Molecular-Level-Process Model with Feedback of the Heat Effects on a Complex Reaction Network in a Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Process

Abstract

A molecular-level-process model for a fluidized catalytic cracking process was developed. The work was aimed at the coarseness of the reaction network used in traditional lumping kinetic models. A feed-component matrix containing 14692 molecules was generated using a structure-oriented-lumping (SOL) method. A total of 95 groups of reaction rules were compiled, and 702943 reactions were involved. The SOL reaction kinetic model was combined with the reactor model to calculate the temperature distribution and feedback on the complex reaction network by taking into account the reaction heats in each reaction. The model was validated by the industrial data and predicted that the gasoline yield was >51% and the olefin content in gasoline was <24% at proper operation temperatures and catalyst/oil ratios. With the aid of the molecular-level model for the maximizing-isoparaffin technology, the product distribution and corresponding product quality can be controlled rationally by manipulating the operation conditions.