Experiments were conducted in the geometrically- and dynamically-scaled UBC half-column to test different configurations that might significantly reduce stripper shed fouling and increase run length, while providing little or no decrease in stripping efficiency in two commercial fluid cokers. The results showed that a series of horizontal gas jets, without baffles, constrained to use no more steam than in the existing commercial operations, were unable to fully match the stripping efficiency of the strippers with shed internals. Wall baffles were also of little assistance. However, relatively large crossed-sheds, called "mega-sheds," combined with a limited number of staggered gas jets, provide a promising geometry, with more tolerance to fouling and stripping efficiency equivalent to that of the existing commercial units. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.