International Journal of Chemical Engineering Research.

ISSN 0975-6442 Volume 9, Number 2 (2017), pp. 143-152

© Research India Publications
http://www.ripublication.com

Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Riser Reactor Operating

Process Variables Study and Performance Analysis

P.K.Yadava and Dr. Rajeev Kumar Gargb

a
Research Scholar, IKG Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala, Punjab (India)
a
Department of Chemical Engg. and Biotechnology, Beant College Of Engg. and
Technology, Gurdaspur (Punjab-India)
b
Department of Chemical Engg., Shaheed Bhagat Singh State Technical Campus,
Ferozpur (Punjab-India)

Abstract
The Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) is one of the key process unit in modern
oil refining. FCC process converts heavy distillates like gas oil or residue to
gasoline and middle distillates using cracking catalyst.FCC consist of two
interconnected gas –solid fluidized bed reactor: Riser and Regenerator .FCC
process is very complex and require good understanding of many factors such
as kinetic models, reaction kinetic, fluid dynamics, feed and catalyst effects,
temperature, residence time in the riser, catalyst deactivation and its
regeneration.
Keywords: FCC, Cracking Catalyst, Riser and Regenerator, Kinetic model.

1) INTRODUCTION:
Fluid catalytic cracking units (FCCU) are used in most refineries to convert high
molecular weight gas oils (Boiling range 280-545o C)[1]or residuum charge stocks
into more valuable lighter hydrocarbon products like gasoline or LPG inside a riser
reactor in a few seconds using cracking catalyst[2]. The feeds used include molecules
with carbon number from simple C7 to C8 molecules to complex structure of 100 or
more carbon atoms mainly in form of paraffins(CnH2n+2),cycloparaffins(naphthenes)
(CnH2n),aromatics(CnH2n-6) and olefins (CnH2n). Feedstock quality determine the
value of product obtained from catalytic cracking. Main products obtained from unit
144 P.K. Yadav and Dr. Rajeev Kumar Garg

are fuel gases (H2,C1,C2),Liquefied petroleum gas or LPG (C3 & C4) and gasoline
range (C5-C12), diesel light cycle oil (LCO:C11 through C18),heavy cycle oil
(HCO:C19+) considered as unconverted feedstock, sour gas (H2S) and solid Coke[24].
FCC contributes to the bottom up gradation far more than other processes. [3].

Fig. 1: Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit

The FCC units are consist of two major operating parts, the reactor riser & the
regenerator. The riser where almost all the endothermic reaction cracking reaction of
the hydrocarbon feed and coke deposition takes place. The regenerator reactivates the
catalyst by burning the accumulated coke on the catalyst in the riser reactor by use of
air. The regenerator process provide heat required for endothermic cracking
process.[4]

2. KINETIC MODEL
In the first three lump kinetic model proposed by Weekman & Nace (1970),the
charge stock & products divided into three components namely, the original
feedstock, the gasoline, and the remaining C4 ‘s (dry gas & Coke).

Gasoline
k T1
1
Gas oil k T3

k T2
Light gases&coke

Fig 2: Three Lump kinetic Model

Yen and Woei (1988) and Lee et al (1989) developed a four lump kinetic model by
dividing the light gas plus coke lump into two different lumps C1-C4 gas and coke.
Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Riser Reactor Operating Process Variables Study.. 145

Light gases
k
31 k
21

VGO k 11 Gasoline (B)

(A)
k 22
k 32
Coke

Fig. 3: Four Lump kinetic Model

A new reaction kinetic model was developed by Jacob et al by dividing the feed and
products into a 10- lump reaction schemes including paraffins, napthenes, aromatic
rings and aromatic substituent groups in light & heavy fuel oil fractions. [5,6].

Fig. 4: 10 lump kinetic model proposed by Jacob et al.

