AM-10-173 Optimizing & Troubleshooting the FCC Regenerator for Reduced Emissions

Description:

Governmental regulators in most western countries are scrutinizing the FCC stack emissions as a means of reducing the environmental impact of the refining industry on the local environment. This places a substantial driving force on the operator of the FCC unit to operate in the lowest impact mode possible. Continuous attention is focused upon the optimization of the FCC conversion section for maximum profitability. However, few process engineers have placed much attention on the regenerator unless the operation is close to emissions constraints or is out of compliance. The regenerator combustion zone operates with a highly complex and sometimes competing set of reactions. Distribution of spent catalyst and combustion air within the combustion zone and between cyclones adds an additional level of complexity to the FCC regenerator. The prudent FCC engineer will also ensure that the regenerator has been optimized in order that the FCC may operate with as few constraints as possible.