Impact of Fluids Distribution and Separation Systems on the Fluid Dynamics of a Resid Hydroprocessor

加拿大辛克鲁德有限公司使用LC-FinerSM重油加氢处理器，通过催化加氢将加拿大沥青升级为**合成原油。LC-FinerSM的几何形状，特别是入口**(气液分布器)和出口(液体回收盘)，影响着反应器的性能。流体在空间上的均匀分布对于适当的加氢和限制焦炭的形成是必不可少的，焦炭通过在反应器底部沉淀并不利地影响流体分布而变得**自蔓延。流体分配系统也会影响气泡的形成，而气泡的形成又会影响床面流体动力学和输送现象。此外，由于气泡不容易在床中聚合，**原始气泡尺寸分布可能会影响循环盘中的相分离，而携带**回收液体的气体增加了通过分配系统的气体流量，从而导致更大的床气含率，但代价是**液含率和最终产品产量。此外，更大的产量会带来更好的过程**能源效率，从而减少对环境的影响(例如温室气体排放)。**优化经济回报和环境影响是**加拿大油砂行业成功发展的关键，这将导致原油供应从**2015年的400万桶/天增长到2030年的约550万桶/天。**该研究项目将拥有多阶段计算流体力学和实验活动，**利用现有的独特设备和专业仪器。将提出通过改变反应堆内部几何结构和操作条件来提高反应堆**的性能，以增加液体滞留率**和运行时间。研究生和本科生将在试点范围内参与高压设备的操作、数学建模和与工业合作伙伴的交流/互动**，以进行全面和全面的培训。

The LC-FinerSM, a heavy oil hydroprocessor, is used by Syncrude Canada Ltd to upgrade Canadian bitumen to**synthetic crude oil via catalytic hydrogenation. The LC-FinerSM geometry, in particular the entrance**(gas-liquid distributor) and exit (liquid recycle pan), affects the reactor performance. An even spatial**distribution of the fluids is essential for proper hydrogenation and to limit the formation of coke which, by**settling at bottom of the reactor and detrimentally affecting the fluids distribution, can become**self-propagating. The fluids distribution system also influences bubble formation, which in turn affects bed**hydrodynamics and transport phenomena. Moreover, since bubbles do not readily coalesce in the bed, the**original bubble size distribution likely impacts phase separation in the recycle pan, and gas entrained with the**recycled liquid increases the gas flow through the distribution system resulting in greater bed gas holdups at the**expense of the liquid holdup and ultimately product yield. Moreover, greater yields lead to better process**energy efficiencies and thus reduced impact on the environment (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions).**Optimization of economic return and environmental impact are central to the successful development of the**Canadian oil sands industry, which will lead the growth in crude oil supply from 4.0 million barrels/day in**2015 to an estimated 5.5 million barrels/day in 2030.**This research project will have both multiphase computational fluid dynamics and experimental campaigns,**leveraged by existing unique equipment and specialized instrumentation. Enhancements in reactor**performance, via changes in reactor internal geometry and operating conditions that increase the liquid holdup**and run time, will be proposed. Graduate and undergraduate students will partake in operation of high pressure**equipment at the pilot scale, mathematical modeling and communication/interaction with an industrial partner**for complete and comprehensive training.