U.S. patent application number 16/470841 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-24 for server, method, and program for supplying desulfurization catalyst-related information, and computer-readable recording medium r.
This patent application is currently assigned to COSMO OIL CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is COSMO OIL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kazuo IDEI, Susumu KIKUCHI, Nobumasa NAKAJIMA.
Application Number | 20190322950 16/470841 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62626256 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-24 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190322950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAJIMA; Nobumasa ; et
al. |
October 24, 2019 |
SERVER, METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR SUPPLYING DESULFURIZATION
CATALYST-RELATED INFORMATION, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING
MEDIUM RECORDING SAME
Abstract
A server is configured to be connected to a user terminal via a
network, and to supply a desulfurization catalyst lifetime of a
user plant to a user based on desulfurization catalyst pilot plant
data and a desulfurization catalyst lifetime function. The server
includes a processor and a memory storing computer-readable
instructions. When the computer-readable instructions are executed
by the processor, the server receives user plant-related data and a
user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition from
the user terminal to the user plant based on a comparison between
the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and the obtained user
plant-related data, calculates a catalyst lifetime for the user's
desulfurization catalyst based on the obtained user desulfurization
catalyst performance prediction condition and the user
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function, and transmits the
calculated catalyst lifetime to the user terminal.
Inventors: |
NAKAJIMA; Nobumasa; (Tokyo,
JP) ; KIKUCHI; Susumu; (Tokyo, JP) ; IDEI;
Kazuo; (Saitama, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COSMO OIL CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
COSMO OIL CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
62626256 |
Appl. No.: |
16/470841 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
December 20, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2017/045733 |
371 Date: |
June 18, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02P 90/30 20151101;
C10G 45/72 20130101; G06Q 50/04 20130101; C10G 2300/70
20130101 |
International
Class: |
C10G 45/72 20060101
C10G045/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 21, 2016 |
JP |
2016-247762 |
Claims
1. A server to be connected to a user terminal via a network to
supply a desulfurization catalyst lifetime of a user plant to a
user based on desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and a
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function, the server comprising:
a processor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions,
wherein, when the computer-readable instructions are executed by
the processor, the server receives user plant-related data and a
user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition from
the user terminal, generates from the desulfurization catalyst
lifetime function a user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function
tailored to the user plant based on a comparison between the
desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and the received user
plant-related data, calculates a catalyst lifetime for a user
desulfurization catalyst based on the received user desulfurization
catalyst performance prediction condition and the user
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function, and transmits the
calculated catalyst lifetime to the user terminal.
2. The server according to claim 1, wherein, when the
computer-readable instructions are executed by the processor, the
server further generates from a hydrogen consumption function a
user hydrogen consumption function tailored to the user plant based
on the comparison between the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant
data and the received user plant-related data, calculates a
hydrogen consumption for the user desulfurization catalyst based on
the received user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction
condition and the user hydrogen consumption function, and transmits
the calculated hydrogen consumption to the user terminal.
3. The server according to claim 1, wherein, when the
computer-readable instructions are executed by the processor, the
server further generates from a product yield function a user
product yield function tailored to the user plant based on the
comparison between the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
and the received user plant-related data, calculates a product
yield for the user desulfurization catalyst based on the received
user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition and
the user product yield function, and transmits the calculated
product yield to the user terminal.
4. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server calculates a
tuning parameter based on a comparison between the user
plant-related data and the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant
data, and generates, from the tuning parameter and the
desulfurization catalyst-related function, the user desulfurization
catalyst lifetime function tailored to the user plant.
5. The server according to claim 1, wherein the user plant-related
data includes at least one of user plant operating data, the user
plant operating data being operating data for a predetermined
period in the user plant and including at least an operating
condition, a feedstock oil characteristic and a produced oil
characteristic, a kind of catalyst to be used in the user plant,
and equipment setting information of the user plant.
6. The server according to claim 1, wherein the user
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition includes
at least one of an operating condition, a feedstock oil
characteristic and a produced oil characteristic.
