Skip to content

Hydrocracker (HCR)

DWSIM Plus

Available with a DWSIM Plus (Patreon) subscription.

Shortcut Hydrocracker. Feed: VGO / heavy gas oil. Products: 5 material outlets (light ends, naphtha, kerosene, diesel, unconverted oil). Reactor exotherm is released via the energy connector. Chemical H₂ consumption is reported. Hydrotreating severity removes a configurable fraction of feed S and N, with the removed heteroatoms reported as H₂S/NH₃ produced. Product composition: light ends (C1–C4), naphtha, kerosene, diesel are emitted as moles of a single surrogate compound each; UCO keeps the feed pseudos, scaled. Contaminants (retained S/N) are partitioned by the user-configured fractions.

DWSIM.UnitOperations.Refining.HCR.HCRUnitOperation
Assembly DWSIM.UnitOperations.Refining.dll · Object ← BaseClass ← UnitOpBaseClass ← HCRUnitOperation

At a glance

Hydrocracker (HCR) in the example flowsheet

Port Index Connected in the example
Inlet, material 0 VGO
Inlet, material 1 Make-up-H2
Outlet, material 0 Light-ends
Outlet, material 1 Naphtha
Outlet, material 2 Kerosene
Outlet, material 3 Diesel
Outlet, material 4 UCO
Outlet, material 5 Offgas
Outlet, energy 6 Reactor-heat

Example

This code runs on every build of this site, and the output below is what it printed.

# Light ends, naphtha, kerosene and diesel leave as one surrogate compound each
# (propane, isooctane, n-dodecane, n-hexadecane); the unconverted oil keeps the feed pseudos.
fs = Flowsheet.Create("HCRExample").WithCompounds(
    "Hydrogen", "Hydrogen sulfide", "Ammonia",
    "Propane", "2,2,4-trimethylpentane", "N-dodecane", "N-hexadecane")
# Vacuum gas oil as three pseudocomponents: name, NBP (K), SG, MW
vgo = [("VGO-1", 650.0, 0.89, 330.0), ("VGO-2", 720.0, 0.91, 420.0), ("VGO-3", 790.0, 0.93, 520.0)]
for name, nbp, sg, mw in vgo:
    CompoundExtensions.WithPseudoComponent(fs, name, Q.Kelvin(nbp), sg, mw,
                                           paraffinFrac=0.50, naphtenicFrac=0.28, aromaticFrac=0.22)
fs.WithPropertyPackage(PropertyPackages.PengRobinson)

feed = fs.AddMaterialStream("VGO").At(Q.Celsius(380.0), Q.Bar(150.0))
for name, *_ in vgo:
    feed.SetCompoundMassFlow(name, 15.0)                   # kg/s each, 45 kg/s in total
    comp = feed.Object.Phases[0].Compounds[name]
    ContaminantKeys.Set(comp, ContaminantKeys.WtPctSulfur, 2.0)
    ContaminantKeys.Set(comp, ContaminantKeys.WtPctNitrogen, 0.12)
hydrogen = fs.AddMaterialStream("Make-up-H2").At(Q.Celsius(60.0), Q.Bar(150.0)).SetCompoundMolarFlow("Hydrogen", 800.0)

products = [fs.AddMaterialStream(tag) for tag in ("Light-ends", "Naphtha", "Kerosene", "Diesel", "UCO", "Offgas")]
duty = fs.AddEnergyStream("Reactor-heat")

hcr = (fs.AddHydrocracker("HCR-1")
       .WithReactorTemperature(Q.Celsius(400.0))
       .WithReactorPressure(Q.Bar(150.0))
       .WithLHSV(1.0)
       .WithTargetConversion(0.80)
       .WithH2ConsumptionPerKgFeed(0.025)
       .WithSulfurRemoval(0.995)
       .WithNitrogenRemoval(0.95)
       .ConnectFeed(feed, 0).ConnectFeed(hydrogen, 1))
for port, stream in enumerate(products):            # outlets 0-4 products, 5 offgas
    hcr.ConnectProduct(stream, port)
# The reaction heat leaves through outlet port 6
hcr.ConnectEnergyProduct(duty, 6)

fs.AutoLayout()
fs.Solve()

r = hcr.Object.Results
print(f"Conversion       = {r.Conversion * 100.0:.1f} wt%")
print(f"Naphtha / kero / diesel = {r.Naphtha.MassYield * 100.0:.1f} / "
      f"{r.Kerosene.MassYield * 100.0:.1f} / {r.Diesel.MassYield * 100.0:.1f} wt% of feed")
print(f"H2 consumed      = {r.H2ConsumptionKgPerS * 3.6:.1f} t/h ({r.H2ConsumptionKgPerS / r.FeedMassFlow * 100.0:.2f} wt% of feed)")
print(f"H2S produced     = {r.H2SProducedKgPerS * 3.6:.2f} t/h")
print(f"Reaction heat    = {duty.EnergyFlowKW / 1000.0:.1f} MW")

Output

Conversion       = 79.0 wt%
Naphtha / kero / diesel = 19.1 / 21.3 / 34.0 wt% of feed
H2 consumed      = 4.1 t/h (2.54 wt% of feed)
H2S produced     = 3.43 t/h
Reaction heat    = 88.9 MW

DWSIM 10.2.11.0, generated 2026-10-08.

