Optimization of Hydrogen Production from Nigerian Crude Oil Samples Through Continuous Catalyst Regeneration (CCR) Reforming Process Using Aspen Hysys

The aim of this paper is to increase the level of hydrogen produced in the refinery from heavy treated Naphtha of Nigerian crude oil during catalytic reforming process. An existing continuous catalyst regeneration catalytic reforming process plant with four beds reactor was simulated using Aspen Hysys while treated heavy Napthene from Bonga Crude and Bonny Crude were used as feed for the process. The temperature of reactors for the process was varied between 430 – 540°C and the outlet concentrations of hydrogen (Vol.%) produced was recorded. It was observed that an increase in temperature lead to an increase in the concentration of hydrogen produced as the volume of hydrogen at 430°C was 23.46% volume while at 540°C it was 51.38% volume showing a significant increase in the aromatic yield level. The results also showed that the naphthene content of feed affects the volume of hydrogen produced which made Bonga crude a better source for hydrogen when compared with Bonny crude.