7. The server according to claim 1, wherein the desulfurization
catalyst lifetime function includes at least one of a degradation
function for direct desulfurization, a degradation function for
indirect desulfurization, a degradation function for light gas oil
desulfurization, and a degradation function for kerosene
desulfurization.
8. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server receives the
user plant-related data including at least a kind of catalyst, and
generate the user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function based
on the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data corresponding to
the kind of catalyst.
9. A method to be executed by a processor, for supplying a
desulfurization catalyst lifetime of a user plant to a user via a
network based on desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and a
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function, the method comprising
steps of: receiving user plant-related data and a user
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition from the
user terminal; generating from the desulfurization catalyst
lifetime function a user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function
tailored to the user plant based on a comparison between the
desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and the received user
plant-related data; calculating a catalyst lifetime for a user
desulfurization catalyst based on the received user desulfurization
catalyst performance prediction condition and the user
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function; and transmitting the
calculated catalyst lifetime information to the user terminal.
10. The method according to claim 9, comprising steps of:
generating, from a hydrogen consumption function, a user hydrogen
consumption function tailored to the user plant based on the
comparison between the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
and the received user plant-related data; calculating a hydrogen
consumption for the user desulfurization catalyst based on the
received user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction
condition and the user hydrogen consumption function; and
transmitting the calculated hydrogen consumption to the user
terminal.
11. The method according to claim 9, comprising: generating, from a
product yield function, a user product yield function tailored to
the user plant based on the comparison between the desulfurization
catalyst pilot plant data and the received user plant-related data;
calculating a product yield for the user desulfurization catalyst
based on the received user desulfurization catalyst performance
prediction condition and the user product yield function; and
transmitting the calculated product yield to the user terminal.
12. The method according to claim 9, comprising steps of:
calculating a tuning parameter based on a comparison between the
user plant-related data and the desulfurization catalyst pilot
plant data; and generating, from the tuning parameter and the user
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function, the user
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function tailored to the user
plant.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the user plant-related
data includes at least one of: user plant operating data, the user
plant operating data being operating data for a predetermined
period in the user plant and including at least an operating
condition, a feedstock oil characteristic and a produced oil
characteristic; a kind of catalyst to be used in the user plant;
and equipment setting information of the user plant.
14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the desulfurization
catalyst performance prediction condition includes at least one of
an operating condition, a feedstock oil characteristic and a
produced oil characteristic.
15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the desulfurization
catalyst lifetime function includes at least one of a degradation
function for direct desulfurization, a degradation function for
indirect desulfurization, a degradation function for light gas oil
desulfurization, and a degradation function for kerosene
desulfurization.
16. The method according to claim 9, comprising receiving the user
plant-related data including at least a kind of catalyst; and
generating the user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function
based on the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
corresponding to the kind of catalyst.
17. (canceled)
18. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a
program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to
execute a method for supplying a desulfurization catalyst lifetime
of a user plant to a user via a network based on desulfurization
catalyst pilot plant data and a desulfurization catalyst lifetime
function, the method comprising: receiving user plant-related data
and a user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction
condition from the user terminal; generating from the
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function a user desulfurization
catalyst lifetime function tailored to the user plant based on a
comparison between the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
and the received user plant-related data; calculating a catalyst
lifetime for a user desulfurization catalyst based on the received
user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition and
the user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function; and
transmitting the calculated catalyst lifetime information to the
user terminal.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a server, a method, a
program and a computer-readable recording medium storing the same,
for supplying desulfurization catalyst-related information to a
user.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a petroleum refining process, a desulfurization has
conventionally been performed to remove a sulfur content contained
in a feedstock. For example, hydrodesulfurization in which a
petroleum fraction is passed through a catalyst together with
hydrogen under high temperature and high pressure to thereby remove
impurities such as a sulfur content etc. from the petroleum
fraction has been generally known as the desulfurization performed
in a petroleum refinery and the like.
