Abstract:

N-dodecane, butyl-cyclohexane, tetralin, decalin, and their mixtures were used as the model compounds and the combined techniques of FCC test and molecular simulation were adopted to study the reasons for a lot of uncracked chain alkane existing in FCC slurry. It is found that alkanes have different cracking performance in their single state or in a mixed one. When the alkane is mixed with strong hydrogen-donating molecules, like tetralin or decalin, the conversion of alkane is significantly depressed. Based on the results of experiment and molecule simulation, and reaction chemistry, a conclusion can be drawn that the hydride transfer between hydrocarbon molecules is the main reason that results in a lot of saturated, uncracked chain alkane in FCC slurry.

Key words: fluid catalytic cracking, slurry, chain alkane, reaction chemistry