Delayed coking

Abstract

Thermal processing is the most common refining technique for heavy residues. Thermal processing techniques include delayed coking, fluid coking, flexicoking, and visbreaking; of these, delayed coking is by far the most common method of thermal processing, with the ability to produce motor fuels from vacuum tower bottoms with a minimum of capital expenditure. Delayed coking capacity has increased greatly in recent years, mostly due to the heavier crude slates being used in refineries. Although delayed coking is an old process, there are many challenges associated with it, especially as crude slates continue to change and greater throughput is required of delayed coking units.