Studies on fluid catalytic cracking of hydroprocessed feedstocks

Worldwide public concern about environment and increased demand for better quality fuels by automobile industries has necessiated developed countries like USA, UK and Japan to stipulate stringent specifications for petroleum fuel products. Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is a major secondary process for fuel products and quality of products coming from FCC unit depends largely on the feedstock used. FCC naphtha makes up for 30-40% gasoline in a typical refinery pool. This FCC naphtha contributes to around 90% of the gasoline pool sulphur. Hence, sulfur and nitrogen reduction have become essential for meeting the quality requirements of fuel products resulting in the growing importance for pretreatment of FCC feedstock. In the present work, studies were carried out in pilot plant on hydrotreatment of feedstock for FCC unit. The results indicate better quality products for treated feedstock vis-a-vis untreated heavy vacuum gas oils from Persian Gulf (PG) crudes. Hydroprocessing of FCC feed has helped refiners in meeting the fuel products quality especially with feedstocks, which are characterized as heavy and refractory in nature.