Test catalysts and feeds for Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) under relevant process conditions but with laboratory scale budgets
The micro downflow unit (MDU) is based on a lab-scale technology and offers an entrained catalyst flow reactor system analogous to commercial fluid catalyst cracking units (FCCUs). It can be operated within a wide range of process conditions, including elevated pressures which are typical for FCCUs. Furthermore, the MDU is fully automated and cost-efficient as only small amounts of catalysts and feeds are required. Processability of a broad range of feedstocks has been demonstrated, ranging from naphtha and vacuum gas oil to residue feeds and crude oils. It includes the latest software solution myhte™ for integrating, storing, retrieving, analyzing, and visualizing data.
Features
- Entrained flow reactor as commercial FCCU
- Pressures typical for an FCCU or a riser can be adjusted
- Since catalyst and feed move in the direction of gravity back-mixing is low
- Size, required material amounts, and operating expenditures in the range of laboratory methods
- Experiments at catalyst reactor residence times / contact times comparable to riser reactors
- Capability of simulating high severity operations (high cat-to-oil ratio)
- Cost-efficient (operation, catalyst, feedstock)
- Fully automated lab system
- 5 crackings per 8 hour shift w/ optional increase to 18 crackings per day
- Mass balances 98 +/- 2 %
- Reproducible results matching well with circulating riser units and commercial FCCUs
- Flexible and broad parameter range
- Variety of feedstocks possible: VGO, high resid VGO, light cut naphtha, pyrolysis oils, biogenic feeds and full crude oil
- Feedstocks with CRC’s 0-10 % can be processed
Reactor set-up
Typical process parameters
Operating pressure 0.2 - 3.5 barg
Reactor temperature up to 700 °C
Catalyst inlet temperature up to 750 °C
Oil pre-heat up to 250 °C
Oil feed rate 3 - 12 g/min
Cat-to-oil ratio 3 - 50
Experiment duration 1 min (can be adjusted)
Comparison of yields vs. conversion for ACE-CRU-MDU
Infrastructure requirements
LABORATORY:
Typical footprint 1.5 m x 3.5 m x 1.2 m (WxHxD) plus room for GC and PC workplace (height depending on the length of the reactor)
Only local fume hood exhaust necessary
GAS SUPPLY:
N2: 10 barg/100 barg
Synthetic air: 10 barg
House air: 10 barg
GC gases: H2, He, N2, Ar
POWER SUPPLY:
400 VAC/5kW, other voltages upon request
