Slurry Phase Residue Hydrocracking - a Superior Technology to Maximize Liquid Yield and Conversion from Residue Extra Heavy Oil

摘要

The first slurry phase residue hydrocracking process was the Veba Combi-Cracking (VCC)rntechnology that was originally developed in the 1950s and successfully operated atrndemonstration scale (3500bpd) for several decades until 2000. This technology has manyrneconomic and performance features that are more attractive than delayed cokingrnSince 2006 BP, which became owner with 2002 purchase of Veba Oel, has been furtherrnimproving this technology. The process has been re-engineered to produce larger train sizesrnand includes improvements in its integrated hydrotreating stage.rnThis slurry phase process not only provides a real alternative to cokers, but also has featuresrnthat positively distinguish it from other slurry phase hydrocrackers that have been recentlyrnpromoted.rnTo accelerate the commercialisation of this technology BP has entered into a cooperation withrnHouston based KBR for global licensing and engineering.rnThis paper presents the first exposure to some of the uprated VCC process features thatrnincrease its potential as a substitute for delayed coking as the upgrader of choice.rnComparisons to other hydrocracking processes, new experimental results and the impact onrnprocess performance and economics will be reported.