The document describes the design of a high pressure catalytic reactor teststand to remove sulfur and nitrogen impurities from petrochemical feedstocks. The primary phase involved simulating, designing, and assembling the teststand. Simulation of a hydrodenitrogenation reaction helped determine operating parameters like temperature, pressure, and flow rates. The design included a 3D model of the frame and piping diagram. Assembly of the furnace, gas chromatography, pumps, and cylinders achieved the goals for the primary phase. Future phases will explore reaction pathways and catalyst structures. The teststand was designed and assembled to safely and effectively study hydrotreating processes for cleaning oil sands feedstocks.

1. Design of a High Pressure
Catalytic Reactor Teststand
for Removal of Sulfur and Nitrogen Impurities from Petrochemical Feedstocks
Presenters:
Bingyue (Odo) Wang (Chem 1T6)
Jieyu (Emily) Wu (Chem 1T6)
Supervisor:
Professor Ya-Huei (Cathy) Chin

2. Outline
Background of Hydrotreating
Introduction of Hydrodenitrogenation
Procedure of Primary Phase of the Experiment
Achievement of Primary Phase
Future plan for the Experiment
Summary

3. Background
 Hydrotreating is wildly used in petroleum refinery process
 Problems
Background Introduction Method Results Future Plan Conclusion
Crude oil
• Sulfur and nitrogen have a severe
environment impact via acid rainEnvironment
• Sulfur and nitrogen can impede
the petroleum refinery processEfficiency
Image 1: Petroleum Refinery Process

4. Background-Within Canada
 Quick Facts:
 Third largest oil reserves in the world
 97% of Canada’s oil reserves are the
oil sands
 Higher concentration of sulfur, nitrogen
and heavy metals in oil sands
 Aim of Our Experiment:
More effective Hydrotreating process
Effective
Catalyst
Effective
Hydrotreating
Process
Image 2: Canada main oil sands area
Image 3: Oil sands images

5. Experiment Introduction
 Hydrodesulfurization (HDS)
 Hydrodenitrogenation (HDN)
 Hydrodearomatization (HDA)
Example: Reaction Pathway of HDN of 2 – methylpiperidine
Starting
Chemical
Nitrogen has
been removed
[R- ]N +𝐻2
Catalyst
573-723 𝑲
[R- H]+𝑁𝐻3
Hydrogenation Denitrogenation
Reference for the reaction pathway: H. Wang, G. Liang, R. Prins, Journal of Catalysis 251 (2007) 295-306.

6. Plans for Experiment
Phase 3: Explore the relationship between
reaction pathway and catalytic site structure
Phase 2: Establish reaction pathway of HDN
reaction on supported RuSx/SiO2 catalyst
Phase 1: Design and assemble an teststand
for a plug flow reactor system
Background Introduction Method Results Future Plans Conclusions
Goals for this
summer project

7. Method of Primary Phase
• Temperature
• Pressure
• Flow rate
Simulation
• Piping and
instrumentation
diagram
• 3D model
Design
• Skeleton
frame
• Piping line
Assembly
Background Introduction Method Results Future Plans Conclusions
Ready for
Experiment
May, 2014 June, 2014 July, 2014

8. Results of Simulation
 Case of Simulation: HDN of 2-methylpiperidine
 Temperature: 613 K
 Pressure
 Flow Rate
Background Introduction Method Results Future Plan Conclusion
Feed
Feed partial pressure
(kPa)
Feed composition
10 % H2S/ 90%He 200 6.3 %
H2 2800 88 %
Decane 140 4.4 %
Heptane 20 0.63 %
2-methylpiperidine 5 0.16 %
1-butylamine (Optional) 5 0.16 %
Total 3170 100 %
Objectives:
Total feed (gas+liquid) flow rate: 100 - 300
sccm
Satisfied Conditions:
• Weight time (catalyst weight/the molar
flow to the reactor): 10.4 g min/mol
• Catalyst amount: 0.05g - 0.1g
Gas feed Flow rate
(sccm)
Liquid feed flow rate (ml/hr)
10 % H2S/
90%He
H2 Decane heptane 2-methylpiperidine 1-butylamine
6.79-13.59
95.12-
190.25
2.48-4.97 0.27-0.53 0.05-0.11 0.04-0.09

9. Results of Design
Background Introduction Method Results Future Plan Conclusion
Image 4: 3 D frame of Teststand
Item Name
A Furnace
B Gas Chromatography
C Syringe Pump
D H2S/He Mixture Gas Cylinder
E Temperature Controller

10. Results of Design Cont.
Image 5: Sketch of Piping and Instrumentation
• Safety
• Flow Rate Control
• Temperature Control
Objectives
Background Introduction Method Results Future Plan Conclusion

11. Results of Assembly
Background Introduction Method Results Future Plan Conclusion
Item Name
A Furnace
B Gas Chromatography
C Syringe Pump
D H2S/He Mixture Gas Cylinder
Image 6: Teststand in real

12. Conclusion
 Oil sands need a more efficient hydrotreating process to remove sulfur and nitrogen.
 Creating a teststand for HDN reaction underwent simulation, design and assembly
stages.
 All the standards of the teststand were obtained from the calculation of a simulated
experiment case.
 Goal of assembly of the teststand for the HDN experiment had achieved in general.
 Performed Leak tests on the entire piping system to eliminate safety issues before using
the teststand.
Background Introduction Method Results Future Plan Conclusion

13. Learning Outcome
 We learned how to assemble tubing system and teststand frame for the experiment.
 Always double check with at least two references before taking an action.
 An engineering design needs comprehensive considerations before launch.
 Safety has been considered as the most important aspect in the design.
 The design should be concise and intuitive for everyone to use.

14. Questions?
Thank you