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Could high moisture in recycle gas contribute to cracking in CCR reactor?
 
Answers
25/08/2015 A: Amit Srivastava, Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd, amit.sri2610@gmail.com
Yes but only for a short term, say, one catalyst regeneration cycle. Any excess moisture in the recycle gas acts as a poison to the metal function of the catalyst and forms HCl by stripping the acid function of the platforming catalyst. This HCl accelerates hydro-cracking leading to decrease in yield and lighter generation. If the moisture remains in excess over a long period then the catalyst may become chloride deficient and the acid function reactions may decrease.
19/08/2015 A: Azhar Kazi, Honeywell UOP, azhar.izak@gmail.com
Yes. Any moisture in RG will affect Chloride (or other acidic sites) distribution on the catalyst affecting water and chloride (acidic site) balance, this will result in excessive hydro cracking and coke lay down on catalyst, each technology provider will give a good optimum level for moisture in RG especially if it is fixed bed as some amount of moisture will be required to maintain the water chloride (acid site) balance). But in case of CCR since this is taken care in the continuous catalyst regenerator, you can keep moisture level in RG as low as possible.
18/08/2015 A: Ralph Ragsdale, Ragsdale Refining Courses, ralph.ragsdale@att.net
I would phrase it like this: Any water in the feed or recycle gas increases the hydrocracking activity of the catalyst.
07/08/2015 A: Krishna Rao Pulugurti, Retired/Consultant, pkrao2012@yahoo.com
Yes. It is called hydrocracking. The indication is a decrease in methane to heaviers ratio in the recycle gas. Gas generation would be high.