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FCC Unit Troubleshooting & Catalyst Optimisation

Optimize FCC process Dynamics, Catalyst Performance, and Unit Troubleshooting to Maximize Refinery Yield and Reliability

FCC Unit Troubleshooting & Catalyst Optimisation

Course Schedule

Classroom

Online

Training Introduction

The Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit serves as a vital economic engine within modern refinery configurations, directly driving gasoline yields, light olefin output, and overall operating margins. However, sustaining peak operational performance requires deep technical knowledge to balance complex variables across the reactor, regenerator, fractionator, and gas concentration sections. Challenges such as poor conversion, regenerator afterburn, catalyst losses, and equipment fouling can severely jeopardize unit reliability and profitability.

This comprehensive FCC Unit Troubleshooting Training Course delivers the practical diagnostic skills and analytical strategies needed to resolve complex process upsets, manage catalyst performance, and maximize unit throughput. Participants will explore real-world operational constraints and master proven techniques to protect mechanical integrity while enhancing overall energy efficiency.

Key focus areas of this course

  • Mastering FCC reaction kinetics, riser dynamics, and catalytic cracking fundamentals
  • Evaluating feedstock properties, feed preheating, and atomization performance
  • Optimizing catalyst activity, inventory circulation, and equilibrium catalyst management
  • Diagnosing and preventing regenerator afterburn, combustion issues, and catalyst losses
  • Troubleshooting main fractionator operations, wet gas compressors, and product recovery units
  • Enhancing operational reliability, product yields, and refinery energy efficiency

What are the goals?

This specialized Catalyst Optimisation Training Course equips refinery personnel with actionable diagnostic strategies to overcome complex operational limitations and drive sustainable performance gains across all FCC sections.

  • Analyze reactor, riser, and regenerator operating parameters to maximize conversion and yield selectivity.
  • Evaluate the impact of feedstock contaminants, Conradson carbon, and heavy metals on unit performance.
  • Assess catalyst activity, selectivity, and deactivation mechanisms to optimize catalyst addition strategies.
  • Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks within the regenerator, fractionator, and gas plant sections.
  • Apply effective troubleshooting techniques to minimize catalyst losses, equipment erosion, and unplanned shutdowns.
  • Implement operational best practices to boost energy efficiency, product quality, and refinery margins.

Who is this Training Course for?

This practical FCC Unit Troubleshooting Training Course is specifically tailored for technical professionals and operational personnel seeking to advance their process diagnostic capabilities and improve plant reliability.

  • Refinery process, operations, production, and shift engineers
  • FCC unit operators, console technicians, and operational supervisors
  • Technical services specialists, catalyst experts, and process control engineers
  • Maintenance, inspection, corrosion, and reliability engineers
  • Refinery planning, optimization, and laboratory technical personnel

How will this Training Course be Presented?

This interactive FCC Unit Troubleshooting Training Course utilizes a highly structured, practical learning approach combining expert-led technical presentations, detailed process flow diagrams, and continuous real-world data analysis. Participants actively evaluate operational scenarios, catalyst performance metrics, and complex refinery case studies to reinforce key theoretical concepts.

Through practical troubleshooting exercises, delegates analyze common unit upsets, examine root causes, and develop effective corrective and preventive strategies. Collaborative discussions enable participants to benchmark their operational challenges against industry standards and return to their facilities with actionable knowledge for immediate implementation.

The Course Content

Day 1: FCC Process Fundamentals and Feedstock Evaluation

  • Role of the FCC unit within the refinery configuration
  • FCC reaction mechanisms and catalytic cracking chemistry
  • Overview of reactor, regenerator and fractionation systems
  • Riser cracking, reaction time, temperature and catalyst-to-oil ratio
  • Feedstock properties affecting conversion and selectivity
  • Effects of Conradson carbon, sulphur, nitrogen and metals
  • Feed preheating, atomisation and injection performance
  • FCC material balance, conversion and yield calculations 

Day 2: Reactor and Riser Performance Optimisation

  • Feed and catalyst contacting within the riser
  • Influence of riser outlet temperature and reaction severity
  • Catalyst circulation and catalyst-to-oil ratio optimisation
  • Feed nozzle performance and atomisation problems
  • Reactor cyclone operation and catalyst separation
  • Causes of low conversion and poor product selectivity
  • Dry gas, LPG, gasoline, light cycle oil and slurry yield control
  • Troubleshooting riser, reactor and disengager performance 

Day 3: Regenerator Operations and Troubleshooting

  • Coke combustion and regenerator heat balance
  • Full-combustion and partial-combustion operating modes
  • Air distribution, combustion efficiency and flue-gas analysis
  • Dense-bed temperature and dilute-phase temperature control
  • Causes, consequences and prevention of regenerator afterburn
  • Troubleshooting high carbon on regenerated catalyst
  • Cyclone efficiency, catalyst losses and particulate emissions
  • Regenerator constraints, erosion and refractory concerns 

