Simulation of Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit for Optimum Production of Gasoline Using Aspen HYSYS

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, RIVERS STSTE UNIVERSITY, PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA.

2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Rivers State University, Nigeria.

3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rivers State University, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study presents the steady state behavior for the Fluid Catalytic Cracking of Vacuum Gas Oil in an existing industrial Unit. The riser and regenerator reactors coupled with the main fractionator were simulated with Aspen HYSYS software using a 21 lump kinetic model that accounts for the catalytic cracking kinetics and heat balance within the unit. Model predictions for the product species showed good agreement with the industrial plant data at same operating conditions with a percentage deviation ranging between 1.13% to 16.85%. Simulation results indicate that Riser Outlet Temperature (ROT) and Feed flowrate have significant effects on the performance of the riser and regenerator reactors. Sensitivity analysis performed on the reactor gave the following optimum values: To increase the total yield of Gasoline and Diesel, an ROT within the interval of 510-515°C should be selected; for an increase in the total yield of Gasoline and LPG, an ROT in the range 524-535°C is recommended; An ROT of 530°C should be used when increasing unit throughput to maximize gasoline output.

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Main Subjects

Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 April 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 April 2024
  • Revise Date: 25 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 19 April 2025

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