Summary: 

In order to increase the value of heavy oils, many refiners use delayed coking. This heavy oil upgrading scheme is really the last-remaining batch process utilized in petroleum crude refineries. There are currently 63 DCU’s operating in the US, and more around the world. Becht is proud to provide an in-depth discussion of this unique process which involves high temperatures, complex chemistry, and very unique specialty equipment and systems. Safety, Reliability, Design & Troubleshooting considerations are woven into the presentation topics. Daily group problem solving sessions are included relative to real world problems and economic considerations. 

Introduction

• DCU in Refinery Flow Plan
• History of Coking: Delayed, Fluid & Flexi
• Equipment Overview & Flows
• Specialty Systems: Blowdown, Cutting & Handling

Feeds, Reactions & Coke

• Feedstocks: Types & Measures
• Crude Unit Effects
• Operating Conditions & Yields
• Thermal Cracking Chemistry
• Coker Severity: Temp, Pressure & Recycles
• Coke Formation & Drum Considerations
• Coke Types: GPC, CPC, Anode & Needle

Coker Feed System

• Feed Tankage & Surge Drums
• Combination Tower & Heater Charge

Coker Furnaces

• Design & Operations
• Coil Tube Coking & Decoking

Transfer Line: Furnace to Coke Drum

• Internal Reactions & Misconceptions
• Coking Management & Mechanical Considerations

Coke Drums – While Coking

• History & Overview
• Coke Bed Formation & Fatigue Life
• Antifoam Optimization
• Vapor Line Quenching & Slop Oils
• Pressure Relief Considerations

Coke Drums – Decoking

• Optimization Focus
• Switching: Steaming
• Cooling: Sludge & Water
• Opening, Cutting & Closing
• Warming

Key Performance Variables

• Furnace, Coke Drums, Antifoam, Petcoke
• Main Fractionator, Blowdown System
• Environmental Considerations

Specialty Equipment

• Drum Structure Valves & Slide Valves
• Blowdown System

Coke Handling System

• Pits, Pads, Gantry Crane
• Grizzly, Crusher, Conveyor, Load-out

Coker Water Systems

• Mazes, Clear Water Sumps & Pumps
• Hydrocyclones, Closed Slurry Systems & Hydrobins
• Cutting/Quench Water Tanks

Special Procedures

• Startup, Shutdown & Decontamination
• Low Temperature Drums

Final Discussion / Q&A

Who Should Attend: 

The presentation applies to those professionals who are interested in getting a thorough introduction to all aspects (process, mechanical & operational) of delayed coking as part of a full 3-day course. It is primarily oriented toward engineers, operations personnel and service providers grounded in refining fundamentals – tower fractionation & heat balances, pump operations, valve basics, and fluid flow.

Instructors: