Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) converts primarily vacuum gas oil from the crude distillation unit into gasoline blending stocks and fuel oils.
FCC breaks down heavier and more complex hydrocarbons into lighter ones. Feed is primarily vacuum gas oil, often mixed with refinery residues.
The main products are:
- Gas fraction (mainly C3/C4)
- Liquid fraction
Coke (solid formation on the catalyst).
Oxygen enrichment in the regeneration allows the refinery operator to:
- increase the FCC capacity
- get higher flexibility in the choice of feeds
- use heavier feeds
- raise the conversion and the petroleum yield
- reduce by-products
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Below you can see test plant results:
