Debottlenecking Hydrogen Reciprocating Compressors And Synchronous Motors.

Abstract

A Midwest refinery realized significant gains in hydrocracker throughput and to its bottom line by debottlenecking its hydrogen makeup compressors. Maintaining and even improving compressor reliability and operating flexibility was one of the guiding principles throughout this process. Two high pressure reciprocating compressors supply makeup hydrogen to the hydrocracker reactors. The compressors were originally installed in 1968 when the unit was first built; no modifications had been made until the recent debottlenecking efforts. Working extensively with the compressor OEM, nine options were developed to increase the compressor flowrate ranging from 101.7 percent to 230 percent of their original design. Both compressors have been debottlenecked successfully to 112.4 percent of their original design capacity for a minimum cost. An option to debottleneck to 144.1 percent of their design capacity has been developed and recommended for the future. A plan to debottleneck the existing motors to 125 percent of their rated horsepower has also been developed to be implanted in conjunction with the 144.1 percent option.