Improve Delayed Coker Yields and Flexibility with Optifuel Coker Additive Technology

with Philip Lane, Albemarle

For many years, Delayed Coking units have played an important role in oil refineries as one of the most cost effective processes to convert vacuum residue into more valuable products. The delayed coking yields are the result of thermal reactions and mainly a function of feed properties and operating conditions such as furnace outlet temperature and drum pressure; however, this process results in coke yields from 20-40% of feed.

Albemarle and OptiFuel Technology Group (OFTG) have developed and optimized a technology, referred to as OptiFuel™ Technology (licensed by Albemarle), employing a coker additive to reduce the coke yield and increase liquid yields in these delayed cokers. OptiFuel’s patented technology along with Albemarle’s proprietary coker additives result not only in improved performance and profitability, but also in increased flexibility that can be used to reduce bottlenecks, increase throughput, and produce more valuable products.

In this presentation, Optifuel process technology and the associated Albemarle Coker Additive technology will be presented with Pilot plant results and Computer Fluid Dynamic Simulations. The method of additive injection and other details of the technology will be described. Albemarle will also include a general description of the protocol for a commercial trial, such that pioneers in the industry can prepare to take early advantage of this new technology without compromising the safety and reliability of their operations.