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NPRA 2012 Q&A and technology forum, hydroprocessing cracked materials
Oct-2012
What are the operating constraints in co-processing coker naphtha in a ULSD and/or gas oil hydrotreater unit?
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Apr-2017
Finite element analysis can be employed to improve the safety and quality of old or new designs and troubleshoot problems in the field
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Mar-2010
Exploration of an unconventional fuel mixture has resulted in a novel 
catalyst-based technology
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FCC catalyst optimisation in response to rare earth prices
Oct-2011
Lower levels of rare-earth catalyst formulations offset higher raw material costs, but refiners must consider the effects on catalyst performance and ...
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Recovering tungsten from spent hydrocracking catalysts
Apr-2014
When catalyst is no longer serviceable for hydrotreating, it takes a metallurgical route to supply tungsten for steelmakers
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Advanced recycle paraffin isomerisation technology
Apr-2001
An examination of how combining chlorinated catalyst, molecular sieves and well designed process configurations can maximise the value of C5/C6 strea ...
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Recovering precious metals from processing catalysts
Aug-2013
In round numbers, there are over 100 Gulf-region hydrocarbon refiners. These organisations are state owned, joint ventures, original concessions, or independent, ...
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FCC flue gas scrubber alternatives: part II
Oct-2009
The merits of combining additives and barrier filters as a cost-effective alternative to meeting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions targets
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Catalyst best practices — lessons from resid FCC units in the Middle East
May-2016
The Middle East expansion into the refined products market is driving large-scale, highly complex refinery projects. These projects include some of the ...
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Apr-2016
Analysing spent hydroprocessing catalyst underpins the development of guard bed catalysts to counter contaminants.
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Catalytic strategies to meet gasoline sulphur limits
Apr-2015
Stricter regulations reducing average gasoline sulphur content will require further reduction of FCC gasoline sulphur
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Role of FCC catalyst in refinery profitability
Jan-2014
By switching to a rare earth-free FCC catalyst, a refiner raised its output of premium grade gasoline and increased its operating margin
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Eliminating inert entry for catalyst changeout (TIA)
Feb-2018
Since hydrocracking and hydrotreating catalyst were introduced to the refining industry in the mid-20th century, it has always been a struggle to safely ...
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Reducing refinery SOx emissions
Jul-2006
Through an extensive study and 18-month trial, a Canadian refinery chose SOx reduction additive technology to reduce its SOx emissions
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Dec-2016
Feed containing fines, in-organic matter, sludge, rust etc. can cause excessive pressure drop build-up issues in hydroprocessing reactors.
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Apr-2017
Detailed catalyst data collected over 15 years reveal shifts in FCC yields in response to changing market conditions, and provide a marker for future unit ...
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Hydrotreating challenges and opportunities with tight oil
Jan-2015
Tight oil’s contaminant and cold flow challenges require appropriate catalyst treatment systems
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Feb-2004
A post audit at a Japanese refinery using a proprietary FCC model and catalyst-evaluation methodology determines a real improvement in profitability
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Tail gas catalyst performance: part 1
Jul-2014
The first part of a two-part account of time and temperature effects on tail gas catalyst performance provides a background to reaction modelling and pilot ...
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Dealing with hydrogenation catalyst poisons
Mar-2018
For stable operation of a pyrolysis gasoline unit, it is crucial to know the effects of poisons and inhibitors on catalyst performance and how to counteract ...
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Catalysts for hydrogen management
Mar-2013
Use and optimisation of high-performance catalysts are an important tool to increase hydrogen supply in a refinery
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Catalytic solutions for processing shale oils in the FCC
Apr-2014
Monetising tight oils requires suppression of unconventional metals contamination and gas formation, and adherence to flexible catalyst functionality
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Catalyst technologies for improved FCC yields
Nov-2017
Boron based nickel passivation enables refiners to reduce contaminant hydrogen and coke production and improve FCC yields.
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Producing ultra low sulphur gasoline with octane retention
Mar-2018
A drop-in catalyst enabled refiners to meet ultra low sulphur gasoline requirements with more severe feedstocks while retaining octane barrels
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Controlling the metals content of FCC equilibrium catalyst
Sep-2018
A method for calculating catalyst make-up provides a means to control the stability of FCC equilibrium catalyst in terms of metals content
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Dec-2021
The impact of increasing carbon and coke in spent precious metals catalysts.