Properties

IDs accepted by GetPropertyValue, SetPropertyValue, the sensitivity analysis, the optimizer, the Adjust block and dynamic events. Units are SI; pass another unit system to GetPropertyValue to get them converted.

ID Name Unit (SI) Input
Reactor Temperature K yes
Reactor Pressure Pa yes
LHSV 1/h yes
Target Conversion NF yes
H2 Consumption (kg/kg feed) NF yes
S Removal Fraction NF yes
N Removal Fraction NF yes
Feed Mass Flow kg/s result
Conversion NF result
Light Ends Yield NF result
Naphtha Yield NF result
Kerosene Yield NF result
Diesel Yield NF result
UCO Yield NF result
H2 Consumption kg/s result
H2S Produced kg/s result
NH3 Produced kg/s result
Reactor Duty kW result
Feed xP NF result
Feed xN NF result
Feed xA NF result

Learn more

API members

Public members declared by this class. Inherited members are documented on the base classes.

Constructors

HCRUnitOperation()
public HCRUnitOperation()
Public Sub New()

Properties

ComponentDescription: Gets or sets the CAPE-OPEN component description for this unit operation.

Gets or sets the CAPE-OPEN component description for this unit operation.

public override string ComponentDescription { get; set; }
Public Overrides Property ComponentDescription As String

Config: Gets or sets the configuration of this hydrocracker: the operating conditions (reactor temperature and pressure...

Gets or sets the configuration of this hydrocracker: the operating conditions (reactor temperature and pressure, LHSV), target conversion, base yield slate, hydrogen consumption, feed PNA corrections, heat of reaction, hydrotreating severity, sulfur and nitrogen partitioning across the products, and the product surrogate compounds.

public HCRConfiguration Config { get; set; }
Public Property Config As HCRConfiguration

IsRefining: Gets a value indicating that this unit operation belongs to the refining group.

Gets a value indicating that this unit operation belongs to the refining group. Always true; the object palette uses it to list the unit under the Refinery category.

public bool IsRefining { get; }
Public ReadOnly Property IsRefining As Boolean

MobileCompatible: Gets a value indicating whether this unit operation is compatible with mobile interfaces.

Gets a value indicating whether this unit operation is compatible with mobile interfaces. Always false.

public override bool MobileCompatible { get; }
Public Overrides ReadOnly Property MobileCompatible As Boolean

ObjectClass: Gets the simulation object class category (Reactors).

Gets the simulation object class category (Reactors).

public override SimulationObjectClass ObjectClass { get; }
Public Overrides Property ObjectClass As SimulationObjectClass

Prefix: Gets the default name prefix for this unit operation ('HCR-').

Gets the default name prefix for this unit operation ("HCR-").

public string Prefix { get; }
Public ReadOnly Property Prefix As String

Methods

Calculate(object): Calculates the object.

Calculates the object.

Parameter Type Description
args Object
public override void Calculate(object args = null)
Public Overrides Sub Calculate(args As Object = Nothing)

CloneXML(): Creates a deep copy of this object by round-tripping through XML serialization.

Creates a deep copy of this object by round-tripping through XML serialization.

public override object CloneXML()
Public Overrides Function CloneXML() As Object

CloseEditForm(): Closes the editor of this object, if it is open.

Closes the editor of this object, if it is open.

public override void CloseEditForm()
Public Overrides Sub CloseEditForm()

CreateConnectors(): Creates the graphic connector definitions on the flowsheet: two inlets (Feed and Hydrogen) on the left, five product...

Creates the graphic connector definitions on the flowsheet: two inlets (Feed and Hydrogen) on the left, five product outlets (Light Ends, Naphtha, Kerosene, Diesel, UCO) and a Sour Offgas outlet on the right, and a Reactor Duty energy outlet at the bottom.

public void CreateConnectors()
Public Sub CreateConnectors()

DeCalculate(): Decalculates the object.

Decalculates the object.

public override void DeCalculate()
Public Overrides Sub DeCalculate()

DisplayEditForm(): Opens the editor of this object.

Opens the editor of this object. A host that has no editor for it does nothing.

public override void DisplayEditForm()
Public Overrides Sub DisplayEditForm()

Draw(object): Draws the unit operation icon on the given SkiaSharp canvas.

Draws the unit operation icon on the given SkiaSharp canvas. Draw mode 2 uses the embedded PNG image (falling back to the vector icon if it cannot be loaded), draw mode 1 draws the vector icon as a silhouette, and other modes draw the vector icon.