Day 4: FCC Catalyst Management and Optimisation

  • FCC catalyst composition, properties and performance functions
  • Zeolite activity, matrix properties and pore structure
  • Fresh catalyst, equilibrium catalyst and catalyst inventory
  • Catalyst deactivation by steam, metals and contaminants
  • Effects of nickel, vanadium, iron, sodium and calcium
  • Catalyst additives for octane, SOx reduction and combustion control
  • Equilibrium catalyst sampling, testing and data interpretation
  • Optimising catalyst addition and withdrawal strategies 

Day 5: Product Recovery, Troubleshooting and Unit Optimisation

  • Main fractionator operation and heat-balance management
  • Troubleshooting flooding, foaming, entrainment and slurry problems
  • Wet gas compressor performance and operating limitations
  • Gas concentration and LPG recovery-system troubleshooting
  • Product-quality problems and corrective operating actions
  • Identifying unit bottlenecks and throughput limitations
  • Energy efficiency, emissions reduction and reliability improvement
  • Integrated FCC troubleshooting and optimisation case study

Providers and Associations

Anderson

Anderson

Aztech Training

Aztech Training

COPEX

COPEX

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about this training course.

Absolutely. Coventry Academy provides customised in-house training solutions for organisations seeking a tailored learning experience. The FCC Unit Troubleshooting & Catalyst Optimisation training course can be adapted to reflect your organisation's objectives, industry requirements, operational challenges, and strategic priorities. Delivered exclusively for your team, customised training enables organisations to maximise relevance, encourage collaboration, and achieve targeted development outcomes. Our team will be pleased to discuss your requirements and develop a solution that aligns with your goals.

Absolutely! If you’re attending one of our courses at an international venue, we can help
with hotel reservations and entry visas. Just reach out to our Customer Service team:

  • Phone: +971 4 420 8304
  • Fax: +971 4 420 8304
  • Email: info@coventryacademy.com

No prior experience is required to attend the FCC Unit Troubleshooting & Catalyst Optimisation training course. The course is designed to accommodate participants from diverse professional backgrounds and varying levels of experience. While some familiarity with the subject matter may help participants gain additional value from certain discussions and activities, the course content is structured to ensure that both newcomers and experienced professionals can fully engage with the learning experience and benefit from the training.

Our dedicated support team is available to assist you with any questions regarding the FCC Unit Troubleshooting & Catalyst Optimisation training course, including course content, scheduling, registration, corporate bookings, and customised training solutions. We are committed to providing prompt and professional assistance throughout your learning journey.

📞 Phone: +971 58 840 7925

📧 Email: info@coventryacademy.com

🌐 Website: coventryacademy.com

Registering for a course is super easy! Here’s how you can do it:

  • Online: Pick your course, hit the "REGISTER" button, fill out the form, and
    submit it.
  • Email: Drop us a line with your details at info@coventryacademy.com.
  • Phone: Give us a call at +971 4 420 8304 to book your spot.
  • Fax: Fill in the booking form (you’ll find it in our brochures, flyers, or catalogue)
    and fax it to [+971 4 420 8304](tel:+97144208304).

The FCC Unit Troubleshooting & Catalyst Optimisation training course is designed to be practical, engaging, and highly interactive. Participants benefit from a dynamic learning environment that combines expert-led presentations, facilitated discussions, case studies, practical exercises, and collaborative learning activities. The focus is on developing knowledge that can be applied immediately within the workplace, ensuring participants gain both valuable insights and practical skills that support improved professional performance.

Your course fees cover:

  • For classroom courses: printed materials, lunch, and refreshments.
  • For online courses: all materials sent to you by email.
  • A certificate of completion or attendance.

You’ll need to make payment before the course starts. Here are your options:

  • Bank draft
  • Cash
  • Credit card
  • Wire transfer

Heads up: If we don’t receive payment before the course begins, we may have to deny
admission.

We delivers training courses in carefully selected professional venues that provide a comfortable and productive learning environment. Classroom-based courses are typically hosted in premium international venues with modern facilities and dedicated training spaces designed to support effective learning. Participants also benefit from a professional setting that encourages networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing with peers from diverse industries and backgrounds.

The FCC Unit Troubleshooting & Catalyst Optimisation training course is designed for professionals seeking to strengthen their knowledge, enhance their capabilities, and achieve greater impact within their organisations. It is suitable for managers, supervisors, team leaders, technical specialists, consultants, and professionals at all career stages who wish to expand their expertise and stay current with industry developments. Whether you are looking to advance your career, improve workplace performance, or prepare for new responsibilities, this course provides valuable knowledge and practical insights to support your professional growth.

Our courses are led by top-notch international instructors. They’re not just academically qualified—they’ve also got years of real-world experience. They bring practical insights and deep knowledge to every session, making your learning experience truly valuable!

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the FCC Unit Troubleshooting & Catalyst Optimisation training course will receive a Coventry Academy Certificate of Completion, recognising their commitment to professional development and continuous learning. This certificate serves as formal evidence of participation and achievement and can support career progression, professional credibility, and ongoing development objectives. Where applicable, details regarding professional development credits or accreditation will be provided within the course information.

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