Revamping FCC main fractionator energy systems

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States)

OSTI ID:5466080

Golden, S W; Sloley, A W; Fleming, B ^[1]

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1. Glitsch, Inc., Dallas, TX (United States)

A fluid catalytic cracker's (FCC) main fractionator heat integration with the gas plant can supply incremental energy needed to meet improved olefins requirements and improve the unit's thermal efficiency. It is important, when optimizing, to understand the fractionator energy recovery limitations, possible pumparound draw temperature options and various temperature levels of the heat sinks. On older units, recoverable energy from the overhead system may be much higher. Including product recoverable heat losses, it may be 50% higher. Main fractionator light cycle oil (LCO) and gasoline product recoveries can be improved by heat balance adjustments associated with optimization. Main fractionator vapor loadings are more than 20% higher in an optimized design. The authors analyzed an 8,000-m[sup 3]/day (50,000-bpd) unit revamp to show the incremental recoverable energy of about 11.2 MMkcal/hr for an optimized main fractionator heat-recovery design. Main fractionator design is evaluated from a theoretical perspective of balancing energy recovery against unit constraints such as fractionator overhead salt deposition, localized water condensation and fractionation requirements between the various cuts.

• OSTI ID: 5466080
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States) Vol. 72:11; ISSN HYPRAX; ISSN 0018-8190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
CATALYTIC CRACKING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT RECOVERY
HEAT RECOVERY EQUIPMENT
HEAT SINKS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
OPTIMIZATION
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
PYROLYSIS
RETROFITTING
SINKS
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES