Japan Energy Corporation

T. Nomura, K. Murayama, and M. Matsushita, Sample Test Results of All Liquid Phase Hydrogen Attack, Japan Energy Corporation, presented to the API Task Group on Hydrogen Deterioration of Steels, May 1994. 

Mizushima Oil Refinery, Japan Energy Corporation, 2—1 Ushio ori, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama 712, Japan... 

The Mizushima Oil Refinery of Japan Energy Corporation first implemented a high conversion operation of vacuum residue, versus a constant desulfurization operation, in the commercial residue hydrodesulfurization unit equipped with fixed-bed reactors, to produce more middle distillates as well as fuel oil with lower viscosity. The catalysts will be replaced when the sulfur content in the product oil reaches the allowable limit. Since we have believed that an increase in the residue conversion decreases the catalyst activity by coke deposition, we have been interested in controlling the coke deactivation to maximize the residue conversion during a scheduled operating period. 

Under these circumstances, Japan Energy Corporation has conducted extensive research on the development of a new aromatization catalyst that exhibits high activity and excellent inhibition of coke fomiation (4,5 ). On the basis of this fundamental research, we have operated the LNA demonstration plant. The present work describes the phenomena responsible for the deactivation of LNA catalyst. 

After research and development was conducted with Japan Energy Corporation (JEC), the remaining distilled light oil has been applied at JEC s petroleum refinery plant as feedstock recycling since April 2004. To date, JEC has not reported operational problems. 

The Mizushima Oil Refinery of Japan Energy Corporation first implemented an operation of vacuum residue hydrodesulfiirization in the conventional fixed bed reactor system in 1980. We have also conducted a high conversion operation to produce more middle distillates as well as lower the viscosity of the product fuel oil to save valuable gas oil which is used to adjust the viscosity. Vacuum residue hydrodesulfurization in fixed bed reactors mvolves the characteristic problems such as hot spot occurrence and pressure-drop build-up. There has been very little literature available discussing these problems based on commercial results. JafiFe analyzed hot spot phenomena in a gas phase fixed bed reactor mathematically, assuming an existence of the local flow disturbance region [1]. However, no cause of flow disturbance was discussed. To seek for appropriate solutions, we postulated causes ofhot spot occurrence and pressure-drop build-up by conducting process data analysis, chemical analysis of the used catalysts, and cold flow model tests. This paper describes our solutions to these problems, which have been demonstrated in the commercial operations. 

Based on the basic design stated above, a demonstration plant was set up to verify the LNA process in Japan Energy Corporation s Mizushima Oil Refinery in Japan. The plant has been operated to aromatize light naphtha at the rate between 1,500 2,250 BPSD in 1994. 

Dr. Satoshi Fukase Senior Chemical Engineer Japan Energy Corporation Petroleum Laboratory 17-35 Niizo-minami 3 chome Toda, Saitama, 335, Japan... 

Dr. Hiroki Koyama Process Engineer Japan Energy Corporation... 

Mr. S. Takahashi Senior Engineer Japan Energy Corporation 10-1, Toranomon 2-Chome Minato-Ku Tokyo 105, Japan... 

Amano, T. and Morinaga, K. Japan Energy Corporation (1994) Japanese Patent JP6339635. 

Japan Energy Corporation, Central Research Laboratory, Research Development Division, Petroleum Laboratory, 3-17-35 Niizo-Minami, Toda, Saitama 335, Japan. 

In 2001, the JST selected The creation of high-definition large-screen flat panel display, headed by Professor Tatsuo Uchida of Tohoku University, as a five-year project for the Aomori regional joint research project, and I participated as a group leader to develop nematic display materials. I could allocate research funding, and with the research equipment from Japan Energy Corporation, I could launch my research at Hirosaki University. 

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