A two‐dimensional model for simulation, control, and optimization of FCC risers

Abstract A simplified two‐dimensional (2‐D) formulation for FCC risers has been developed. The model approximates the mixture of gasoil, steam, and solid catalyst that flows inside the riser reactor by an equivalent fluid with average properties. The cracking reactions are modeled by a 6‐lump kinetic model combined with two energy equations (gas and solid). Due to the adopted simplifications, a fast and simple‐to‐solve computational code was written; nevertheless, it still is sufficiently precise to be used for the design of new units and for system control and optimization of operating conditions of FCC risers. The validation of the proposed model was performed by direct comparison of the obtained results with available experimental data for a multi‐purpose pilot FCC riser unit. The model was then utilized to simulate an actual size industrial FCC riser. The obtained numerical results in this article demonstrate that the model can be used as a powerful and simple tool for design, control, and optimization of FCC units, combining accuracy with low computational time to obtain solutions when simulating actual FCC riser operation. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006