Abstract:
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for lowering an amount of carbon monoxide in a stream rich in hydrogen. The process can include passing the stream rich in hydrogen through a carbon monoxide removal zone to produce a product stream having no more than about 10 vppm carbon monoxide and communicating the product stream to a reduction zone receiving a catalyst comprising unreduced metal species.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a Division of copending application Ser. No. 12/177,851 filed Jul. 22, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to an apparatus and a process for reducing a catalyst typically used in a reforming process. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    During the reforming of a hydrocarbon stream, such as naphtha, often a continuous catalyst regeneration reforming unit is utilized. In such a unit, a reduction zone may be provided to reduce the catalyst before the catalyst can enter a reforming reactor. If carbon monoxide is present in the reduction zone, higher coke may form on the catalyst in the reforming reactor. Generally, such carbon monoxide originates from the hydrogen stream used to reduce the catalyst. Typically, the hydrogen stream can contain about 5-about 20 volume parts-per-million (hereinafter may be abbreviated “vppm”), or even amounts up to about 100 vppm, particularly for hydrogen streams containing recycled hydrogen from reforming reactors operating at low pressures and high temperatures to maximize reformate yields. 
         [0004]    Increased coking can be detrimental by lowering catalytic activity and decreasing selectivity of desired products. In addition, operating conditions may need to be changed resulting in reduced capacity. As an example, the feed rate may need to be lowered in order to increase the hydrogen:hydrocarbon ratio to mitigate the coke formation, which in turn can result in product and profitability losses. Alternatively, reforming reactor temperatures may be increased to compensate for activity loss due to coking, which in turn may produce even higher coke levels. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a reforming process and/or unit with lower coke producing tendencies to reduce activity losses and maintain the desired product selectivities. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One exemplary embodiment can be a process for lowering an amount of carbon monoxide in a stream rich in hydrogen. The process can include passing the stream rich in hydrogen through a carbon monoxide removal zone to produce a product stream having no more than about 10 vppm carbon monoxide and communicating the product stream to a reduction zone receiving a catalyst comprising unreduced metal species. 
         [0006]    Another exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for removing carbon monoxide from a reducing gas stream. The apparatus can include a reduction zone for a continuous catalyst regeneration reforming unit, and a carbon monoxide removal zone in communication with the reduction zone. 
         [0007]    A further exemplary embodiment may be a continuous catalyst regeneration reforming unit. Generally, the continuous catalyst regeneration reforming unit includes a reduction zone, a carbon monoxide removal zone, a reforming reaction zone, and a regeneration zone. The carbon monoxide removal zone can be in communication with the reduction zone to provide a product stream rich in hydrogen and having no more than about 10 vppm carbon monoxide. In addition, the reforming reaction zone can also be in communication with the reduction zone to receive a reduced catalyst. Furthermore, the regeneration zone may be in communication with the reforming reaction zone to receive a spent catalyst. 
         [0008]    The embodiments disclosed herein can provide a process and an apparatus for reducing the levels of carbon monoxide in a reducing gas, such as hydrogen. As a result, coking of the catalyst can be minimized in a reforming reaction zone and thereby can improve operability. 
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0009]    As used herein, the term “stream” can be a stream including various hydrocarbon molecules, such as straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkanes, alkenes, alkadienes, and alkynes, and optionally other substances, such as gases, e.g., hydrogen, or impurities, such as heavy metals, and sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The stream can also include aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons. Moreover, the hydrocarbon molecules may be abbreviated C1, C2, C3 . . . Cn where “n” represents the number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon molecule. The stream can include one or more gases, liquids, and/or solids. 
         [0010]    As used herein, the term “zone” can refer to an area including one or more equipment items and/or one or more sub-zones. Equipment items can include one or more reactors or reactor vessels, heaters, exchangers, pipes, pumps, compressors, and controllers. Additionally, an equipment item, such as a reactor, dryer, or vessel, can further include one or more zones or sub-zones. 
         [0011]    As used herein, the term “rich” can mean an amount generally of at least about 50%, and preferably about 70%, by mole, of a compound or class of compounds in a stream. 
         [0012]    As used herein, the term “substantially” can mean an amount generally of at least about 90%, preferably about 95%, and optimally about 99%, by mole, of a compound or class of compounds in a stream. 