Parameter Type Description
g Object The SkiaSharp canvas (SKCanvas).
public void Draw(object g)
Public Sub Draw(g As Object)

GetDisplayDescription(): Returns the description string for this unit operation type.

Returns the description string for this unit operation type.

public override string GetDisplayDescription()
Public Overrides Function GetDisplayDescription() As String

GetDisplayName(): Returns the display name for this unit operation type.

Returns the display name for this unit operation type.

public override string GetDisplayName()
Public Overrides Function GetDisplayName() As String

GetIconBitmapBytes(): Returns the raw bytes of the icon image for this unit operation, rendered from the vector icon at 64 x 64 pixels.

Returns the raw bytes of the icon image for this unit operation, rendered from the vector icon at 64 x 64 pixels.

public override byte[] GetIconBitmapBytes()
Public Overrides Function GetIconBitmapBytes() As Byte()

GetPreferredGraphicObjectHeight(): Returns the preferred height of the flowsheet graphic object, in pixels.

Returns the preferred height of the flowsheet graphic object, in pixels.

public override double GetPreferredGraphicObjectHeight()
Public Overrides Function GetPreferredGraphicObjectHeight() As Double

GetPreferredGraphicObjectWidth(): Returns the preferred width of the flowsheet graphic object, in pixels.

Returns the preferred width of the flowsheet graphic object, in pixels.

public override double GetPreferredGraphicObjectWidth()
Public Overrides Function GetPreferredGraphicObjectWidth() As Double

GetProperties(PropertyType): Get a list of all properties of the object.

Get a list of all properties of the object.

Parameter Type Description
proptype PropertyType Type of the property.
public override string[] GetProperties(PropertyType proptype)
Public Overrides Function GetProperties(proptype As PropertyType) As String()

GetPropertyUnit(string, IUnitsOfMeasure): Gets the units of a property.

Gets the units of a property.

Parameter Type Description
prop String Property identifier.
su IUnitsOfMeasure Units system to use. Null to use the default (SI) system.
public override string GetPropertyUnit(string prop, IUnitsOfMeasure su)
Public Overrides Function GetPropertyUnit(prop As String, su As IUnitsOfMeasure) As String

GetPropertyValue(string, IUnitsOfMeasure): Returns the value of a named property, converting from SI to the current unit system.

Returns the value of a named property, converting from SI to the current unit system. Falls back to extra properties if the property is not found in the base implementation.

Parameter Type Description
prop String The property identifier string.
su IUnitsOfMeasure Optional units-of-measure system used for conversion; uses the shared SI system when Nothing.
public override object GetPropertyValue(string prop, IUnitsOfMeasure su)
Public Overrides Function GetPropertyValue(prop As String, su As IUnitsOfMeasure) As Object

LoadData(List<XElement>): Restores the unit operation state from a list of XML elements previously produced by SaveData.

Restores the unit operation state from a list of XML elements previously produced by SaveData.

Parameter Type Description
data List<XElement> The list of XElement objects containing serialized state.
public override bool LoadData(List<XElement> data)
Public Overrides Function LoadData(data As List(Of XElement)) As Boolean

PopulateEditorPanel(object): Populates the cross-platform (Avalonia) editor panel with controls: buttons that open the configuration and results...

Populates the cross-platform (Avalonia) editor panel with controls: buttons that open the configuration and results forms. Other container types are ignored.

Parameter Type Description
ctner Object The editor panel (layout container) to populate.
public void PopulateEditorPanel(object ctner)
Public Sub PopulateEditorPanel(ctner As Object)

ReturnInstance(string): Creates and returns a new instance for deserialization.

Creates and returns a new instance for deserialization.

Parameter Type Description
typename String The type name to instantiate (not used).
public object ReturnInstance(string typename)
Public Function ReturnInstance(typename As String) As Object

SaveData(): Serializes the unit operation state to a list of XML elements for persistence.

Serializes the unit operation state to a list of XML elements for persistence.

public override List<XElement> SaveData()
Public Overrides Function SaveData() As List(Of XElement)

SetPropertyValue(string, object, IUnitsOfMeasure): Sets the value of a property.

Sets the value of a property.

Parameter Type Description
prop String Property identifier.
propval Object Property value to set at the specified units.
su IUnitsOfMeasure Units system to use. Null to use the default (SI) system.
public override bool SetPropertyValue(string prop, object propval, IUnitsOfMeasure su)
Public Overrides Function SetPropertyValue(prop As String, propval As Object, su As IUnitsOfMeasure) As Boolean

UpdateEditForm(): Redraws the editor of this object with the current values, if it is open.

Redraws the editor of this object with the current values, if it is open.

public override void UpdateEditForm()
Public Overrides Sub UpdateEditForm()

Fields

_editorForm: The classic (WinForms) editor window open for this unit operation, if any.

The classic (WinForms) editor window open for this unit operation, if any. Not saved with the flowsheet.

public FormEditorHCR _editorForm
Public _editorForm As FormEditorHCR