Dynamic modeling and simulation of a bench-scale reactor for the hydrocracking of heavy oil by using the continuous kinetic lumping approach

The continuous kinetic lumping approach was used to simulate the dynamic behavior of a bench-scale hydrocracking reactor of heavy oil. Boiling point distribution curves of products were obtained at 380, 400 and 420 °C, at constant pressure and space velocity (9.8 MPa and 1.0 h⁻¹). Model parameters of the continuous kinetic lumping approach were determined at steady-state condition. The model parameters together with the transient model were used for dynamic simulation of the hydrocracking reactor. 1.5 h of time-on-stream was necessary to reach the pseudo-steady-state operation. As LSHV increased it was observed that the time to reach the pseudo-steady-state decreased due to shorter contact time. Reaction temperature does not affect the dynamic operation of the reactor.