MODELACION Y OPTIMIZACION DEL PROCESO DE GASIFICACION DE RESIDUOS DEL PETROLEO

Abstract

In this work, a model for the chemical equilibrium of the gasification reactions was developed and validated in order to predict the influence of the physical properties of the vacuum residuum feed and gasification conditions on the performance of the gasifier operating at pressures above atmospheric. The current models that have been reported for the gasification process are not fully applicable to petroleum residues and nor those coming from heavy crude oils. Such as those that are currently being produced in México and in other countries, therefore the developed model can be used for the simulation of this process when feeding this type of oils. The model includes the main reactions that take place in the gasification process, and by the simultaneous solution of material balances, energy and chemical equilibrium equations, the composition of the synthesis gas produced during the reaction can be determined. The predictions obtained from the model are compared with experimental data reported in the literature for entrained flow gasifiers showing errors lower than 5 %. The model was applied to different petroleum vacuum residue and optimal operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, oxygen/hydrocarbon ratio, and steam/hydrocarbon ratio, the quality and the quantity of gas obtained were determined, and the benefits obtained in the production of a refinery inputs by incorporating this process in a typical scheme of petroleum refining were quantified, in terms of the increase of the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and higher heat value of the produced synthesis gas.