Why is the oxygen content analyzed during the purging of the hydrogenation reaction system?
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During the start-up and shutdown of hydrogenation processes, the reaction system must be purged with nitrogen or hydrogen; generally, the oxygen content is required to be no more than 0.5%. What is the practical significance of reducing the oxygen content? Is it to prevent the formation of nickel hydroxide or the oxidation of the feed oil leading to gel formation?
In addition to safety concerns, trace amounts of oxygen react with hydrogen on the catalyst surface, releasing large amounts of heat, which causes the catalyst’s crystal structure to degrade and results in a loss of activity.
To prevent explosions and fires. . . Common sense, right?
It occurs during startup when all units are in operation, it happens during shutdown in the hydrogenation reaction, and it is present naturally in ferrous sulfide.