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Impact of bitumen feeds 
on the FCCU: part II
Oct-2008
Refinery configuration optimisation through LP modelling identifies attractive investments for processing Western Canadian Select. These investments involve ...
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Hydrate formation in a fluid catalytic cracking off-gas line
Apr-2019
A hydrate blockage led to sudden loss of a FCC unit’s off-gas flow and a system pressure surge. Comprehensive troubleshooting delivered remedial mea ...
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Continued gains in FCC pretreating: part II
Apr-2009
Case studies show the application of MHC systems in FCC pretreaters to increase middle distillate yields, while achieving reasonable conversion and cycle ...
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Multistage reaction catalyst with advanced metals tolerance
Oct-2013
The metal trapping capabilities of a catalyst gave a refiner greater flexibility to upgrade heavy residue feed with increased metals content in its RFCC ...
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Combining mesoporosity with metals tolerance for residue upgrading in FCC
Jul-2013
This article highlights the performance of Grace resid FCC catalysts with a range of zeolite-to-matrix (Z/M) ratios, optimised mesoporosity and metals ...
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Securing fuel supply and reducing GHG emissions
Apr-2008
Six strategic options are available to refiners to satisfy future energy and environmental requirements in the light of surging oil prices and public concerns ...
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Predicting CO combustor performance
Jul-2009
Detailed description of a CO to CO2 reaction kinetic model for estimating performance of an RFCCU CO combustor
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Consider multivariate statistical modelling to maximise FCC unit profitability
Nov-2013
Process models(a) and simulation(b) can be used to simulate the fluidised-bed catalytic cracking (FCC) unit process, kinetic or multivariate statistical ...
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Managing uncertainties and 
increasing profits (TIA)
Jun-2015
In response to the rare-earth supply crisis in 2010, and the tight oil revolution in the United States, Grace commercialised eight new low- or no-rare ...
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Advances in FCC pretreatment catalysis
Mar-2013
Performance data for a new FCC pretreat catalyst show a substantial advance in HDS and HDN activity
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Research and development of novel heavy oil catalytic cracking catalyst RCC-1
Jan-2015
With an increasing supply of heavier feedstock for the catalytic cracking unit, the FCC catalyst is required to possess a higher activity and more unobstructed ...
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Bottoms upgrading of FCC resid feedstock
Jun-2019
A refiner chose a new catalyst to improve bottoms upgrading and maximise fuels production from resid feeds.
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Surviving the global economic and legislative tsunamis
Jul-2009
Changes and challenges are sweeping the refining industry into a new era. Primary processing units will remain essential, but their roles will change ...
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Maximising distillate while 
minimising bottoms
Apr-2014
An FCC catalyst with reduced resistance to diffusion raises diesel output without the traditional bottoms penalty
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Rationalisation of and mitigation options for proposed EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0682
Jul-2016
Part 2: Impact on FCC units. In May 2014, the EPA issued EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0682, FRL-9720-4, RIN 2060-AQ75 for review and comment.
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Identifying very small 
equipment leaks
Jan-2008
Very small leaks in feed/effluent exchangers can be identified using chemical tracing. This online technique can detect leaks as low as 5.0 ppm, avoiding ...
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Continued gains in FCC pretreating: part I
Mar-2009
Case studies show where users are achieving significant gains in system capability, flexibility and economics. Also discussed are catalyst system loadings ...
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Overcoming clean fuels challenges
Jan-2016
Improvements in FCC pretreat catalyst systems enable refiners to meet ultra-low sulphur gasoline regulations and increase diesel output.
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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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Implementing advanced technologies for crude to chemicals projects (ERTC)
Dec-2019
According to the IEA, already a major component of the global energy system, the importance of petrochemicals is continuing to grow.
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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 catalyst accelerates bottoms upgrading
Apr-2020
A competitive FCC catalyst trial demonstrated that improved diffusion of feed and products boosts unit performance when residence time is short
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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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The outlook for transport fuels: Part 2
Jun-2016
As demand evolves, as specifications change, and as new fuel opportunities arise, what are the implications for refiners up to mid-century?