[0003] The catalyst used for such desulfurization is degraded in
accordance with use. The degradation of the catalyst changes
operating conditions of a desulfurization plants, such as required
temperature and hydrogen consumption. For this reason, degradation
of the catalyst with passage of time is simulated in advance to
obtain most suitable operating conditions of the desulfurization
plants (e.g., Patent Documents 1 to 4 and the like).
[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a catalyst use
supporting method. In this method, information about catalyst
reaction proceeding in a reactor operated by a chemical company
(user) is transmitted to a catalyst supplying company via a
communication network, and the catalyst supplying company generates
operation information for the reactor by use of a simulator
apparatus based on the information about the catalyst reaction, and
sends the operation information back to the chemical company via
the communication network.
[0005] Simulation is performed in this manner based on the
information about the catalyst reaction. Accordingly, a lifetime of
the catalyst can be predicted, and an operation, for example, for
increasing/decreasing production can be performed according to
circumstances. Therefore, the catalyst can be used efficiently so
that production cost of a chemical product can be reduced.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
Patent Document 1: JP2003-58206A
Patent Document 2: JPH10-60455A
Patent Document 3: JP2003-27069A
Patent Document 4: JP2007-126684A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is aimed
at simulating a reaction state in a computer. To this end, for
example, details of equipment specifications etc. related to the
reaction, such as the number of tubes in the reactor and the length
of each of the tubes have to be input to the computer. This input
is however complicated.
[0007] In addition, in Patent Document 1, the degradation of the
catalyst with passage of time is predicted in a manner originated
by technology held by the catalyst supplying company. For example,
a dynamic model using a catalyst reaction rate equation is used as
a prediction engine. However, information for the catalyst lifetime
prediction held by the catalyst supplying company provides
prediction merely in an environment in which the catalyst supplying
company has performed analysis. In some cases, the information for
the catalyst lifetime prediction may show a large difference from a
change in the performance of the catalyst in a commercial
plant.
[0008] Particularly, product oil is refined from various feedstock
oils in petroleum refining, differently from petrochemistry in
which a product is manufactured from single feedstock oil.
Therefore, the number of necessary parameters for the degradation
prediction of the desulfurization catalyst is overwhelmingly large.
For this reason, accuracy of performance simulation of the
desulfurization catalyst for the desulfurization units provided in
a petroleum refining plant etc. cannot be enhanced unless
sufficient pilot plant data is held.
[0009] When there is a large difference between a simulation result
and a change of the catalyst performance in a commercial plant, the
catalyst cannot be efficiently used. Therefore, manufacturing cost
of produced oil increases.
[0010] In consideration of such a situation, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a server, a method, a program and a
computer-readable recording medium storing the same, for performing
highly accurate performance prediction of a desulfurization
catalyst without performing a complicated process such as a plant
simulation, and for easily supplying desulfurization
catalyst-related information about the highly accurate performance
prediction of the desulfurization catalyst to a user who does not
have necessary information for the performance prediction of the
desulfurization catalyst.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the
aforementioned problem in the background art. A server according to
the present invention supplies desulfurization catalyst-related
information. The server is to be connected to a user terminal via a
network to supply a desulfurization catalyst lifetime of a user
plant to a user based on desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
and a desulfurization catalyst lifetime function. The server
includes a processor and a memory storing computer-readable
instructions. When the computer-readable instructions are executed
by the processor, the server receives user plant-related data and a
user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition from
the user terminal, generates from the desulfurization catalyst
lifetime function a user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function
tailored to the user plant based on a comparison between the
desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and the received user
plant-related data, calculates a catalyst lifetime for a user
desulfurization catalyst based on the received user desulfurization
catalyst performance prediction condition and the user
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function, and transmits the
calculated catalyst lifetime to the user terminal.
[0012] The server according to the present invention may be
configured such that, when the computer-readable instructions are
executed by the processor, the server further generates from a
hydrogen consumption function a user hydrogen consumption function
tailored to the user plant based on the comparison between the
desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and the received user
plant-related data, calculates a hydrogen consumption for the user
desulfurization catalyst based on the received user desulfurization
catalyst performance prediction condition and the user hydrogen
consumption function, and transmits the calculated hydrogen
consumption to the user terminal.
