodium carbonate to the desalter water materially improves the separation of the oil and water phases and promotes dehydration of the emulsion. The method is effective in enhancing dehydration of the oil/water emulsion and in reducing oil/bulk-resolved-water interface stability, as compared to demulsifier injection upstream of the desalter vessel.
[0015] In operation, the desalting is carried out by mixing a crude oil to be desalted with water and passing the mixture of oil and water to the desalter vessel. The mixture enters the desalting vessel in the form of an emulsified oil/water mixture which is then separated by application of an electric field between high voltage electrodes. Water droplets in the emulsified mixture coalesce in the electric field and settle towards the bottom of the tank under gravitational forces. The electrocoalesced water droplet must break the skin between oil and bulk-resolved-water before immersing into the water phase at the bottom of a desalter. The oil/bulk-resolved-water interface can be highly stable due to crude natural surfactants and/or solids. A stable oil/bulk-resolved-water interface prevents droplets from becoming immersed in the water phase so causing emulsion or "rag layer" formation: a stabilized emulsion layer formed from the oil and the water and emulsion-stabilizing solids locates itself above the interface between the denser, settled water layer and the supernatant oil layer. According to the present invention, an alkaline compound is used to destabilize and dehydrate the emulsion. The separated water is removed as effluent through a water outlet at the bottom of the vessel and desalted oil is removed from the oil layer through an oil outlet at the top of the vessel.
Free Full Text Source:  http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=2&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=exxonmobil.AS.&OS=AN/exxonmobil&RS=AN/exxonmobil

Deacidification of Acidic Petroleum Crude Oil Utilizing a Formulated Basic Chemical

CATEGORY: DEACIDIFICATION 
Deacidification of Acidic Petroleum Crude Oil Utilizing a Formulated Basic Chemical

Type	Journal Article
Author	Nurasmat Mohd Shukri
Author	Jafariah Jaafar
URL	http://www.scientific.net/AMR.1107.335
Volume	1107
Pages	335-340
Publication	Advanced Materials Research
Date	6/2015
Abstract	Interest in acidic fractions in crude oil has increased as a result of the corrosion problems that these compounds cause during the oil refining process. This corrosion is associated with the total acid number (TAN). Because of the anticipated growth of acidic crudes in the market, a new technology for removal of the acidic fractions has been introduced. Researchers investigated Petronas Penapisan Melaka Light Crude (B) with TAN values of 2.52. They employed ammoniated polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the deacidifying agent, with a concentration range of 100-2500 mg/L. Data indicated that the optimal content of ammoniated polyethylene glycol in crude B was 1500 mg/L, and PEG with molecular weight of 2000 was the most promising co-solvent with the reagent/oil ratio being 0.4:1 (wt/wt).

A Review of Ultrasonic Tomography for Monitoring the Corrosion of Steel Pipes

CATEGORY: CORROSION 
A Review of Ultrasonic Tomography for Monitoring the Corrosion of Steel Pipes

Type	Journal Article
Author	Noor Amizan Abd. Rahman
Author	Ruzairi Abdul Rahim
URL	Free Full Text Source:  http://www.jurnalteknologi.utm.my/index.php/jurnalteknologi/article/view/4468/3112
Volume	73
Issue	6
Publication	Jurnal Teknologi
Date	2015-03-13
Abstract	This study focuses on steel pipes that are exposed to corrosion. This problem is considered serious because steel pipes are used not only for the delivery of water supply but also for the delivery of gas and oil to the oil and gas sector, where the same problem occurs. Impacts of the problem of corrosion of steel pipes contribute to the risk of loss to the owner of the premises or industry. An overview of leakage problems, which cause a reduction in the volume of materials or hazards to the environment and consumers, is given, and the occurrence of corrosion in pipelines is evaluated. Monitoring methods use ultrasonic tomography as a major contribution to the implementation of monitoring and assessing the status of pipe durability and ability. This paper looks at the concept of diverse ultrasonic tomography inventions used to assist the process of monitoring of the level of pipeline capacity that will suffer corrosion.