Modelling of a Catalytic Reformer Unit

Catalytic reforming unit is practiced extensively in the petroleum refining
industry to convert gasoline boiling-range low-octane hydrocarbons to high-octane
gasoline compounds for use as high-performance gasoline fuel. This is accomplished by
conversion of n-paraffins and naphthenes in naphtha to iso-paraffins and aromatics over
bifunctional catalysts. Petronas Penapisan Terengganu Sdn Bhd employed two catalytic
reformer units that are in Kerteh Refinery-1 (KR1) and Kerteh Refmery-2 (KR2)
respectively. This project will focused mainly on catalytic reformer unit located at
Kerteh Refinery-1 as it is more concern on the requirement of standard for research
octanenumber, RON. The data from the unit is used to test the correlation for prediction
of LPG and reformate yield. The correlation used is provided by HPI Consultant. The
process correlation for catalytic reforming estimates the product yields and reformates
properties for reforming full boiling range naphtha. Moreover, the correlation have some
variables that can be changes such that pressure required in the unit, research octane
number (RON), napthene content plus 2 times the aromatic content of feedstock (N2A)
and specific gravityof the feed. This will help the studyon the catalytic reformerunit in
refinery such as Petronas Penapisan Terengganu Sdn Bhd to evaluate and model the
unit. The correlations givenare the standard or the benchmark for the typical production
of LPG and reformate. By then, the actual data from the plant or the unit needed to
compare both of them and analysis need to be done to extract the information. In the
same time, the fundamental of the unit must be understood thoroughly as from the
feedstock to the product yield. Moreover, each step of the process has different
operating capabilities such as endothermic or exothermic reactions which are then why
the temperature are slightly decreasing and from the process there is a burner which can
counteract and maintain the temperature along the process. This fundamental of
understanding the process in catalytic reformer is important as to justify of those data
coming from the plantor the correlation is valid. Moreimportantly, the otherthroughput
of the project is to model the catalytic reforming unit in Petronas Penapisan Terengganu
Sdn Bhd using the correlation from HPI Consultant so that the requirement of LPG and
reformate yield are met.
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