Optimization of a Pilot Hydrocracking Unit To Improve the Yield and Quality of Jet Fuel Together with Heavy Naphtha and Tail Oil

Abstract

Hydrocracking of vacuum gas oil (VGO) is a commonly used process to produce more high-quality transportation fuels and chemicals. In this work, effects of four different operation modes, i.e., SSOTP, FRTHT, FRTHC, and PRTHT, with different recycling modes of tail oil are comparatively studied on the performance of VGO hydrocracking. The FRTHT and FRTHC give rise to a higher yield and/or quality of jet fuel, heavy naphtha, and tail oil compared with that of the other two modes. Moreover, effects of the distillation−cutting scheme are also studied to further increase the yield and quality of jet fuel. It is found that all four of the operation modes show a much higher yield but a slightly higher smoke point for the jet fuel. The insights revealed here could shed new light on the optimization of VGO hydrocracking to produce more targeted products.

Adaptive Weighted Hybrid Modeling of Hydrocracking Process and Its Operational Optimization

“…To improve the yield and quality of jet fuel together with heavy naphtha and tail oil, Peng et al investigated the effects of four operation modes with different recycling modes of tail oil on a pilot HCU. 35 Their results indicated that all of the studied operation modes showed a much higher yield but a slightly higher smoke point for the jet fuel. The reader is referred to other studies 36−38 for more information on the optimization of HCUs.…”

“…Recently, with the same purpose of operational optimization, Zhong et al constructed a Kriging surrogate model (a kind of DDM) for an industrial HCU, where economic benefits were improved under different feedstocks. To improve the yield and quality of jet fuel together with heavy naphtha and tail oil, Peng et al investigated the effects of four operation modes with different recycling modes of tail oil on a pilot HCU . Their results indicated that all of the studied operation modes showed a much higher yield but a slightly higher smoke point for the jet fuel.…”

A three-dimensional semi-quantitative method to monitor the evolution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from vacuum gas oil feedstocks to lighter products

“…In a once-through configuration, hydrotreated VGO corresponds to the unique hydrocarbons feedstock entering into the HCK reactor. In a recycle configuration, VGO goes through HDT and HCK reactors and then a part of the unconverted oil (UCO) resulting from the distillation of HCK products is used as a co-processing feedstock, mixed with the original VGO, at the inlet of either HDT or HCK reactor [5].…”

Practical Application of Hierarchical Beta Zeolite in a Vacuum Gas Oil Hydrocracking Catalyst

“…However, the problem of conventional microporous zeolites as catalysts is the impeded diffusion of large molecules through the internal pores and deactivation by coke formation [7,10,14]. VGO, one of the atmospheric vacuum distillation cuts of heavy crude oil, has a high boiling point ranging from 370 to 510°C [22]. It is also reported that conventional microporous zeolites limit the selectivity of middle distillates owing to narrow porosity.…”

“…VGO, one of the atmospheric vacuum distillation cuts of heavy crude oil, has a high boiling point ranging from 370 to 510 °C . It is also reported that conventional microporous zeolites limit the selectivity of middle distillates owing to narrow porosity.…”