Kinetic modeling of high-severity fluidized catalytic cracking

This paper presents the results of kinetic modeling of high-severity fluidized catalytic cracking process using a simplified methodology of estimating kinetic parameters. A 4-lump model was used to demonstrate the new approach for modeling the kinetics data that was collected using micro-activity test (MAT) method. MAT experiments were done at 550, 600 and 650 °C. Kinetic parameters for the 4-lump model and the activation energies are presented.     

Selective formation of light olefin by n-heptane cracking over HZSM-5 at high temperatures

The catalytic cracking of n-heptane has been performed over HZSM-5 catalysts with various Si/Al ratios at 723-923 K to form light olefins selectively. The HZSM-5 zeolites with various acid site densities exhibited almost the same selectivity at the same conversion. The ethylene + propylene selectivity increased, while the propylene/ethylene ratio decreased with an increase in reaction temperatures. It is found that a high temperature is required to obtain a high ethylene + propylene yield. The highest ethylene + propylene yield obtained in this study was 59.7 C-% with a propylene/ethylene ratio of ca. 0.72 at 99.6% conversion over HZSM-5 (Si/Al = 31) at 923 K. Moreover, it is concluded from the selectivities and activation energies that the monomolecular cracking is predominant at a high temperature as 923 K.     

A comprehensive estimation of kinetic parameters in lumped catalytic cracking reaction models

This work presents a comprehensive approach to estimate kinetic parameters when the involved reactions contain lumped chemical species. This approach is based on representing rate constants with a continuous probability distribution function. In particular, the beta function is used to estimate kinetic parameters in catalytic cracking reactions. Thus, several kinetic models for the catalytic process containing different number of lumps are selected and a discretization procedure is carried out to estimate the corresponding kinetic parameters. The kinetic representation based on the probability distribution substantially reduces the computational and experimental effort involved in the numerical evaluation of kinetic parameters.     

Enhancing propylene production from catalytic cracking of Arabian Light VGO over novel zeolites as FCC catalyst additives

The catalytic cracking of vacuum gas oil over fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst containing novel additives was investigated to enhance propylene yield. A conventional ZSM-5, mesoporous ZSM-5 (Meso-Z), TNU-9 and SSZ-33 zeolite were tested as additives to a commercial equilibrium USY FCC catalyst (E-Cat). Their catalytic performance was assessed in a fixed-bed micro-activity test unit (MAT) at 520 °C and various catalyst/oil ratios. The cracking activity of all E-Cat/additives did not decrease by using these additives. The highest propylene yield of 12.2 wt.% was achieved over E-Cat/Meso-Z compared with 9.0 wt.% each over E-Cat/ZSM-5 and E-Cat/TNU-9, at similar gasoline yield penalty. The enhanced production of propylene over Meso-Z is attributed to its mesopores that suppressed secondary and hydrogen transfer reactions and offered easier transport and accessibility to active sites. The lower enhancement of propylene over the large-pore SSZ-33 additive was due to its high-hydrogen transfer activity. Gasoline quality was improved by the use of all additives, as octane rating increased by 7-12 numbers for all E-Cat/additives.     

Single-event microkinetics for coke formation during the catalytic cracking of (cyclo)alkane/1-octene mixtures

A single-event microkinetic model (SEMK) is applied to model initial coking rates during the catalytic cracking of (cyclo)alkane/1-octene mixtures at 693–753 K and (cyclo)alkane and 1-octene inlet partial pressures of 26.6 and 4.8 kPa on a REUSY equilibrium catalyst. Three types of irreversible alkylations involving both gas phase and surface coke precursors, viz., alkylation of phenyl substituted carbenium ions with C₃–C₅ alkenes, alkylation of the nucleus of monoaromatics with C₃–C₅ alkylcarbenium ions, and alkylation of C₈–C₁₀ alkylcarbenium ions with C₃–C₅ alkenes, have been considered as rate-determining steps in coke formation. The bulky alkylated species formed out of these alkylations are considered as coke. The activation energies for these alkylations obtained via non-isothermal regression are independent of the feedstock within the parameters confidence limits reflecting the fundamental character of the SEMK. The negative effect of temperature on the experimentally observed coking rates is qualitatively described and is explained in terms of an overcompensation of the increase of the rate coefficient by a lower surface coke precursor concentration.     

Chemical kinetic modeling of i‐butane and n‐butane catalytic cracking reactions over HZSM‐5 zeolite

A chemical kinetic model for i‐butane and n‐butane catalytic cracking over synthesized HZSM‐5 zeolite, with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 484, and in a plug flow reactor under various operating conditions, has been developed. To estimate the kinetic parameters of catalytic cracking reactions of i‐butane and n‐butane, a lump kinetic model consisting of six reaction steps and five lumped components is proposed. This kinetic model is based on mechanistic aspects of catalytic cracking of paraffins into olefins. Furthermore, our model takes into account the effects of both protolytic and bimolecular mechanisms. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was used to estimate kinetic parameters. Results from statistical F‐tests indicate that the kinetic models and the proposed model predictions are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data obtained for both paraffin reactants. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2456–2465, 2012     

Thermal catalytic cracking of buriti oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.) over LaSBA-15 mesoporous materials

In order to obtain a fuel with properties similar to diesel, the thermal catalytic cracking (TCC) of buriti oil was accomplished over LaSBA-15 mesoporous materials. In function of the Lewis acid sites and the unidirectional pore system of the LaSBA-15, this material presented good deoxygenating activity for TCC of the oil, resulting in a reduction of the oxygenate content in the organic liquid (OL) collected above 190 °C, obtaining as main product, a mixture of hydrocarbons similar to mineral diesel, called green diesel.