Question
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How can the FCC unit be upgraded to benefit petrochemical integration?
Feb-2025
Answers
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Francy Barrios, Axens, Francy.Barrios@axensgroup.com
The FCC unit can be upgraded to benefit petrochemical integration through strategies ranging from some that can be easily applied to the existing FCC units to modifications involving the implementation of new satellite units. An example of easy and quick implementation could be increasing severity and/or using specific catalyst formulations and additives (like ZSM-5 zeolite) with high selectivity to olefins. Other possibilities when evaluating unit modifications to maximise olefins production include:
• Incorporation of a separated riser (Petroriser) for light naphtha cracking recycling at a higher temperature (operating under more severe conditions) than the main riser to maximise propylene production.
• Integration of FlexEne technology, an innovative combination of FCC and oligomerisation technologies, to expand the capabilities of the FCC process towards maximising olefins production. This flexibility is achieved by the oligomerisation of light FCC alkenes (olefins) and recycling oligomerate for selective cracking in the FCC unit. The FlexEne concept can be easily implemented in existing FCC units.Investment in new FCC technologies, such as HS-FCC (high severity fluid catalytic cracking) technology, is an excellent prospect for olefins maximisation. The HS-FCC unit is an evolution of the well-known FCC process to reach a considerably higher level of light olefins production, in particular propylene, to bridge the gap between refining and petrochemicals industries.
Petroriser, FlexEne, and HS-FCC are marks of Axens.
Jan-2025
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