Pseudo-dynamic optimisation and study of the effect of gradual and sudden changes on the operating conditions of a naphtha catalytic reforming unit

Abstract

Abstract Naphtha catalytic reforming is a key process for oil refining in terms of production of gasoline with a high octane number. In the present research, the gradual and sudden effect of operating conditions changes on the products of the catalytic reforming unit and the octane number, as well as how to neutralize their negative effects were investigated. Also, kinetic parameter optimisation and unit operation optimisation, using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm were performed. For these purposes, a suitable dynamic model was solved within a three-lump kinetic network that included a model of the reactors, furnaces, and catalyst deactivation functions. In addition, two cases were considered for operationalizing the optimization to maintain the octane number at its highest value during the catalyst lifetime. In the first case, the optimization parameters were the inlet temperature of the three reactors along with the recycle flow rate; in the second case, the optimised parameters were the inlet temperature of the three reactors, the recycle rate, and the feed flow rate.