Also known as a Cat Cracker, the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) is a piece of refining equipment used to convert the heavy portion of crude oil feedstock into lighter petroleum products, including liquified petroleum gas and gasoline.
FCCUs use a chemical process known as cracking to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules by exposing them to a catalyst and extreme heat. Common catalysts include zeolite, bauxite, silica-alumina, and aluminum hydrosilicate. Once the FCCU process is complete, product is then sent to a hydrocracker for further processing.
Since they were introduced in the 1940s, FCCUs have improved the efficiency and output of countless refineries and have become essential to the industry.
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering Journal
By Simon Yuen, P.E. at Suncor Energy Inc., and Ken Gottselig at BP America Production Company
Hot spots – localized areas of overheating in pressure equipment – can lead to deformation or even loss of process containment. It is important to understand the effects of elevated temperature caused by hot spots on the mechanical integrity of equipment. |
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Online Article
Summertime requires refiners to push even harder on certain equipment, such as the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU), alkylation unit, and reformers to be able to meet increased demand. Warmer ambient temperatures can negatively affect process units in many different ways. Effectively managing these temperatures can save operators time and money during the heat of summertime operations. |
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released an animation depicting the February 18, 2015 explosion and fire at the ExxonMobil (now PBF Energy) refinery in Torrance, CA.
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Partner Content
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News
Reuters, April 10, 2018
Total SA may restart the gasoline-producing unit at its 225,500-barrel-per-day (bpd) Port Arthur, Texas, refinery by midweek, Gulf Coast market sources said on Monday. |
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Partner Content
Offshore platforms are exposed to some of the roughest conditions on earth and require regular attention to ensure they are structurally sound and safe for continued operation. With so many components and major joints at elevated locations, it is clear why a well-trained rope access technician can be an invaluable resource for offshore operators. |
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Reuters, April 17, 2017
Operations at the alkylation unit at Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA's El Palito refinery resumed on Sunday, according to the refinery's Twitter account. |
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Reuters, January 16, 2017
Exxon Mobil Corp plans to overhaul a gasoline producing unit and the hydrocracker at its 560,500 barrel per day (bpd) Baytown, Texas, refinery in March... |
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Reuters, August 23, 2016
French oil and gas company Total has shut down the fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) at its 102,000 bpd Grandpuits Refinery for maintenance, a company spokesman said. |
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Dow Jones & Company, June 17, 2016
Marathon Petroleum reportedly experienced an upset in a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) this week at the company's 451,000 bpd Galveston Bay refinery. |
