Predictive control systems and methods with fluid catalytic cracking volume gain optimization

A method for automatic operation of a fluid catalytic cracking unit, the method comprising:

• calculating volume gain within the fluid catalytic cracking unit by comparing a volume of one or more input oil feeds to the fluid catalytic cracking unit to a volume of one or more output oil products of the fluid catalytic cracking unit;
• using a neural network model to generate a target severity predicted to optimize the volume gain within the fluid catalytic cracking unit;
• and
• operating a reactor severity control device using the target severity to modulate a temperature affecting the volume gain within the fluid catalytic cracking unit.

A controller for controlling operation of a fluid catalytic cracking unit, the controller comprising a processing circuit configured to:

• calculate the volume gain within the fluid catalytic cracking unit by comparing a volume of one or more input oil feeds to the fluid catalytic cracking unit to a volume of one or more output oil products of the fluid catalytic cracking unit;
• use a predictive model to generate a target severity predicted to optimize the volume gain within the fluid catalytic cracking unit;
• and
• operate a reactor severity control device using the target severity to modulate a temperature affecting the volume gain within the fluid catalytic cracking unit.