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In a fixed bed platforming unit employing bimetallic platinum rhenium UOP R-56 catalyst operating at 12 kg/cm2 pressure, what is the average catalyst life expected (in m3 naphtha per Kg of catalyst) provided the cycle runs ideally with no sulphur water, metal etc.upsets at average rundown severity of 90 RONC with end of run temperature of 510C?
 
Answers
12/11/2011 A: Virendra Kapoor, Petroleum Refining Consultants, vkkapoor9@yahoo.com
A very good prediction of the expected catalyst cycle length and ultimate life can be made by use of process and kinetic models. I know some of the institutions who have such models to predict not only the life but other important considerations for the process also. It makes use of simple feed characteristics and other operating parameters.
08/11/2011 A: Joe Zmich, UOP LLC, joe.zmich@uop.com
UOP’s R-56 (introduced by UOP in the 1990’s, having well over 100 units loaded) Platforming™ catalyst is an extremely robust catalyst and has been demonstrated to operate well beyond a 10 year life over multiple regenerations. Catalyst life is extremely dependent upon feed quality and operations. It is difficult to predict the expected life of any semi-regenerative type reforming catalyst as indicated in the question without having a complete feed definition and operations history. It’s best to contact your catalyst supplier (e.g.- UOP) to provide the best answer for the application at hand.
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07/11/2011 A: Joe Zmich, UOP LLC, joe.zmich@uop.com
UOP’s R-56 (introduced by UOP in the 1990s, having well over 100 units loaded) is an extremely robust catalyst and has been demonstrated to operate well beyond a 10 year life. Catalyst life is extremely dependent upon feed quality and operations. It is difficult to predict the expected life of any semi-regenerative type reforming catalyst as indicated in the question without having a complete feed definition and operations history. It’s best to contact your catalyst supplier to provide the best answer for your specific application.
07/11/2011 A: Alan Goelzer, Jacobs Consultancy, alan.goelzer@jacobs.com
I have a somewhat different perspective on how to slow down deactivation of catalysts in fixed bed catalytic reforming units. Deactivation rates can be greatly mitigated by following UPSTREAM:
(a) Improved fractionation in upstream CDU so that cat ref feed contains very little 175C+ components per GC / SimDist [ASTM D86 can underestimate 175C+ components]. Actually, I prefer that less than 10 wt% of cat feed boil above 150C/160C [per GC SimDist)
(b) Hydrotreating upstream in powerful NHTU with RxP,inlet = > 33 barg and actual H2 partial pressure exiting reactor = > 11 bar and preferably greater 14 bar
(c) Conservative NHTU reactor space velocity, i.e. < 3 LHSV and replaced with new (not regenerated0 catalyst at least every three years [shorter if the feed contains significant trace transition elements.
(d) Actual reactor outlet temperature = < 350C with residual organic sulphur = < 0.7 wppm
(e) Inclusion of Sulphur Guard Bed so that cat reformer feed sulphur = < 0.1 wppm