Mathematical Modeling of Regenerator Reactor in Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Process

In this study, based on a comprehensive mathematical model, a regenerator reactor in fluidized catalytic cracking unit is modeled. In this model, the regenerator is divided into two sections, namely dense and dilute sections; in each section, mass and energy balance for all components are solved simultaneously. The kinetics of reactions happened in regenerator consists of two reactions for coke combustion and two reactions for combustion of carbon monoxide via homogenous and heterogonous routes. After process modeling and computer programming in MATLAB, the modeling outputs are compared by experimental data presented in the literature as well as experimental data obtained from a pilot plant in our research center. The results show that mathematical modeling can predict system performance in different operating conditions with high accuracy and there is good agreement between the modeling predictions and the experimental data.