[0013] The server according to the present invention may be
configured such that, when the computer-readable instructions are
executed by the processor, the server further generates from a
product yield function a user product yield function tailored to
the user plant based on the comparison between the desulfurization
catalyst pilot plant data and the received user plant-related data,
calculates a product yield for the user desulfurization catalyst
based on the received user desulfurization catalyst performance
prediction condition and the user product yield function, and
transmits the calculated product yield to the user terminal.
[0014] The server according to the present invention may be
configured to calculate a tuning parameter based on a comparison
between the user plant-related data and the desulfurization
catalyst pilot plant data, and to generate, from the tuning
parameter and the desulfurization catalyst-related function, the
user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function tailored to the
user plant.
[0015] With the server according to the present invention, the user
plant-related data may include at least one of user plant operating
data, the user plant operating data being operating data for a
predetermined period in the user plant and including at least an
operating condition, a feedstock oil characteristic and a produced
oil characteristic, a kind of catalyst to be used in the user
plant, and equipment setting information of the user plant.
[0016] With the server according to the present invention, the user
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition may
include at least one of an operating condition, a feedstock oil
characteristic and a produced oil characteristic.
[0017] With the server according to the present invention, the
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function may include at least one
of a degradation function for direct desulfurization, a degradation
function for indirect desulfurization, a degradation function for
light gas oil desulfurization, and a degradation function for
kerosene desulfurization.
[0018] The server according to the present invention may be
configured to receive the user plant-related data including at
least a kind of catalyst and to generate the user desulfurization
catalyst lifetime function based on the desulfurization catalyst
pilot plant data corresponding to the kind of catalyst.
[0019] A method according to the present invention is executed by a
processor to supply desulfurization catalyst-related information.
The method supplies a desulfurization catalyst lifetime of a user
plant to a user via a network based on desulfurization catalyst
pilot plant data and a desulfurization catalyst lifetime function.
The method includes steps of receiving user plant-related data and
a user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition
from the user terminal, generating from the desulfurization
catalyst lifetime function a user desulfurization catalyst lifetime
function tailored to the user plant based on a comparison between
the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and the received user
plant-related data, calculating a catalyst lifetime for a user
desulfurization catalyst based on the received user desulfurization
catalyst performance prediction condition and the user
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function, and transmitting the
calculated catalyst lifetime information to the user terminal.
[0020] The method according to the present invention may include
steps of generating, from a hydrogen consumption function, a user
hydrogen consumption function tailored to the user plant based on
the comparison between the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant
data and the received user plant-related data, calculating a
hydrogen consumption for the user desulfurization catalyst based on
the received user desulfurization catalyst performance prediction
condition and the user hydrogen consumption function, and
transmitting the calculated hydrogen consumption to the user
terminal.
[0021] The method according to the present invention may include
generating, from a product yield function, a user product yield
function tailored to the user plant based on the comparison between
the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data and the received user
plant-related data, calculating a product yield for the user
desulfurization catalyst based on the received user desulfurization
catalyst performance prediction condition and the user product
yield function, and transmitting the calculated product yield to
the user terminal.
[0022] The method according to the present invention may include
steps of calculating a tuning parameter based on a comparison
between the user plant-related data and the desulfurization
catalyst pilot plant data, and generating, from the tuning
parameter and the user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function,
the user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function tailored to the
user plant.
[0023] With the method according to the present invention, the user
plant-related data may include at least one of user plant operating
data, the user plant operating data being operating data for a
predetermined period in the user plant and including at least an
operating condition, a feedstock oil characteristic and a produced
oil characteristic, a kind of catalyst to be used in the user
plant, and equipment setting information of the user plant.
[0024] With the method according to the present invention, the
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition may
include at least one of an operating condition, a feedstock oil
characteristic and a produced oil characteristic.
[0025] With the method according to the present invention, the
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function may include at least one
of a degradation function for direct desulfurization, a degradation
function for indirect desulfurization, a degradation function for
light oil desulfurization, and a degradation function for kerosene
desulfurization.