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How rhenium in spent precious metals bearing process catalysts can prove a hidden asset
Dec-2021
Hydrocarbon processing catalysts typically include one or more precious metals such as platinum, palladium, ruthenium, and rhodium (commonly referred to ...
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Environmental impact of the precious metal value chain on refineries (ERTC)
Dec-2021
The world is aligned to fight climate change and has set challenging climate targets, which are shown, for example, in the Paris Climate Agreement.
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Sulphur spiking agents for hydroprocessing units activation (ERTC)
Dec-2021
The hydroprocessing process employs catalysts in which the active species are molybdenum or tungsten sulphides promoted by cobalt or nickel sulphides. ...
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Game-changing catalytic dewaxing: Zeopore reaches 30°C cloud point improvement (ERTC)
Dec-2021
Making diesel winter-proof is currently an expensive process as refiners face high diesel yield losses or have to turn to expensive additives or kerosene ...
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The carbon negatives: impact of increasing carbon and coke in spent precious metals catalysts (ERTC)
Dec-2021
There is a trend in the petroleum and petrochemical refining industry over the past five years or so as an ever-increasing percentage of carbon is being ...
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Precious metals catalyst management: measuring quality of service (ERTC)
Dec-2021
In today’s highly competitive, global petroleum and petrochemical industry, the importance of supply management has never been greater.
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Optimising refinery margins with rejuvenated catalysts
Jan-2022
Rejuvenated catalysts compare well with fresh catalyst for performance and stability, with added cost savings.
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Forming a sustainable catalyst partnership
Apr-2022
What should you consider when looking for a partner to process catalyst materials for you? These rules can help you develop a successful sustainable and ...
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Data quality obtained in refinery catalyst testing
Apr-2022
With high data quality (repeatability, reproducibility, and scalability) refiners can confidently determine the most efficient catalyst for their process ...
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Fibre-based specialty catalyst material maximises surface area and catalyst contact
Apr-2022
Customisable high surface area catalyst support material offers enhanced production for specialty chemical and industrial catalytic reactions.
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Performance of titania based tail gas catalyst at start-up
Apr-2022
Titania supported tail gas catalyst offers a number of operational benefits, particularly for TGTU installations operating with steam reheaters at low ...
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Economics of refining catalysts
Nov-2022
Risk aversion, such as averting a dual-sourcing catalyst strategy, obstructs improved profit contribution, supply flexibility, adoption, and replication ...
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High throughput experimentation meets chlorine chemistry
Nov-2022
A novel high throughput unit designed for the accelerated testing of HCl oxidation catalysts under industrially relevant conditions.
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What makes hydroprocessing different to other refining technologies?
Dec-2022
Most of the people that have worked around refineries for some time, feel that they have mastered the basics of the major refining technologies and feel ...
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Reactor runaways - automatic or manual depressuring?
Feb-2023
Recently, I have had several discussions and inquiries regarding reactor runaway events and whether automatic depressuring systems are needed for hydroprocessing ...
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Benefits of simultaneous mesoporisation/metal incorporation
Mar-2023
With the emerging shift towards a sustainable and renewable refining and petrochemical industry, the use of tailored metal-based catalysts is likely to ...
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Improved diesel hydrotreating catalyst loading scheme
Mar-2023
A European refiner used an independent catalyst testing approach to confirm their existing hydrotreating unit’s ability to cope with different LCO blending ...
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Mitigating FCC gas plant impacts when increasing reactor LPG yields
Apr-2023
Increasing FCC reactor LPG yields at the expense of gasoline increases profitability, but equipment downstream of the converter requires modifications ...
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Practical considerations for the design of adsorbent beds
Jul-2023
Refineries have to achieve outstanding reliability and in order to obtain this, they must ensure they optimise the lifetime of molecular sieves. Oil and ...
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Nov-2023
On September 13, the European Parliament approved the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, which increases sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) requirements within ...
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Simulating VGO, WLO, and WCO co-hydroprocessing: Part 2
Feb-2024
Economic analysis performed when co-hydroprocessing VGO, WLO, and WCO shows that WLO studied percentages increase hydrocracking unit net profits.
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Pushing the limits of FCC gasoline desulphurisation
Jul-2016
The goal of FCC gasoline desulphurisation to desulphurise FCC gasoline with minimum octane loss. The process uses conventional naphtha hydrotreating and ...
