Demonstration plant for new FCC technology yields increased propylene

A novel FCC process that boosts propylene production has been proven in a 30-b/d demonstration plant in Saudi Arabia (Fig. 1). Suitable for an integrated refinery-petrochemical complex, the high-severity process combines mechanical modications to conventional FCC with changes in process variables and catalyst formulations. The process' main operating features are a downflow reactor system, high reaction temperature, short contact time, and high catalyst: oil ratio. Similar to most reactor designs involving competing reactions and secondary product degradation, there are concerns about catalyst-feed contacting, back mixing, and control of the reaction time and temperature.