Power recovery turbines can be used debottlenecking of an existing plant, as well as recover electric power when revamping a plant. A process for recovering energy in a petroleum, petrochemical, or chemical plant is described. A fluid stream having a first control valve thereon is identified. A first power-recovery turbine is installed at the location of the first control valve, and at least a portion of the first fluid stream is directed through the first power-recovery turbine to generate electric power as direct current therefrom. The electric power is then recovered.

This invention relates to a process for determining the suitability of pyrolysis tar, such as steam cracker tar, for upgrading using hydroprocessing without excessive fouling of the hydroprocessing reactor. A pyrolysis tar is sampled, the sample is analyzed to determine one or more characteristics of the tar related to tar reactivity, and the analysis is used to determine conditions under which the tar can be blended, pre-treated, and/or hydroprocessed.

This invention relates to a process for determining the suitability of pyrolysis tar, such as steam cracker tar, for upgrading using hydroprocessing without excessive fouling of the hydroprocessing reactor. A pyrolysis tar is sampled, the sample is analyzed to determine one or more characteristics of the tar related to tar reactivity, and the analysis is used to determine conditions under which the tar can be blended, pre-treated, and/or hydroprocessed.

A catalyst composition comprising a support comprising a mixture of amorphous silica-alumina and non-zeolitic alumina comprising no more than 75 wt % amorphous silica-alumina and having a ratio of moles of silicon to moles of aluminum in the range of about 0.05 to about 0.50. A first hydrogenation metal comprising platinum, a second hydrogenation metal from Group VIIB or Group VIII of the Periodic Table other than platinum and an optional third metal from Group IA of the Periodic Table may be deposited on the support. The ratio of moles of silicon to the moles of the first hydrogenation metal, the second hydrogenation metal and the optional third metal on the support may be between about 15 and about 75.

A catalyst composition comprising a support comprising a mixture of amorphous silica-alumina and non-zeolitic alumina comprising no more than 75 wt % amorphous silica-alumina and having a ratio of moles of silicon to moles of aluminum in the range of about 0.05 to about 0.50. A first hydrogenation metal comprising platinum, a second hydrogenation metal from Group VIIB or Group VIII of the Periodic Table other than platinum and an optional third metal from Group IA of the Periodic Table may be deposited on the support. The ratio of moles of silicon to the moles of the first hydrogenation metal, the second hydrogenation metal and the optional third metal on the support may be between about 15 and about 75.

Systems and methods are provided for producing upgraded raffinate and extract products from lubricant boiling range feeds and/or other feeds having a boiling range of 400 F. (204 C.) to 1500 F. (816 C.) or more. The upgraded raffinate and/or extract products can have a reduced or minimized concentration of sulfur, nitrogen, metals, or a combination thereof. The reduced or minimized concentration of sulfur, nitrogen, and/or metals can be achieved by hydrotreating a suitable feed under hydrotreatment conditions corresponding to relatively low levels of feed conversion. Optionally, the feed can also dewaxed, such as by catalytic dewaxing or by solvent dewaxing. Because excessive aromatic saturation is not desired, the pressure for hydrotreatment (and optional dewaxing) can be 500 psig (3.4 MPa) to 1200 psig (8.2 MPa).

Systems and methods are provided for producing upgraded raffinate and extract products from lubricant boiling range feeds and/or other feeds having a boiling range of 400 F. (204 C.) to 1500 F. (816 C.) or more. The upgraded raffinate and/or extract products can have a reduced or minimized concentration of sulfur, nitrogen, metals, or a combination thereof. The reduced or minimized concentration of sulfur, nitrogen, and/or metals can be achieved by hydrotreating a suitable feed under hydrotreatment conditions corresponding to relatively low levels of feed conversion. Optionally, the feed can also dewaxed, such as by catalytic dewaxing or by solvent dewaxing. Because excessive aromatic saturation is not desired, the pressure for hydrotreatment (and optional dewaxing) can be 500 psig (3.4 MPa) to 1200 psig (8.2 MPa).

A process for reducing pressure of a vapor stream used for reducing a temperature or pressure in a reactor. A pressure of a vapor stream is reduced with a turbine to provide a lower pressure vapor stream. The vapor stream rotates a turbine wheel within the turbine. The turbine wheel is configured to transmit rotational movement to an electrical generator. Thus, electricity is generated with the turbine. The lower pressure vapor stream is injected into a reactor and reduces a temperature in the reactor or reduces a partial pressure of a hydrocarbon vapor in the reactor.

Methods and apparatus for recovering power in a hydroprocessing process are described. The method involves the use of a power-recovery turbine in place of, or in addition to, a control valve. A hydrocarbon feed stream is combined with a portion of a hydrogen stream. The combined stream is heated, and the heated stream is introduced into a hydroprocessing reaction zone having at least two beds. The heated stream is contacted with a first hydroprocessing catalyst to form a first hydroprocessed stream. At least part of a portion of the hydrogen stream is combined with the first hydroprocessed stream to form a first quenched hydroprocessed stream. The first quenched hydroprocessed stream is contacted with a second hydroprocessing catalyst to form a second hydroprocessed stream. At least a portion of the second portion of the hydrogen stream is directed through a power-recovery turbine to generate electric power.

Processes for controlling at least one process condition of a chemical processing unit with a turbine. In the processes, a flow of a fluid is adjusted with a turbine in order to provide the fluid with a flow associated with at least one process condition of a chemical processing unit. The turbine wheel is rotated within the turbine, and the turbine wheel is configured to transmit rotational movement to an electrical generator. The resistance of the turbine is modulated and adjusts the flow of the fluid through the turbine. A response time of at least one steady state process condition to a new steady state process condition of at least 10% difference is at least one second to reach 50% of the difference between the at least one steady state process condition and the new steady state process condition after modulating the resistance of the turbine.