         [0013]    As used herein, the term “adsorption” can refer to the retention of a material in a bed containing an adsorbent by any chemical or physical interaction between the material in the bed, and includes, but is not limited to, adsorption and/or absorption. The removal of the material from an adsorbent may be referred to herein as “desorption.” 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of an exemplary apparatus for removing carbon monoxide within an exemplary continuous catalytic regeneration reforming unit. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic depiction of the exemplary apparatus for removing carbon monoxide within an exemplary paraffin isomerization unit in conjunction with an exemplary continuous catalytic regeneration reforming unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary apparatus  100  for removing carbon monoxide is depicted. The apparatus  100  can include a carbon monoxide removal zone  200  and a reduction zone  310 . Generally, the apparatus  100  can be included in a continuous catalyst regeneration reforming unit  300 , which can include the carbon monoxide removal zone  200 , the reduction zone  310 , a reforming reaction zone  320 , and a regeneration zone  340 . Although only one zone for each zone  200 ,  310 ,  320 , and  340  is depicted, it should be understood that each zone  200 ,  310 ,  320 , and  340  can each, independently, include one or more zones. A first lift  330  and a second lift  350  can communicate catalyst between, respectively, the zones  320  and  340  and the zones  310  and  340 . 
         [0017]    The carbon monoxide removal zone  200  can receive a reducing stream  204 . The stream  204  can preferably include hydrogen, such as at least about 5%, by mole, preferably about 5-about 100%, by mole. In one preferred embodiment, the reducing stream  204  can be a hydrogen-containing stream  204 . Desirably, the stream  204  can be rich in hydrogen. The stream  204  can also include C1-C5 hydrocarbons. Such streams can contain carbon monoxide at levels up to about 100 vppm, and typically about 5-about 20 vppm. Generally, the carbon monoxide levels in the stream rich in hydrogen can vary. Particularly, the carbon monoxide level may spike during, e.g., a unit upset. Consequently, the carbon monoxide removal zone  200  can be beneficial for removing the carbon monoxide, reducing or lowering the carbon monoxide amounts, and producing a stream with a consistently low amount of carbon monoxide. The product stream  208  from the carbon monoxide removal zone  200  can be no more than about 10 vppm, preferably no more than about 5 vppm, and optimally no more than about 1 vppm of carbon monoxide. 
         [0018]    In one exemplary embodiment, the carbon monoxide removal zone  200  can include a modified clinoptilolite adsorbent. The modified clinoptilolite adsorbent can be ion-exchanged with a cation, such as a lithium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, or barium cation. The adsorption of carbon monoxide can be at a temperature no more than about 100° C., and preferably about −15°-about 100° C., and at a pressure of no more than about 150 kPa, preferably no more than about 100 kPa, and optimally no more than about 50 kPa. An exemplary process for removing carbon monoxide from a hydrogen stream using a modified clinoptilolite adsorbent is disclosed in US 2005/0137443 A1. Desirably, the adsorbent for removing carbon monoxide can be regenerated. However, the adsorbent can be disposable, i.e., not regenerable, in some exemplary embodiments. 
         [0019]    Alternatively, the carbon monoxide removal zone  200  can include a methanation catalyst to remove carbon monoxide by reaction with hydrogen to form methane and water under methanation conditions. Generally, the methanation catalyst includes nickel, cobalt, or ruthenium, preferably nickel, and can be provided in any suitable manner, such as a packed bed, a fluidized bed, a coated heat exchanger tube, or a slurry catalyst mixture. Methanation conditions can include a temperature of about 200-about 400° C. and a pressure of about 600-about 4,500 kPa. Exemplary methanation processes are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,435 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,645 B1. 
         [0020]    The product stream  208  can be split. A first portion  230  can enter the lift  350  before the regenerated catalyst may enter the reduction zone  310 . A second portion  240  can enter a heater  250  before entering the reduction zone  310 . 
         [0021]    The reduction zone  310  can receive regenerated catalyst from the regeneration zone  340  via a lift  350 . Generally, the reduction zone  310  reduces metal, such as platinum, present on the regenerated catalyst in an atmosphere rich in a reducing gas, such as hydrogen. The reduction zone  310  can be at a temperature of about 140-about 700° C., preferably about 370-about 570° C., and a pressure of about 450-about 1,500 kPa. Generally, it is preferred to operate the reduction zone at about 550-about 700° C. Moreover, the reduction time can be from about 2-about 20 hours, preferably about 10-about 20 hours. Exemplary reduction zone conditions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,391 B1. Also, the reduction zone can contain single or multiple sub-zones and flow configurations. 
         [0022]    The reduction zone  310  can provide the reduced catalyst to the reforming reaction zone  320 , which can include one or more reforming reactors. The reforming reaction zone  320  can communicate with the regeneration zone  340  via the first lift  330 , which in turn can communicate with the reduction zone  310  via the second lift  350 . 
         [0023]    Particularly in the reforming reaction zone  320 , a feedstock can be admixed with a stream including hydrogen and contacted with the reduced catalyst. The usual feedstock for catalytic reforming is a petroleum fraction known as naphtha and having an initial boiling point of about 80° C. and an end boiling point of about 205° C. The reactor inlet temperatures can range from about 450-about 560° C. The catalytic reforming process can be particularly applicable to the treatment of variously derived naphthas comprised of relatively large concentrations of naphthenic and substantially straight chain paraffinic hydrocarbons, which can be subject to aromatization through dehydrogenation and/or cyclization reactions. The naphthas can contain various amounts of aromatic components as well. 
