plant design

[rgrokkam]

A plant is designed to produce hydrogen from Light naphtha. Feed is at 13000kg/hr. If I have to run the plant with a different feed ,say butanes will there be any hydraulic limitation. How should I go about investigating this?

 

[Latexman]

Simulate the process using both feeds, compare the two results, and find the hydraulic limitations.

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[agf94510]

If the process uses SMR as the front end, several areas need to be considered.

A. The two feeds have a different steam to carbon ratio and method of vaporization. Calculate the expected yields.
B. The by-product CO2 will be produced at a slightly reduced rate.
C. Depending on CO2 removal proces (PSA, Amine, Catacarb, or?)the loading will change.
D. Product Hydrogen should increase.

 

[mbeychok]

rgrokkam:

Your best approach would be to contact the engineering construction company that designed and built your plant. They are the experts whose advice you should first seek.

Milton Beychok
(Visit me at www.air-dispersion.com)
.

 

[rgrokkam]

Dear agf94510,
CO2 removal is by PSA.
"The by-product CO2 will be produced at a slightly reduced rate." Can you explain why.

In that case, sub-cycle time like adsorption time, equalization time etc for PSA should be adjusted. Isnt it?

Thanks

 

[agf94510]

The reduced CO2 rate is based on Hydrogen content of an alkane being converted to H2. (CnH2n+2 + H2O to H2 + CO2 + CO) There is excess steam fed into the process to prevent coking.

With a fixed Hydrogen production, Butane is more efficient in producing H2 than Naphtha. (Butane is C4H10 and Naphtha is closer to C7H16.)

Please do not forget that vaporizing Butane may require different equipment or at least change in operating conditions.