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FCCPT stacked catalyst systems (TIA)
Apr-2016
The pretreatment of feed for FCC units offers significant performance advantages for FCC operation including overall conversion, improved yields, FCC products ...
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Resid FCC catalyst technology for maximum distillates yield
Jul-2010
A catalyst developed for residuum applications with high contaminant metals levels showed a reduction in bottoms, with increased LCO and naphtha produ ...
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Better alkanolamine system operations through chemical analysis
Sep-2010
You can have better operating amine and glycol systems. An alkanolamine acid gas scrubbing system is an elegantly simple concept.
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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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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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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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FCC feed preparation for improved quality
Apr-1997
The benefits of hydrotreating heavy gas oil FCC feedstocks at different levels of severity are discussed in this article, particularly the operating success ...
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Risks of accumulated sulphur in sulphur recovery unit
Aug-1998
Follow-up data to an October 1997 article proves with refinery experience that caustic neutralisation does not improve system operations
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Low-cost methods to improve FCCU energy efficiency
Jul-2000
The first step to finding low-cost ways of improving FCC unit efficiency under new environmental regulations is to determine the true limits of the existing ...
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Contaminants and their effects on operations
May-2003
You can have better operating amine and glycol systems, gas processing plants encounter a variety of operational problems in their amine and glycol un ...
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Increasing FCC yields 
with oxygen enrichment
Jan-2009
With the demand for diesel increasing faster than that for gasoline and other refined products, an increase in FCC distillate yield can provide a low-cost ...
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Removal of NOx from FCCU regenerator vent gases
Apr-1997
Design of FCCUs has traditionally been aimed at optimising process yields and heat recovery, but legislation on emissions from refineries requires changed ...
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Predicting CO combustor performance
Jul-2009
Detailed description of a CO to CO2 reaction kinetic model for estimating performance of an RFCCU CO combustor
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Selective FCC naphtha desulphurisation
Apr-1999
By combining specially designed catalyst and process technology, the SCANfining process selectively removes sulphur from FCC naphthas while preserving ...
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Developments in cyclone technology improve FCC unit reliability
Jul-2010
Developments in FCC cyclone technology reduce problems of abrasion that cause unscheduled unit shutdowns
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Advances in a catalyst cooler technology
Oct-1999
In this article reliability and flexibility of operation is assessed, and commercial experience of the technology in over 20 FCC units is discussed
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Revamp options to increase hydrogen production
Apr-2000
Revamping of existing hydrogen plants to increase capacity is offered as an attractive possibility in many situations
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Controlling flue gas emissions
Apr-2002
This article reviews the latest developments in a wet scrubbing system that is used to reduce particulate SO2 and SO3 within one simple process
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Improvements to increase fuel capacity and quality
Oct-2002
By using staged technology upgrades, fuels production at the Jiddah refinery was expanded and quality improved, meeting market and regulatory criteria
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Technology for propylene boosting in steamcrackers
Mar-2003
Integration of steamcracker C4/C5 components with a fixed-bed fluid catalytic-cracking reactor employing a shape-selective heterogeneous zeolytic ZSM-5 ...
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ULSD production: improved feed stream quality
Apr-2003
Much of hydrotreater revamp investment costs in future will be in dealing with the most difficult-to-remove sulphur species, because of their low reaction ...
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Improving FCCUs: bottoms system upgrades
Jul-2003
A review of process flow scheme fundamentals and basic equipment operating and design principles that have improved unit operating profitability through ...
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Optimising FCC unit performance
Feb-2004
Additive currently used in several FCC units increases conversion and gasoline yield without exceeding coke or gas limits. The resulting operating flexibility ...
