Feasibility study of running two pacol reactors together in series or parallel

Abstract

The theme of the project was captured from the "effective utilisation of the inventory" .In petrochemical process plants, raw materials are bulk liquids. These are imported from Gulf countries and hence inventory management of such raw materials is controlled by Economic / Political decisions of supplier and buyer countries. The project taken up address issue of effective utilisation of imported catalyst inventory. It is to carry out the feasibility study of running two PACOL Reactors of the Linear Alkyl Benzene ( LAB ) plant together in series or in parallel to1) Increase production capacity of LAB2) Reduce catalyst inventory carrying cost3) To reduce cost of production Based on PACOL theory, performance of earlier catalyst batches and information available from M/s. UOP, project "feasibility study of running standby PACOL reactor along with on-line reactor" was taken up. While running two PACOL reactors in series extreme care is necessary to avoid di-olefin or coke formation in the reactor. Similarly while running two PACOL reactors in parallel, high conversion rate is possible which may lead to excess by-product formation and reduced catalyst life. Process variables are required to be adjusted to avoid side reactions. These implications will be discussed with M/s. UOP in their forthcoming visit to RIL, Patalganga in 1stweek of FEB. 1997.M./s. UOP have been contacted for the detail design information. The information sought is mentioned in the Annexure 1.After completing the feasibility study, it was found that running two PACOL reactors in series is commercially not viable, while running two PACOL reactors in parallel is economical. At present a project under way in the company aims at achieving 25 %rise in daily production rate at invested cost of RS. 65 Cr. The project under discussion is aimed at an increase in daily production rate of10 %, at reduced cost of production by 5 % of final product, without major capital investment. The project will fetch around RS 10 Cr. Per annum with one time investment of RS. 4 Cr. This works out to be4 months simple payback period and 260 % IRR. The sensitivity analysis of running two PACOL reactors together in parallel is put in Annexure 2.