3. CATALYST
Zeolite is the important ingredient of FCC catalyst. In the refinery, zeolite catalysts
have been used for improvement in gasoline yield, octane number, production of
cleaner fuels with enhanced performance properties. Zeolites as Fluid Catalytic
Cracking catalysts increases the formation of desired cracking products in FCC unit
compared to amorphous, silica-alumina catalyst. The zeolite catalyst are more active
and more selective[7,8].
146 P.K. Yadav and Dr. Rajeev Kumar Garg

Table 1: Physical and Chemical properties of commercial equilibrium FCC catalyst

Chemical Composition

Al2O3 % wt 40.2

Na2O % wt 0.13

Re2O3 % wt 1.9

Fe % wt 0.56

V ppm 25

Ni ppm 195

Physical Properties

Average Particle Size µm 81

Average Bulk density g/cm3 0.88

BET Matrix surface Area m2/gm 56

BET surface area m2/gm 165

(Source: Ivelina Shishkova et al ,2011)

4. CATALYST DEACTIVATION
FCC catalyst gets deactivated by the deposition of coke on the catalyst surface, during
the cracking reactions. The catalyst deactivation also occur by deposition of nitrogen
on active sites which neutralize the catalytic activity or by deposition of metals
(nickel, vanadium, sodium) which can change or destroy the activity. The blocking of
pore by deposition of coke or metals, reduces the mass transfer. Most of the popular
theories on the deactivation are based on the time on stream concept.

5. MODELING OF RISER REACTOR

5.1 Riser Kinetics: The feed to the FCC process consist of long chains paraffins,
single & multiple ring cycloalkanes, and large aromatic compounds. The catalytic
cracking begins with the formations of carbenium ions by the interaction of olefin
molecules with the acidic site on the catalyst followed by the beta scission of the
carbenium ion. In the beta scission reaction ,the β bond of the carbenium ion break to
form an olefin and a new carbeniumion .The carbanium ion formed by beta scission
Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Riser Reactor Operating Process Variables Study.. 147

can undergo further cracking reaction. The olefin can also be cracked further after
being converted to a carbenium ion through hydrogen addition..

Figure 5: Catalytic Cracking of petroleum hydrocarbons

5.2 Riser Hydrodynamics: The riser reactor of a FCC unit can be divided into equal
size compartments along the axis. The entry part of riser reactor consists of three
phases catalyst(solid phase),hydrocarbons vapors and atomizing steam(gas phase
),and hydrocarbons liquid .In the feed injection zone at the bottom of the riser , the
catalyst particles and liquid drops are accelerated upwards, the gas velocity also
increases because of feed vaporization , lowers the density of the flowing system due
to formation of lower molecular weight products on cracking of gas oil [9]. In the feed
injection zone the hydrocarbon feed dispersed in the form of droplets by the feed
nozzles system comes in contact with the hot regenerated catalyst. The liquid drops
vaporize due to intimate contact between liquid drops and hot catalyst. The flow of
feed oil, atomizing steam and hot generated catalyst results in velocity, temperature
and concentration gradients of high magnitude in this zone [10].
Catalyst temperature decreases due to heat requirement for increasing sensible heat of
feed, vaporization and cracking reactions. Catalyst activity also decreases due to
deposition of coke on catalyst surface.
148 P.K. Yadav and Dr. Rajeev Kumar Garg

Fig. 6: Schematic of the riser flow.

The feed injection design is important to control the flow of hydrocarbons at plug
flow conditions for minimizing the temperature gradients in the inlet zone that causes
undesirable cracking reactions. Increased number of nozzles at the bottom promotes
proper contact of the feed oil with the catalyst particles. Feed nozzle design is also
important which affect the performance of FCCU.
In the middle and upper section ,hydrocarbons vapors and solid catalyst are present
since all the feed droplets vaporizes after travelling 2-4 m up from the feed inlet.

Fig. 7: Entrance (a) and Exit (b) of a riser

Initial decline in gas velocity occur because of the sharp increases in the gas void
fraction, due to increase in the moles of the gas as a result of cracking .After this
initial decline, the gas velocity starts increasing as the cracking reactions along the
Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Riser Reactor Operating Process Variables Study.. 149

riser height continues to increase .The initial sharp increase in the catalyst velocity is
due to the sharp fall in solid volume and drag exerted by the gas. After this initial
sharp increase, catalyst velocity keeps on increasing gradually all along riser height.
High value of slip factor are predicted in the riser entry zone which gradually
decreases along the riser height.(Gupta et. Al,2001)[11]
Core –annulus structure exists in FCC risers. At the bottom, generally there is higher
concentration of solids and flow is highly nonhomogeneous. (Lopes,G.C et
al,2011)[12]

5.3 Effect of catalyst to oil ratio: The variation of catalyst to oil ratio in riser mainly
effect various products yield. Flow rate of catalyst in the reactor increases with
increase in catalyst to oil ratio. Due to more catalyst flow rate ,the number of active
sites increases, cause more cracking , increases conversion of gas oil and yield of fuel
gases and coke increases . Higher rate of reaction by increase of catalyst to oil ration
also produces more coke. The activity of the catalyst decreases due to deactivation of
catalyst by deposition of coke and drop in gasoline yield occur.

