Filtration Applications for Aromatic...
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Filtration Applications for Aromatic Fractionation (BTX Extraction) Aromatic Fractionation is when a refinery utilizes reformate from the catalytic reformer and extracts the aromatics rather than blend them into gasoline. The aromatics are then separated in pure benzene, toluene, and mixed xylenes products at the BTX (benzene- toluene-xylene) Unit. The BTX is then either processed by a chemical unit within the refinery or sold to a chemical facility for production into a wide range of chemicals from solvents, to fibers, films, and plastics. For most BTX extraction units, the recovery of aromatics occurs in a liquid-liquid extractor column while the purification takes place in an extractive distillation column. Steam stripping is used to remove the aromatics from the solvent. While reformate is the major source of aromatics in most of the world, pyrolysis gasoline is also a significant source. Pyrolysis gasoline is an aromatic rich naphtha stream produced by an ethylene plant when it cracks butane, naphtha, or gasoil. Pyrolysis gasoline resembles reformate and can serve as a high-octane blend stock for motor gasoline or for an aromatics extraction unit. The most common filtration problems in aromatic fractionation is foaming and fouling. Solid particulates will cause foaming resulting in reduced process flow and the injection of costly foaming inhibitors to regain control. Fouling will also occur from excessive particulate concentrations and can reduce operating efficiencies in the distillation and recovery towers, heat exchangers, and other downstream equipment. To meet sales quality specifications of the BTX products; an optimal filtration system is required to remove both solid and liquid contaminants. The Benefits of an Optimum Filtration System includes: • Ability to meet sales product specifications. • Reduces the use of costly anti-foaming inhibitors. • Reduction in equipment fouling. • Lower operating and maintenance costs. • Increased BTX extraction efficiency. www.jonellinc.com | [email protected] 254.559.7591
Transcript of Filtration Applications for Aromatic...
Filtration Applications for Aromatic Fractionation
(BTX Extraction)
Aromatic Fractionation is when a refinery utilizes reformate from the catalytic reformer and extracts the aromatics rather than blend them into gasoline. The aromatics are then separated in pure benzene, toluene, and mixed xylenes products at the BTX (benzene-toluene-xylene) Unit. The BTX is then either processed by a chemical unit within the refinery or sold to a chemical facility for production into a wide range of chemicals from solvents, to fibers, films, and plastics.
For most BTX extraction units, the recovery of aromatics occurs in a liquid-liquid extractor column while the purification takes place in an extractive distillation column. Steam stripping is used to remove the aromatics from the solvent.
While reformate is the major source of aromatics in most of the world, pyrolysis gasoline is also a
significant source. Pyrolysis gasoline is an aromatic rich naphtha stream produced by an ethylene plant when it cracks butane, naphtha, or gasoil. Pyrolysis gasoline resembles reformate and can serve as a high-octane blend stock for motor gasoline or for an aromatics extraction unit.
The most common filtration problems in aromatic fractionation is foaming and fouling. Solid particulates will cause foaming resulting in reduced process flow and the injection of costly foaming inhibitors to regain control. Fouling will also occur from excessive particulate concentrations and can reduce operating efficiencies in the distillation and recovery towers, heat exchangers, and other downstream equipment. To meet sales quality specifications of the BTX products; an optimal filtration system is required to remove both solid and liquid contaminants.
The Benefits of an OptimumFiltration System includes:• Abilitytomeetsalesproductspecifications.• Reducestheuseofcostlyanti-foaminginhibitors.• Reductioninequipmentfouling.• Loweroperatingandmaintenancecosts.• IncreasedBTXextractionefficiency.
www.jonellinc.com | [email protected]
254.559.7591
Jonell Filtration Solutions for Aromatic Fractionation (Reformate) Process
Aromatics6/17
*A wide range of absolute and nominal pre-filters and filters are available to meet specific process applications. To answer more questions about filtration applications, replacement needs, or help troubleshooting process issues, contact an approved Jonell representative or Jonell direct.
Catalytic Reformer
Naphtha
1
Hot
solvent
added
Extr
active D
istillatio
n C
olu
mn
EDC
Condencer
Reformate
Water
2
So
lven
t R
eco
very
Co
lum
n
SRC
Condencer
Water
Dis
tillatio
n T
ow
er
Dis
tillatio
n T
ow
er
Dis
tillatio
n T
ow
er
5 6 7
8 9 10
Solvent Recycle
3
Raffinate
To
Izomerization
Unit
4
Aromatics
Steam
Toluene
Trans-Alkylation
Benzene and
Mixed Xylenes
C9+
Aromatics
Filters 1-4: Jonell LiquiPleat™ Series Pleated Style Liquid ElementsFilters 5-7: Jonell LiquiPleat™ HF Series “High Flow” ElementsFilters 8-10: Jonell Phase-LOK™ or PhasePUR™ Liquid Coalescing Elements
Lean
solvent
added
Heat
Exchanger
Aromatics-rich
Solvent
Benzene
Toluene
Xylene
The above schematic should be viewed as a general example of where filtration systems could be located within an Aromatic Fractionation Process. These processes will vary between companies and facilities. As such, each application should be reviewed and considered individually in order to choose the correct system technology.
Location Jonell Filter Solution Filter Purpose Filter Benefit1 - 4 LiquiPleat™ Series Pleated Style
Liquid ElementsRemoves scale and solid contaminants including iron sulfites.
Protects downstream equipment. Prevents heat exchanger and tower fouling. Reduces foaming problems.
5 - 7 LiquiPleat™ HF Series “High Flow” Pleated Style Liquid Elements
Removes solid particulates from the final product.
Protects coalescers and other downstream equipment. Allows efficient operation of coalescers to remove water from the final product.
8 - 10 PhasePUR™ or Phase-LOK™ SeriesLiquid/Liquid Coalescing Elements
Removes suspended water from the final product.
Maintains sales specification of final product. Reduces disposal, maintenance, and reprocessing costs.