         [0024]    Reforming may be defined as the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanes and dehydroisomerization of alkylcyclopentanes to yield aromatics, dehydrogenation of paraffins to yield olefins, dehydrocyclization of paraffins and olefins to yield aromatics, isomerization of n-paraffins, isomerization of alkylcycloparaffins to yield cyclohexanes, isomerization of substituted aromatics, and hydrocracking of paraffins. An exemplary reforming process may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,095. 
         [0025]    A catalytic reforming reaction is normally effected in the presence of catalyst particles having one or more Group VIII noble metals (e.g., platinum, iridium, rhodium, and palladium) and a halogen combined with a porous carrier, such as an alumina. Optionally, the catalyst may also contain a group IVA element, such as tin, and other catalytically effective components. An exemplary catalyst is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,018. The catalyst may pass through the reforming reaction zone  320  to the regeneration zone  340  via the lift  330 . Exemplary reaction and regeneration zones  320  and  340  are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,391 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,018. 
         [0026]    Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , a carbon monoxide removal zone  200  can be in a second unit, such as a paraffin isomerization unit  400 . An advantage of using an existing unit can be reducing capital expenditures. Typically the paraffin isomerization unit  400  can include an isomerization reaction zone  410  producing a product stream  414 . The isomerization reaction zone  410  can isomerize any suitable paraffin hydrocarbon, such as at least one of a C4-C6 hydrocarbon, such as an exemplary zone disclosed in, e.g., Nelson A. Cusher, UOP Butamer Process and UOP Penex Process of the Handbook of Petroleum Refining Processes, Third Edition, Robert A. Meyers, Editor, 2004, pp. 9.7-9.27. Although a paraffin isomerization unit  400  has been disclosed, it should be understood that any suitable unit can include the carbon monoxide removal zone  200 . 
         [0027]    Generally, the reducing stream  204  passes through the carbon monoxide removal zone  200 , as described above. The resulting product stream  208  can include a first part  218 , and a second part  222 . The first part  218  can be routed to a continuous catalyst regeneration reforming unit  500 , and the second part  222  can be routed to the isomerization reaction zone  410 . 
         [0028]    The continuous catalyst regeneration reforming unit  500  can include a reduction zone  510 , a reforming reaction zone  520 , a first lift  530 , a regeneration zone  540 , a second lift  550 , and a heater  650 . The first part  218  can be split into the first portion  230  and the second portion  240 . The first portion  230  can be routed to the lift  550 , and the second portion  240  can be routed to the heater  650  before entering the reduction zone  510 , similarly as described above for the unit  300 . The reduction zone  510 , the reforming reaction zone  520 , the first lift  530 , the regeneration zone  540 , and the second lift  550  can operate and communicate as the reduction zone  310 , the reforming reaction zone  320 , the first lift  330 , the regeneration zone  340 , and the second lift  350 , as described above. 
       ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The following examples are intended to further illustrate the subject embodiments. These illustrations of embodiments of the invention are not meant to limit the claims of this invention to the particular details of these examples. These examples are based on engineering calculations and actual operating experience with similar processes. 
       Example 1 
       [0030]    Two catalysts are prepared with a spherical alumina support. The first catalyst has a final composition of 0.25%, by weight, platinum (Pt) and 0.30%, by weight, tin (Sn) (catalyst A) while a second catalyst has a final composition of 0.30%, by weight, Pt and 0.30%, by weight, Sn (catalyst B). Each catalyst is oxychlorinated to disperse the platinum and achieve a chloride level of about 0.9-about 1%, by weight, chloride (Cl) on the catalyst. 
         [0031]    Each catalyst is then exposed to different reduction conditions in a reforming pilot plant using naphtha feed of 55.5% paraffins, 31.7% naphthenes, and 12.8% aromatics (all percents by weight) at a hydrogen:hydrocarbon mole ratio of 2, a liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) of 1.7 hr −1 , and a pressure of 620 kPa. Catalyst activity is determined by the temperature needed to maintain a target octane. Yields are calculated based on on-line gas and liquid effluent chromatography analysis. Runs are equal in length of time and spent catalyst is dumped in separate beds after each run. A sample from each bed is submitted for a carbon burn and the results are weight-averaged to calculate the average carbon. Results are depicted in Table 1. 
         [0000]                                                                                                              TABLE 1                   Yield and Activity Results of 56 m 3  of Naphtha Feed Per m 3  of Catalyst                H2 Reduction Conditions   Pilot Plant Results                Cl   Time   Temp.   CO   C5 +     Activity Temp.   Average Carbon           Catalyst   (wt. %)   (hour)   (° C.)   (vppm)   (wt. %)   (° C.)   (g/100 cc)   Delta %                    A   0.98   4   565   10   86.6   517   1.74   Base       A   0.94   2   565   0   86.3   516   1.42   −18.4%       B   0.99   4   565   10   86.8   518   2.15   Base       B   0.95   2   565   0   86.5   517   1.77   −17.7%               Table Abbreviations: temperature: Temp.       gram: g       chloride weight percent: Cl wt. %       centimeter cubed: cc            
As depicted above, a run having 0 vppm of CO in the reducing gas decreases coking by about 18% for both catalysts A and B. The C5 +  yields and activity remain relatively constant.
 
