Consistency of the ten-lump kinetic model for cracking: Study in a laboratory reactor and use for simulation of an FCCU

The kinetic constants corresponding to the ten-lump kinetic model have been determined by carrying out the cracking of three different feeds in a laboratory reactor under experimental conditions (temperature, contact time, C/O ratio) similar to those of industrial FCC units and using a commercial catalyst. The kinetic constants are independent of the feed composition, which is evidence of the consistency of the ten-lump kinetic model. The kinetic constant determined have been used in the simulation of an FCC unit operated following two strategies (maximization of the yield of gasoline and mean distillates), and in both cases it has been proven that the results of the simulation are in agreement with those of the industrial plant.