Abstract:
This thesis focuses on the design and simulation of a naphtha hydrotreating unit
within a refinery, emphasizing the optimization of catalyst performance. Naphtha
hydrotreating is a critical process for removing contaminants such as sulphur and
nitrogen from naphtha streams, a key gasoline precursor. The work explores
essential design considerations for the unit, including reactor configuration,
operating conditions, and the specific characteristics of the naphtha feedstock.
The core aspect of the thesis involves the simulation of the naphtha hydrotreating
unit using Aspen HYSYS. This allows for evaluating catalyst performance under
various operating scenarios. The investigation centres on understanding how
factors like temperature, pressure, hydrogen flow rate, and the composition of the
naphtha feed influence the activity and selectivity of the catalyst.
This thesis aims to establish a correlation between design parameters, operating
conditions, and the ultimate performance of the catalyst in the naphtha
hydrotreating unit. This knowledge can be utilized to optimize the efficiency of the
process, resulting in the production of cleaner gasoline with improved quality and
reduced environmental impact.
