The "Black Art" of Managing Coke Quality

The factors that impact the type and quality of coke that comes from the drum include but are not limited to,

1. Feed quality
   1. Crude/resid fresh feed
   2. Recycle
   3. Other feeds like FCC-slurry, unconverted hydrotreated resids, solvent deashphalter (SDA) bottoms, etc
   4. Slops
   5. Sludge
   6. Chemical additives
2. Temperature
   1. Coil outlet temperature (COT)
   2. Drum temperature (unquenched outlet used as first approximation)
3. Pressure
4. Time
   1. Cycle time
   2. Residence time in the drum (time/pressure functions as well)
5. Location in drum

Let's not forget about the coke cutting, coke handling, and calcining....covered elsewhere....that can ultimately determine the final product qualities as well.

Typically, feed quality places the largest single component in determining the coke type and qualities that will be formed but all aspects matter and can create shifts in qualities which are meaningful. Like many things, the types of coke are not absolute and exist on a spectrum as illustrated by the graphic here. Some factors push left or right on the spectrum.

Our team can help you optimize your feed and process the ensure on-spec coke production, where that be meeting the highest quality needle or anode coke qualities possible or maximizing conversion to a shot coke quality constraint.