Application: The UOP SRC Uniflex process is a high-conversion residue hydroprocessing process for the production of gasoil conversion unit feedstocks, distillates and naphtha. The normal feedstock to a SRC Uniflex Process Unit is vacuum residue, although atmospheric residue and other streams (SDA pitch) can be processed.
Description: The feed is heated to the desired temperature by separate heating from the bulk of the recycle gas, which is heated to an elevated temperature above the desired mix temperature. Small particulate catalyst is added continuously in the feed just before the feed heater. The recycle gas is heated in its own heater then the feed plus the recycle gas are mixed in the bottom zone of the reactor. Product and catalyst leave the top of the reactor, are then immediately quenched then flow to the hot high-pressure separator (HHPS) and to further fractionation. The vapor stream from the CHPS is recycled back to the reactor after combining with make-up hydrogen. HVGO is typically recycled to almost extinction.
Economics: The SRC Uniflex Process will result in very high refinery margins due to the high conversion to distillates and naphtha’s.
Licensor: UOP.
