A mathematical model for catalyst regenerator of fluidized bed catalyt
ic cracking process, including thermal effects, has been developed to
simulate a regenerator having characteristics similar to that of the u
nit operated by Petrobras (Brazilian Oil Company). The proposed model
was built up by splitting the regenerator into two regions: the first
one was the jet region near the air distributor grid, the second one w
as the dense phase region (divided into bubbles and gas-solid emulsion
phases). The jet region uas described taking into account experimenta
l observations related to the dead zones between adjacent jets, jet ex
pansion angle, gas and solids entrance effects as well as coalescence
of neighboring jets. It was assumed heterogeneous carbon, hydrogen and
carbon monoxide combustion on the catalyst, as well as the homogeneou
s carbon monoxide oxidation in the gas phase. The model equations are
solved numerically, allowing the physical properties of the system and
compounds concentration in emulsion and diluted phases to vary with b
elt height so that more realistic predictions are obtained.