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Refining refiners’ spent catalysts
Mar-2013
Spent catalyst is the raw material for a recycling operation that delivers fresh catalyst and specialist metals
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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 ...
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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
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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 ...
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Advances in residue hydrocracking
Mar-2018
Recent developments in ebullated bed hydrocracking technology target high residue conversion and high quality products.
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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
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Advances in methanol synthesis
Mar-2010
Catalysts with higher and more stable activity enable cost savings and boost output in methanol production
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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
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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 ...
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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
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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.
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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
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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
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Fifty years of CCR platforming
Jan-2021
Professionals in the oil and gas industry today may not remember when gasoline was sold in multiple grades that included fuels containing tetraethyl l ...
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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.
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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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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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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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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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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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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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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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 ...
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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 ...
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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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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.
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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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Selecting catalysts for marine fuels production
Jun-2021
Accelerated activity and stability testing of hydrotreating catalysts.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Rejuvenate profits and support sustainability with reused catalysts
Nov-2022
Rejuvenated catalysts can optimise refinery margins for cat feed hydrotreating (CFH) applications.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Identifying high catalyst losses
Nov-2023
Multiple approaches to assessing FCC catalyst losses require an assessment of the unit’s mechanical system’s impact on fluidisation efficiency.
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Enabling safe FCC unit operational changes through ionic modelling
Nov-2023
How ionic modelling assisted in the management of change in FCC unit operations.
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Big changes in the US octane market
Nov-2023
Strategies for enabling higher margin capture in today’s highly volatile crude and product markets.
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Enhancing FCC reliability: The impact of cyclone technology developments
Nov-2023
How optimising cyclone design and implementing advanced internal hardware enhance operational reliability, illustrated with three real-world examples.
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Resolving low slide valve differentials and catalyst circulation problems
Nov-2023
Troubleshooting catalyst circulation problems that lead to unscheduled shutdowns and reduced income.
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Technical solutions for hydrotreating
Nov-2023
Revamps and turnarounds allow time to upgrade hydroprocessing units to make refineries both profitable and sustainable
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Transforming refinery opportunities through FCC
Oct-2023
Pursuing a sustainable path for recycled and renewable feedstocks.
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Evaluating purchased feedstocks for hydrocrackers and hydrotreaters
Sep-2023
Over the years in my career, I came to respect traders who could locate, negotiate, and purchase cheap feedstocks. The good traders seemed like sharks ...
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Proactively preventing reactor runaway events
Aug-2023
A quantitative method for selecting emergency actions could prevent hydrocracker reactor temperature excursion and runaway while avoiding flaring.
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Improve energy efficiency of your hydrocracking unit
Aug-2023
Reduced fuel firing in HCU product fractionators enables higher diesel yields and improved product properties while reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
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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 ...
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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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Innovations in industrial zeolite mesoporisation deliver robust catalytic benefits in hydrocracking
Jul-2023
As the key value generator in many established refineries, increasing the output towards desired fractions in a hydrocracker is a major commercial and ...
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Maximising renewable feed co-processing at an FCC
Jul-2023
Collaboration is key to accelerate the energy transition and make best use of existing assets, like the FCC unit.
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Predicting hydrotreater performance while co-processing vegetable oil
Jul-2023
Catalyst performance prediction model based on test data assesses the impact of co-processing renewable feedstocks for optimal hydrotreater operations ...
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Olefins production pathways with reduced CO2 emissions
Jul-2023
Regulations call for use of renewable feedstocks and electrification via unconventional, sustainable, and circular routes to ethylene, propylene, and other ...
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Reduce the carbon footprint of tail gas treating with reactivated catalysts
May-2023
Times have changed since catalytic processes were established.
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Co-processing alternative feedstocks through the FCC
Apr-2023
Decarbonise your FCC by co-processing alternative feedstocks, and enhance the incorporation of biogenic carbon in products.
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Unrevealed additional WASA additive performance at European refinery
Apr-2023
Study of the response of winter and summer grade diesel fuels to static dissipator additive and the effect of other additives on the electrical conductivity ...
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Minimising unwanted coke formation in FCC operations
Apr-2023
Design and operating practices to minimise the amount and effects of unwanted coke formation in FCC operations.
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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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From thermal maldistribution to cycle length extension
Apr-2023
How Tüpraş enhanced the performance of a distillate hydroprocessing unit by cost effectively cracking more of the heavier components to diesel.
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Anti-fouling additives to improve heavy oil processing
Apr-2023
A continuous pilot testing evaluation shows how magnesium sulphonated-based nano-additive is highly effective in mitigating and reducing upgrader/refinery ...
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Kinetic model for TGU hydrogenation reactors: Part 2 Catalyst model validation
Apr-2023
A rigorous high-fidelity kinetic model can help designers and operators forecast the life expectancy of reactor catalyst beds.
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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 ...