Application: The Shell Soaker Visbreaking process is most suitable to reduce the viscosity of vacuum (and atmospheric) residues in (semi) complex refineries. The products are primarily distillates and stable fuel oil. The total fuel oil production is reduced by decreasing the quantity of cutter stock required. Optionally, a Shell vacuum flasher may be installed to recover additional gas oil and waxy distillates as cat cracker or hydrocracker feed from the cracked residue. The Shell Soaker Visbreaking technology has also proven to be a very cost-effective revamp option for existing units.
Description: The preheated vacuum residue is charged to the visbreaker heater (1) and from there to the soaker (2). The conversion takes place in both the heater and the soaker. The operating temperature and pressure are controlled such as to reach the desired conversion level and/or unit capacity. The cracked feed is then charged to an atmospheric fractionator (3) to produce the desired products like gas, LPG, naphtha, kerosine, gas oil, waxy distillates and cracked residue. If a vacuum flasher is installed, additional gas oil and waxy distillates are recovered from the cracked residue.
Yields: Vary with feed type and product specifications.
Feed, vacuum residue Middle East
Viscosity, cSt @100°C 615
Products, wt%
Gas 2.2
Gasoline, 165°C EP 4.8
Gas oil, 350°C EP 13.6
Waxy distillate, 520°C EP 23.4
Residue, 520°C+ 56
Licensor: Shell Global Solutions International B.V. and ABB Lummus Global B.V.
