Agglomeration of Bitumen-Coated Coke Particles in Fluid Cokers

作者：Darabi Pirooz^*; Pougatch Konstantin; Salcudean Martha; Grecov Dana

来源：International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering, 2010, 8(1): A122.

DOI：10.2202/1542-6580.2346

• fluid coker
• agglomeration
• coke particles
• bitumen coating
• coking reactions

A simplified mathematical model is proposed to determine the agglomeration tendency of bitumen-coated coke particles in fluid cokers. The model calculates a theoretical critical velocity that depends on key parameters such as the particle size, bitumen viscosity, and bitumen thickness; it also accounts for the temperature- and reaction-dependent variations of the bitumen thickness and viscosity. A peak theoretical critical velocity at the intermediate reaction times for all coking temperatures is predicted. By comparing this peak critical velocity with the estimated inter-particle collision velocities within an industrial-scale reactor, the agglomeration tendency of coke particles is determined within fluid cokers. The results show that at low temperature regions (T=400 degrees C), there is no agglomeration tendency; however, at high coking temperatures (T=503 and 530 degrees C), substantial agglomeration tendency is expected. It is also found that the number of coke particles constituting an agglomerate could be as high as a few hundreds.

• 出版日期2010