[0026] With the method according to the present invention, at least
a kind of catalyst may be received as the user plant-related data
so that the user desulfurization catalyst lifetime function can be
generated based on the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
corresponding to the kind of catalyst.
Advantageous Effect of Invention
[0027] According to the present invention, a user desulfurization
catalyst-related function tailored to a user plant can be generated
from a desulfurization catalyst-related function obtained in
advance in a pilot plant for each catalyst, operating data of a
user plant, etc. Thus, the performance of the desulfurization
catalyst can be predicted with high accuracy without performing a
complicated process such as a plant simulation.
[0028] Even when a user does not have necessary information for the
performance prediction of the desulfurization catalyst, the
performance of the desulfurization catalyst can be predicted with
high accuracy by simply inputting certain information to a user
terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a systematic configuration view illustrating a
schematic configuration of a desulfurization catalyst performance
prediction system according to one example.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a flow of generating a
user desulfurization catalyst-related function using the
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction system of FIG.
1.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a flow of calculating
desulfurization catalyst-related information using the
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction system of FIG.
1.
[0032] FIG. 4 is an example of a display screen for inputting
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction conditions from a
user terminal.
[0033] FIG. 5 is an example of a display screen of the
desulfurization catalyst-related information displayed on the user
terminal.
[0034] FIG. 6 is another example of the display screen of the
desulfurization catalyst-related information displayed on the user
terminal.
EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION
[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) of the present invention
will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a systematic configuration view illustrating a schematic
configuration of a desulfurization catalyst performance prediction
system according to one example. FIG. 2 is a flow chart
illustrating a flow of generating a user desulfurization
catalyst-related function using the desulfurization catalyst
performance prediction system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flow chart
illustrating a flow of calculating desulfurization catalyst-related
information using the desulfurization catalyst performance
prediction system of FIG. 1.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the desulfurization catalyst performance
prediction system 10 according to this example has a server
computer 12 and a communication server computer 14. The server
computer 12 has a desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data memory
20, a user plant information memory 22, a desulfurization
catalyst-related function memory 24, a processor 13, etc. The
communication server computer 14 is connected to user terminals 16
via a network 18.
[0037] The server computer 12 and the communication server computer
14 may be any existing computer, and, for example, cloud computing
may be used.
[0038] In this example, the server computer 12 for arithmetic
processing and the communication server computer 14 for
communication processing are configured as separate computers.
Thus, the server computer 12 for arithmetic processing is protected
from unauthorized access etc. It is a matter of course that the
server computer 12 and the communication server computer 14 may be
configured into one computer, or each of the server computer 12 and
the communication server computer 14 may be constituted by a
plurality of computers by use of distributed computing.
[0039] Desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data is stored for each
kind of catalyst in the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
memory 20. The "desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data" in the
present description is data that is obtained by an experiment on a
desulfurization catalyst by the pilot plant. For example, required
temperature, a tendency to catalyst degradation (degradation
factor), or the like is included in the "desulfurization catalyst
pilot plant data".
[0040] User plant-related data is stored for each user in the user
plant information memory 22. The "user plant-related data" in the
present description is operating data for a predetermined period in
a user plant owned by the user. At least one of operating data of
the user plant, a kind of catalyst to be used in the user plant,
and equipment setting information of the user plant is included in
the "user plant-related data". The operating data includes at least
operating conditions, feedstock oil characteristics and produced
oil characteristics. When a user desulfurization catalyst-related
function has been generated, the user desulfurization
catalyst-related function is also stored as the user plant-related
data in the user plant information memory 22, as will described
later.
[0041] The "equipment setting information" in the present
description is information about working conditions of the user
plant. The "equipment setting information" includes, for example,
an upper limit temperature for operation, an upper limit pressure
for operation, an upper limit processing quantity for operation, a
catalyst filling amount, etc., in the user plant.
