AM-08-19 Innovative FCC Regenerator Revamp Yields Higher Margins

Description:

The Total Donges Refinery is equipped with a 1982 vintage Fast Combustor FCC processing partially hydrotreated VGO and some vacuum resid from low sulfur and low metal crudes ( Figure 1 ). Total and Axens revamped the unit in 2002 to alleviate several constraints and improve yield selectivity. The revamp allowed for a wider range of operation, resulting in other bottlenecks including limitations on catalyst circulation and regenerator cyclone performance. A subsequent revamp in 2007 unlocked the unit potential by reducing regenerator limitations and improving catalyst circulation. A summary of the 2002 revamp will be given in addition to details on the 2007 modifications that increased the FCC margins through a fast track project developed by R&D and the refinery.