MODELLING AND SIMULATION STUDIES OF AN INDUSTRIAL HYDROCRACIKER 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 non isothermal mathematical model is described to analyze the performance of the hydrocracking process in terms of product yields. A reduced six lump kinetic model approach is used with a hydrocracking reaction scheme involving eight kinetic constants.. The model equations were solved using MATLAB 2008. Reactor simulations are carried out to fmd the yield, temperature profile, position of quenches and weight of'catalyst in each bed. The model is also used to find out the variation of yield of feed and different products with change in mass flow rate and initial temperature conditions. The optimum initial temperature condition to maximize the yield of diesel is found out to be 679 K.The model predictions were found to agree well with the general trend of hydrocracking reactions.