FCC slurries
FCC slurries
In modern refineries, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is a process by which refineries convert residual oils from the atmospheric and vacuum distillation columns into more valuable gasolines and middle distillates. Here, long-chain hydrocarbons are cracked using pulverized catalysts such as aluminum and silicates.
FCC slurries
As a by-product, the FCC units produce an aromatic and highly viscous oil called slurry oil. Such a slurry oil still has value and is used as a feed stock for bunker fuels (blended in). FCC slurry can be recycled to the refinery's feed, marketed as carbon black feed stock, or as fuel in the refinery.
The key to improving the quality of the FCC slurry – so that it becomes a higher quality product – is the removal of catalysts such as AL and Si and other ash-forming elements. High speed disk-stack centrifuges from GEA efficiently remove such contaminats.
Treatment with GEA centrifuges has shown separation efficiencies > 90% for particles smaller than 5 micron. The FCC slurry becomes a valuable product, resulting in better margins for refineries.