(219d) Catalytic Fcc Type Processes

Our industry will be impacted by crude-based feedstock costs, impending cost margin deterioration, and further propylene:ethylene demand ratio increase. Conventional steam cracking trends with increasing ethane feedstock proportion will result in the need for other propylene sources.

The most convenient alternative propylene source will be linked to FCC type technologies. The anticipated global demand ratios between propylene, gasoline and diesel will promote the concept of higher conversion FCC reactions.

This can be achieved to various degrees depending upon the relative propylene production. Key technical adjustment factor is catalyst activity linked basically to zeolite content and type. This is consequently linked to cat:oil ratio, steam:hydrocarbon ratio and downstream equipment .

If grassroots units are anticipated, the various High Olefin FCC technologies might logically be implemented. Alternatively the next generation catalytic olefin process (Catalytic Pyrolysis Process CPP) which can produce high yields of both propylene and ethylene from FCC type units could well be selected.

This presentation will overview these current and future FCC type routes to higher olefin yields and the related links with existing standard steam crackers.