Fluidized Catalytic Cracker Unit

Fluidized Catalytic Cracker Units are common unit operations in oil refineries. The Fluidized Catalytic Cracker Unit Trainer is a reduced scale plant that mimics bed fluidization, catalyst circulation and regeneration. Working fluids are air, CO2 and water. Visualization of the catalyst material uses small diameter spherical glass beads and a coloured desiccant to mimic the catalyst bed. Catalyst degradation is mimicked by a colour change of the desiccant beads in the reactor and is reverses during regeneration. CO2 is used as a tracer compound to show the separation of flow in the reactor and regeneration sections. The process has instrumentation to provide for reactant flow rate control, product gas analysis, catalyst level control, temperature indication and control and differential pressure indication. The entire trainer is controlled from a DCS computer interface with purpose designed software and control configuration. This gives the student the opportunity to gain operating experience focusing on both the process and on control strategy.

Specification of Fluidized Catalytic Cracker Unit

• Much of the process is fabricated of industrial glass, with custom fabricated SS sections
• Continuous up flow reactor
• Glass disengaging vessels
• Glass piping
• Stainless stell vessel flanges and custom fittings
• Flow measurement of reactant streams
• Analysis of CO2 in product stream
• Thermocouple temperature measurement