DIGITAL-SIMULATION OF INDUSTRIAL FLUID CATALYTIC CRACKING UNITS - BIFURCATION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

The mathematical model for fluid catalytic cracking units developed earlier (Elnashaie, S.S.E.H. and El-Hennawi, I.M., 1979, Chem. Engng Sci. 34, 1113-1121) has been used, after introducing some modifications, to simulate two industrial units. The model results were found to be in good agreement with the plant data. It was found that the plants operate at the middle unstable steady state and the yield can be increased to its maximum value by manipulating some of the operating variables. A parametric study has been conducted to investigate the effect of some parameters on the operating middle steady states, bifurcation behaviour and gasoline yield. © 1990.