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Revamp cat feed hydrotreaters for flexible yields
Nov-2016
Revamping a cat feed hydrotreater to a flexible mild hydrocracker can be the most attractive economic option for adjusting the gasoline to diesel rati ...
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Automating catalyst withdrawal for improved safety
Apr-2018
Catalyst withdrawals can be carried out continuously and reliably, minimising operator risk and maintaining the integrity of withdrawal piping.
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FCC petrochemicals production at minimum capex
Nov-2021
Adapting FCC gas concentration unit design using dividing wall technology delivers high purity petrochemicals at significantly lower capital cost.
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Nov-2021
Co-processing biogenic feedstocks offers refiners options for meeting renewable fuel standards and other regulatory requirements.
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Improved SOx reduction in partial burn FCC
Nov-2021
Refinery applications of a new additive demonstrate improved SOx reduction performance in partial burn FCC operation
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Discovering hydrocracking units potential with pretreat and tailored hydrocracking catalysts
Sep-2021
A refiner uses pretreat and hydrocracking catalyst to maximise heavy naphtha, kerosene, and diesel production with improved product properties.
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Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and refining profitability
Aug-2021
Renewable Identification Numbers (rins) are credits used to certify compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard which requires certain minimum volumes ...
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Impact of chlorides on fluid catalytic cracking
Aug-2021
Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is an important conversion process in many refineries. It produces transportation fuels, including gasoline and diesel precursors, ...
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Maximising yields and profits from the FCC unit
Aug-2021
Comparative additive trials demonstrated a gain in petrochemicals output and profit from an integrated refinery’s FCC unit.
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FCC SOx additives and security of supply
Jun-2021
Rare earth prices could accelerate again as a result of trade tensions.
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Selecting catalysts for marine fuels production
Jun-2021
Accelerated activity and stability testing of hydrotreating catalysts.
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Refinery’s performance confirms catalyst testing
Jun-2021
Commercial results from a naphtha reformer are a close match with data from micro-pilot plant tests.
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Increasing profit in hydrocracking and diesel hydroprocessing
Jun-2021
A drop-in catalyst for hydrocracking pretreat and distillate hydrotreating raises activity with heat management savings.
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Catalyst switch solves NOx removal issues
Jun-2021
Changing to a corrugated honeycomb design from a pellet type for catalytic NOx reduction of a furnace’s flue gas stream overcame a series of operational ...
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Tail gas hydrotreating in a high H2S gas plant
Jun-2021
A tail gas hydrotreating catalyst delivers stable sulphur recovery operations, including low emission levels and energy savings, with a low rate of de ...
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Process and catalysis factors to maximise propylene output
May-2021
Catalyst selection and process design enable a new RFCC unit to maximise propylene production from a range of feeds.
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Increased propylene from heavier residues
May-2021
A specially developed catalyst enables a refiner to raise propylene selectivity from heavier feeds at maximum feed rate.
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Catalytic answer to a steam cracking challenge
Apr-2021
Rapid growth in steam cracker capacity has encountered a developing problem — contamination of opportunity naphtha feed by carbon disulphide.
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Apr-2021
An alumina-supported catalyst for ULSD production or hydrocracking pretreat provides longer catalyst cycles, higher throughput, and better product qua ...
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Accelerated catalyst screening and scale-up for aromatics alkylation
Mar-2021
Advanced high throughput experimentation workflow enabled the development of new catalyst materials for improved stability and regenerability.
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Boosting profitability in a maximum propylene FCC
Feb-2021
Refiner and supplier collaborated to evaluate, prepare, and execute the revamp of an FCC and an LPG olefins additive trial.
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Improving cold flow in diesel fuel
Feb-2021
Hydrotreating arrangements that overcome challenges to diesel’s cold flow properties meet current specifications more economically than blending and ...
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How can we raise butenes (butylenes) production from our FCC unit?
Feb-2021
Response to a question in the Q1 2021 issues Q&A Feature
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How can we raise butanes production from our FCC unit?
Feb-2021
Responses to a question in the Q1 2021 issues Q&A Feature
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Is there an alternative to conventional hydrotreating of FCC naphtha that will reduce octane loss?
Feb-2021
Responses to a question in the Q1 2021 issues Q&A feature
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Feb-2021
Responses to a question in the Q1 2021 issues Q&A feature
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What type of catalyst do we need for low pressure hydrotreating of middle distillates?
Feb-2021
Responses to a question in the Q1 2021 issues Q&A Feature