Catalytic Reforming-Design and Operation of NHT Strippers

GBHE Technical Bulletin CTB #55
Catalytic Reforming
Design and Operation of NHT Strippers
To Protect Catalytic Reformers
Information contained in this publication or as otherwise supplied to Users is believed to

be accurate and correct at time of going to press, and is given in good faith, but it is for
the User to satisfy itself of the suitability of the information for its own particular purpose.
GBHE gives no warranty as to the fitness of this information for any particular purpose
and any implied warranty or condition (statutory or otherwise) is excluded except to the
extent that exclusion is prevented by law. GBHE accepts no liability resulting from reliance
on this information. Freedom under Patent, Copyright and Designs cannot be assumed.
Refinery Process Stream Purification Refinery Process Catalysts Troubleshooting Refinery Process Catalyst Start-Up / Shutdown
Activation Reduction In-situ Ex-situ Sulfiding Specializing in Refinery Process Catalyst Performance Evaluation Heat & Mass
Balance Analysis Catalyst Remaining Life Determination Catalyst Deactivation Assessment Catalyst Performance
Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
Web Site: www.GBHEnterprises.com
Table of Contents
Common Reformer Problems
Purpose of NHT Stripper
Typical Design
Instrumentation of NHT Stripper
Other Design Issues
Indications of Problems in the NHT
Response to Reformer Upsets
Common Reformer Problems

H2S in feed to reformer
Water in feed to reformer
Bad H2O:HCl control
Feed quality (High EP, low N+A)
Low H2:Oil
Organic Sulfur Compounds in feed to reformer
Purpose of NHT Stripper

Remove the following to protect Reformer:
H2S
Light Ends
Water
Typical Design
Number of Trays
20-35 Trays
Reflux to Feed Ratio
0.25 0.35
More Reflux = More Reliability
Feed Tray Location

5-10 trays from top of tower
More Rectifying Trays can be added if needed
Instrumentation of NHT Stripper
Other Design Issues

Fired Reboiler vs. Heat Exchanger Reboiler
Better heat input control with Fired Reboiler
Overhead Pressure
Set by the vapor pressure of the liquid in the overhead receiver
Indications of Problems in the NHT

Sulfur in the feed to reformer
Organic Sulfur
Reactor Problem
F/E Exchanger Leak
Leaking Startup Bypass Line
Sulfur in the feed to reformer
H2S
Low heat input to column
High reflux temperature
Low reflux rate
Low feed temperature
Low feed rate
Sudden change in fuel gas composition
Sudden change in feed composition
Low heat input to column
Sudden change in flow rate to column
Water issues in the column
Water in the feed to reformer
Increase in the water analyzer on the recycle gas
HCl level decreases in the recycle gas
H2S in recycle gas
Free water in the feed to the stripper
Should be removed in the water boot on the Product Separator
Sweet Naphtha from storage
Should be fed to the NHT Stripper to remove water
Water refluxed back to stripper
Usually due to manual level control on the boot
Should be drained every 2-3 hours
Blocked outlet piping on boot
Other Indicators in Reformer

Yield decreases
Recycle gas purity decreases
LPG make increases
Coke make increases
Response to Reformer Upsets

Cut Temperature on Reformer
~900F
Hold until H2S is back down
Increase Chloride Injection
Double or Triple normal rates
Hold until H2S is back down

Catalytic Reforming-Design and Operation of NHT Strippers

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Catalytic Reforming-Design and Operation of NHT Strippers

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GBHE Technical Bulletin CTB #55

Information contained in this publication or as otherwise supplied to Users is believed to

Common Reformer Problems

Purpose of NHT Stripper

Instrumentation of NHT Stripper

Other Design Issues

Indications of Problems in the NHT

Response to Reformer Upsets

Common Reformer Problems

Purpose of NHT Stripper

Feed Tray Location

Instrumentation of NHT Stripper

Other Design Issues

Indications of Problems in the NHT

Other Indicators in Reformer

Response to Reformer Upsets

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