Increasing the efficiency of the pyrolysis process

Increasing the production volume of organic synthesis products demands improvements to the technology of the pyrolysis process to reduce costs and increase the yield of desired products, particularly ethylene, which is the dominant raw material in the petrochemical industry. The aim of the present work is the substantiation of the methods that increase the pyrolysis selectivity for ethylene by influencing the stages of the radical chain process. Based on the study of the relative reactivity of the various C-H bonds in their interaction with the methyl radicals and with hydrogen atoms, which are the basic particles that determine the chain propagation in the pyrolysis, the possibility of increasing the process selectivity for ethylene was established, while simultaneously reducing the yield of the condensation products and suppressing the formation of pyrolytic carbon by replacing the methyl radical with hydrogen atoms, which was made possible by adding hydrogen to the feedstock in the amount of approximately 2% by weight. It was found that allene lowers the activation energy of the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons, thus increasing the depth of the reaction. Accelerating the rate of initiation of the radical chain process was observed at the temperatures below 1,000 K. This opens up the possibility of increasing the efficiency of the pyrolysis process by recycling the propane fraction containing allene into the pyrolysis feedstock. This speeds up the process at low temperatures and suppresses the yield of the condensation products. Experimental data demonstrating the results of application of the proposed method are presented. © 2017 WIT Press

Increasing efficiency of the pyrolysis process by influencing the initiation of thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons

Mono-olefins produced in the process of pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon feedstock are one of the main sources for petrochemical synthesis, that accounts for the importance of searching for methods to improve the process. The aim of the work is to develop a method for increasing efficiency of the pyrolysis process on the basis of the allene effect on thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons, which are the pyrolysis feedstock constituents and also form in the process. Effect of the allene addition on thermal decomposition of hexene-1, hexane and gasoline fraction of oil was studied. It was shown that in the presence of allene the rate of thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons significantly increases. Carrying out the pyrolysis process in the presence of allene additionves allows one to lower the temperature of the process at a given time or the reaction time at a given temperature.ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This research was supported by Act 211 Government of the Russian Federation, contract № 02. A03.21.0006

Increasing the selectivity of the hydrocarbon feedstock pyrolysis

The process of hydrocarbon feedstock pyrolysis is the principal method used to produce ethylene which is a primary product utilized in the fabrication of plastic materials, synthetic resins, fibers and other similar products. The current level of process capacity and the necessity to steadily increase the petrochemical industry’s potential make the problem of improving the efficiency of the process an urgent one. The aim of the present work in terms of the pyrolysis mechanism analysis is to develop a method of increasing the pyrolysis selectivity for ethylene with minimal hydrogen consumption. It was shown on the base of established relative reactivity of different type C–H bonds in the reactions of interaction with H atoms and CH3 radicals, that the selectivity of the hydrogen atoms and methyl radicals in the substitution reactions at high temperatures are notably different. This makes possible a new method of controlling the selectivity of ethylene formation based solely on the influence of the concentration ratio of the chain carrier radicals [H]:[CH3] in the reaction mixture on the reaction output irrespective of changes in temperature, pressure and contact time. The minimum amount of hydrogen required to produce the desired effect was estimated. © 2014 WIT Press.International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning;WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environmen

Improving the efficiency of the stabilization columns in oil and gas processing

Rectification process is widely used in oil and gas processing and petrochemistry. The composition of the bottom product of the rectification column usually differs from the equilibrium composition due to significantly higher content of light components or fractions. This stipulates a necessity to include into the technological schemes of several oil refining processes a stabilization unit that are meant to ensure separation of gases and liquid products. A highly relevant task is to explore new possibilities for improving the stabilization process. The aim of the present work was to improve the stabilization process by changing the operating pressure. It was found that increasing the pressure in the stabilization column enhanced the sharpness of separation of butanes from pentanes, which resulted in improving the quality of the products. The experimental-industrial runs confirmed the possibility of increasing the efficiency of stabilization columns in various processes by increasing the pressure within acceptable limits. © 2019 WIT PressACKNOWLEDGEMENT This research was supported by Act 211 Government of the Russian Federation, contract № 02.A03.21.0006

Improving the efficiency and environmental safety of gasoline engine operation

In countries with transition economies a common serious challenge relating to vehicle transport is the increasing shortage of high octane gasoline and its inherent low quality. The aim of this work is to develop a low cost, rapidimplementation method aimed at reducing a vehicle engine's dependency on a gasoline octane rating, the consumption of fuel and the emission of toxic substances in the exhaust gases. The influence of the removal of carbon formation in engines on the improvement of the efficiency of vehicles and the subsequent reduction of their environmental impact was discussed and scientifically substantiated. The technology of coating an engine's working surfaces with ultrafine metal having catalytic activity in redox reactions was developed. A single application of the developed method will provide long-term elimination of carbon deposits on working surfaces. This will reduce the need for high gasoline octane ratings, significantly improve fuel efficiency and also reduce the environmental impact of gasoline engines. © 2013 WIT Press

