KBR KRES~TM Technology– 25 years of successful application in ammonia plants

摘要

Ammonia plant revamp for capacity increase with efficiency enhancement is attractive solution for producers who seek reducing cost of per ton ammonia production while meeting market demand at moderate investments.One of most prospective measures to overcome the limitations in reforming capacity in such revamps is using the reforming heat for conversion of additional hydrocarbon feed – heat-exchange reforming.In past years,the interest to application of heat-exchange reforming approach in ammonia industry has grown significantly.While licensors worldwide started developing reforming exchangers for ammonia process many years ago,they are a long way from optimization of both process and mechanical features that are critical for this service.KBR has already a vast experience in heat-exchange reforming technology and can propose to producers an optimal,proven,and reliable technology solution for all applications.KBR’s Reforming Exchange System KRES~TM has demonstrated to be an attractive solution for revamps as well as grass-roots involving feedstock conversion,capacity increase and improving energy efficiency in Ammonia plants with a moderate CAPEX and unmatched reliability.Using KRES as a revamp solution enhances reliability of radiant tubes and waste heat boiler by moderating operating parameters.In 1994,KBR successfully implemented the first KRESTM at ammonia plant of Methanex in Canada,and KBR now has five successful operating references for KRES~TM process,while many others are in plant construction,shop fabrication or in other project stages.The latest ammonia plant with installation of KRES~TM was commissioned in 2018.Several KRES~TM projects are under implementation with scheduled start-up in 2019-2020.In this article,the history of implementation of KRES~TM technology over 25 years at around the world is shown.The process solutions for optimal application of KRES~TM for capacity increasing,feedstock economy or substitution are presented.The achieved performance and economic figures are given.The article will discuss also progression of this technology including the critical factors that contributed to this success as proven by its leading market position as client-preferred solution globally.