MODELING AND SIMULATION OF HYDROCRACKING REACTOR

Abstract

Hydrocracking is a very important secondary refining process used to convert low value vacuum gas oils into high value fuels. The chemistry of the hydrocracking process is very complex due to the involvement of high molecular weight complex hydrocarbons in the reactions. Process modeling and simulation of the hydrocracking unit is very challenging due to the complexities of chemistry and the process. In the present work, a mathematical model is described to analyze the performance of the hydrocracking process in terms of product yields. A six lump simple lumping approach is employed with a hydrocracking reaction scheme involving fifteen reactions. The kinetic constants for the reactions were taken from literature. The model equations were solved using MATLAB 7. The model predictions were found to agree well with the general trend of hydrocracking reactions. CFD analyses of an unsteady-state hydrocracking reactor with a 3 lump reaction scheme, is also performed. It proved useful in providing the better insight of flow dynamics of the reactor.