(208a) Innovative Approach to Solve Ccr Regenartor Pinning Problem

Saudi Aramco Yanbu Refinery successfully commissioned a new Cyclemax regenerator unit in June 2006 as part of a revamp.After about 6 months of operation the unit experienced successive plugging of the regenerator screen leading to immediate shutdown of the unit causing slowdown of the Platformer and downstream units. The slowdown of the units affected the gasoline production from the refinery. An in house team investigated the incident and identified the root cause as an over designed Regen gas blower which caused the catalyst to pin against the screen. An innovative solution of installing a restriction orifice to reduce the blower flow helped eliminate the problem. This paper will share the trouble shooting, root causes analysis and the recommendations implemented in restoring normal operations of the regenerator unit