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Naphtha catalytic cracking for propylene production
Mar-2013
Investment in on-purpose propylene production technology based on 
naphtha-based feedstock is taking on various process configurations
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Understanding centrifugal compressor performance
Apr-2002
In a connected process system, expensive changes to the compressor and driver can be avoided with system debottlenecking modifications
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Centrifugal compressor operations
Jul-2004
The wet gas compressor is used as an example in this article reviewing compressor performance, operating conditions and basic control philosophy
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RFCC units set new standard for propylene production
Oct-2012
RFCC units are being commissioned and operated to convert hydrotreated and straight-run resid to high levels of propylene
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Understanding FCC feeds and benefits to refinery operation
Apr-2015
In this work, over one hundred FCC feed samples, originating from diverse geographic locations and consisting of assorted FCC refinery streams, were a ...
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Optimisation of product yield and coke formation in a RFCC unit
Apr-2010
Simulation studies of a commercial residue fluid catalytic cracking unit indicate the conditions for an optimum balance of product yield with low coke ...
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Mar-2012
The source of a fouling problem in a FCC CO boiler was identified by systematic analysis of fresh catalysts, additives and equilibrium catalysts
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Oct-2011
Ring distributors are a simple yet effective means of improving air/steam distribution within the FCC unit
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Installing a power recovery system on FCC or RFCC units
Jan-2010
Full examination of the design options and operating issues related to the installation of a PRS on a FCC or RFCC unit will increase energy efficiency ...
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Residue desulphurisation and conversion
Apr-2006
The current market forces that presage a boom in resid hydrotreatment are examined along with recently reported progress in technology
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HCN emissions in fluid catalytic cracking
Apr-2013
Increased attention to refinery emissions of hydrogen cyanide requires detailed understanding of its formation and conversion in the FCC regenerator
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Control of foaming in amine systems
Sep-2007
Amine solutions foam. Solution foaming causes plant upsets. It is the disengagement or break time that differentiates normal, desirable froth from undesirable ...
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Choosing a selective hydrogenation system
Oct-2002
Data has shown the effectiveness of palladium catalyst for the removal of diolefins and acetylenes in steam cracking as well as catalytic cracking
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Diesel hydrotreating and mild hydrocracking
Oct-2011
Increased hydroprocessing capability must provide an acceptable long-term return on capital, while producing the desired product yields and qualities
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Jul-2011
UOP Callidus supplies and installs complete systems and various subsystem components for CO boilers and other FCC related ancillary equipment.
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FCC fundamentals: turnaround best practices
Apr-2009
Basic procedures and activities are presented for the unit engineer and other support personnel, designed to ensure a successful and safe 
FCC t ...
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Minimising FCC slurry exchanger fouling
Jan-2008
A case study shows when to expect reductions in slurry / FCC preheat exchanger duty from a variety of factors, including organic and inorganic-based f ...
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Main fractionator water wash systems
Sep-2006
When properly designed and operated, main fractionator wash water systems can remove salt with little upset
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Naphtha cracking for light olefins production
Jul-2010
As an alternative to steam cracking, an FCC-type process provides on-purpose production of propylene
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FCC gas concentration unit 
stripper revamp
Jul-2007
Unit charge rate and reactor conversion were increased by the elimination of stripper column flooding. Chemical-grade propylene specifications were me ...
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Maximise olefins through catalytic cracking Indmax FCC process
Apr-2008
The primary purpose of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process historically has been to convert low-valued, heavier petroleum streams into gasoline, ...
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Interpreting FCC equilibrium 
catalyst data
Apr-2018
Regular Ecat and fines analysis provides information to support optimum performance from the FCC.
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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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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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Preventing salt fouling in FCC main fractionators
Apr-2001
Results of using salt dispersant additives on a badly fouled FCC unit has shown that the method allows refiners to avoid more costly methods of naphtha ...
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Optimising FCC economics against changing market dynamics
Mar-2023
CO promoters are a frequently overlooked parameter for better control of afterburning, as demonstrated in a case study amidst a changing platinum group ...
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Steam ring redesign improves FCC bottoms stability
Apr-2022
Installing a newly designed steam ring in a main fractionator stabilised fluctuations in the flash point of FCC bottoms
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Reducing NOx emissions from an FCC unit (TIA)
Aug-2018
Refinery processes account for a considerable share of the overall emissions of air pollutants in Europe. The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) is the ...
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Interpreting FCC equilibrium 
catalyst data
Apr-2018
Regular Ecat and fines analysis provides information to support optimum performance from the FCC.
