Authors: Raj Singh, Paul Marchant, Steve Shimoda
TechnipFMC Process Technology, Houston, Texas, USA.
Source: This paper was published in the AIChE Particle Technology Forum newsletter, Vol. 25, No. 2 in Summer 2020 and can be accessed on the PTF website.
Abstract: Recent advances in computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques and computing power have opened opportunities to use this tool for design developments and troubleshooting operational problems. This article discusses a recent development to improve spent catalyst distribution in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) regenerator. Uniform spent catalyst distribution is key to achieving even coke combustion and bed temperatures resulting in more complete coke burn and improved catalyst activity retention. This paper highlights how CFD tools were used in the development of TechnipFMC’s latest “compound angle wye bathtub” distributor. Data from several commercial regenerators show uniform temperature profiles with the new spent catalyst distributor, validating the use of CFD to develop and design FCC equipment and resolve operational issues.