Refining refiners’ spent catalysts

Mar-2013

Spent catalyst is the raw material for a recycling operation that delivers fresh catalyst and specialist metals

The FCC unit as a propylene source

Jul-2007

Hardware and catalyst design changes can increase the propylene yield, but ZSM-5 and other additives are essential to optimise and retain the flexibility ...

Combating reactor pressure drop

Apr-2017

A refiner investigates the causes of pressure drop due to fouling in a fixed bed reactor and considers an appropriate mitigation strategy

Zeolite based dryers in ethylene plants

Apr-2014

A review of the role and nature of adsorbent dryers in the production of ethylene by steam cracking. Steam cracking represents more than 95% of ethylene ...

Advances in residue hydrocracking

Mar-2018

Recent developments in ebullated bed hydrocracking technology target high residue conversion and high quality products.

Opportunities for increasing on-demand light cycle oil

Oct-2009

Swift response to demand for higher LCO yields from the FCCU may involve optimising variable parameters and employing a bottoms cracking additive

More efficient catalyst loading (TIA)

May-2017

A change in dense catalyst loading technology enabled a major chemicals company to achieve a 10% increase in production capacity in a fixed bed reacto ...

Catalyst catastrophes in hydrogen plants

Jan-2006

Processing mishaps can occur if catalyst is placed in abnormal conditions. These catastrophes include temperature runaways, the formation of toxic nickel ...

Process improvements in the direct hydration of olefins to alcohols

May-2014

Synthetic alcohols produced by direct hydration have wide application in the process industries as solvents, in the production of cosmetics and as intermediates ...

Advances in methanol synthesis

Mar-2010

Catalysts with higher and more stable activity enable cost savings and boost output in methanol production

HS-FCC for propylene: concept to commercial operation

Oct-2016

A FCC process provides a high light olefin yield from a wide variety of feedstocks utilising high severity reaction conditions and a novel down flow reaction ...

Reducing gasoline sulphur with additives

Apr-2004

Evolution of regulations in an era of limited capital has led to the development of catalyst additive technologies to reduce FCC gasoline sulphur

What is sintering in relation to catalyst deactivation and how can it be avoided? (PTQ Q&A)

Oct-2020

Response to a question in the Q3 2020 issue of PTQ

FCC flue gas scrubber alternatives: part I

Jul-2009

The merits of combining additives and barrier filters as a cost-effective and highly efficient way of meeting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions ...

How ZSM-5 works on FCC gasoline composition

Oct-2015

A study of the effect of matrix versus zeolite in the base catalyst on the composition of light and heavy gasoline fractions.

High performance catalyst for liquid phase EB technology

Jul-1997

The EBZ-500 catalyst has raised catalyst peformance, achieving not only greater purity in the ethylbenzene produced and, consequently, in styrene monomer, ...

Increasing catalytic reforming yields

Mar-2008

Case study where a CCR Platforming process unit increased profitability by changing to a high-density catalyst. Higher aromatic yields and the ability ...

Alternative routes to paraxylene production

Apr-2004

An integrated refining and petrochemical approach to paraxylene manufacture from various feedstocks, such as excess aromatics in reformate or pyrolysis ...

Gasoline benzene reduction

Oct-2013

By adding a new unit that reacts a benzene-rich stream with light olefins, a refiner complied with current regulations for benzene and achieved a payback ...

Decrease catalyst costs by regeneration, analysis and sorting

Mar-2012

Use of regenerated catalyst can be maximised by careful sampling and analysis of spent catalyst to construct a reactor contamination profile

Strategies for increasing production of light cycle oil

Oct-2009

Refineries should consider several strategies, including recycle and enhanced catalyst activity, to increase LCO output from the FCCU while minimising ...

Enhancements in Ethylene Oxide/Ethylene Glycol manufacturing technology

Aug-2017

The markets for ethylene oxide (EO) and ethylene glycol (EG) continue to see attractive growth. This means that at least one or two new plants will need ...