5.4 Effect of Temperature:

The temperature inside the FCC riser reactor decreases because of endothermic
reactions. Catalyst temperature at the inlet of riser falls sharply, because sensible heat
of catalyst coming from the regenerator is utilized in providing heat for raising the
sensible heat of feed, for vaporizing the feed and for further heating of the vaporized
feed. The decrease in reaction mixture temperature and catalyst activity along the riser
height cause a decline in the reaction rate hence the temperature gradient falls
appreciably with increasing riser height. (Gupta et. Al ,2001)[11].

5.5 Effect of Feedstock:

Feedstock qualities is measured in term of crack abilities parameter. Crack ability is a
function of the relative proportions of paraffinic, naphthenic, and aromatic species in
the feed. Crack ability of FCC feedstock’s correlated with the UOP characterization
factor K as : K=3√TR/s
where TR is the molal average boiling point of the feedstock, °R; and s is its specific
gravity.
Sulfur compounds do not affect crack ability.
150 P.K. Yadav and Dr. Rajeev Kumar Garg

Table 3: Range of K Relative Crackability Feedstock Type

Sr.No K value Feedstock Type

1 >12.0 High Paraffinic
2 11.5-11.6 Intermediate Naphthenic
3 <11.3 Refractory Aromatic

The organometallic compounds decompose on the circulating catalyst, with the metals
remaining irreversibly deposited on the catalyst. These deposited metals effect the
process in two ways:
i. They affect the product distribution, causing more light gases, especially
hydrogen, to be formed;
ii. They have a serious deactivating effect on the catalyst.

With increase in end point of feedstock, organomettalic compounds content increases

dramatically causing process problem.
These compound can be removed by hydro treatment of feedstock in form of H2S and
NH3.

5.6 Other Process Variables.

Pressure and reaction time are some other process variables which affect conversion.
High conversion and coke yield are favored by higher pressure. However, conversion
is not affected by pressure since a substantial increase in pressure is required to
significantly increase conversion.
Conversion also increases with increase in reaction time for cracking. Reaction time
can be varied by making variation in feed rate, steam rate, recycle rate, and pressure.
Conversion can be increased by a decrease in the rate of injection of fresh feed. Due
to this residence time increases, which cause over cracking of gasoline to liquefied
petroleum gas and dry gas. Selective cracking may be promoted by addition of steam
to lower hydrocarbon partial pressure. Residence time can also be decrease by
lowering reactor pressure or increase the recycle rate.
These variables needs to be optimized to achieve optimum conversion corresponding
to given feed rate, feed quality, processing objectives and other unit
constraints(reactor temperature, regenerator temperature, catalyst circulation etc.)
Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Riser Reactor Operating Process Variables Study.. 151

6. CONCLUSIONS
1. Kinetic modeling of the riser reactor is based either on the lumping scheme or on
the ‘single events approach. The kinetic constants evaluated using the lumping
scheme are empirical in nature and are too much feed and plant specific.
2. FCC riser reactor model are dependent on the values of cracking reactions rate
constant, which can easily be obtained with the help of kinetic model for different
characteristics of the feedstock, type of catalyst, activity of catalyst and operating
parameters.
3. In FCC riser the gas and solids feed flow rates influence the flow pattern. A
different interaction between the phases changes the way in which heat is
transferred and consequently the yield of the reactions. Thus, it is important to
know the non uniformities of the flow in order to correctly predict the reaction
yield. It is necessary to maintain a more uniform radial dispersion to get a high
yield of gasoline.
4. Zeolite and different modified form of zeolites are mainly used as FCC catalyst
for improvement in gasoline yield, octane number enhancement, production of
cleaner fuels and olefins productions.
5. Pressure, reaction time, reactor temperature and catalyst to oil ratio are some
important process variable which affect conversion in riser.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author gratefully acknowledge I K Gujral Punjab Technical University,
Kapurthala (India) for providing guidance, support and all other required facilities.

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