Introduction
This course provides the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to efficiently and safely operate Merox units. The course covers process flow and equipment, unit operation, analytical procedures, maintenance procedures, and safety. To ensure the practical application of knowledge, discussion includes normal operations, startup, shutdown, and troubleshooting. Classroom lectures are combined with hands-on field exercises and question-and-answer time to allow participants to share operating problems they’ve encountered and discuss solutions. The course provides unique insight into the design and operation of Caustic and MEROX treating units. Over many years experts have gathered deep technical expertise in caustic treatment and processes. This knowledge and resulting best practices built the foundation for the course.
Training Objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand Merox Process chemistry and process flow
- Identify common impurities and methods for their removal
- Understand best practices for unit operation, startup, and shutdown
- Develop effective techniques for solving problems
- Best results are gained with the inclusion of participants operating data and problems into the discussions and exercises.
Training Methodology
This dynamic training course is highly-interactive & encourages delegate participation through a combination of lectures, group discussion, practical exercise, case studies, and breakout session designed to reinforce new skills. The comprehensive course manual has been designed to be practical, easy to use and facilitate learning. In order to help with establishing individual and business concerns, delegates will be asked to fill pre-course questionnaire.
Who Should Attend?
1- Process Engineers, Technologists, and Operating and Supervisory personnel engaged in the refining activities who have a minimum of experience and are required to understand and discuss issues related to their processes.
2- Refinery scheduling staff and team leaders, blending staff, and crude oil buyers
3- Engineering and operations personnel, this training program will also be suitable for business, sales, technical, and scientific personnel with limited or no broad refinery operating experience, as well as Technical sales personnel.
4- Experienced operators; Unit and responsible engineers; in Downstream Refinery, Upstream Oil and Gas or LNG establishments
5- Team Leaders, Project Managers, Refinery Managers, Plant managers, Oil Terminal Managers Superintendent/Supervisors, Section Heads, Plant Supervisors, Process Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Instrumentation/Control Engineers, technical staff and contractor
Training Outline
Day 1
- Introduction
- Caustic treating principles
- Caustic treating for H2S removal and prewash
- Amine H2S extraction of LPG fractions:
– Importance for pretreatment
– Reduction of caustic consumption
– Main operation points
- Mercaptan extraction from LPG fractions:
– MEROX® process
– THIOLEX® process
- Mercaptan extraction from condensate fractions
- Exercise on CAUSTIC AND AMINE CARRYOVER CHALLENGES
- Reduce & eliminate amine and caustic carryover
Day 2
▪ Mercaptan extraction from light gasoline fractions
▪ Equipment Review for extraction of RSH
▪ Required analysis and schedule
▪ Troubleshooting operational problems
▪ Mercaptan sweetening of normal gasoline fractions:
– Traditional sweetening process
– Minalk® process
– Mericat® process
– Caustic free process
Day 3
▪ Required analysis and schedule
▪ Troubleshooting operational problems
▪ Exercise on understanding UOP Emulsend -318
▪ Emulsion Breaker Solution
▪ Process flow overview
▪ Pre-treatment
▪ Merox treatment
▪ Post-treatment
▪ UOP EmulsEnd-318 promotes rapid & clean separation of hydrocarbon and aqueous phases
Day 4
▪ Operation: control and troubleshooting
▪ Startup and shutdown procedures
▪ Special procedures
▪ RSH sweetening of Kerosene fractions:
– Traditional UOP fixed bed process
– Modern UOP fixed bed process
– Mericat J® process
– Caustic free process
▪ Required analysis and schedule
Day 5
- UOP Merox No. 8™ Catalyst
- Pre-impregnated Fixed-Bed Sweetening Catalyst
- Merox No. 8 catalyst is a pre-impregnated
- Highly active & selective mercaptan oxidation catalyst used in sweetening versions of Merox process
- Troubleshooting operational problems
- Minimizing caustic disposal
- Caustic neutralization and oxidation
- Summary