Understand differences between thermal and hydrocracking

Copying and distributing are prohibited without permission of the publisher

09.01.2011 | Sayles, S., KBC , Houston, Texas; Romero, S., KBC Advanced Technologies, Houston, Texas

Successful operation and product yields are controlled by reactions at the molecular level

Keywords: [hydrocracking] [coking] [delayed coking] [hydrogen] [residual] [vacuum residual] [modeling]

Optimizing performance from existing residual upgrading equipment is achieved through maximum asset utilization. During the upgrade of residual facilities, economic goals of the project required operating at the upper end of the design envelope due to equipment limitations. The solution may involved new equipment to remove the identified bottlenecks. But, budget and investment constraints can limit funding, and careful prioritization is needed to justify capital expenditures. Understanding the conversion, yields and product qualities between competing conversion processes allows better investment selection. This case history discusses in detail thermal cracking kinetics—a common link between coking—and residual hydrocracking.¹

To continue reading please, log in to hydrocarbonprocessing.com.

Subscribe now for premium access and unlimited access to the site, including archived articles and the process handbooks. Start a free trial to gain access to articles from the current issue of Hydrocarbon Processing.

Already have an account?

Subscribe today and gain unlimited and immediate access to the site. Plus, you'll receive the next 12 issues of the magazine in your choice of print or digital format. Start your subscription today.