Tramp amines, chlorides, and fouling related to processing of Shale Crudes (or more specifically, Tight Oils) are issues that are of concern on the Crude Unit. I am not aware of issues specific to the gasoline pool and blending downstream of the crude unit.

The caustic treating off gas stream is primarily air that has been partially depleted of oxygen during the oxidation of mercaptides to disulfides in the caustic regeneration step.

If the coke content is very low in comparison with the coke burn capacity of the CCR unit, the operation can be limited in one of a few ways. A minimum gas flow is required to ensure the catalyst is properly dried before leaving the regenerator and returning for reduction.

Directionally the higher O2 level is better for metal dispersion during oxidization. UOP recommends aminimum of 5% with typical maximum O2 content of 8-10 mol% based on the seal oil combustion limits. Dry seals or nitrogen purge seals allow higher O2 content without explosive conditions.

Typical operating conditions in a reformer do not result in platinum volitization. However, it is possible for Platinum to become volatile and come off the catalyst at very high temperatures. One place this can occur is in the Chlorination zone of the CCR Regeneration Tower, where slipping coked catalyst into an oxygen rich atmosphere can result in very high temperatures.

Pulling the VCFE tube bundle can be very difficult. Removing and re-installing the bellows is also a difficult task. Care should be taken not to damage the exchanger when pulling or installing the tube bundle. In addition, setting the bundle in the horizontal will, in most instances, cause damage such as tube to tube sheet leaks.

Have you had experience with buildup on pump seals in stabilizer or debutanizer reflux pumps that process material that potentially contains chloride salts? In what circumstances do you use salt dispersants, and could they mitigate or aggravate this phenomenon?

The key to minimizing ammonium chloride salt build-up in the Stabilizer system is to minimize organic nitrogen in the feed. Salt accumulation is generally either in the Overhead Condensers or on the trays in the top portion of the tower.

The question posed is specific for hydrogen chloride management and it is necessary to broaden it to encompass the numerous challenges associated with chloride induced fouling, corrosion and reliability issues in catalytic reformers, fired heaters and downstream hydroprocessing units.

Gasoline corrosivity should not be caused by organic fluorides in the alkylate. Organic fluorides themselves are not corrosive, and organic fluorides will not break down to HF in tankage at ambient temperatures.