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

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

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

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 ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

Troubleshooting a FCC unit

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

FCC air/steam rings

Oct-2011

Ring distributors are a simple yet effective means of improving air/steam distribution within the FCC unit

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 ...

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

Controlling CO boilers

Jul-2011

UOP Callidus supplies and installs complete systems and various subsystem components for CO boilers and other FCC related ancillary equipment.

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

Naphtha cracking for light olefins production

Jul-2010

As an alternative to steam cracking, an FCC-type process provides on-purpose production of propylene

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

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

Interpreting FCC equilibrium catalyst data

Apr-2018

Regular Ecat and fines analysis provides information to support optimum performance from the FCC.

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 turnaro ...

Main fractionator water wash systems

Sep-2006

When properly designed and operated, main fractionator wash water systems can remove salt with little upset

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 ...

Advances in amine reclaiming

Feb-2007

Why there is no excuse for operating a dirty amine system. The benefits of reclaiming amine systems are trumpeted by many and doubted by others.

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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

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.

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 ...

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.

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 ...

Petrochemicals from refinery intermediates — beyond polyolefins

Jul-2020

Diversifying chemical synthesis routes based on simple olefins can add major value for an integrated refining-petrochemical complex.

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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

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.

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.

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 ...

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 ...

Interpreting FCC equilibrium catalyst data

Apr-2018

Regular Ecat and fines analysis provides information to support optimum performance from the FCC.

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 ...

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 ...

FCC pathways to co-processing

Nov-2021

Co-processing biogenic feedstocks offers refiners options for meeting renewable fuel standards and other regulatory requirements.

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 ...

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 ...

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

Improving level control under extreme conditions such as in FCC units

Jun-2020

Catalytic cracking is one of the most important conversion process used in petroleum refineries. It is a widely used process in the refineries for converting ...