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The stabilizing tower T-201 of the catalytic reforming plant of the Refinería Cienfuegos S.A. it should be able to strip moisture from the naphtha up to 5 ppm. According to the results of the Karl Fisher Coulometric Tritation method, there is a possibility that they do not satisfy the process requirements, which is why in this investigation the performance of the T-201 was evaluated. First, the laboratory results of the moisture content of the inlet and outlet of the tower were statistically analyzed to define the range of the values obtained and their reliability. The PRO/II 9.1 software was used to model the unit and then validated with actual operating parameters. With Matlab software, the sensitivity to the behavior of the temperature of the top of the tower with the variation of humidity in the inlet naphtha was analyzed. Laboratory results showed significant deviations so they are not reliable for measuring moisture content. The model obtained showed deviations below 5%, this being valid for the evaluation of the T-201 tower. In addition, the sensitivity analysis showed a logical behavior of the tower with the variation of temperature and humidity. Finally, that the method used for the analysis of humidity shows errors in its execution and therefore another method of analysis must be used. In addition, the model obtained from the tower can be used to evaluate other operating variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In oil refining, there is a high consumption of chemicals and catalysts, which influences the high production costs and the environmental impact with the dumping of their residuals. It is known that at the Cienfuegos S.A Refinery there are no methodologies to systematically evaluate the behavior of the operational variables and their influence on the deactivation of the catalyst that allows establishing longer regeneration cycles. The present study aimed to evaluate the variables of the catalytic reformation process to determine their influence on the deactivation of the catalyst. In this sense, a procedure is presented that allowed the comprehensive evaluation of the process variables, where each of the steps and formulations considered are exposed and their application made it possible to identify the influences, as well as the activity of the catalyst. To facilitate operations, the IVOACRC software was designed, based on Excel conditions, with the necessary database. The most influential variables on the deactivation of the catalyst were identified, the months of catalytic activity were calculated, thus extending the useful life of the catalyst by three years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]