Modernization of a Reformer Unit with a Lower Operating Pressure

Modernization of the first-stage of the L–35–11/1000 plant of the OAO Angarskaya neftekhimicheskaya kompaniya Angarskaya Petrochemical Company (Open Joint Stock Company)] reduced the pressure in the reformer unit from 2.3 to 1.7 MPa and the hydrogenous gas circulation ratio, from 1550 to 1100 m³/m³. The catalyzate yield increased by 2.1 wt.% while the motor octane number (MON) increased by 1.6. After the second stage of the highly efficient domestic catalysts KR–108U and RB–22U fed into the reformer unit will increase the reformate yield with MON=87 to 89 wt. %. Catalyzate from the L–35–11/100 plant is the main component of high-octane gasolines in the Angarskaya Petrochemical Company. This typical plant was built during the development of the country's catalytic reformer technology 1] according to a design by Lengiproneftekhim (Leningrad State Institute for the Design of Oil Refining and Petrochemical Plants). Initially, the intention was to use the aluminoplatinum catalyst AP–64 in the reforming of hydrofined feedstock in the following mode: reactor pressure in the last stage 3.5 MPa, feedstock volumetric flow rate 1.2 h^–1, and hydrogenous gas (HG) circulation ratio 1800m³/m³. The process flow diagram, however, made no provision for booster compressors for the excess HG. As a result substantial lowering of the pressure in the reformer unit was not possible when the plant was switched to more stable polymetal catalysts 2].