Improve catalyst management at the FCC unit System revamp reduces unloading time, boosts refinery operations

摘要

The performance of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit benefits from the stable and consistent addition of catalyst to the unit. For the regular addition of fresh catalyst, the best practice is to ensure steady activity in the inventory and minimize upsets typically caused by slug additions of fresh catalyst. However, catalyst management in the FCC unit is important during a number of activities associated with the FCC, and the risks and costs of mismanagement can be magnified if a large volume has to be moved every day. The Orpic Sohar refinery in Oman sought to improve the injections of normal catalyst, equilibrium catalyst (Ecat) and additives, and to find an optimum solution to the hoppers' configuration while improving the fresh catalyst unloading system, which is described in this article.