[0042] A desulfurization catalyst-related function which is a model
expression is stored in the desulfurization catalyst-related
function memory 24. In the present description, the
"desulfurization catalyst-related function" includes at least a
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function for calculating a
catalyst lifetime for the desulfurization catalyst. The
"desulfurization catalyst-related function" means a function or a
function group including a hydrogen consumption function for
calculating hydrogen consumption or a product field function for
calculating a product yield in addition to the desulfurization
catalyst lifetime function.
[0043] In the present description, the "catalyst lifetime" is a
concept including not only an original lifetime (a period between a
use start and a use limit) of the desulfurization catalyst but also
a period or day and time which can be calculated from the catalyst
lifetime, such as a period between a present time point and the use
limit, day and time of the use limit, recommended day and time
which is not the use limit but the day and time at which exchange
is recommended (for example, half a year before the use limit,
etc.).
[0044] The server computer 12 according to the present example is
configured to transmit the "catalyst lifetime" including the
concept of the period or the day and time to one of the user
terminals 16 based on the calculated lifetime of the
desulfurization catalyst, as will be described later.
[0045] The desulfurization catalyst lifetime function expresses a
degradation level of the desulfurization catalyst as a function of
the number of days t of oil passage. The degradation level .PHI. of
the desulfurization catalyst is defined as a ratio of a reaction
rate constant Kt for oil passage of t days to a reaction rate
constant K0 for oil passage of 0 day. That is, the degradation
level .PHI. can be expressed as .PHI.=Kt/K0.
[0046] The degradation of the desulfurization catalyst is mainly
influenced by coke degradation and metal degradation. Therefore, it
is preferable that each of a function expression based on the coke
degradation and a function expression based on the metal
degradation is assumed as the desulfurization catalyst lifetime
function.
[0047] The coke degradation means catalyst degradation due to cokes
generated in a catalyst reaction process. The metal degradation
means catalyst degradation due to disposition of a metal content
contained in feedstock oil.
[0048] For example, there are a plurality of methods such as direct
desulfurization, indirect desulfurization, light gas oil
desulfurization and kerosene desulfurization. Degradation rates of
the desulfurization catalyst by the methods vary from one another.
Accordingly, the desulfurization catalyst lifetime function varies
from one of the methods to another. Therefore, it is preferable
that at least one of a degradation function for the direct
desulfurization, a degradation function for the indirect
desulfurization, a degradation function for the light gas oil
desulfurization and a degradation function for the kerosene
desulfurization is stored as the desulfurization catalyst lifetime
function in a catalyst degradation function memory.
[0049] The hydrogen consumption function or the product yield
function can be calculated by a background-art existing method. The
desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data memory 20, the user plant
information memory 22, and the desulfurization catalyst-related
function memory 24 may be formed by an internal recording medium
such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive of the server
computer 12 or may be formed by an external recording medium such
as an external hard disk drive or a USB memory connected to the
server computer 12.
[0050] The communication server computer 14 has a user information
memory 26 in which a user identification code of each user of the
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction system 10 is
stored. For example, a secure code uniquely determined by a
combination of a login ID and a password can be used as the user
identification code.
[0051] The network 18 can be any computer network without any
specific limitation, and may be the Internet or an intranet. As for
the user terminals 16, any terminals can be used, for example, a
general-purpose computer such as a desktop computer, a laptop
computer or a tablet computer, etc. or a dedicated computer used in
the user plant.
[0052] The desulfurization catalyst performance prediction system
10 of the present example configured in this way generates a user
desulfurization catalyst-related function by a flow shown in FIG.
2. The generation of the following user desulfurization
catalyst-related function can be implemented as a program
(computer-readable instructions) executed by the processor 13 of
the server computer 12.
[0053] First, a user uses one of the user terminals 16 to make
connection to the communication server computer 14. Thus, a login
screen is displayed on the user terminal 16, and the user inputs a
login ID and a password (S11).
[0054] The communication server computer 14 generates a secure code
from the input login ID and the input password (S12) and matches
the secure code with user identification codes stored in the user
information memory 26 (S13). When there is one of the user
identification codes matched with the secure code, the login
succeeds so that the process is continued. When there is none of
the user identification codes matched with the secure code, the
login fails so that the process is suspended (S19).
