17 June 2004
Saudi Aramco inventors Yuv R. Mehra and Ali H. Al-Abdulal of the Process and Control Systems Department (P&CSD) on May 25 received U.S. Patent No. 6,740,226 for an invention titled "Process for Increasing Hydrogen Partial Pressure in Hydroprocessing Processes."
Their work relates to improvements in hydroprocesses such as hydro-cracking and hydrotreating, used in refinery operations to produce middle distillates, including jet and diesel fuels.
The process improves the efficiency of hydrogen utilization by means that are compatible with existing hydro-processing units.
The impurities present in recycle gases are removed to produce an almost pure hydrogen stream.
This improvement in hydrogen purity results in higher hydrogen partial pressure and enables refineries to increase production through existing units. In 2003, P&CSD and Research and Development Center engineers successfully demonstrated hydrogen purification by absorption in a pilot plant in the United States.
Because of the enhanced efficiency of hydrogen use in the high-pressure hydrogenation process, capital expenditures for additional equipment and related operating expenses can be minimized. Alternatively, the refinery can improve the quality of its hydrotreated product to meet stringent sulfur specifications for diesel and gasoline.
Saudi Aramco inventors Yuv R. Mehra and Ali H. Al-Abdulal of the Process and Control Systems Department (P&CSD) on May 25 received U.S. Patent No. 6,740,226 for an invention titled "Process for Increasing Hydrogen Partial Pressure in Hydroprocessing Processes."
Their work relates to improvements in hydroprocesses such as hydro-cracking and hydrotreating, used in refinery operations to produce middle distillates, including jet and diesel fuels.
The process improves the efficiency of hydrogen utilization by means that are compatible with existing hydro-processing units.
The impurities present in recycle gases are removed to produce an almost pure hydrogen stream.
This improvement in hydrogen purity results in higher hydrogen partial pressure and enables refineries to increase production through existing units. In 2003, P&CSD and Research and Development Center engineers successfully demonstrated hydrogen purification by absorption in a pilot plant in the United States.
Because of the enhanced efficiency of hydrogen use in the high-pressure hydrogenation process, capital expenditures for additional equipment and related operating expenses can be minimized. Alternatively, the refinery can improve the quality of its hydrotreated product to meet stringent sulfur specifications for diesel and gasoline.
© Saudi Economic Survey 2004
