AM-97-10 FCC TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES: A COMMERCIAL EXAMPLE

Description:

Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) is one of the most flexible and profitable refinery upgrading processes. While commercialized more than 50 years ago, FCC has maintained a preeminent position by evolving to meet changing product, environmental and operational demands quickly and profitably. Several recent hardware developments are aimed at debottlenecking unit constraints to improve financial performance. Specific developments include elimination of post-riser thermal cracking, stripper modifications to reduce coke make, and high’efficiency feed and catalyst mixing. Successful commercial demonstration of new hardware developments is critical before widespread implementation. Reliability and operability are vital for a refinery to realize the full benefits of new technology. The FCC alliance of Mobil and M.W. Kellogg combines the strength of both companies to ensure the reliability and operability of new technology. Mobil provides both traditional FCC research and development and commercial demonstration of new technologies. Kellogg provides strong process and mechanical engineering capabilities. This paper highlights specific FCC technology upgrades which have proven profitable for both existing and grassroots units. Specific technology upgrades discussed include closed reactor cyclones, new baffle design for high flux strippers, ATOMAXTM feed nozzles, and radial feed injection. Mobil’s Paulsboro refinery provides an excellent example of how these selective technology upgrades can improve overall refinery profitability. These FCC technology improvements have also been successfully demonstrated at other.Mobil and licensee refineries