[0055] When the login succeeds, searching is performed to find out
whether user plant-related data of the logging-in user is present
or not in the user plant information memory 22 of the server
computer 12 (S14). When the user plant-related data is present in
the user plant information memory 22, desulfurization
catalyst-related information is calculated by use of a user
desulfurization catalyst-related function stored in the user plant
information memory 22, as will be described later.
[0056] On the other hand, when the user plant-related data of the
logging-in user is not present in the user plant information memory
22, a screen for inputting the user plant-related data is displayed
on the user terminal 16, and the user inputs the user plant-related
data (S15).
[0057] Upon reception of the input user plant-related data, the
server computer 12 stores the user plant-related data into the user
plant information memory 22 (S16). The server computer 12 compares
the user plant-related data stored in the user plant information
memory 22 with desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data stored in
the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data memory 20 to thereby
calculate tuning parameters (S17).
[0058] Here, the tuning parameters are parameters for correcting
differences between the user plant-related data and the
desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data. The differences between
the user plant-related data and the desulfurization catalyst pilot
plant data are, for example, a machine difference between the pilot
plant and the user plant, a difference between operating conditions
in the pilot plant and operating conditions in the user plant, a
difference between a kind of oil generated in the pilot plant and a
kind of oil generated in the user plant, etc.
[0059] A desulfurization catalyst-related function which is a model
expression stored in the desulfurization catalyst-related function
memory 24 is corrected based on the thus obtained tuning parameters
so that a user desulfurization catalyst-related function tailored
to the user plant is generated (S18).
[0060] Next, the desulfurization catalyst performance prediction
system 10 calculates desulfurization catalyst-related information,
as shown in FIG. 3. The calculation of the following
desulfurization catalyst-related information can be implemented as
a program (computer-readable instructions) executed by the
processor 13 of the server computer 12.
[0061] First, the user inputs user desulfurization catalyst
performance prediction conditions from the user terminal 16 (S21),
as shown in FIG. 4. In the present description, the "user
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction conditions" are
preconditions for predicting performance of the desulfurization
catalyst in the user plant, and contain at least one of operating
conditions, feedstock oil characteristics and produced oil
characteristics.
[0062] The server computer 12 calculates the desulfurization
catalyst-related information based on the input user
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction conditions and the
user desulfurization catalyst-related function stored in the user
plant information memory 22 (S22).
[0063] For example, when the user desulfurization catalyst
performance prediction conditions are applied to the user
desulfurization catalyst lifetime function which has been tuned to
the user plant use, a transition of required temperature of the
desulfurization catalyst, i.e. a lifetime of the desulfurization
catalyst can be calculated. The "required temperature" means
reaction temperature necessary for obtaining a fixed sulfur content
of refined oil.
[0064] When the user desulfurization catalyst performance
prediction conditions are applied to a user hydrogen consumption
function in a similar manner or the same manner, hydrogen
consumption in the user plant can be calculated. When the user
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction conditions are
applied to a user product yield function, a product yield in the
user plant can be calculated.
[0065] The desulfurization catalyst-related information calculated
thus is transmitted from the server computer 12 to the
communication server computer 14. The communication server computer
14 transmits the desulfurization catalyst-related information to
the user terminal 16 via the network 18 (S23), and displays the
desulfurization catalyst-related information shown in FIG. 5 on the
user terminal 16.
[0066] The communication server computer 14 may cause the user
terminal 16 to perform display using an infographic, such as a
graph indicating the number of lapsed days and the transition of
the required temperature as the catalyst lifetime of the
desulfurization catalyst, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0067] The desulfurization catalyst-related information includes at
least the catalyst lifetime of the desulfurization catalyst, and
may include the hydrogen consumption and the product yield. The
desulfurization catalyst-related information may also include, for
example, information about evaluation of economic efficiency,
information about catalyst selection, etc.
[0068] The information about the evaluation of the economic
efficiency can, for example, include manufacturing cost etc. of the
produced oil calculated based on the catalyst lifetime of the
desulfurization catalyst, a unit price of the feedstock oil, etc.
