AM‐12‐26 Innovative Technology to Improve FCC Flexibility

Description:

Today’s refining market is highly dynamic and appears to change on a daily basis. Seasonal swings in fuel prices shift operating targets between maximum gasoline and diesel production, emphasizing the need for greater operating flexibility in the FCC unit. Processing hydrotreated feeds to adhere to stringent regulations for low sulfur fuels can present other operational impacts associated with a low delta coke operation. Combine these challenges with a significant increase in rare earth prices, and refiners are faced with operating costs near record levels. This dynamic environment highlights the importance of continued development in FCC technology. UOP’s RxCat™ technology allows the operator to optimize the catalyst circulation rate in the riser, independent of the unit heat balance. This capability enables improved conversion, product selectivity, and emissions control while simultaneously reducing operating costs. This paper will demonstrate how RxCat technology increases the flexibility of the FCC to shift between different processing objectives while lowering costs and maximizing product values to meet the challenges faced by today’s refiner.