Catalytic Cracking Processes Flashcards
What are the properties of the catalyst for the FCC ?
- Fine powder catalyst
- Acidic alumina-silica
What are FCC catalyst made of ?
FCC catalysts use a blend of amorphous and crystallized silica-alumina called zeolite or molecular sieves
What are the different types of molecular sieves ?
A type, X and Y types
What is the type of molecular sieves used for FCC catalyst ?
Y type
What is the difference between A and X and Y sieves type ?
- A-sieves have small windows and are used for drying and separation
- X and Y sieves have larger windows to allow large molecules to enter and react
What is the composition of the FCC catalyst ?
- 10-50 % zeolite (acidic function)
- the rest is amorphous silica-alumina
What is the average diameter of an FCC catalyst ?
60-65 microns
What are the operating conditions in the FCC ?
- T : 520 to 540°C
- P : 2 to 3 bar
- FCC catalyst
What are the possible feeds for the FCC ?
- VGO from vacuum distillation
- Vacuum residue with low metal content
- VGO from visbreaker …
What is the cycle occuring in the FCC ?
- The feed reacts with the catalyst
- The spent catalyst is sent to the regenerator
- The coke is burnt in the regenerator
- The hot regenerated catalyst is sent back to react with the feed
What is the catalyst circulation in the FCC ?
From 10 to 30 t/min
What is the part of coke on the used catalyst ?
Around 1 wt%
How is the catalyst flow controlled in the FCC ?
The catalyst flows naturally -> no flowmeter or control valve
In which part of the reactor does the reaction occur in a FCC ?
In the riser
How long does the cracking last in an FCC ?
Several seconds