(108b) Advances in Coker Unit Technology(Maximizing Refinery Petrochemicals, Minimizing CAPEX and Reducing Environmental Impact)

Advances in distillation technology are leading to changes in coker unit fractionation schemes. These changes include incorporating revised or new fractionation to fix operating problems as well as improving molecular management to complete reconfiguration of new coker gas plant designs. An improved processing scheme utilizing dividing wall column (DWC) technology decreases plot space requirements, reduces capital investment costs, improves energy efficiency, and enables improved product recovery/separation. DWCs not only provide processing plants with lower CAPEX to meet a plant’s processing objectives but they also provide improvement regarding environmental impact. These are advancements that make sense for the business world. That is, changes that improve business economics while at the same time do more with less and benefit the environment.