Equipment:Engineered Design to Install a 20in€ Partial Bypass Line across Platformer Reactor Inlet as Recommended by the Process Licensor.

Problem:Currently the platformer reactor was experiencing a high pressure drop across the 2nd reactor which increased potential plugging on the center pipe leading to an unplanned shutdown. This issue was also responsible in limiting the planned increase in the plant throughput above 46MBD.

Analysis: The design required a horizontal 20in piping complete with Venturi & Control valve. This horizontal piping was to connect to each of the high temperature service platformer reactor outlet lines which experienced 4in of vertical travel during operations. The branch connection between the new 20in reactor bypass and the 36in reactor outlet lines was the most critical design with the mechanical and thermal loadings. A piping stress and flexibility analysis was 1^st completed to simulate the 6 degrees of displacement-rotations at each of the branch weld. These displacement-rotations were then applied to the Finite Element Model (FEA) consisting of the branch welds between the 36in Header + Weldolet + 20in Piping to simulate the resultant stress.

Results Conclusion: FEA of the branch welds between the 36in Header + Weldolet + 20in Piping, provided the necessary design assurance based on the Von-mises criteria, that the stresses were well within the allowable limits. This was in consideration of the ALL the operating loads and the thermal travels supported by a constant spring hanger support.

Benefits: With the implementation of this proposal, it was possible to safely increase the plant throughput above 46 MBD and eventually reaching the future target of 50 MBD with no limitations, enhancing the performance of the 2^nd platformer reactor,