Method and apparatus for controlling FCC hydrotreating by near-infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

On-line controlling of FCC hydrotreating is provided which uses near infrared (NIR) analysis to characterize cracking feed for parameters and the resulting characterization thereof. The NIR results can be used in FCC hydroteating software to control on-line unit yields and qualities.

1 . A process for controlling on line FCC hydro treating (CFH) exhibiting absorption in the near infrared (NIR) region comprising:
 a) measuring absorbances using a NIR spectrometer measuring absorbance's at wavelengths within the range of about 780-4000 nm, and outputting an emitted signal indicative of said absorbance;   b) subjecting the NIR spectrometer signal to a mathematical treatment (e.g. derivative, smooth, baseline correction) of the emitted signal;   c) processing the emitted signal or the mathematical treatment using a defined model to determine the chemical or physical properties of the hydro treating and outputting a processed signal; and   d) controlling on-line in response to the processed signal, at least one parameter of the catalytic cracking feed, intermediate or product.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats of FCC feeds. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein CFH pretreats remove FCC processing contaminants. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the contaminants are sulfur nitrogen or concarbon. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats to control weight percents of each hydrocarbon class. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats to hold sulfur content constant and vary aromatics, nitrogen or concarbon parameters. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats to provide real time optimization of FCC processing. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats to manage CFH catalyst life. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats to control SO x , NO x , Co or particulate matter in FCC processing. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats to adjust the CFH severity, change FCC federate, divert certain feed streams and adjust product fractionation to maintain product quality. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats to control feed sulfur, gasoline sulfur or gasoline endpoint. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on line to control CFH pretreats to troubleshoot FCC processing. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12  wherein the step of troubleshooting mitigates detrimental effects. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the detrimental effects are high salt content, high metals, or high deposits. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said absorbances are measured at wavelengths within the range of about 780-2500 nm. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said absorbances are measured at wavelengths within the range of 1100-2200 nm. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said absorbance is measured in at least one wavelength and includes the steps of:
 a) periodically or continuously outputting a periodic or continuous signal indicative of the intensity of said absorbance in said wavelength, or wavelengths in said two or more bands or a combination of mathematical functions thereof,   b) mathematically converting the signal to an output signal indicative of the mathematical function; and    controlling the hydro treating on-line in response to the output signal.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of controlling on-line allows for real time optimization processing. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of:
 mathematically converting the signal to an output signal indicative of the parameter.   
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 6  including the steps of:
 periodically or continuously outputting a periodic or continuous signal indicative of the intensity of the NIR absorbance in the wavelength, or wavelengths in the two or more bands or a combination of mathematical functions thereof,   mathematically converting said signal to an output signal indicative of the mathematical function; and   controlling on-line in response thereto.   
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using the NIR results in FCC hydrotreating simulation software to control on-line unit yields and qualities. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 1  including the step of using NIR measuring on-line to control FCC pretreats to maximize aromatic saturation by varying temperature to optimize feed upgrading to the FCC.