Q & A > Question Details
Can anyone reference an article or research that comments on the effect lubricating oil from the makeup or recycle H2 compressors can have on catalyst life?
 
Answers
20/06/2009 A: Kavirayani R Murthy, K R Murthy Consultants, krmurthy_ipcl@yahoo.com
An interesting experience is given below:
Fresh Pt-Re Bimetallic reforming catalyst was freshly loaded into a Octane boosting reformer. After two weeks of operation the catalyst was losing the activity very fast. Upon looking into the temperature profiles it was clearly observed that the endothermicity was becoming attenuated in the first reactor of the system showing clearly that the catalyst was being killed and necessitating the shutdown of the Reformer. Upon investigation it was observed that the lube oil was being pumped from the recirculating compressor due to oil seal failure.
Though the catalyst was killed by lube oil, upon investigation using sophisticated instrumental techniques it was observed that heavy metals usually present in the lube oil were observed on the platinum and Rhenium but had not affected the catalyst adversely. The catalyst was successfully regenerated and was put back on stream.
09/02/2009 A: Virendra Kapoor, Petroleum Refining Consultants, vkkapoor9@yahoo.com
There may be some deactivation due to material listed in earlier reponses. During in-situ regeneration, the combustion of leaking oil also poses problems.
07/02/2009 A: Keegan Denny, Petrotrin, keegan77@hotmail.com
The main problem is the metals in the non-synthetic oils. The major problem is the uptake of metals from the oils unto the catalyst, this will reduce their activity and plug the top of the reactor bed, hence increase the dp across the reactor. It also increases the coke laydown in the reactor from the cracking of the oil.
Eventually you'll have to skim the to few inches of the bed, etc.....
07/02/2009 A: keith bowers, B and B Consulting, kebowers47@gmail.com
I am not aware of any published information on this subject. I would be very surprised if lube oil entered the hydrogen rich stream. Lube oil has boiling point of say 1300F and certainly will not vaporize and enter the gas stream.
I do have substantial experience in lube oil formulation. Turbine lube oils normally have very low amounts of additives. Non-silicone anti-foam agents are typical in turbine oils. Ask your lube and seal oil supplier for the MSDS forms on the products. Ask specifically for silicone, phosphorus, other metals, and sulfur levels in the lube and seal oils.
06/02/2009 A: Samuel Sinanan, IPSL, Samuel.Sinanan@ipsl.co.tt
I don't know of any articles, but if the lubricating oil is in contact with the hydrogen rich process gas any contaminants in the oil can end up on the catalyst bed. Analyse the content of the lube oil to determine the concentration of poisons such as Silicon, Phosphorus, Sodium and other trace metals. I recalled a situation where the synthetic oil that was lubricating the recycle gas compressor had traces of Phosphorus.