The challenges of the Delayed Coking unit require each piece of equipment to be designed with certain characteristics to ensure continuous reliable operation. Pumps need to meet a variety of design criteria, requiring specialized expertise and engineering to deliver the necessary durability in arduous conditions.  Column and separator applications also require robust, fouling resistant, high-performance internals. 

Delayed coking process

The Delayed Coker Unit uses dual coke drums to which process feed is alternated, while one drum is being filled the second drum is being cooled followed by hydraulic coke cutting & water separation for reuse. 

In delayed coking, the feed is typically the residue from vacuum distillation tower and frequently includes other heavy oils. The feed is heated by a fired heater (furnace) as it is pumped in from the bottom and solidifies as it cools. Light ends flash off the top and go to the fractionation tower where they are separated into gas, gasoline, and other higher value liquid products. A solid residuum of coke is also produced and remains within the drum.

When coke drum is full, the valve switches flow to the second drum and the same process is repeated.

After cooling the first drum, water pressure is used to drill a bore hole down the middle of the solid coke. Once the bore hole is completed, rotary cutting with high pressure water is used to cut the rest of the coke from the drum. The water and coke pieces cut from the drum are dropped into a pit below the drums, where the cutting water is separated from coke and recycled.