Valves for the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCC)
Converts heavy gasoil into gasoline and olefins over a fluidised catalyst at high temperature. Erosive catalyst circulation and cyclic thermal-mechanical duty make this the refinery's most severe valve service.
What are the critical valves in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit?
Wet gas compressor anti-surge (Control Valves) — Prevents surge on the erosive, high-molecular-weight wet-gas stream. Regenerator/reactor relief (Safety & Relief Valves) — Fire-case and blocked-outlet overpressure protection on the highest-temperature vessels in the unit. Main fractionator bottoms (Gate Valves) — Hot, solids-bearing slurry service demanding abrasion-tolerant trim.
Critical Valve Points
Wet gas compressor anti-surge
Control Valves →Prevents surge on the erosive, high-molecular-weight wet-gas stream.
Regenerator/reactor relief
Safety & Relief Valves →Fire-case and blocked-outlet overpressure protection on the highest-temperature vessels in the unit.
Main fractionator bottoms
Gate Valves →Hot, solids-bearing slurry service demanding abrasion-tolerant trim.
Unit-Level Valve Strategy
- Catalyst-slide and standpipe valves see continuous erosive duty - hard-faced or ceramic-lined trim is standard practice, not an upgrade option
- Main air blower and wet-gas compressor isolation follows severe-service rotating-equipment practice with anti-surge protection
- Regenerator and reactor overpressure protection is a fire-case-driven relief study, not a routine PSV sizing exercise
Equipment in this Unit
Fluids in this Unit
Governing Standards
Related process units
Sealing systems specified in this unit
Connected Engineering
Sourcing valves for a Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit?
Send your unit valve list — we supply the full set (Control Valves, Safety & Relief Valves, Gate Valves) with certification matched to API 617, in one PO.