Hydrotreating and Hydrocracking Process Technology

Introduction

This comprehensive course overlays the process fundamentals and sound knowledge of Hydro-treating and Hydro-cracking processes where Hydrogen is a key material in the upgrading and treatment of refinery products and fractions. A review of the state-of-the-art in process design, energy and mass integration will be presented as potential key improvements.

An in-depth practical review of Hydro-treating/cracking technologies is provided across the course topics. The contents focus on the Hydro-conversion of heavy products, distillates, diesel, and naphtha into other hydrogenated/lower molecular weight products, besides saturated products with enhanced Cetane number, free of sulphur, nitrogen and metals. The course also discusses some process design/chemistry and engineering principles for such processes and presents scope for improvements.

This course is valuable to engineers/scientists, designers and researchers involved in the industry of Hydro-conversion in refiners. Yet it is most beneficial to those professionals with experiences in other fields and willing to acquire knowledge in Hydro-conversion processes.

This course will feature:

• Lectures, exercises, and teamwork in some areas of process design and improvement
• Real studies that exhibit improvement solution for energy/environment
• Knowledge transfer of instructor’s extensive engaged industrial consultations
• The practice of Excel-based design tools for mass/energy integration in refining plants
• Open discussion on actual problems/data for design and improvements

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Develop deep understanding of mass/H2/energy balance in refining processes
• Gain in-depth knowledge of the state-of-the-art of material and energy integration
• Evaluate different flow schemes for hydro-treating and hydro-cracking processes
• Manipulated process design and operation variables for better H2-conversion performances
• Master experiences of chemistry/kinetics, function of catalysts, clean production, environmental issues of very typical upgraded fuel productions

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies, and presentations on best practice. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants on what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations. The online course is conducted online using MS-Teams/ClickMeeting.

Who Should Attend?

The course is of great significance to process/operational engineers, technicians, control engineers, designers, scientists and researchers working closely in the refining industry in general or particularly Hydro-cracking, Hydro-treating processes. It is also substantially beneficial to other professionals and experts who have considerable experience in other fields of business and keen to gain sufficient knowledge in the particular industry of Hydro-conversion. All levels of professionalism are eligible for the course, ranging from young-fresh personnel to highly experienced ones. 

This course is suitable for a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Process and development engineers
• Plant managers
• Operational engineers/control personnel
• Researchers/scientists
• Project and design engineers

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction: The Basics

• Fundamentals of Mass/Hydrogen and Energy Balance in Refineries
• State-of-the-Art of Material and Energy Integration
• Fundamentals of Petroleum Refinery Processing: Downstream Crude Oil Refining
• Products’ Specifications and Characteristics
• Process Design/Optimisation and Heat Integration Schemes
• Environmental and Economic Issues

Day 2:  Hydro-Treating – Fundamentals and Principles  

• Introduction to Hydro-Conversion Processes and H2 Sources  
• Process Flow Schemes
• Process Chemistry and Kinetics
• Catalysts/ Heat of Reactions
• Operating Conditions, Principles and Design Considerations
• Hydrogen Requirements for Hydro-treating

Day 3: Hydro-Treating – Advanced Processing

• Reactors Design
• Applications to Naphtha, Middle Distillate, Gas Oil and
• Atmospheric Residue Desulphurisation
• Saturation of Benzene in Gasoline
• Potential Improvements for Material and Energy Savings
• Clean Diesel Hydro-treating Process Technology – Critical Issues

Day 4: Hydro-Cracking – Fundamentals and Principles 

• Feed Stocks and Products
• Process Chemistry/Kinetics
• Catalysts/De-activation and Re-Generation
• Products Quality and Yields: Process Configuration, Catalyst Type and Operating Process Variables and Parameters
• Reactors Technology for Hydro-cracking
• Single Stage Hydro-cracking Process Technology

Day 5: Hydro-Cracking – Advanced Processing

• Two-Stage Hydro-cracking Process Technology
• Process Design Features
• Hydrogen Balance and Consumption
• Scope for Process Integration Improvements
• Hydrogen Balance/Integration and Management
• Steam/Methane Reforming