Regenerated catalyst

Figure 2.8 shows the essential features of a refinery catalytic cracker. This particular reaction is accompanied hy the deposition of carhon on the surface of the catalyst. The fiuidized-hed reactor allows the catalyst to he withdrawn continuously and circulated to a fiuidized regenerator, where the carhon is burnt ofi" in an air stream, allowing regenerated catalyst to he returned to the cracker. 

The most dominant catalytic process in the United States is the fluid catalytic cracking process. In this process, partially vaporized medium-cut petroleum fractions called gas oils are brought in contact with a hot, moving, freshly regenerated catalyst stream for a short period of time at process conditions noted above. Spent catalyst moves continuously into a regenerator where deposited coke on the catalyst is burnt off. The hot, freshly regenerated catalyst moves back to the reactor to contact the hot gas oil (see Catalysts, regeneration). 

Coke on the catalyst is often referred to as delta coke (AC), the coke content of the spent catalyst minus the coke content of the regenerated catalyst. Delta coke directly influences the regenerator temperature and controls the catalyst circulation rate in the FCCU, thereby controlling the ratio of catalyst hydrocarbon feed (cat-to-od ratio, or C/O). The coke yield as a fraction of feed Cpis related to delta coke through the C/O ratio as ... 

Fig. 4. Coke on regenerated catalyst (CRC) versus regenerator temperature at varying O2 content (30).

The overall benefits of this high efficiency combustor over a conventional bubbling- or turbulent-bed regenerator are enhanced and controlled carbon-bum kinetics (carbon on regenerated catalyst at less than 0.05 wt %) ease of start-up and routiae operabiUty uniform radial carbon and temperature profiles limited afterbum ia the upper regenerator section and uniform cyclone temperatures and reduced catalyst iaventory and air-blower horsepower. By 1990, this design was well estabUshed. More than 30 units are ia commercial operation. 

Probable mechanisms often have been deduced The reactant forms a short-lived intermediate with the catalyst that subsequently decomposes into the product and regenerated catalyst. In fluid phases such intermediates can be detected spectroscopic ly. This is in contrast to sohd catalysis, where the detection of intermediates is much more difficult and is not often accomphshed. 

The catalyst dust is then separated from the resulting carbon dioxide stream via cyclones and/or electrostatic precipitators and is sent off-site for disposal or treatment. Generated wastewater is typically sour water from the fractionator containing some oil and phenols. Wastewater containing metal impurities from the feed oil can also be generated from the steam used to purge and regenerate catalysts. 

The lift pipe design was tapered to a larger diameter at the top. This minimized the effects of erosion and catalyst attrition, and also prevented the instantaneous total collapse of circulations when the saltation concentration, or velocity, of solids is experienced (i.e. the slump veloeity-that velocity helow which particles drop out of the flowing gas stream). In a typical operation, 2 % to 4 % eoke can he deposited on the catalyst in the reactor and burned in the regenerator. Catalyst circulation is generally not sufficient to remove all the heat of eombustion. This facilitated the need for steam or pressurized water coils to be located in the regeneration zone to remove exeess heat. 

The stripped catalyst is picked up by a stream of air and carried into the regenerator where the carbon is burned at temperamres about 1100-1300°F. Entrained catalyst is again removed by cyclones and the flue gas goes out the stack. The hot, regenerated catalyst leaves the regenerator and takes with it much of the heat of combustion. This is carried over to the reactor to vaporize the feed and to balance the endothermic heat of cracking. Thus, the process is heat balanced. 

Can safer chemicals be used (Nontoxic or nonvolatile reactant.) Can quantities be reduced (Careful look at intermediates storage.) Can potential releases be reduced via lower temperatures or pressures, elimination of equipment or by using sealless pumps Can waste be reduced (Regenerable catalyst or recycle.)... 

The flow rate of the regenerated catalyst to the riser is commonly regulated by either a slide or plug valve. The operation of a slide valve is similar to that of a variable orifice. Slide valve operation is often controlled by the reactor temperature. Its main function is to supply... 

Intermediate temperature (nominally 1,27.5 °F/690 C) Stable (with combustion promoter) tends to have high carbon on regenerated catalyst Stable with combustion promoter... 

The key elements that characterize chemical composition of the catalyst rre alumina, sodium, metals, and carbon on the regenerated catalyst. 

The deposition of carbon on the E-cat during cracking will temporarily block some of the catalytic sites. The carbon, or more accurately the coke, on the regenerated catalyst (CRC) will lower the catalyst activity and, therefore, the conversion of feed to valuable products (Figure 3-15). 

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