Hydrocarbon Processing - January 2021 - 28

Sustainability
The Ras Tanura refinery's CCR reforming unit will be one of
the world's largest reformers that operates at an ultra-low pres-

As depicted in FIG. 3, the reactor system consists of two reactors 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 onceSaudi Aramco will startup one of the world's
through scheme, requiring neither a recycle comlargest gasoline producing facilities. This will
pressor nor a separator drum.
allow the Ras Tanura refinery to significantly
A robust, reliable and simple-to-operate management system of catalyst contaminants was impleincrease gasoline production and be compliant
mented, as well. This includes the removal of water
with future gasoline specifications.
through specific dryers, along with the purification
of hydrogen makeup to remove carbon monoxide
(CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ). This arrangement has proven
sure. The installation of such a high-capacity unit was a technical challenge. However, the unit offers the following benefits:
efficient, with the simple catalyst protection helping to main* A side-by-side reactor arrangement for ease of
tain long run performances and achieve extended catalyst life.
construction and maintenance, a low structure for
better access and safety, and flexibility in reactor design
Project achievements. The primary goal of the Ras Tanura
to optimize unit performance at a minimum cost
Clean Fuels project is to make the Ras Tanura refinery a pre* A continuous catalyst circulation system that exhibits
mier producer of Euro 5 gasoline in Saudi Arabia, as well as in
the industry's lowest catalyst attrition rate for high
the Middle East. With this new complex, the capacity for refinon-stream performance-and features a non-pulsing
ery gasoline production could reach 240,000 bpd-enabling
lift system for a smooth operation
the refinery to maximize the value of its naphtha streams.
* The latest regenerator design, featuring two distinct
NOTES
burning zones and a protective " dry-burn loop " for
a Axens' Octanizing™ CCR reforming technology using Axens' CR 600 catalyst series
significantly reduced catalyst aging, with minimum loss
b Axens' C5-C6 isomerization technology using Axens' ATIS-2L catalyst
of chlorides. The optimized oxychlorination section
MIKE HALVACI is a Facilities Planning Consultant in the Facilities
results in a further reduction in chloride consumption.
Planning Department of Saudi Aramco. He has more than 30 yr
The C5-C6 isomerization processb employed a chlorinated
of experience in refinery operations, economics and project
alumina process, characterized by using active and selective
development. He joined Saudi Aramco in 2000 and has been
chlorinated-alumina catalyst. It has demonstrated a high acinvolved in the development of numerous refinery projects
within the Saudi Aramco system. Mr. Halvaci earned Bch and
tivity, which enhances equilibrated reactions involved in the
MS degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Tulsa.
isomerization process.
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.

FIG. 3. Simplified once-through isomerizationb blockflow diagram.

28 JANUARY 2021 | HydrocarbonProcessing.com

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
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.

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