Delayed coking mechanism

On the basis of this discussion, the mechanisms of mesophase carbon fiber formation are closely related to those of needle coke, the principal differences being the extent to which the deformation and relaxation mechanisms are able to act. Because delayed coking involves relatively gentle but random deformation processes by bubble percolation and the long dwell times in the coke drum afford opportunity for extensive disclination annihilation and micro-structural relaxation, the structure of needle coke can be well defined by polarized-light microscopy (2,36). 

Fluid coking and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) are mechanically similar The products of fluid coking and delayed coking are the same (i.e., coke and distillate products), but the equipment is physically different. Alkylation of the three- and four-carbon molecule products from these units is commonly performed to convert them to branched chain gasoline, which increases the octane rating. As can be seen from Figure 1.1 in Chapter One, the feed to fluid catalytic crackers is a gas-oil distillate. For delayed cokers and fluid cokers, the feed is residium. 

During the past 25 years United States petroleum coke production has increased from less than 1,000,-000 tons per year to 3,400,000. Most of the 1,000,-000 tons were produced in externally fired shell stills and manually removed from the stills. Almost all of the 3,400,000 tons were produced in large "delayed coker" type coke drums and removed mechanically. As was true 25 years ago, the major use for petroleum coke is as a fuel, although the proportion so used is declining. Its use in aluminum production is growing rapidly and currently takes about 18% of the production. 

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