A two-dimensional model for simulation, control, and optimization of FCC risers

• Published in: AIChE journal Vol. 52; no. 5; pp. 1895 - 1905
• Main Authors: Souza, J. A., Vargas, J. V. C., Von Meien, O. F., Martignoni, W., Amico, S. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-05-2006; Wiley Subscription Services; American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalytic cracking; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; FCC riser; fluid flow and kinetic modeling; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics; numerical simulation; Reactors; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Control system; Multipurpose installation; Cracking; fluid flow and kinetic modeling; Two dimensional model; Water vapor; Modeling; Optimization; Operating conditions; Design; Kinetic model; Flow(fluid); FCC riser; Numerical simulation; Reactor; Riser; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0001-1541; 1547-5905
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.10798

A simplified two‐dimensional (2‐D) formulation for FCC risers has been developed. The model approximates the mixture of gasoil, steam, and solid catalyst that flows inside the riser reactor by an equivalent fluid with average properties. The cracking reactions are modeled by a 6‐lump kinetic model combined with two energy equations (gas and solid). Due to the adopted simplifications, a fast and simple‐to‐solve computational code was written; nevertheless, it still is sufficiently precise to be used for the design of new units and for system control and optimization of operating conditions of FCC risers. The validation of the proposed model was performed by direct comparison of the obtained results with available experimental data for a multi‐purpose pilot FCC riser unit. The model was then utilized to simulate an actual size industrial FCC riser. The obtained numerical results in this article demonstrate that the model can be used as a powerful and simple tool for design, control, and optimization of FCC units, combining accuracy with low computational time to obtain solutions when simulating actual FCC riser operation. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006