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Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Applications
Process Purpose
Low value, heavy gas oils are subjected to heat and pressure and are contacted with a catalyst to promote cracking. This is the most important processing unit at the refinery.
Process
Process employs a catalyst (zeolite) that is fluidized
Gas oil feed is vaporized in the reactor in the presence of fluidized catalyst (reaction in riser)
The HC is thermally cracked on the surface of the catalyst (above 750 F)
The spent catalyst is disengaged from the HC vapors
The cracked vapors are collected, condensed, and fractionated
Spent catalyst is regenerated in a burning step, separate regen vessel
Regenerated catalyst returns to the riser to begin the cycle again
FCC Applications
Cracked Gas Compressor Protection – L/G coalescer
Fuel Gas Amine Contactor – L/G coalescer
LPG Amine/Caustic Contactor – filter and L/L coalescer - C3 olefins will be treated by amine (H2S) and caustic, C4 by caustic (remove mercaptans)
Water in Distillate (LCO) – Filter and L/L coalescer – water from steam stripping in fractionators (sent to H/T)
Catalyst Fines Removal from Flue Gas – Automated blowback filtration
Catalyst Fines Removal from Slurry Oil – Automated backwash filtration
