| American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

Question 47: For units not challenged by standpipe fluidization, are there benefits to reducing fresh catalyst 0-40 um particle content?

There are multiple benefits to reducing fresh catalyst 0–40-micron particle content for FCCs not challenged by fluidization. A significant portion of the 0-40 content cannot be retained in the FCC.

Question 46: How often do you perform steam optimization in the FCC reactor? What process response and benefits do you typically see from performing "step tests" to feed nozzle, lift, and stripping steam flow rates?

How often do you perform steam optimization in the FCC reactor? What process response and benefits do you typically see from performing "step tests" to feed nozzle, lift, and stripping steam flow rates?

Question 45: What are your options to maximize light cycle oil from the FCCU (e.g. operating conditions, feedstock, recycle, equipment, catalyst, etc.)?  What are the typical unit constraints?  What projects have been considered at your facility to capture the increased value of diesel?

There are multiple ways to maximize light cycle oil from the FCC including reducing conversion, reformulating the fresh catalyst, utilizing additives, and adjusting fractionation.

Question 44: What is your recommended back up options for slide valve / plug valve Hydraulic Power Units? Are electric actuators an option? What are the response times?

What is your recommended back up options for slide valve / plug valve Hydraulic Power Units? Are electric actuators an option? What are the response times?

Question 43: What are your best practices when shipping ecat, fines, feed, and slurry to suppliers for testing?  Please also comment on some best practices for sampling equilibrium catalyst.

When shipping ecat or fines, an appropriate sample container should be used. Catalyst suppliers will typically provide refiners with sample containers if needed. Catalyst shipping containers should be made of plastic or metal.

Question 42: What are your best practices to minimize catalyst carry over to the main column on start up?

Catalyst loss events experienced while bringing the FCC online after a shutdown are troublesome as they can add significant cost and delay to the startup. Because the main air blower is run close to design conditions throughout the startup, losses are more frequently observed from the reactor side.

Question 41: How reliable are main air blower check valves?  What are some improved designs or some things to avoid?  Are there any alternatives?  If multiple branches, is there one check valve in the main branch or one check valve per branch, where is it located?  What is your maintenance or inspection best practices?

How reliable are main air blower check valves?  What are some improved designs or some things to avoid?  Are there any alternatives?  If multiple branches, is there one check valve in the main branch or one check valve per branch, where is it located?  What is your maintenance or inspection best practices?

Question 40: What rationale have you used to justify replacing the FCCU regenerator or reactor vessel?

What rationale have you used to justify replacing the FCCU regenerator or reactor vessel?

Question 39: What are your best practices for transferring FCC catalyst into/from pneumatic trailers and rail cars to ensure personnel safety and catalyst containment?

These trailers are often referred to as pneumatic, dry bulk, or pressure differential (PD) trailers. On-road trailers and railcars have similar functionality although railcars are not usually rated for vacuum, nor do they usually have a filter system. Both types of transport vessels have multiple hoppers.

Question 38: What are your guidelines for cleanliness of reactor vessel and overhead lines during Turnaround?  Do you have limits on reactor temperatures during dry-out to prevent the ignition of coke in the reactor?  What actions do you take if coke starts to burn?

What are your guidelines for cleanliness of reactor vessel and overhead lines during Turnaround?  Do you have limits on reactor temperatures during dry-out to prevent the ignition of coke in the reactor?  What actions do you take if coke starts to burn?

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