Computational Modeling in FCC Design and Troubleshooting

Computational modeling plays an increasingly important role in understanding gas and particle flow dynamics in the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) process, enabling refiners to consider low-risk and high value improvements to their FCCUs. TechnipFMC actively uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools for FCC design optimization and for troubleshooting FCC operation. CFD provides adequate information required to understand and determine how hardware modifications and operational changes will impact gas-particle flow behavior and hence the overall performance of the unit. This paper discusses the significance of CFD modeling tools to effectively screen and evaluate new ideas and design changes, which improves existing technologies as well as the development of new ideas. Few case studies on revamp, hardware development and troubleshooting applications will be presented.