       Example 2     
       [0032]    Similar experiments are conducted as in Example 1 using a commercially manufactured continuous catalyst regeneration catalyst (catalyst C) containing 0.25% Pt, 0.3% Sn, and 0.94% Cl (all percentages by weight). Catalyst C is split into two portions for reduction at temperatures of 399° C. and 566° C. in the presence of 0 vppm carbon monoxide. Results are depicted in Table 2. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Yield and Activity Results of 56 m 3  of Naphtha Feed Per m 3  of Catalyst 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 H2 Reduction Conditions 
                 Pilot Plant Results 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Cl 
                 Time 
                 Temp. 
                 CO 
                 C5 +   
                 Activity Temp. 
                 Average Carbon 
                   
               
               
                 Catalyst 
                 (wt. %) 
                 (hour) 
                 (° C.) 
                 (vppm) 
                 (wt. %) 
                 (° C.) 
                 (g/100 cc) 
                 Delta % 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 C 
                 0.90 
                 2 
                 399 
                 0 
                 86.2 
                 519 
                 2.44 
                 Base 
               
               
                 C 
                 0.78 
                 2 
                 566 
                 0 
                 86.3 
                 519 
                 2.03 
                 −16.8% 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0033]    Results indicate that higher reduction temperatures produce about 17% less coke for catalyst C. The C5 +  yields and activity remain relatively constant. 
       Example 3 
       [0034]    Further experiments with catalyst A and B are conducted for up to 10 hours, in the presence of 0 vppm of carbon monoxide with samples analyzed at 2, 4 and 10 hours. The data at 4 hours is from Table 1. Results are depicted in Table 3. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Yield and Activity Results of 56 m 3  of Naphtha Feed Per m 3  of Catalyst 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 H2 Reduction Conditions 
                 Pilot Plant Results 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Cl 
                 Time 
                 Temp. 
                 CO 
                 C5 +   
                 Activity Temp. 
                 Average Carbon 
                   
               
               
                 Catalyst 
                 (wt. %) 
                 (hour) 
                 (° C.) 
                 (vppm) 
                 (wt. %) 
                 (° C.) 
                 (g/100 cc) 
                 Delta % 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 A 
                 0.98 
                 4 
                 565 
                 10 
                 86.6 
                 517 
                 1.74 
                 Base 
               
               
                 A 
                 0.94 
                 2 
                 565 
                 0 
                 86.3 
                 516 
                 1.42 
                 −18.4% 
               
               
                 A 
                 0.87 
                 10 
                 565 
                 0 
                 86.1 
                 518 
                 1.34 
                 −23.0% 
               
               
                 B 
                 0.99 
                 4 
                 565 
                 10 
                 86.8 
                 518 
                 2.15 
                 Base 
               
               
                 B 
                 0.95 
                 2 
                 565 
                 0 
                 86.5 
                 517 
                 1.77 
                 −17.7% 
               
               
                 B 
                 0.87 
                 10 
                 565 
                 0 
                 86.8 
                 518 
                 1.56 
                 −27.4% 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0035]    As depicted, extended reduction time in substantially carbon monoxide free hydrogen gas results in further coke reduction ranging from about 23-about 27% reduction, as compared to the base condition of 4 hours, as depicted in Table 1. 
         [0036]    Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. 
         [0037]    In the foregoing, all temperatures are set forth uncorrected in degrees Celsius and, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated. 
         [0038]    From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.