MAXCOKING technology

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Coking operations are batch processes that involve switching between two coke reaction towers; that is, while one tower is being charged with coke, the other tower carries out operations such as steam injection, cooling, coke removal, purging, pressure testing, and preheating. Switching operations usually cause pressure fluctuations in the coke reactor, and it is these pressure fluctuations that are the root cause of problems in the coke tower. The MAXCOKING technology involves, during the preheating and switching phases of the coking cycle, circulating the gas oil or naphtha from the distillation tower back into the hot online coke reactor. The heat-rich vapor generated by the evaporation of these light hydrocarbons is used to reduce pressure fluctuations and thus maintain stable pressure in the coke reactor. The application of MAXCOKING technology can stabilize the operation of coking units, enabling an increase in their processing capacity, higher liquid yields, reduced coke production, and less use of defoamers, thereby improving the efficiency of these units.