Towards a zero gasoline production refinery: part 1

Jul-2013

Integrating products from the steam cracker, aromatics complex and FCC unit to produce petrochemicals without gasoline may offer more attractive margi ...

Strategies for improved naphtha processing

Oct-2013

To take advantage of dilbit from Alberta and light oils from shale formations, refiners must develop a strategy for processing additional naphthas and ...

Avoiding FCC regenerator upsets

Feb-2006

Examination of all unit operating conditions indicates that lowering the regenerator bed level will eliminate catalyst upsets and increase unit charge ...

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 ...

Refinery design in China

Jan-2013

Poor-quality crude oils and strict environmental regulations promote the use of technologies that favour energy savings and environmental protection

HCN and NOx control strategies 
in the FCC

Apr-2014

Results of research into emissions from the FCC, plus guidance on how to obtain the minimum level of NOx.

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

Salt deposition in FCC gas concentration units

Oct-2009

Various operational problems can arise when ammonium chloride deposition occurs in FCC gas concentration units, and there is a range of likely causes

Profiting with FCC feedstock diversity

Jul-2006

Gasoline sulphur-reduction catalysts and additives can provide additional options and flexibility while maximising refinery profitability

FCC catalyst coolers in maximum propylene mode

Mar-2012

Catalyst cooling technology for continuous heat removal from the regenerator in maximum propylene operations can avoid damage to FCC catalyst and equi ...

Revamping FCC emissions control

Oct-2011

An upgrade of FCC unit emissions reduction at a Tulsa refinery relied on computational modelling to develop optimal flow control systems

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

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 ...

Catalysts for maximising middle distillates

Jan-2012

Collaboration in catalyst development and application, from laboratory scale to commercial operation, enabled a refiner to achieve production objectiv ...

The importance of using pilot plant testing for FCC catalyst selection

Aug-2013

In the EMEA region, over 65% of refineries perform catalyst testing prior to selecting FCC catalysts for their units.

Reducing sulphur oxide emissions from the FCC unit

Feb-2010

Application of a SOx-reduction additive enabled a refiner to meet a pressing requirement to reduce emissions from its FCCU

Advanced process control in FCC and hydrocracking units

Apr-2015

Implementation of advanced process control of two major units produced significant savings with short payback times

Optimising the FCC regenerator for reduced emissions

Oct-2010

Increasing scrutiny of FCC stack emissions calls for special attention to be paid to the regenerator’s combustion zone

Improving FCC catalyst performance

Mar-2006

Higher volumes of heavier feeds can be processed with additives designed to enhance base catalyst effectiveness. Deactivation and dehydrogenation problems ...

Zero and low rare earth FCC catalysts

Oct-2011

Blends of rare earth-free and rare earth-based catalysts for resid feed FCC applications have maintained and even improved performance

Hydrogen transfer and ZSM-5 in maximising propylene

Apr-2015

Used at high concentrations to maximise propylene from the fluid catalytic cracking unit, ZSM-5 strongly influences a complex matrix of reactions.

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 ...

Maximising gas plant capacity

Apr-2004

Water entrapment and foaming must be avoided to maximise LPG recovery and minimise downstream unit contaminants

Towards a zero gasoline production refinery: part 2

Oct-2013

Refinery configurations can suit various processing objectives, such as variations to the propylene-to-ethylene ratio and production of middle distillates ...

FCC flue gas scrubber alternatives: part II

Oct-2009

The merits of combining additives and barrier filters as a cost-effective alternative to meeting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions targets

Increasing FCC propylene yield

Apr-2016

A test run with ZSM-5 additive demonstrated to a refinery that it could significantly raise production of propylene in the FCC.

Guarding against contaminants

Apr-2016

Analysing spent hydroprocessing catalyst underpins the development of guard bed catalysts to counter contaminants.

Challenges and opportunities of an FCC revamp

Jul-2018

An FCC revamp for enhanced refinery performance and profitability called for close coordination with the technology licensor and contractors.

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

FCC gasoline and C4 streams for 
BTX production

Oct-2009

An extractive distillation process provides direct recovery of aromatics from FCC gasoline to rebalance refinery production towards higher levels of p ...

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.

FCC unit revamps at minimum cost

Oct-2016

Selective modifications for FCC unit revamps can deliver the best return 
on investment

Improving FCC catalyst performance

Mar-2006

Higher volumes of heavier feeds can be processed with additives designed to enhance base catalyst effectiveness. Deactivation and dehydrogenation problems ...

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 ...

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 ...

Emission challenges in partial burn FCC operation (TIA)

Oct-2016

Partial burn regenerator operation offers the possibility to process lower cost crudes. This makes partial burn operation very competitive for conversion ...

FCC metals trapping additive trial (TIA)

Apr-2019

The Parkland refinery in Burnaby, British Columbia has consistently high levels of feed metals going to the FCC. In the past, high levels of fresh catalyst ...

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.

Advanced process control in FCC and hydrocracking units

Apr-2015

Implementation of advanced process control of two major units produced significant savings with short payback times

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 ...

Role of FCC catalyst in refinery profitability

Jan-2014

By switching to a rare earth-free FCC catalyst, a refiner raised its output of premium grade gasoline and increased its operating margin

Improving FCC unit profitability

Aug-2017

Upgrading the FCC catalyst and additive system enabled a refiner to increase olefins production with lower bottoms to coke and no increase in dry gas.

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, ...

Advances in FCC catalyst performance

Oct-2010

Upgraded manufacturing processes have produced an FCC catalyst with increased gasoline yield and high hydrothermal stability at high severity operatio ...

Future of opportunity crudes processing

Oct-2011

Five critical drivers help refiners remain profitable and sustain long-term business goals while processing relatively inexpensive, low-quality crudes

Measuring metal mobility in FCC equilibrium catalysts (TIA)

Jun-2015

In recent years, a number of new techniques have been used to study metal mobility and metal effects in FCC units. These techniques brought new insights ...

A flexible and innovative solution to temporarily mitigate FCC catalyst losses (ERTC)

Jan-2019

In the fluid catalytic cracker (FCC), fluidisation of the catalyst is essential to ensure continuous operation of the unit.

Increased activity in FCC pretreat

May-2015

Advances in metal chelation techniques deliver higher performance catalysts for FCC pretreat. The process of optimising a catalyst is no easy task.

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 ...

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.