HP March 2022 eBook—Energy Transition - 7

Sustainability
The Ras Tanura refinery's CCR reforming unit will be one of
the world's largest reformers that operates at an ultra-low presAs
depicted in FIG. 3, the reactor system consists of two reSaudi
Aramco will startup one of the world's
largest gasoline producing facilities. This will allow
the Ras Tanura refinery to significantly increase
gasoline production and be compliant with future
gasoline specifications.
sure. The installation of such a high-capacity unit was a technical
challenge. However, the unit offers the following benefits:
* A side-by-side reactor arrangement for ease of
construction and maintenance, a low structure for
better access and safety, and flexibility in reactor design
to optimize unit performance at a minimum cost
* A continuous catalyst circulation system that exhibits
the industry's lowest catalyst attrition rate for high
on-stream performance-and features a non-pulsing
lift system for a smooth operation
* The latest regenerator design, featuring two distinct
burning zones and a protective " dry-burn loop " for
significantly reduced catalyst aging, with minimum loss
of chlorides. The optimized oxychlorination section
results in a further reduction in chloride consumption.
The C5-C6 isomerization processb
actors in a series, with special valve arrangements-allowing
each reactor to be operated in the lead or tail position.
Hydrogen utilization is optimized in this oncethrough
scheme, requiring neither a recycle compressor
nor a separator drum.
A robust, reliable and simple-to-operate manage(CO)
and carbon dioxide (CO2
ment system of catalyst contaminants was implemented,
as well. This includes the removal of water
through specific dryers, along with the purification
of hydrogen makeup to remove carbon monoxide
). This arrangement has proven
efficient, with the simple catalyst protection helping to maintain
long run performances and achieve extended catalyst life.
Project achievements. The primary goal of the Ras Tanura
Clean Fuels project is to make the Ras Tanura refinery a premier
producer of Euro 5 gasoline in Saudi Arabia, as well as in
the Middle East. With this new complex, the capacity for refinery
gasoline production could reach 240,000 bpd-enabling
the refinery to maximize the value of its naphtha streams.
NOTES
a Axens' Octanizing™ CCR reforming technology using Axens' CR 600 catalyst series
b Axens' C5
-C6 isomerization technology using Axens' ATIS-2L catalyst
employed a chlorinated
alumina process, characterized by using active and selective
chlorinated-alumina catalyst. It has demonstrated a high activity,
which enhances equilibrated reactions involved in the
isomerization process.
MIKE HALVACI is a Facilities Planning Consultant in the Facilities
Planning Department of Saudi Aramco. He has more than 30 yr
of experience in refinery operations, economics and project
development. He joined Saudi Aramco in 2000 and has been
involved in the development of numerous refinery projects
within the Saudi Aramco system. Mr. Halvaci earned Bch and
MS degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Tulsa.
EMAD AL SUBAIE is a Work Director in the Facilities Planning
Department of Saudi Aramco. He has 14 yr of experience in
refining and project development. He started his career in 2007
as a process engineer in the Yanbu refinery, where he worked in
several operations and engineering units. He earned a Bch degree
in chemical engineering from Soongsil University in South Korea.
NOAMAN AL FUDHAIL is a Work Director with the Facilities
Planning Department of Saudi Aramco. He has more than
23 yr of experience in refinery operations, engineering
and project development. He joined Saudi Aramco in 1997
as a process engineer in the Ras Tanura refinery, where
he advanced his technical and leadership skills during his
14-yr tenure. He earned a Bch degree in chemical engineering
from the University of Washington.
FIG. 2. A simplified blockflow diagram of the CCR reforming unit.
CHRISTOPHE PIERRE is a Technology Team Manager in Axens'
Gasoline and Petrochemicals business line. He joined Axens in
2002 as a process engineer in the Engineering Department, and
later became a project manager for reforming and gasoline
projects. He joined the technology group in 2007 and oversaw
reforming and isomerization technologies related to gasoline
pool problematics. Mr. Pierre earned an engineering degree
from the École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques, along with a postgraduate
engineering degree from the IFP School in Rueil-Malmaison, France.
EMILIE ROUSSEAU is the Sales Development Manager for
Process Licensing at Axens. She has more than 14 yr of
experience in the hydrocarbon processing industry. Ms.
Rousseau joined Axens in 2009 as a strategic marketing
engineer, moving to process licensing in 2018. She earned
a chemical engineering degree from the École Nationale
Supérieure des Ingénieurs en Arts Chimiques et Technologiques
FIG. 3. Simplified once-through isomerizationb
blockflow diagram.
in Toulouse, France; an MS degree in chemical engineering from Imperial
College of London; and an MS degree in energy economics and corporate
management from the IFP School in Rueil-Malmaison, France.
Hydrocarbon Processing | JANUARY 2021 | HydrocarbonProcessing.com
http://www.HydrocarbonProcessing.com
HP March 2022 eBook—Energy Transition

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of HP March 2022 eBook—Energy Transition
