Technology Unit

Upgrading begins with a Permutable Guard-Bed Reactor System (PRS) to eliminate undesirable Metals through Hydrodemetallization (HDM).

Before entering the Transition Reaction Section, the Feed flows through the PRS (arranged in Series), which is composed of a Lead (R1A) and a Lag-Guard Reactor (R1B). R1A and R1B take out the bulk of the Feedstock Metals and Sediment, providing a Cleaner Feed to the Downstream Section which completes HDM and begins the HDS Process.

Whenever possible, both R1A and R1B operate in Series. Sampling systems are used for monitoring Reactor Effluent Quality. The novelty of PRS resides in the safety features that enable R1A to be taken off-line for Catalyst Change-Out, while R1B continue to operate. Each PRS Reactor can be isolated from the Main Section using High-Pressure Motorized Valves.

The PRS Section protects the Downstream Catalysts by removing or converting a sizeable Portion of Sediment, Metals, and Asphaltenes from the Feed. These Materials would otherwise Foul, Plug, or Deactivate the Downstream Catalysts, thereby severely reducing performance of the RFCC unit.