Indonesian Journal of Chemical Engineering
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025)

Optimizing Catalyst Loading for Improved Quality of SF-05 in Hydrocracker Reactor C-3-03B at HCU RU V Balikpapan

Adi Sampurno (Unknown)
Totok Eka Suharto (Unknown)
Zahrul Mufrodi (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Mar 2025

Abstract

PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional RU V Balikpapan innovated the Unibon Hydrocracker unit to increase the production of Smooth Fluid (SF-05), a high-quality base oil for drilling mud. Because the catalyst was approaching the end of run and the product did not yet meet specifications, the catalyst (Change of Catalyst - COC) was replaced with a new configuration in Reactor I C-3-03B. This research aims to optimize the hydrocracking process by changing catalyst loading and operating settings for the C-3-16B fractionation column. It is hoped that this effort will produce high-quality SF-05, meet market demand, and increase efficiency and environmental friendliness. The research results show that the Smooth Fluid SF-05 product meets all specifications with an average hydrogen consumption of 231,649 Nm3/m3 (purity 94.83%) in the HCU Train B reactor. This condition helps improve the quality of products that are more competitive in the market, thus having a positive impact on increasing company profits. Hydrogen consumption is influenced by various process variables and increases with changes in hydrogen partial pressure, CFR, H2/HC ratio, conversion rate, WABT, and LHSV. All process variables are still within the specified operating design range.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJCE

Publisher

Subject

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Chemistry Engineering Materials Science & Nanotechnology

Description

Indonesian Journal of Chemical Engineering aims to provide an international platform for scientists, researchers, and academicians to promote, share and discuss new findings, current issues, and developments in the different areas of Chemical Engineering. This journal encourages a forum for ...