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Tools for FCC unit troubleshooting
Nov-2022
Strategies, resources, and technology can help to rapidly identify potential operational problems in FCC units targeted for upgrading and optimisation ...
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Role of FCC process and catalysts in the energy transition
Aug-2022
In the evolving circular economy, proper leveraging of FCC technology and operations can deliver value for refiners in the decades going forward.
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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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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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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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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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When replacement in-kind gives performance that isn’t: a vibration case study
Dec-2020
This story starts with a familiar scenario for a fluidised catalytic cracking unit (FCCU); a 30 year old waste heat boiler (WHB) had become a maintenance ...
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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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Understanding FCC feeds and benefits to refinery operation
Apr-2015
In this work, over one hundred FCC feed samples, originating from diverse geographic locations and consisting of assorted FCC refinery streams, were a ...
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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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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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Oct-2011
Ring distributors are a simple yet effective means of improving air/steam distribution within the FCC unit
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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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Mar-2012
The source of a fouling problem in a FCC CO boiler was identified by systematic analysis of fresh catalysts, additives and equilibrium catalysts
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RFCC units set new standard for propylene production
Oct-2012
RFCC units are being commissioned and operated to convert hydrotreated and straight-run resid to high levels of propylene
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Refiner’s role in upgrading plastic waste
Sep-2022
Plastic consumption is projected to skyrocket in the coming decades for packaging, automobiles and construction, increasing to 1, 231 million tonnes in ...
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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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FCC gasoline desulphurisation for Tier 3 sulphur compliance
Sep-2017
FCC gasoline desulphurisation is used widely in refineries around the world. It is growing in importance because of new regulations that require sulphur ...
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Understanding centrifugal compressor performance
Apr-2002
In a connected process system, expensive changes to the compressor and driver can be avoided with system debottlenecking modifications
-
Maximise olefins through catalytic cracking Indmax FCC process
Apr-2008
The primary purpose of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process historically has been to convert low-valued, heavier petroleum streams into gasoline, ...
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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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Optimising FCC economics against changing market dynamics
Mar-2023
CO promoters are a frequently overlooked parameter for better control of afterburning, as demonstrated in a case study amidst a changing platinum group ...
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Lessons from FCC history: through Covid and post economic recovery
Mar-2023
An updated and in-depth look at FCC catalyst history, spanning two decades, reveals trends pre-Covid, during Covid, and post the recent economic recov ...
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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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Tools for FCC unit troubleshooting
Nov-2022
Strategies, resources, and technology can help to rapidly identify potential operational problems in FCC units targeted for upgrading and optimisation ...
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Refiner’s role in upgrading plastic waste
Sep-2022
Plastic consumption is projected to skyrocket in the coming decades for packaging, automobiles and construction, increasing to 1, 231 million tonnes in ...
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Role of FCC process and catalysts in the energy transition
Aug-2022
In the evolving circular economy, proper leveraging of FCC technology and operations can deliver value for refiners in the decades going forward.
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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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FCC unit yield improvement with artificial intelligence
Aug-2022
How closed loop neural networks have improved FCC yields via direct control and continuous optimization.
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Olefins and octane from FCC operations
Jun-2022
The worldwide olefins market is valued at over $322 billion by 2026 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.0% for the 2022 to ...
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Digital twin optimises FCC operations for real separator behaviour
Jun-2022
Digital twins based on process simulation models are invaluable for overcoming limitations in the design or operations phases to optimise plant profit ...
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Maximising crude-to-olefins pathways
May-2022
Considering that high-purity olefins are necessary for maximum conversion of polymerisation reactions, selective hydrogenation is crucial for purifying ...
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Increasing naphtha feedstock for the petrochemical market
Apr-2022
The global naphtha market is valued at $152.2 billion in 2022 and could reach $212.9 billion by 2030, growing at an estimated CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast ...
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Co-processing renewable and recyclable feedstocks in the FCC unit
Apr-2022
As new regulations drive refiners to develop more sustainable processes to produce fuels and chemicals, they are exploring co-feeding renewable and recyclable ...
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Steam ring redesign improves FCC bottoms stability
Apr-2022
Installing a newly designed steam ring in a main fractionator stabilised fluctuations in the flash point of FCC bottoms
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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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Managing ammonium salts corrosion and fouling
Nov-2021
An additive overcame corrosion and fouling issues in a FCC unit, avoiding costs arising from water wash.
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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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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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Reducing FCC main fractionator operating risks
Mar-2021
Analysis of an FCC main fractionator upset and follow-up revamp showed that removal of the HCO wash section did not impact operations or product quali ...
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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.