Authors: Raj Singh a; Paul Marchant a; Steve Shimoda a
a TechnipFMC Process Technology
Source: Digital Refining, Nov-2019
Description: In the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process, distribution of spent catalyst in the regenerator is important for effective catalyst regeneration. Uniform contact between combustion air and coke laden spent catalyst results in an even temperature profile throughout the bed and minimises hot spots, resulting in better coke removal and retention of catalyst activity.
This article highlights the development of TechnipFMC’s spent catalyst distributor design from simple ‘hockey stick’ to ‘compound angle wye bathtub’ distributor. This development has focused on improving spent catalyst distribution in the regenerator bed with the process benefit of uniform coke combustion and bed temperatures. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling was used to guide the development of TechnipFMC’s latest design and confirm improved catalyst distribution. Data from commercial FCC units showing a close to even temperature profile in the regenerator with our latest spent catalyst distributor confirms our design expectation.
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