PD-07-101 Performing Accurate Refinery Configuration Studies to Address The Upcoming EPA Benzene Reductions

Description:

Most refiners will have to undertake detailed studies to determine what changes will be needed to meet the new U.S. EPA benzene regulations. The main producers of benzene in a fuels refinery are the FCC and reformer. Control strategies involve either pre-fractionation of benzene-forming species from reformer feed, or post-fractionation of a benzenerich cut from the bulk of reformate. The benzene in the benzene-rich stream must then be extracted for sales or converted via saturation. Most of these configuration studies are now performed by LP models. Since the choices are very subtle, the “granularity” of the LP makes it a less than perfect toolset for this use. This presentation will demonstrate the capabilities of a new toolset for evaluating different processing schemes. The effects on gasoline production and refinery economics are quantified in detail.