Uriel Navarro Uribe, Ph. D. - GRACE
Dariusz Orlicky, Ph. D. - GRACE
In this study, over 100 sample blends of commonly used different FCC feedstocks types in the FCC process loads were studied. These charges were characterized by different physicochemical analysis. The type of oil was analyzed by the various methods of SARA (saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes), by UV-vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS) and the hydrogen content by H1-NMR.
The feedstocks samples were evaluated in the pilot ACE (Advanced Cracking Evaluation) unit with two commercial catalysts, which were steam deactivated in the laboratory in the absence of metal contaminants by CPS process (Propylene Cyclic Steam). With the physicochemical characterization of feeds and product yields of the products obtained in the ACE FCC unit, a large number of correlations were developed, which allow them to the FCC engineers to develop other chemical properties that are used to calculate potential yields and product pricing of the various FCC products.
Reliable predictions were developed to predict the yields of the following products: Dry Gas, LPG, Petrol, LCO, fuel oils and delta coke. Knowledge of the potential maximum product yields was essential for designing catalysts with the right amount of active components that allow for producing maximum capacity potential returns.
Additionally, these product property predictions enable operators to adjust FCC operating conditions, such as the addition of catalyst for maximizing returns on a commercial unit.