Interdisciplinarity as heuristic resource for energy management

As high-tech industries continue to experience dynamic growth and problems of development in high-tech industries are getting increasingly complex, managers have to embrace the need for new competencies that match present-day challenges. This calls for a qualitative change in the architecture of education to bring it up to date with contemporary trends. Using cases from Russia, the paper aims to provide a groundwork for an interdisciplinary approach to building professional competencies in energy managers as a framework for forward-looking management of high-tech industries in a nonlinear environment. The authors identify factors that determine the new management imperative and set out methodological principles of developing a management culture. A model of professionalism in management is proposed that is the result of a complex interplay of interrelated competencies. The paper also explains the key features of an interdisciplinary training programme. To prove the research hypothesis, an analysis was conducted of empirical data from expert reviews by executives at Russian energy companies and leading academics

The solution to strategic problems in the oil refining industry as a factor for the sustainable development of automobile transport

The oil refining industry in Russia produces poor quality motor fuels that meet neither the standards of developed countries nor the needs of a rapidly growing domestic vehicle fleet. The aim of this work is to substantiate the optimal direction for reforms to modernize the Russian oil industry, which will then enable it to achieve in a timely manner the necessary changes to the quality of motor fuel that will improve both the energy efficiency and environmental safety of motor vehicles. The prospective requirements for fuel quality in Russia were formulated based on analytical investigation. The necessity to change the ratio between reforming and isomerization capacities to improve fuel properties is herein demonstrated. The proposed scheme for highly efficient residueless oil refining will give a motor fuel yield of approximately 85% with inherent high environmental and operational characteristics. The optimal direction for the rapid improvement of the quality of motor fuels through the use of the developed multifunctional fuel additive in trace amounts is proposed. © 2014 WIT Press.International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering;International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning;WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environmen

Reducing gasoline loss from evaporation by the introduction of a surface-active fuel additive

Apart from the emission of hydrocarbons within the exhaust gases of vehicles, gasoline hydrocarbons are released into the environment from the tanks of cars during refueling and also during transportation and storage as a result of evaporation. Losses of gasoline when moving from producer to consumer are 1.5–2%. Up to 40% of the hydrocarbons emitted by road transport evaporate from the fuel systems of cars with gasoline engines. In the context of the global problem of depleting energy resources and the associated degradation of the environment the reduction of gasoline losses from evaporation remains an important environmental and economic issue. The aim of this work is to validate a method of reducing evaporation loss by modifying the quality of the fuel being used. An approach to assessing the toxicity of gasoline vapor has been proposed which may point to the effect that the individual components of gasoline have on this. A method has been developed to reduce evaporation loss and also improve the mixture in the engine by introducing a fuel additive which is a surface-active agent. The additive reduces the vapor pressure of gasoline while also reducing the surface tension of the fuel droplets at the interface with air. The results from studies on the additive’s effect on the saturated vapor pressure, surface tension, and gasoline evaporation losses are given. © 2015 WIT Press.15-19- 30001This research is funded by the Russian Scientific Fund (Research Project 15-19- 30001)

An investigation of the feasibility of the organic municipal solid waste processing by coking

In the context of transition to a circular economy, one of the strategic priorities is the development of technological innovations aimed at waste processing. In this study, the foundations have been developed for a low-temperature, environmentally safe method for efficient processing of organic municipal solid waste, which may be further applied for processing both municipal and industrial waste organics in order to obtain liquid products. The maximum yield of liquid products is ensured when conducting the coking of a mixture of organic waste with long residuum in the temperature range of 400-420 °C, with a heating rate of 5-70 °C/min, and with an optimal heating time to the coking temperature of 80 min. Recommendations on the use of the waste recycling products are given. The proposed process is consistent with the principles of circular economy and does not require external energy costs because the energy needed for the process is generated by burning the gas produced during the waste coking. The process does not produce emissions into the environment and, in combination with standard refining processes, can be used to obtain commercial petroleum products. © 2019 by the authors.Government Council on Grants, Russian FederationFunding: This research received no external funding. Funding: This research received no external funding.  Acknowledgments: The work was supported by Act 211 of the Government of the Russian Federation, contract Acknowledgments: The work was supported by Act 211 of the Government of the Russian Federation, contract

Aqueous vapour substitution for hydrogen in the process of pyrolysis

In order to decrease hydrocarbons fractional pressure in the process of ethylene pyrolysis, 0.5-1.5 kilograms of aqueous vapour is added to each kilo of feedstock. In the pyrolysis of hydrocarbon feed, a considerable part of the process' power consumption is connected with water vaporization; heating up of the diluent to 800°C and more with the subsequent condensation. The aim of this work is to reduce specific energy consumption and improve selectivity to ethylene of pyrolysis process. The same hydrocarbons fractional pressure can be created as during diluting by aqueous vapour if we use hydrogen as a diluent with its mass 9 times less. It was found that if hydrogen is purged to the furnace inlet under different feedstock temperatures prior to the pyrolitic reaction, hydrogen will become a homogeneous catalyst for the subsequent radical-chain reactions. The depth of the reaction (according to Korzun and Magaril in Thermal processes of refining 2008) will be greater, under otherwise equal conditions, than without hydrogen. Specific heat energy consumption for the production of ethylene, as well as for the amount of ethylene and propylene, with aqueous vapour substitution to hydrogen decreases. When replacing the vapour for a considerably smaller amount of hydrogen, the latter is involved in a radical chain process, providing greater selectivity for ethylene production, thereby increasing the yield of ethylene at 15% relative. As a result, ethylene production costs are significantly reduced. © 2014 WIT Press.International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering;International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning;WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environmen