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Spent sulphuric acid regeneration (SAR) process
May-2012
Several chemical processes utilise concentrated sulphuric acid as a catalyst or dehydrating agent, in which the acid becomes “spent”; ie, weakened ...
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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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Jan-2008
Highly exothermic olefins saturation and silica contamination can occur when hydrotreating coker naphtha.
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Apr-2003
A review of the use of chloride guard beds to treat liquid phase and gas phase streams to prevent operational problems from hard-to-detect organic chlorides, ...
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Pre-reformer catalyst in a hydrogen plant
Apr-2020
Good operation following recommended practice with technical support highlight the successful performance of a pre-reformer catalyst.
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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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Jul-2013
A simulation model compares accurately with actual operating data to provide reliable predictions of catalyst lifetime in naphtha reforming
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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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Mercury removal in hydrocarbon streams
Mar-2009
The presence of mercury in refinery hydrocarbon streams results in detrimental effects, including catalyst poisoning, corriosion and safety issues
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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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Chloride removal in refineries
Mar-2011
A review of catalytic removal of chlorides from refinery streams and a critique of current analytical techniques for estimating chloride content
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Meeting Euro IV fuel specifications
Jan-2006
Pretreating technology and special catalysts can help refiners meet the current and forthcoming European environmental regulations and improve their FCCU ...
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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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Catalyst filling in a fixed bed tubular reactor
Apr-2017
A reactor filling methodology ensures even reactant distribution and pressure drop
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Maximise ethylene gain and acetylene selective hydrogenation efficiency
Mar-2013
Third-generation stabilised front-end selective acetylene hydrogenation catalysts provide high selectivity, low sensitivity to CO swings and slow deac ...
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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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Refinery fuel gas in steam reforming hydrogen plants
Mar-2012
Fuel gas is an attractive feedstock for hydrogen production, but appropriate catalysts and temperature control are needed to address high olefin leve ...
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On-demand propylene from naphtha
Jun-2017
A new catalytic process targets economic production of propylene from naphtha at relatively low capital and operating costs
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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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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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Understanding cloud point and hydrotreating relationships
Feb-2013
As the distillate markets allow for increased distribution worldwide, refiners need to be more aware of the additional product specifications that can ...
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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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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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Comparison of thermal cracking and hydrocracking yield distributions
Sep-2011
Obtaining the maximum performance from existing residua upgrading equipment is achieved by maximum asset utilisation.
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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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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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Boosting mild hydrocracking performance
Aug-2020
Optimising its mild hydrocracking operations using new catalyst developments enabled a refinery to meet more complex targets for fuel quality.
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Enhancing flexibility in two-stage hydrocrackers
Aug-2022
Shifting markets and refined product priorities compels refiners to find the flexibility for shifting from middle distillate to naphtha for petrochemical ...
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Refinery’s performance confirms catalyst testing
Jun-2021
Commercial results from a naphtha reformer are a close match with data from micro-pilot plant tests.
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Catalytic answer to a steam cracking challenge
Apr-2021
Rapid growth in steam cracker capacity has encountered a developing problem — contamination of opportunity naphtha feed by carbon disulphide.
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Navigating environmental complexities at pace
Nov-2022
Revamping existing hydrogen plants can provide a significant and lasting impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions towards net zero.
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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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Hydrocracker revamp lifts product flexibility
Nov-2020
How an innovative moving bed technology enabled a major refinery to improve residue conversion and crude flexibility.
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Rejuvenated catalysts optimise refinery margins in high severity ULSD applications
Jun-2022
Rejuvenated catalysts compare well with fresh catalysts for performance in high pressure ULSD applications with added cost savings.
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Pilot plant studies of hydrotreating catalysts
May-2020
Studies of catalysts for hydrotreating lubricant base oil delivered similar results from conventional and high throughput pilot plants
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Pre-reformer catalyst in a hydrogen plant
Apr-2020
Good operation following recommended practice with technical support highlight the successful performance of a pre-reformer catalyst.
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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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FCC catalyst boosts bottoms upgrade
Nov-2020
A combination of novel matrix technologies in a new FCC catalyst increased bottoms upgrading of residual feeds and improved profitability.
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Apr-2021
An alumina-supported catalyst for ULSD production or hydrocracking pretreat provides longer catalyst cycles, higher throughput, and better product qua ...
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Transition to net zero: steps to decarbonise the oil refining industry
May-2022
A review of the solutions being employed by oil refineries to reduce their Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
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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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Jan-2008
Highly exothermic olefins saturation and silica contamination can occur when hydrotreating coker naphtha.
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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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On-demand propylene from naphtha
Jun-2017
A new catalytic process targets economic production of propylene from naphtha at relatively low capital and operating costs
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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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Oil-to-chemicals: new approaches
Jul-2020
A review of developments and trends in the expanding business of oil-to-chemicals.
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What type of catalyst do we need for low pressure hydrotreating of middle distillates?
