AM-97-14 REVAMP FOR LOW SULFUR DIESEL A CASE STUDY

Description:

Legislation introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required that from October, 1993, U.S. refiners meet a maximum requirement of 0.05% wt. S in diesel fuels. As a result, most refineries target a unit product sulfur of up to 0.04% to 0.045% wt. in order to be in compliance. Phillips 66 Company, in their Borger, Texas refinery, commissioned a revamp of their existing diesel I-IDS unit in order to meet the new 0.05% S diesel specification. The revamp, among other things, included a new, larger reactor and liquid distributor. After start-up, it was determined that it was not possible to meet the 0.05% S limit at MI, or even reduced, feed rate. Upon conducting an in-depth study of unit design and performance, it was concluded that the new distributor was incorrectly designed and actually was contributing to maldistribution, channeling, etc. Haldor Topsoe designed a new liquid distributor which was manufactured and installed in February, 1996. Using a new loading of the same catalyst, it was possible to make O.O5%S diesel from SOR, highlighting the importance of good distribution in order to get the most effective use of, and life from, your catalyst system.