Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) is the basic gasoline-making process. It primarily converts vacuum gas oil from the crude distillation unit into gasoline blending stocks and fuel oils.
FCC breaks down heavier and more complex hydrocarbons into lighter ones. Feed is primarily vacuum gas oil, often mixed with refinery residues. Main products are:
- Gas fraction (mainly C3 / C4)
- Liquid fraction
- Coke (solid formation on the catalyst)
Oxygen enrichment in the regeneration allows the refinery operator to:
- Increase FCC capacity
- Get higher flexibility in the choice of feeds
- Use heavier feeds
- Raise conversion and gasoline yield
- Reduce by-products