Catalyst regeneration, aromatization

The process consists of a reactor section, continuous catalyst regeneration unit (CCR), and product recovery section. Stacked radial-flow reactors are used to minimize pressure drop and to facilitate catalyst recirculation to and from the CCR. The reactor feed consists solely of LPG plus the recycle of unconverted feed components no hydrogen is recycled. The liquid product contains about 92 wt% benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) (Figure 6-7), with a balance of Cg aromatics and a low nonaromatic content. Therefore, the product could be used directly for the recovery of benzene by fractional distillation (without the extraction step needed in catalytic reforming). 

Tire decline in catalyst activity seen in some continuous photocatalytic systems has prompted researchers to examine methods of restoring activity to used photocatalysts. Because the decline in catalyst activity is often attributed to the accumulation of recalcitrant intermediates or by-products on the catalyst surface, most catalyst regeneration techniques focus on the removal of these presumed species. Two such methods, thermal regeneration and photocatalytic regeneration, have been examined for use in association with the photocatalytic oxidation of aromatic contaminants. 

Application To produce high yields of benzene, toluene, xylenes and hydrogen from naphthas via the CCR Aromizing process coupled with RegenC continuous catalyst regeneration technology. Benzene and toluene cuts are fed directly to an aromatics extraction unit. The xylenes fraction, obtained by fractionation and subsequent treatment by the Arofining process for diolefins and olefins removal, is ideal for para-xylene and orthoxylene production. 

Description The process consists of a reactor section, continuous catalyst regeneration (CCR) section and product-recovery section. Stacked radial-flow reactors (1) facilitate catalyst transfer to and from the CCR catalyst regeneration section (2). A charge heater and interheaters (3) achieve optimum conversion and selectivity for the endothermic reaction. Reactor effluent is separated into liquid and vapor products (4). The liquid product is sent to a stripper column (5) to remove light saturates from the C6 aromatic product. Vapor from the separator is compressed and sent to a gas recovery unit (6). The compressed vapor is then separated into a 95% pure hydrogen coproduct, a fuel-gas stream containing light byproducts and a recycled stream of unconverted LPG. 

This catalyst regeneration operation is performed using published processes, examples of which include the use of a fixed bed switching reactor system in the case of the Z-Forming process(l), and the use of a continuous catalyst regeneration system in the case of the Cyclar process(2). However, catalyst activity gradually decreases due to the repeated reaction and regeneration. Catalyst life, therefore, is considered terminated at the point where its activity falls below the point at which it is able to maintain a pre-set aromatic yield. 

Application GTC Technology, in alliance with our technology partner, offers commercially proven aromatization technology for gasoline octane improvement or aromatics production. The technology uses a proprietary catalyst in fixed-bed reactors with periodic catalyst regeneration. 

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