Hydrofluoric acid alkylation

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) sampling IN refinery alkylation units

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is an essential catalyst in the refinery alkylation process (HFA), a crucial step in the production of high-octane hydrocarbons. However, handling HF requires rigorous monitoring to ensure safe and efficient operations. BIAR SA offers hydrofluoric acid sampling solutions specially designed to meet the specific challenges of HFA alkylation units.

  • Enhanced safety during HF alkylation
    Precise control of HF concentration is imperative to prevent the risk of system runaway, thus ensuring the safety of installations and personnel.
  • Optimizing the alkylation process
    Humidity control is crucial to maximize alkylation efficiency and prevent equipment corrosion.
  • Too low an HF concentration can be extremely dangerous, increasing the risk of system runaway.
  • Conversely, water levels that are too low degrade alkylation efficiency, while water levels that are too high accelerate equipment corrosion.

 

HF sampling: Key to alkylation efficiency and safety

Rigorous sampling of hydrofluoric acid (HF) is essential for optimum control of the refinery alkylation process. The performance of this process, crucial to the production of high-octane gasoline, depends on critical parameters such as HF concentration, moisture content and acid-soluble oil (ASO) content. A reliable and accurate sampling program allows you to :

  • Optimize alkylation efficiency: Precise parameter monitoring ensures maximum process performance.
  • Ensure consistent product quality: Sampling helps maintain consistent hydrocarbon quality
  • Reduce hydrofluoric acid (HF) consumption : Precise control limits losses and optimizes catalyst utilization.
  • Improve refinery profitability : Process optimization and cost reduction contribute to greater profitability.
  • Enhance operational safety: Rigorous monitoring of parameters minimizes the risk of incidents related to HF handling.
  • Prevent equipment corrosion: Precise control of moisture and ASO content protects installations.

 

Critical parameters for hydrofluoric acid (HF) analysis

Accurate analysis of hydrofluoric acid (HF) samples is essential to guarantee the efficiency and safety of the alkylation process. Two parameters are of particular importance:

  • Moisture content
  • Acid-soluble oil (ASO) content

BIAR hydrofluoric acid (HF) sampling solutions: safety AND reliability

In demanding refinery environments, where safety and accuracy are paramount, BIAR offers hydrofluoric acid (HF) sampling solutions designed to meet the most stringent industry standards. Our robust, reliable solutions guarantee optimum control of the alkylation process, while ensuring safe operations and regulatory compliance. These solutions differ from traditional systems in that they require no fittings or tubing. They are designed to prevent external moisture from influencing the sample.

In-line valve

MLB-SO in Monel® 400

features

-Hastelloy® C276 bellows

-conical seat seal
PTFE stem gasket

-secondary sealing
PTFE stem gasket

-bayonet adapter
in Hastelloy® C276
with flushing option

-valve safety plug
in Monel® 400 and PTFE

 

Container

Columbia LY-SO in Monel® 400

features

-hastelloy® C276 bellows

-conical seat
with PTFE stem gasket

Carrying case

For LY-SO container

specifications

-material 1.4404 / 316L

-suitable for
25-50-100 ml containers

Laboratory support

for the LY container

specifications

-hastelloy® C276/FFKM material

-version with
nitrogen flush available

 

HF Sampling System: Valve and container technical details

Anatomy of the most suitable and safe solution for hydrogen fluoride sampling in HFA alkylation units

8PTFE stuffing box for secondary containmentPTFE-Stopfbuchse für sekundäre AbdichtungPTFE stuffing box for secondary containment 87Bellows seal Hastelloy® C276Faltenbalg in Hastelloy® C276Bellows seal in Hastelloy® C27676Conical seat on both valve and container with PTFE gasketKonische Sitze an Ventil und Behälter mit PTFE-DichtungConical seat on both valve and container with PTFE gasket65Adapter with robust bayonet connectionAdapter mit robustem BajonettanschlussAdapter with robust bayonet connection54Valve body in Monel® 400Ventilkörper aus Monel® 400 Valve body in Monel® 40043Bellows seal Hastelloy® C276Faltenbalg in Hastelloy® C276Bellows seal in Hastelloy® C27632PTFE stuffing box for secondary containmentPTFE-Stopfbuchse für sekundäre AbdichtungPTFE stuffing box for secondary containment 21Spring-to-close hand wheel "Magic wheelHandrad automatisch Federschliessend "Magischer Drehknopf" Spring-to-close handwheel "Magic wheel 1

Optimizing HF sampling with the Columbia LY-SO container: Installation and benefits

To guarantee safe, representative sampling of hydrofluoric acid (HF), correct installation of the Columbia LY-SO container is essential. We recommend positioning the sampling valve on a vertical pipe, or at 90° degrees on a horizontal pipe. This configuration offers several advantages:

  • Optimum expansion management: The free space provided in the container allows any expansion to be absorbed, thus avoiding any potentially dangerous increase in pressure.
  • Enhanced safety: By minimizing the risk of overpressure, this configuration contributes to the overall safety of the sampling process.
  • Accurate sampling: Correct positioning of the valve ensures accurate, representative sampling, essential for HF analysis

BIAR - Columbia LY sampling containers are the first in the industry to be available with bellows.

 

Container connection

Installation of the LY-SO container under the valve.

Sampling

Opening the container and valve

HF sample recovery

Container removal after valve + container closure

 

Adapter with rinsing connection

For added safety, representativeness of the sample and industrial hygiene, an adapter with flush connection is also available. The RX-R cleans the valve-container, eliminating any residue and ensuring safe, representative HF sampling.

RINSINGSAMPLING
HF sampling with a COLUMBIA LY

LY-SO container operation