The Flexible FCC
Implementing SOx Additives in FCCs with Wet Gas Scrubbers
Over the last 80 years, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units have stood the test of time as refiners continue to adapt them to shifting industry conditions. The flexibility of the FCC enables refiners to transition between targeting maximum gasoline, light cycle oil, alkylation unit feed, and petrochemical feedstocks as yields from their units.
This flexibility will continue to drive the longevity of the FCC in the upcoming decades and through the energy transition. Grace remains committed to supporting the industry with creative solutions that help drive the highest profitability operation while minimizing the FCC’s environmental footprint.
In the current issue of Catalagram magazine, we examine two case studies demonstrating collaboration with refiners to help maintain environmental compliance for SOx emissions in a more cost effective and sustainable manner.
The Results
Grace collaborated with Citgo and Shell — both of which operate wet gas scrubbers (WGSs) – to implement SOx additive for reducing overall SOx compliance costs in both full and partial burn applications. Further analysis of this activity reveals that the benefits extend far beyond cost savings.
Balancing SOx additive and WGS caustic is not only economically viable, but also helps the refiners reduce Scope 3 emissions and waste production. This is achieved by converting the sulfur destined for waste from WGS wastewater plants over to reactor H2S, which is converted into elemental sulfur and utilized to produce commodities including sulfuric acid and fertilizers.
By implementing Grace’s SOx additive, EMISSCIAN™, the refiners not only maintained SOx emissions compliance while minimizing operating expense, but also realized reduced Scope 3 emissions and wastewater treatment. Many refiners continue to take advantage of these benefits today, despite fluctuations in caustic prices, due to EMISSCIAN™’s industry leading flue gas sulfur reduction performance across a variety of applications.
Grace remains dedicated to being the premier partner of the refining industry by continually investing in the development of novel solutions and manufacturing capabilities to better serve our customers.
Read the full article and discover a wealth of technical content designed for FCC and hydroprocessing operators in the pages of Catalagram. Also, you can access back issues of Catalagram in our archive.