Flexicracking

Flexicracking A version of the FCC process developed by Exxon Research Engineering Company. Seventeen units were operating in 1996. 

The subject of fluidization and research and development in this field, probably reached its peak in the early 1980 s with extensive work being applied by the petroleum industry in synthetic fuels development such as shale oil, coal gasification, pyrolysis applications. Prior to this, significant development work was done in the petroleum industry for flexicracking and flexicoking operations. Fluidization still remains an area of active research and industry development, and the technology is well established in a variety of industry sectors. 

Burton, Carburol, Cross, Dubbs, Dubrovai, Fleming, FLEXICOKING, Flexicracking, FLUID COKING, Gyro, Hall, Hoechst HTP, HSC, Jenkins, Knox, MHDV, TERVAHL, TPC, Tube and Tank, TVP, Visbreaking. See also catalytic cracking. 

The latest model is known as Exxon Flexicracker (Figure 22) (56). In this model, the U-tubes are replaced by a standpipe that is followed by upwardly sloped laterals, referred to as J-bends. This model takes advantage of riser cracking and spent catalyst in the J-tube is controlled by a slide valve. Reactor temperature is controlled by pressure differential between the regenerator and reactor. 

Figure 22. Exxon Flexicracker. (Reproduced with permission from reference 56. Copyright 1996.)...

In 1979, Exxon built its first Flexicracker which is a side-by-side configured FCC unit with an elevated reactor vessel. This unit contained a straight external vertical riser terminating in a proprietary separation system. 

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