The information about the catalyst selection can, for example,
include information of a catalyst which can minimize the
manufacturing cost of the produced oil, comparation information
between the catalyst currently used by the user and the catalyst
which can minimize the manufacturing cost, etc. by use of
desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data of desulfurization
catalysts stored in the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
memory 20.
[0069] The desulfurization catalyst-related information is uniquely
determined from the user plant-related data and the user
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction condition. For
example, where user plant-related data, a user desulfurization
catalyst characteristic prediction condition, a user
desulfurization catalyst-related function and desulfurization
catalyst-related information of a user A are designated by A1, A2,
fa, and A3 respectively, and user plant-related data, a user
desulfurization catalyst characteristic prediction condition, a
user desulfurization catalyst-related function and desulfurization
catalyst-related information of a user B are designated by B1, B2,
fb, and B3 respectively,
(1) if A1.noteq.B1 and A2.noteq.B2, then fa.noteq.fb and
A3.noteq.B3 (2) if A1=B1 and A2.noteq.B2, then fa=fb and
A3.noteq.B3 (3) if A1.noteq.B1 and A2=B2, then fa.noteq.fb and
A3.noteq.B3 (4) if A1=B1 and A2=B2, then fa=fb and A3=B3
[0070] In the present example, the desulfurization catalyst pilot
plant data stored in the desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data
memory 20 is updated suitably by an administrator or the like of
the desulfurization catalyst performance prediction system 10.
[0071] For example, after a lapse of one month, data about a
predetermined catalyst a is accumulated. Therefore, when the
desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data updated after one month
is used, a lifetime can be predicted with higher accuracy than when
the data of one month ago is used. Therefore, the same result as at
present cannot be always obtained one month later even when the
same values are input as the user plant-related data and the user
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction conditions.
[0072] When the desulfurization catalyst-related information is
intended to be obtained by use of the desulfurization pilot plant
data updated suitably, it is rather general that a result which
will be obtained one month later is different from a result which
is obtained at present. Thus, the desulfurization catalyst-related
information can be obtained by use of the desulfurization catalyst
pilot plant data updated suitably. Accordingly, according to the
desulfurization catalyst performance prediction system 10 of the
present example, prediction can be made with higher accuracy as
days go on.
[0073] The desulfurization catalyst-related information providing
method can be carried out by the aforementioned procedure. When the
desulfurization catalyst-related information is provided thus, the
user can easily obtain information about a lifetime of the
desulfurization catalyst with high accuracy even if the user does
not possess the pilot plant etc.
[0074] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto.
In the aforementioned example, the desulfurization catalyst
performance prediction system 10 has been described as a client
server model by use of the server computer 12. However, various
changes can be made without departing from the object of the
present invention. For example, the desulfurization catalyst
performance prediction system 10 can be configured by use of a
stand-alone computer.
[0075] The programs for making the computer execute generation of
the aforementioned user desulfurization catalyst-related function
and calculation of the desulfurization catalyst-related information
and a computer-readable recording medium having the programs
recorded thereon, such as a magnetic tape (such as a digital data
storage (DSS)), a magnetic disk (such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or
a flexible disk (FD)), an optical disc (such as a compact disc
(CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a Blu-ray disc (BD)), a
magneto-optical disk (MO) or a flash memory (such as an SSD (Solid
State Drive), a memory card or a USB memory) are also included as a
form of the present invention.
[0076] The present application is based on a Japanese Patent
Application No. 2016-247762 filed on Dec. 21, 2016, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0077] According to the present invention, a performance of a
desulfurization catalyst can be predicted with high accuracy
without performing a complicated process such as a plant
simulation.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0078] 10 desulfurization catalyst performance prediction system
[0079] 12 server computer [0080] 13 processor [0081] 14
communication server computer [0082] 16 user terminal [0083] 18
network [0084] 20 desulfurization catalyst pilot plant data memory
[0085] 22 user plant information memory [0086] 24 desulfurization
catalyst-related function memory [0087] 26 user information
memory
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