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Fluidised catalytic cracker hydrotreater revamp
Apr-2004
Primary revamp of reactors, exchangers and other FCC pretreater components provided return on investment for a complex refining facility
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Feb-2006
FCC catalyst technology can help refiners processing resids overcome any negative effects on unit operation and operate more profitably and efficientl ...
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Hydrocarbon removal from amines demonstrated experience
Mar-2006
Bringing amine system contaminants down to low levels has reduced operational problems. Several large operating facilities are now using the latest technology ...
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Feb-2009
Plant data show how an FCCU’s propylene yield is maximised while minimising its dry gas and slurry yield at a CEPSA refinery
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FCC reactor design: 
part II
Jan-2009
In part I, reaction kinetics, cracking chemistry, pressure balance, catalyst and vapour residence times, and fluidisation were considered. In part II, ...
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Increasing FCC yields 
with oxygen enrichment
Jan-2009
With the demand for diesel increasing faster than that for gasoline and other refined products, an increase in FCC distillate yield can provide a low-cost ...
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New roles for FCCU: carbon capture unit and coke gasifier
Jan-2009
Environmental and energy security concerns may evoke new roles for the FCCU in addition to the production of liquid fuels and light olefins. Gasification ...
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Staged FCCU main fractionator revamp
Oct-2008
A refinery column is debottlenecked in steps to address operational concerns and strategic goals. Understanding the site specific operational nuances and ...
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Impact of bitumen feeds 
on the FCCU: part II
Oct-2008
Refinery configuration optimisation through LP modelling identifies attractive investments for processing Western Canadian Select. These investments involve ...
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Processing heavy 
ends: part II
Oct-2008
Improvements in the SDA technology incorporated into ROSE units, together with expanding options for asphaltene product utilisation, have led to an increased ...
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Regenerator head replacement project
Oct-2008
How one of the world’s largest FCC regenerator heads with cyclones was removed and replaced during a 30-day turnaround
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Impact of bitumen feeds 
on the FCCU: part I
Jul-2008
The impact of processing bitumen-derived feeds on FCC operations and product yields is assessed, and the capital investments required to process varying ...
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Processing heavy 
ends: part I
Jul-2008
The synergy of solvent deasphalting and FCC can provide economic access to heavy ends. Pilot plant data on bottom-of-the-barrel processing options are ...
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Effect of hydrocarbon partial pressure on FCC propylene production
Jul-2008
Results of cracking experiments are discussed, where the hydrocarbon partial pressure was varied by altering the total reactor pressure, feed rate and ...
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Tar sands oil upgrading technology
Apr-2008
Technology for processing heavy crudes and bitumen-derived materials such as synthetic crude oil are examined, along with the challenges they present to ...
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Securing fuel supply and reducing GHG emissions
Apr-2008
Six strategic options are available to refiners to satisfy future energy and environmental requirements in the light of surging oil prices and public concerns ...
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Reducing FCC SOx in 
partial-burn regenerators
Apr-2008
Latest developments in SOx-reduction additives are discussed along with their relative merits and appropriate applications
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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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Reducing FCC unit 
NOx emissions
Mar-2008
Mechanisms of FCC unit NOx formation and logical steps to minimise these emissions are discussed. Performance examples at each stage of operation using ...
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Identifying very small 
equipment leaks
Jan-2008
Very small leaks in feed/effluent exchangers can be identified using chemical tracing. This online technique can detect leaks as low as 5.0 ppm, avoiding ...
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Evaluating FCC flue gas emission-control technologies
Jan-2008
Comparing technologies for reducing FCCU flue gas emissions. Special emphasis is placed on selecting cost-effective solutions, particularly in the area ...
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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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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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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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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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Expanding FCCU wet gas compressor capacity
Apr-2007
Parametric correlations can predict WGC performance curves at different speeds and molecular weights. However, performance curves in a range of speeds ...
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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.
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Jan-2007
Gamma scanning is a powerful tool that can be used to determine the cause of flooding and regain column efficiency. Debutaniser capacity and performance ...