ABSTRACT
The catalytic naphtha reformer provided sufficient hydrogen for most refineries’ needs. There are a number of processes that are not directly involved in the production of hydrocarbon fuels but serve in a supporting role. These include the hydrogen unit to produce hydrogen for hydrocracking and hydrotreating; the gas processing unit, which separates the low-boiling hydrocarbons. As the extent of hydroprocessing increased, the hydrogen supply obtained from the catalytic naphtha reformer became a constraint and an additional source of hydrogen was needed. The conversion chemistry of both processes is similar and is based on the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to produce a mixture of gases that contain as major compounds hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water. The hydrogen stream produced as product therefore contains some methane. Gases from various operations in a refinery processing sour crudes contain hydrogen sulfide and occasionally carbonyl sulfide.