Feb-2021
Responses to a question in the Q1 2021 issues Q&A Feature
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Automating catalyst evaluation (TIA)
Nov-2019
Accurate evaluation of catalysts performance is an important step in optimising catalytic refinery processes with respect to product yields, run length, ...
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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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Potential of renewable fuels and SAF
Feb-2025
A discussion of current technologies that can allow pivoting from renewable diesel to SAF and even revert to the full production of fossil fuels, as markets ...
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Lifecycle management of precious metal catalysts (NARTC 2025)
Jan-2025
Critical operations in many petroleum and petrochemical companies rely on catalysts containing precious metals (PMs) such as platinum, palladium, ruthenium, ...
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Hydrocracking a wider variety of feedstocks while reducing energy costs (NARTC 2025)
Jan-2025
Refinery hydrocracking projects are expected to grow significantly through 2025, with worldwide capacity projected to reach almost 15 million bpd.
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How to protect catalysts in switch to renewable feedstocks (NARTC 2025)
Jan-2025
There is mounting public and governmental pressure on refiners to aid in the energy and material transition.
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Crystaphase optimisation helped refiner achieve up to double runtime and throughput (NARTC 2025)
Jan-2025
Not long after a summer turnaround, a major Gulf Coast refinery had a problem.
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Challenges in diesel hydrotreating catalyst selection (NARTC 2025)
Jan-2025
Selecting the best diesel hydrotreating catalyst is complex due to several factors:
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Upgrading pyrolysis oil for greater plastic circularity (ERTC 2024)
Nov-2024
Our current use of plastics is ahead of our ability to handle waste plastic volumes. Only around 15% of plastics produced each year are recycled, with ...
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The technologies opening new opportunities for refineries (ERTC 2024)
Nov-2024
The global energy landscape is diversifying, driven by the need to reduce emissions and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
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Key actions for precious metal catalysts (ERTC 2024)
Nov-2024
Many petroleum and petrochemical operations utilise catalysts that most commonly include precious metals (PM), such as platinum, palladium, ruthenium, ...
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Innovative PSA process solutions
Oct-2024
For over 20 years, UNICAT has been a key player in the hydrogen value chain, offering comprehensive capabilities and technologies.
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Oct-2024
Polyolefins consisting of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) belong to the top five groups of plastic materials produced globally.
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Enabling high iron feed processing in the FCC with in-situ catalyst technology (TiA)
Oct-2024
A thorough understanding of deactivation mechanisms related to processing high iron (Fe) feeds through the FCC is required for effective catalyst design, ...
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Understanding the decomposition of TBPS for efficient catalyst sulphiding
Oct-2024
Identifying optimal operating conditions for sulphiding without negatively impacting the performance of hydroprocessing catalysts.
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Handling complex hydrocarbon molecules
Oct-2024
Growing interest in processing heavy oils with high nitrogen content has created a need for pretreatment catalysts with higher HDN and HDS activity.
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APC advances FCC unit performance at Pemex Deer Park refinery
Oct-2024
In addition to exploring the complex design and processes behind an advanced process control solution, the benefits gained are discussed in this case ...
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Controlling FCC SOx emissions with SOx reduction additive technology
Oct-2024
An additive with optimised metal dispersion and metal-support interaction achieved a lower daily operating cost of SOx removal from an FCC unit – a ...
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Hybrid (fresh and regenerated) catalyst loading reduces fill cost and carbon footprint (RI 2024)
Sep-2024
When faced with the task of selecting catalysts for an upcoming hydrotreater turnaround, refiners usually consider replacement with either fresh catalyst ...
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Sep-2024
The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit is considered the heart of any modern refinery.
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Studies on methanol dehydration over beta zeolite catalyst (RI 2024)
Sep-2024
Production of fuels and chemicals with a lower carbon footprint is emerging to reduce the environmental impact of petroleum-derived fuels and chemical ...
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Key actions for precious metal catalysts (RI 2024)
Sep-2024
Many petroleum and petrochemical operations utilise catalysts that most commonly include precious metals (PM), such as platinum, palladium, ruthenium, ...
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Future-proofing Indian refineries: Strategies for cost-effective decarbonisation (RI 2024)
Sep-2024
In the face of global climate change and increasing environmental regulations, Indian refineries must adopt innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions ...
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Additised solvent closed-loop cleaning package (RI 2024)
Sep-2024
Defouling process units in the refining sector can be tedious and time-consuming. Unit and storage cleaning is crucial to ensure better feed quality, but ...
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Third-generation HPPO technology and its benefits
Sep-2024
From car seats to mattresses and refrigerators, products made from polyurethane plastics have become integral to our quality of life. Propylene oxide (PO) ...
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Co-processing alternative feedstocks through the FCC
Aug-2024
Decarbonise your FCC by co-processing alternative feedstocks, and enhance the incorporation of biogenic carbon in products.
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Reactivated catalysts meet demands of sulphur recovery technology market
Aug-2024
The sulphur recovery technology market is forecast to increase significantly this decade, by USD 2.77 billion between 2023-2028. This growth is fueled ...