Resid puts FCC process in new perspective. [Fluid catalytic cracking]

Some unique concepts in fluid catalytic cracking have been incorporated in a new and large residual oil fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) now in operation at Total Petroleum Inc.'s Ardmore, Okla., refinery. The design and operation of the 40,000-b/d unit (see cover) are based on ideas and observations about catalytic cracking--some of which run counter to traditional thinking--that have been confirmed by cracking heavy feeds for several years in Total's refineries. This article covers the incentives for cracking residual oils, the nature of the catalytic cracking phenomenon employed, and the desired capabilities of a system that unites the incentives with the FCC process.