Single-event kinetic modeling of the hydrocracking of hydrogenated vacuum gas oil

Abstract

The primary objective of the research project was to further develop a computer program modeling the hydrocracking of partially hydrogenated vacuum gas oil (HVGO), and to use the model to compare the theoretical product distribution to experimental data describing the product distribution of an industrial pilot reactor. The hydrocracking of HVGO on acid zeolites is effectively modeled utilizing a single-event kinetic approach developed by Froment and coworkers. The hydrocracking of HVGO can be described in terms of the fundamental reaction steps involving carbenium ions. Some 45 single-event rate parameters are used to dictate the rate of each single-event in the reaction network. The composition of the partially hydrogenated feed stock is detailed up to C33. Each component and lump is considered in terms of the elementary steps to generate a network of continuity equations and single-event rate parameters. A reactor model comprising this kinetic model can be used to simulate the isothermal and nonisothermal hydrocracking of a HVGO feed stock. The results are represented in terms of the yields of 241 lumps and components in the gas phase and 241 components and lumps in the liquid phase. The predicted yields of various commercial oil fractions and particular components are then compared to experimental data from an industrial pilot reactor to verify the accuracy of the model and the single-event rate parameters.