Simulation and design of fluid-catalytic cracking riser-type reactors

Two-phase flow, heat transfer and reaction in Fluid Catalytic Cracking riser-type reactors is studied using 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques. A model already presented in the literature (Theologos and Markatos, 1993) is further developed to incorporate a detailed 10-lump reaction kinetics scheme and account for feedstock gradual vaporization inside the reactor. A design study is carried out to illustrate that developed model is capable of predicting feed injector geometry effects on overall reactor performance. It is predicted that, by increasing the number of feed injection operating nozzles at the bottom of the reactor, selectivity to primary products is improved.