Q&A

(2018) Question 5: What is your experience with CCR catalyst on-the-fly replacement compared to changing at turnaround?

On-the-fly catalyst replacements are becoming more common, but still an economic decision for the refiner based on trade-offs between the continuous replacement approach and the historical changing at turnaround approach. On-the-fly catalyst replacement allows for full catalyst replacement while catalyst circulation is maintained, with both reaction and regeneration sections still in operation to allow for reduced unit downtime.

(2018) Question 7: How do you monitor and protect the heater tubes from overheating in high temperature services such as catalytic reformer heaters? How is the tube wall temperature monitored?

As a first step and low investment solution, refiners will perform a visual check on the color of tubes to check for color differences or perform a thermal scan of the tubes. These solutions are not very accurate due to iron scale formation and ceramic coating on the tubes.

(2018) Question 8: Fixed bed reforming and CCR reforming recycle gas compressor washing to remove salt deposits. What is the frequency? What is the typical deposit composition? What is used to wash the compressor?

The recycle compressor is water washed at every catalyst regeneration (typically once per year) after the chlorination step. In addition, if there is any extended outage for mechanical work, the compressor will be water washed anytime there is an opportunity to do so as precaution.

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Q&A

(2018) Question 5: What is your experience with CCR catalyst on-the-fly replacement compared to changing at turnaround?

(2018) Question 7: How do you monitor and protect the heater tubes from overheating in high temperature services such as catalytic reformer heaters? How is the tube wall temperature monitored?

(2018) Question 8: Fixed bed reforming and CCR reforming recycle gas compressor washing to remove salt deposits. What is the frequency? What is the typical deposit composition? What is used to wash the compressor?