Development of a Cold Model Fuild Coker Pilot Plant
Abstract
Fluid CokingTM is an upgrading process used to produce higher-value products from heavy hydrocarbons through thermal cracking. A Hot Pilot Plant is being designed for potential use to optimize commercial Fluid Cokers.
A Cold Model Fluid Coker was operated in this thesis to identify design limitations restricting operation at the required conditions. Design changes were implemented, and their impact on the system fluid dynamics were characterized. Successful operation of at required conditions was demonstrated.
Pressure measurements provided rapid feedback on potential issues. Models for bed expansion and entrainment flux were developed, which can be used to extrapolate to the Hot Model operating conditions. A model was developed to predict the probability of solids in the dipleg reaching a critical level, reducing solids losses. The model provided an accurate prediction of the behaviour of solids backups in the dipleg and can be used in the Hot Model Pilot Plant.