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

LC-FinerSM是一种重油加氢处理器，由Syncrude Canada Ltd使用，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（液体循环盘），会影响反应器的性能。流体的均匀空间分布对于适当的加氢和限制焦炭的形成是必不可少的，焦炭在反应器底部沉降并对流体分布产生不利影响，可以自我传播。流体分布系统也影响气泡的形成，进而影响床流体动力学和输运现象。此外，由于气泡不容易在床上凝聚，原始气泡尺寸分布可能会影响循环盘中的相分离，并且与循环液体夹带的气体增加了通过分配系统的气体流量，导致更大的床气含率，以牺牲液体含率和最终产品产量为代价。此外，更大的产量导致更好的工艺能源效率，从而减少对环境的影响（例如，温室气体排放）。经济效益和环境影响的优化是加拿大油砂行业成功发展的关键，油砂行业将引领原油供应量从2015年的400万桶/天增长到2030年的550万桶/天。该研究项目将包括多相计算流体动力学和实验活动，利用现有的独特设备和专业仪器。将提出通过改变反应器内部几何形状和操作条件来增强反应器性能，从而增加液体保持率和运行时间。研究生和本科生将参与高压设备的中试操作，数学建模和与工业合作伙伴的交流/互动，以进行完整和全面的培训。

The LC-FinerSM, a heavy oil hydroprocessor, is used by Syncrude Canada Ltd to upgrade Canadian bitumen tosynthetic 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 spatialdistribution of the fluids is essential for proper hydrogenation and to limit the formation of coke which, bysettling at bottom of the reactor and detrimentally affecting the fluids distribution, can becomeself-propagating. The fluids distribution system also influences bubble formation, which in turn affects bedhydrodynamics and transport phenomena. Moreover, since bubbles do not readily coalesce in the bed, theoriginal bubble size distribution likely impacts phase separation in the recycle pan, and gas entrained with therecycled liquid increases the gas flow through the distribution system resulting in greater bed gas holdups at theexpense of the liquid holdup and ultimately product yield. Moreover, greater yields lead to better processenergy 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 theCanadian oil sands industry, which will lead the growth in crude oil supply from 4.0 million barrels/day in2015 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 reactorperformance, via changes in reactor internal geometry and operating conditions that increase the liquid holdupand run time, will be proposed. Graduate and undergraduate students will partake in operation of high pressureequipment at the pilot scale, mathematical modeling and communication/interaction with an industrial partnerfor complete and comprehensive training.