AM-11-37 Achieving On-Stream Reliability at Tesoro’s Mandan FCC Unit

Description:

After purchasing Amoco’s refinery located in Mandan, North Dakota, Tesoro initiated a major revamp of the FCC unit. A new riser and external primary reactor cyclone was installed along with a lengthened stripper in a 33 day revamp turnaround. Large increases in gasoline yield obtained at the expense of slurry were seen after the modifications. The cat cracker completed a very profitable run with minimal problems and was brought down for a regularly scheduled maintenance turnaround. Some coke was found in the reaction system that is typical of resid FCC operations and minor refractory repairs were performed. Upon completion of the maintenance turnaround the unit was once again producing the same yield structure seen after the unit revamp. Another very successful run is anticipated.