Predictive modeling and optimization for an industrial coker complex hydrotreating unit / Eslam Samir Elsbaaei Ali ; Supervised Tamer Samir Mohamed Ahmed

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering

A process model for an industrial coker complex hydrotreating process was developed using aspen HYSYS petroleum refining hydroprocessor bed module. The model could track the plant performance competently. In addition, the model was utilized for investigating the effect of each process variable on the process performance. Among all process variables, feed boiling range and inlet temperature of the trickle bed reactor (TBR) were the most dominant factors to influence the process performance. Finally, the model was used for optimizing the process at steady state conditions. Results acquired from the model showed that a considerable increase in product yield with improved specifications could be achieved by adjusting the TBR feed boiling range to reach the IBP and FBP which the TBR is designed to treat, while lowering the hydrogen partial pressure inside the TBR to the lowest possible practical value and increasing the TBR inlet temperature to the equilibrium limit. The surplus in make-up gas may be diverted to fuel gas system, resulting in significant fuel savings. Applying the optimization scheme saves the plant consumption of energy as well as enhances the plant productivity of diesel fuel with better specifications. The model may also be integrated into a real time optimization scheme. In this situation, the model should be finely tuned to match the plant performance strictly

Issued also as CD