FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to catalytic cracking systems, and more particularly, to spray nozzle assemblies adapted for atomizing and spraying a bio-oil liquid feed into a fluidized catalytic cracking reactor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fluidized catalytic cracking processing is important in the petroleum refinery industry and is used world-wide to convert heavy hydrocarbons into products such as liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, and diesel fuel. Renewable energy sources, such as bio-oil produced from fast pyrolysis of bio-oils like pine woodchips, corn cobs, other plant and organic material, and vegetable oils are becoming increasingly important as an alternative or supplement to crude oil as a processing fuel. The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process can similarly be used to produce hydrocarbon fuels from bio-oil. Desirable results can be obtained when the bio-oil is co-processed with the feed of crude oil. Because of the instability of the bio-oil to temperature, care must be taken in injecting the bio-oil into the riser of the FCC. Subjecting the bio-oil to high temperatures could cause premature polymerization of the bio-oil and pluggage of the nozzle.

OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable, non-plugging and effective bio-oil atomization and injection system for co-processing bio-oil with hydrocarbon feedstock in a fluid catalytic cracking system.

Another object is to provide a bio-oil feed assembly that can be effectively operated at reasonable temperatures associated with steam, fuel gas, nitrogen and other gas atomization of the bio-oil at operating temperatures associated with catalytic cracking systems.

A further object is to provide a bio-oil feed nozzle assembly of the above kind in which the liquid bio-oil feed is maintained at an optimum temperature below its polymerization or decomposition temperature for efficient atomization into catalyst inside FCC riser, and direction while being transferred simultaneously with hot steam or other atomizing gas through even relatively long length feed nozzles, such as up to two and six feet in length.

Still another object is to provide a spray nozzle assembly of the foregoing type which meets all the requirements for preserving the integrity of the bio-oil and is relatively simple in construction and lends itself to economical manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

