Model fluid catalytic cracking

A number of mechanistic modeling studies to explain the fluid catalytic cracking process and to predict the yields of valuable products of the FCC unit have been performed in the past. Weekman and Nace (1970) presented a reaction network model based on the assumption that the catalytic cracking kinetics are second order with respect to the feed concentration and on a three-lump scheme. The first lump corresponds to the entire charge stock above the gasoline boiling range, the second... 

Al-Enezi, G., Fawzi, N., and Elkamel, A. (1999) Development of regression models to control product yields and properties of the fluid catalytic cracking process. Petroleum Science e[ Technology, 17, 535. 

Lee, L.S., Chen, T.W., Haunh, T.N., and Pan, W.Y. (1989) Four lump kinetic model for fluid catalytic cracking process. Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 67, 615. 

The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is a very dynamic nnit that is typically the major conversion process in a refinery. Proper modeling and nnderstanding of unit capabilities represents a tremendons opportunity to improve the overall nnit operation and minimize unit emissions. The combustion chemistry in the FCC regenerator that produces environmental pollntants is extremely complex as nnmerons interactions and reactions occnr between the various chemical species. 

Figure 1731. Fluidized bed reactor processes for the conversion of petroleum fractions, (a) Exxon Model IV fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit sketch and operating parameters. (Hetsroni, Handbook of Multiphase Systems, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1982). (b) A modem FCC unit utilizing active zeolite catalysts the reaction occurs primarily in the riser which can be as high as 45 m. (c) Fluidized bed hydroformer in which straight chain molecules are converted into branched ones in the presence of hydrogen at a pressure of 1500 atm. The process has been largely superseded by fixed bed units employing precious metal catalysts (Hetsroni, loc. cit.). (d) A fluidized bed coking process units have been built with capacities of 400-12,000 tons/day.

Many models for fluid catalytic cracking have been studied. We introduce a model that seems to have an optimal degree of sophistication and that succeeds to describe many industrial units accurately. 

Figure 13 The apparent flow regime diagram calculated with EMMS-based multiscale CFD and the intrinsic flow regime diagram for the air-FCC system (fluid catalytic cracking particle, dp = 54 m, pp = 930 kg/m3) calculated by using the EMMS model without CFD. The intrinsic flow regime diagram is independent of the riser height (Wang et al., 2008).

A model for the riser reactor of commercial fluid catalytic cracking units (FCCU) and pilot plants is developed This model is for real reactors and feedstocks and for commercial FCC catalysts. It is based on hydrodynamic considerations and on the kinetics of cracking and deactivation. The microkinetic model used has five lumps with eight kinetic constants for cracking and two for the catalyst deactivation. These 10 kinetic constants have to be previously determined in laboratory tests for the feedstock-catalyst considered. The model predicts quite well the product distribution at the riser exit. It allows the study of the effect of several operational parameters and of riser revampings. 

Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) of heavy oil fractions is a well-known process in oil refineries. Numerous books (e.g., 1—3) and publications about the different aspects of this subject are available. This chapter is concerned with the modeling of the transfer line or riser reactor of an FCC unit (FCCU) or of a pilot plant. The riser reactor in FCCUs is a vertical pipe about 1 m in diameter and 10-30 m in height. The hot catalyst coming from the regenerator at about 710 ° C first comes in contact with steam and is fluidized. Then, at a height of some meters above, the catalyst is mixed with the preheated feedstock at about 300 ° C. 

For some widely practiced processes, especially in the petroleum industry, reliable and convenient computerized models are available from a number of vendors or, by license, from proprietary sources. Included are reactor-regenerator of fluid catalytic cracking, hydro-treating, hydrocracking, alkylation with HF or H2SO4, reforming with Pt or Pt-Re catalysts, tubular steam cracking of hydrocarbon fractions, noncatalytic pyrolysis to ethylene, ammonia synthesis, and other processes by suppliers of catalysts. Vendors of some process simulations are listed in the CEP Software Directory (AIChE, 1994). 

The main problem in case of thermocatalytic cracking of polymers is the activity loss of catalysts therefore first-order kinetics is applicable only with some simplifications in thermocatalytic cases. On the other hand there is a relation modelling the fluid catalytic cracking taking into consideration the catalyst deactivation in refineries [31] ... 

The use of CeOs-based materials in catalysis has attracted considerable attention in recent years, particularly in applications like environmental catalysis, where ceria has shown great potential. This book critically reviews the most recent advances in the field, with the focus on both fundamental and applied issues. The first few chapters cover structural and chemical properties of ceria and related materials, i.e. phase stability, reduction behaviour, synthesis, interaction with probe molecules (CO. O2, NO), and metal-support interaction — all presented from the viewpoint of catalytic applications. The use of computational techniques and ceria surfaces and films for model catalytic studies are also reviewed. The second part of the book provides a critical evaluation of the role of ceria in the most important catalytic processes three-way catalysis, catalytic wet oxidation and fluid catalytic cracking. Other topics include oxidation-combustion catalysts, electrocatalysis and the use of cerium catalysts/additives in diesel soot abatement technology. 

Theologos, K.N. and Markatos, N.C. (1993), Advanced modeling of fluid catalytic cracking riser-type reactors, AIChE J., 39(6), 1007. 

The catalysts used in Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) are reversibly deactivated by the deposition of coke. Results obtained in a laboratory scale entrained flow reactor with a hydrowax feedstock show that coke formation mainly takes place within a time frame of milliseconds. In the same time interval conversions of 30-50% are found. After this initial coke formation, only at higher catalyst-to-oil ratios some additional coke formation was observed. In order to model the whole process properly, the coke deposition and catalyst deactivation have to be divided in an initial process (typically within 0.15 s) and a process at a larger time scale. When the initial effects were excluded from the modeling, the measured data could be described satisfactory with a constant catalytic activity. 

RC McFarlane, RC Reineman, JF Bartee, and C Georgakis. Dynamic simulator for a model IV fluid catalytic cracking unit. Comput. Chem. Engg., 17(3) 275-300, 1993. 

We have in our files about 500 published papers that report studies or contain kinetic equations of deactivation of solid catalysts of which about 50 contain kinetic equations of deactivation of the catalysts for the FCC (fluid catalytic cracking) process. Thus, much could be said on the subject especially since each author in the field uses his own approach and experimental technique. In addition, the literature used is different from one author to another which, in turn, makes possible a lot of different bases and approaches. Thus, for the FCC process each author and oil company lend to use their own model and kinetics, making it difficult to arrive at new approaches and optimum parameters of deactivation, especially if one is already comfortable with an approach and its corresponding parameters. 

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