Estimating silicon accumulation in coker naphtha hydrotreaters

Mar-2012

Improved sampling and analysis of silicon in the feed enable a significant gain in the cycle life of coker naphtha hydrotreater catalysts

The ART of trapping silicon and arsenic

Feb-2013

In an effort to lower costs and improve refining margins, refiners often look for opportunities to purchase lower cost crudes or other feedstocks

Tail gas catalyst performance: part 2

Dec-2014

The second part of a two-part account of time and temperature effects on tail gas catalyst performance gives a background to reaction modelling and pilot ...

Making innovative catalysts to trigger a reaction in chemical, gas and refining processes

Aug-2020

When you are creating high-quality petrochemical end products, you must first trigger a reaction.

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 ...

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, ...

Optimising hydrotreating catalyst reuse with Excel rejuvenation technology (ERTC)

Dec-2021

The refining industry is currently under pressure to optimise profit margins in challenging financial conditions while adapting to a changing global climate ...

A streamlined approach for FCC catalyst and additive management and order fulfilment (ERTC)

Dec-2021

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, and we apply our cutting-edge science to create solutions with our customers that make ...

Study of CCRU first reformer reactor ∆P behaviour using multiple linear regression

Apr-2022

Determinants and explanatory variables affecting the behaviour of the first reformer reactor ∆P are identified, with the aim of controlling it and ...

Structured catalyst reactor system for steam methane reforming

Aug-2023

Results from pilot plant test programme confirm significant advantages and value creation. Steam methane reforming is the predominant and most widely used ...

Catalytic reforming options and practices

Apr-2010

Design and practice in catalytic reforming is evolving to meet refinery challenges, including lower gasoline pool benzene content and increased demand ...

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.

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

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

Lessons from FCC history

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 ...

Adsorbent choices help refiners find safer solutions

Aug-2022

For refiners, selection of the proper adsorbent, or combination of adsorbents, is critical to ensure the removal of all contaminants during olefin (such ...

Zeolite based dryers in ethylene plants

Apr-2014

A review of the role and nature of adsorbent dryers in the production of ethylene by steam cracking. Steam cracking represents more than 95% of ethylene ...

Catalytic strategies to meet gasoline sulphur limits

Apr-2015

Stricter regulations reducing average gasoline sulphur content will require further reduction of FCC gasoline sulphur

Fixed bed naphtha reformer catalyst regeneration - a history of naphtha reforming

Dec-2020

Refiners have been reforming naphtha to improve its octane or to produce aromatic chemicals since the 1930s.

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.

Selecting catalysts for marine fuels production

Jun-2021

Accelerated activity and stability testing of hydrotreating catalysts.

Recovering silicon poisoned catalyst

Nov-2021

Silicon poisoning usually spells the end for hydrotreating catalysts, but a rejuvenation process can extend the effective life of silicon trap catalys ...

The gauze catalyst for ammonia oxidation — a holistic approach

Mar-2022

The gauze catalyst for ammonia oxidation has a unique position among the catalysts of large-scale chemical industry, since, in contrast to the supported ...

A step change in feed nozzle design

Aug-2022

How Shell’s Max Atomisation Feed Nozzle technology can improve FCC unit margins with minimal capital investment, including audited results from three ...

Rejuvenate profits and support sustainability with reused catalysts

Nov-2022

Rejuvenated catalysts can optimise refinery margins for cat feed hydrotreating (CFH) applications.

Co-processing renewables in a hydrocracker

Mar-2023

Understanding and controlling the impact on catalyst performance, yields, and product properties is key to renewables co-processing in hydrocracking u ...

HS-FCC for propylene: concept to commercial operation

Oct-2016

A FCC process provides a high light olefin yield from a wide variety of feedstocks utilising high severity reaction conditions and a novel down flow reaction ...

The future for hydrocracking: part 1

Nov-2017

Hydrocracking technology faces challenges and opportunities amid diesel emission scandals, low sulphur marine fuels, and the growing position of electric ...