Cause analysis and solution measures for foaming of hot high pressure separator in fixed-bed residue hydrogenation unit

Petroleum Refinery Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (7): 31-34.

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Cause analysis and solution measures for foaming of hot high pressure separator in fixed-bed residue hydrogenation unit

Li Xuhe, Li Hongguang, Liu Tiebin, Geng Xinguo, Yuan Shenghua

SINOPEC (Dalian) Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals Co., Ltd., Dalian, Liaoning 116045

Online:2025-07-15 Published:2025-07-21
About author:袁胜华，正高级工程师。联系电话：0411-39699487，E-mail：yuanshenghua.fshy@sinopec.com。

固定床渣油加氢装置热高压分离器发泡原因分析及解决措施

李旭贺, 李洪广, 刘铁斌, 耿新国, 袁胜华

中石化（大连）石油化工研究院有限公司, 辽宁省大连市116045

作者简介:李旭贺，助理研究员，硕士。联系电话：0411-39699493，E-mail：lixuhe.fshy@sinopec.com。

Abstract

Abstract:

In the context of crude oil deterioration, the continuous increase in the proportion of residue blending in the feedstock of fixed-bed residue hydrogenation unit to improve the comprehensive utilization rate of resources has exacerbated the foaming problem of the hot high pressure separator, which seriously affects the safety and stable production of the unit. After observing and comparing the actual operation of industrial equipment, it is inferred that the root cause of the foaming is the presence of a certain amount of bipolar components in the liquid phase that act as surfactants. It is an intermediate product obtained by conversion process of macromolecules such as gum or asphalt, which distillation range close to that of heavy diesel oil. Therefore, reducing the content of bipolar components in the liquid phase of the hot high pressure separator is the key to solving the foaming problem. By taking measures such as increasing the reactor bed temperature, strengthening the macromolecular conversion ability of the catalyst system, increasing the loading ratio of high activity catalysts in the rear, controlling the hot high pressure separator at higher temperature, and enhancing the gas-liquid separation effect of the hot high pressure separator, the foaming problem can be effectively alleviated or solved.

Key words: fixed-bed, residue hydrogenation, hot high pressure separator, foaming, catalyst grading, gas-liquid separation, bipolar, intermediate product

摘要：

在原油劣质化背景下，为提高资源综合利用率，持续上调固定床渣油加氢装置进料的渣油掺炼比例。这加剧了热高压分离器（高分）发泡问题，严重影响装置的安全稳定生产。经观察和对比分析工业装置实际运转情况，推断热高分发泡的根源在于液相中存在一定量起表面活性剂作用的双极性组分，为胶质、沥青质等大分子转化过程的中间产物，其馏程接近于重柴油。因此，降低热高分液相中双极性组分的含量是解决发泡问题的关键。通过采取提升反应器床层温度、提高催化剂体系大分子转化能力和后部高活性催化剂装填比例、控制热高分在较高操作温度、强化热高分气液分离效果等措施，可有效缓解或解决发泡问题。

关键词: 固定床, 渣油加氢, 热高压分离器, 发泡, 催化剂级配, 气液分离, 双极性, 中间产物

Li Xuhe, Li Hongguang, Liu Tiebin, Geng Xinguo, Yuan Shenghua. Cause analysis and solution measures for foaming of hot high pressure separator in fixed-bed residue hydrogenation unit[J]. Petroleum Refinery Engineering, 2025, 55(7): 31-34.

李旭贺, 李洪广, 刘铁斌, 耿新国, 袁胜华. 固定床渣油加氢装置热高压分离器发泡原因分析及解决措施[J]. 炼油技术与工程, 2025, 55(7): 31-34.

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Cause analysis and solution measures for foaming of hot high pressure separator in fixed-bed residue hydrogenation unit

固定床渣油加氢装置热高压分离器发泡原因分析及解决措施

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