Abstract: A process and system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a dehydrogenation reactor is provided. Samples of hydrocarbon streams are taken at sampling locations to be analyzed at a single gas chromatograph or other analytical equipment. Actions can be taken to modify the operation of the dehydrogenation reactor as necessary to maintain its operation within predetermined parameters. In particular, actions may be taken when a hydrocarbon stream exhibits an amount of cracking that is outside parameters. It is usually intended that actions will be taken on a gradual basis once or twice per day to reduce the cost of the process while still providing the necessary changes to operations.

Abstract: A process and system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a dehydrogenation reactor is provided. Samples of hydrocarbon streams are taken at sampling locations to be analyzed at a single gas chromatograph or other analytical equipment. Actions can be taken to modify the operation of the dehydrogenation reactor as necessary to maintain its operation within predetermined parameters. In particular, actions may be taken when a hydrocarbon stream exhibits an amount of cracking that is outside parameters. It is usually intended that actions will be taken on a gradual basis once or twice per day to reduce the cost of the process while still providing the necessary changes to operations.

Abstract: A chemical plant or a petrochemical plant or a refinery may include one or more pieces of equipment that process one or more input chemicals to create one or more products. For example, catalytic dehydrogenation can be used to convert paraffins to the corresponding olefin. A delta temperature controller may determine and control differential temperature across the reactor, and use a delta temperature to control a set point for a heater temperature controller. By doing so, the plant may ramp up a catalytic dehydrogenation unit faster and ensure it does not coke up the catalyst and/or foul a screens too quickly. Catalyst activity may be taken into account and allow the plant to have better control over production and run length of the unit.

Abstract: Processes for producing a gasoline blend in which C7 hydrocarbons are separated from a naphtha feed. The C7 hydrocarbons are isomerized and dehydrogenated to increase the octane value of the components therein. In order to avoid conversion of methylcyclohexane to toluene in the dehydrogenation reactor, the various processes provide flow schemes in which the methylcyclohexane bypasses the C7 dehydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: Processes for producing a gasoline blend in which C7 hydrocarbons are separated from a naphtha feed. The C7 hydrocarbons are isomerized and dehydrogenated to increase the octane value of the components therein. In order to avoid conversion of methylcyclohexane to toluene in the dehydrogenation reactor, the various processes provide flow schemes in which the methylcyclohexane bypasses the C7 dehydrogenation reaction zone.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a reactor, the reactor comprising a shell including catalyst for selectively converting hydrocarbons. The process includes removing catalyst from the reactor and deploying a robot into the reactor. A cleaner from the robot is applied onto a surface within the shell of the reactor that includes a foulant. The cleaner is adapted to remove the foulant from the surface within the shell of the reactor. The cleaner may be one of light radiation, heat radiation, ultra-high pressure fluid, and liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for monitoring health of a catalyst in a plant by retrieving plant data, comparing the plant data to equilibrium conditions, and sending a notification comprising an indication of the health of the catalyst. A plant may be configured to produce a product using a catalyst. A plant monitoring computing platform may be configured to receive, from sensors and/or computing devices of the plant, plant data and/or lab data corresponding to the catalyst. The plant monitoring computing platform may determine equilibrium conditions corresponding to the plant. Based on a comparison of the plant data, the equilibrium conditions, and/or target equilibrium conditions, the plant monitoring computing platform may send a notification. The notification may comprise an indication of the performance of the catalyst.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve hot spots. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A chemical plant or a petrochemical plant or a refinery may include one or more pieces of equipment that process one or more input chemicals to create one or more products. For example, catalytic dehydrogenation can be used to convert paraffins to the corresponding olefin. A delta temperature controller may determine and control differential temperature across the reactor, and use a delta temperature to control a set point for a heater temperature controller. By doing so, the plant may ramp up a catalytic dehydrogenation unit faster and ensure it does not coke up the catalyst and/or foul a screens too quickly. Catalyst activity may be taken into account and allow the plant to have better control over production and run length of the unit.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A lift engager for providing a stream of fluidized catalyst particles with an adjustable conduit and process using the lift engager. The lift engager includes a vessel with an inlet configured to receive catalyst from a reaction zone. A first conduit, within the vessel, is configured to supply lift gas into the lift engager. The first conduit includes a fixed member and a movable member secured to the fixed member and is configured to adjust a length of the first conduit within the vessel. A second conduit inside the first conduit and configured to provide fluidized catalyst to a regeneration zone.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for monitoring health of a catalyst in a plant by retrieving plant data, comparing the plant data to equilibrium conditions, and sending a notification comprising an indication of the health of the catalyst. A plant may be configured to produce a product using a catalyst. A plant monitoring computing platform may be configured to receive, from sensors and/or computing devices of the plant, plant data and/or lab data corresponding to the catalyst. The plant monitoring computing platform may determine equilibrium conditions corresponding to the plant. Based on a comparison of the plant data, the equilibrium conditions, and/or target equilibrium conditions, the plant monitoring computing platform may send a notification. The notification may comprise an indication of the performance of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a reactor, the reactor comprising a shell including catalyst for selectively converting hydrocarbons. The process includes removing catalyst from the reactor and deploying a robot into the reactor. A cleaner from the robot is applied onto a surface within the shell of the reactor that includes a foulant. The cleaner is adapted to remove the foulant from the surface within the shell of the reactor. The cleaner may be one of light radiation, heat radiation, ultra-high pressure fluid, and liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A lift engager for providing a stream of fluidized catalyst particles with an adjustable conduit and process using the lift engager. The lift engager includes a vessel with an inlet configured to receive catalyst from a reaction zone. A first conduit, within the vessel, is configured to supply lift gas into the lift engager. The first conduit includes a fixed member and a movable member secured to the fixed member and is configured to adjust a length of the first conduit within the vessel. A second conduit inside the first conduit and configured to provide fluidized catalyst to a regeneration zone.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for detecting catalyst transfer pipe plugging in a chemical plant or petrochemical plant or refinery. The catalyst transfer pipe may extend from a reactor to a catalyst collector and enable the flow of catalyst from the reactor to the catalyst collector. Specifically, one or more sensors affixed to a catalyst transfer pipe may collect sensor data for analysis. Based on one or more detected changes in the sensor data outside a range, a data collection platform may send one or more alerts and/or send one or more signals to a control platform to adjust a flow rate, a pressure differential, or perform another action to clear a developing catalyst buildup and thereby attempt to avoid a catalyst transfer pipe from becoming plugged.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve hot spots. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for detecting catalyst transfer pipe plugging in a chemical plant or petrochemical plant or refinery. The catalyst transfer pipe may extend from a reactor to a catalyst collector and enable the flow of catalyst from the reactor to the catalyst collector. Specifically, one or more sensors affixed to a catalyst transfer pipe may collect sensor data for analysis. Based on one or more detected changes in the sensor data outside a range, a data collection platform may send one or more alerts and/or send one or more signals to a control platform to adjust a flow rate, a pressure differential, or perform another action to clear a developing catalyst buildup and thereby attempt to avoid a catalyst transfer pipe from becoming plugged.