HF Alkylation Flyer - Abb

Analyze IT HF Alkylation Process Acid AnalyzerOptimizing your HF alkylation processwith on-line acid monitoringevery 2 minutes, providing accurate catalystcomposition in terms of HF, ASO and watercontent. This improves personnel safety,process control, corrosion monitoring andcatalyst efficiency. A reliable, fast, on-linemeasurement method for HF acid has longbeen sought after by operators of these units.Preconfigured and expandableThe analyzer comes pre-configured with thefollowing measurement capabilities:An important activity in the optimizationof the HF alkylation process is the analysisof recirculating acid. This is normallyachieved by taking off-line samples andconducting laboratory analyses on a periodicbasis. There are, however, a number ofproblems associated with this approach.Sample collection and subsequent analysisof the acid is hazardous as exposure to HFacid can cause severe burns and respiratoryproblems.Conventional laboratory methods for HF,water, and especially for ASO aretraditionally imprecise, making processdecisions on the basis of these resultsdifficult.The analysis is usually only carried out fromone to five times a week - too infrequent forcontrol purposes.Because the analysis takes several hours tocomplete, the data is often out of date whenmade available to the process operator orcontrol engineer. This makes it difficult torelate process changes to HF catalystcomposition.Improve safety and optimize process controlThe ABB HF Alkylation Process Acid Analyzeris an FT-NIR based process analyzer that offersa reliable solution to the problems faced by HFalkylation operators. This is achieved by theon-line analysis of the circulating acid streamHFASOWater80 - 100 wt%0 - 15 wt%0 - 5 wt%Additional measurements can be implementedusing existing sample handling systems, suchas monitoring the moisture content of the HFalkylation process equipment during thedrying cycle at startup (0-1000 ppm).Other HF alkylation process streams can becharacterized using additional sample handlingsystems, including:StreamiC4 makeupolefin feediC4 recyclenC4 sidedrawalkylatepropanePropertiesPurity, i/o ratio, H2OPurity, i/o ratio, H2OC3/nC4 ratioiC4, C3/nC4 ratioRON, RVPHF breakthroughExcellent repeatabilityThe repeatabilities associated with conventionallaboratory techniques for HF, ASO andwater measurement are poor. This is due toproblematic sampling and inherent difficultiesin the analysis methods. In contrast, the resultsprovided by the ABB HF Alkylation ProcessAcid Analyzer are excellent.The lab method for ASO is particularlyproblematic and can commonly report a lowerASO content than is obvious from massbalance considerations. This is because the labmethod can overlook light ASO due to loss oflighter components during sample handling.

Benefits ofusing the ABBHF AlkylationProcess AcidAnalyzerReduced personnelexposure to HF acidReduced need foroff-line acid analysisReduced costsassociated with labsamplingProvides essentiallyreal-time characterizationof the acidcatalystMaximizes octanebarrels by optimizingthe quantity andquality of alkylatethrough real-timeprocess controlReduces frequencyof having to pullchargeDetects andprevents acidrunaway conditionsMaximizes alkylateoctane by safelyincreasing watercontent whilemitigating corrosionDetects feedimpurity problemswith on-line ASOmeasurementOptimizes acidregeneration usingon-line ASOmeasurementAnalytical and Advanced SolutionsABB585 boul. Charest est, suite 300Quebec, QC G1K 9H4 CanadaTelephone: +1 418 877 2944Telefax: +1 418 877 2834Email: ftir@ca.abb.comAnalyzerConventional Lab MethodsHF + 0.10% HF + 2.7%ASO + 0.10% ASO + 5.5%Water + 0.03% Water + 0.15%Repeatability (expressed as an absolute weightpercent basis, 95% confidence limits)The ABB HF Alkylation Process Acid Analyzerreports total ASO, including both light andheavy components. The process engineer cantherefore be sure that all of the ASO has beenaccounted for and process decisions can nowbe made, with full confidence, on a real-timebasis.Remote monitoring, multiple sample pointsThe HF acid sample is analyzed using fiberoptic cables connected to a remote samplehandling system. This allows the analyzer toreside in a location outside the plant batterylimits and means that the dangers of lengthysample transport are eliminated.The analyzer is capable of monitoring upto eight remote sample cells. This allowsthe system to be expanded to measure otherprocess streams such as the acid rerunoverhead by simply adding additional samplehandling systems connected to the analyzerby fiber optic cables.An analyzer developed in partnershipwith the refining industryABB began working with the PhillipsPetroleum Company (now ConocoPhillips)to develop an on-line acid analysis system in1996. Two years of testing and developmenton HF Alkylation pilot scale units followed.This included sample system design,metallurgy considerations and calibrationmodel development. The analyzer wasthen installed, in May 1998, at the PhillipsPetroleum Refinery in Sweeney, Texas,and has been running ever since.This application is patented by ConocoPhillips,and ABB is the only vendor in the marketplacewith permission to sell this technology.Although the ABB HF Alkylation Process AcidAnalyzer was primarily developed upon aConocoPhillips alkylation process, the intrinsicnature of the FT-NIR technique means that it isalso entirely applicable to UOP licensed unitsfor the measurement of HF, ASO and water.The ABB HF Alkylation Process Acid Analyzeris quickly becoming a standard piece of safetyequipment at refineries around the world. It isnot surprising that industry-leading refiningcompanies have already adopted this analyzeras a “best practice.”ABB has been manufacturing FT-IRspectrometers and accessories since itsfounding in 1973. By intensive research anddevelopment activities, and through a closepartnership with our clients, we havedeveloped a unique expertise in quantitativeanalysis using FT-IR and FT-NIR technology.As a result, we are now the world leader inFT-IR and FT-NIR process analyzers.Robust sample handling system designedfor safety and efficiencyA flow rate of only 20 cc/minute is requiredfor analysis. This allows for a very lowsample inventory in the system.An HF gas sensor can be included to detectsample leakage inside the sample cellenclosure. A beacon light is activated andthe sample handling system is automaticallyisolated from the process if any HF gas isdetected.In installed units, the sample handlingsystem has remained plug-free in over sixyears of operation.All wetted parts of the sample handlingsystem are composed of Monel, Hastelloy-C,Teflon ® , Kalrez ® , and sapphire. A samplehandling system composed of all Hastelloy-C metallurgy for HF-wetted parts isavailable as an option.Customer support and trainingABB will work in close partnership with youto develop customized solutions that meetyour specific needs. We offer a wide range ofcustomer support services, including methoddevelopment, in-house and on-site personneltraining, as well as start-up and after-salesservice.Contact ABB and let us help you optimizeyour HF Alkylation Process.Visit us at:www.abb.com/analytical3BUS380016R0001Copyright © 2004 by ABB Inc. All rights to trademarks reside with their respective owners.2Specifications subject to change without notice. Pictures, schematics and other graphics contained herein are published for illustration purposes only and donot represent product configurations or functionality. User documentation accompanying the product is the exclusive source for functionality descriptions.