Modification of the Isomerization Process to Improve Research Octane Number

Abstract

The research on the Research Octane Number (RON) of the Light Naphtha Isomerization (LNI) process has significant implications for the quality of gasoline and RON, which are crucial issues in the refinery. In this study, the isomerization unit in an existing 420,000-barrel-per-day gas condensate refinery was investigated to increase RON and decrease total costs. The research involved selecting equipment (means column) to replace the existing ones in an isomerization unit to improve RON and decrease total costs for specific feedstocks. The Deisopentanizer-Deisohexanizer DIP-DIH isomerization unit was chosen as the base case. Three scenarios were simulated and studied to predict product specifications: Deisopentanizer-Depentanizer DIP-DP, Deisopentanizer-Dehexanizer DIP-DH, and Deisopentanizer-Depentanizer-Deisohexanizer DIP-DP-DH isomerization units. To increase RON and study energy consumption, we designed and simulated these scenarios using Aspen HYSYS V9. The energy consumption of the Heat Exchanger Network (HEN) was analyzed using the Aspen Energy Analyzer. The results show that by replacing the equipment and adding new ones, the RON and total cost were significantly altered. The DIP-DP isomerization unit exhibited a higher multiply flow rate by RON, compared to the base case (DIP-DIH) and other scenarios. The results indicate that the DIP-DP isomerization unit improves RON by 6.6% and the total cost by 7.9%