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FCC additive demonstrations: Part 1
Jul-2004
A review of the issues associated with the FCC additive testing, data collection and analysis required by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s consent ...
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Advanced catalyst characterisation for improved hydrocracking performance
Nov-2018
Advanced analytical techniques delivered new insights into catalyst structure and manufacturing leading to improved performance material.
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Maximising ULSD with cracked feedstocks
Feb-2008
Balancing hydrogen consumption can give flexibility when processing cracked feedstocks
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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 ...
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Oxidation catalysts for VOC reduction
Jan-2018
How destruction of volatile organic compounds at lower temperatures is positioning catalytic oxidation systems for the future
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High-performance catalysts and technology in action (ERTC)
Nov-2017
As environment regulations continue to get stricter, refiners are being challenged to provide cleaner transportation fuels while, at the same time, processing ...
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Sep-2015
In the highly competitive refining market, profitability is not a benefit of successful business, but rather a necessity to sustainable business.
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Fine-tuning for maximum diesel (TIA)
Apr-2015
Sweden’s largest refiner, Preem AB, expects optimum performance from all elements of its refinery, which is one of the most modern in Europe.
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Converting LCO to gasoline with high RON (TIA)
Aug-2018
Light cycle oil (LCO) is an important byproduct of fluidised catalytic cracking (FCC). With the increasing severity of FCC operations, LCO with higher ...
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'Snakes and ladders' for maximising propylene
Oct-2014
Changes in process conditions in tandem with ZSM-5 additives widen the potential for petrochemicals production from the FCC unit
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SOx additives for tight oils (TIA)
Oct-2015
Many refineries use SOx additives to control flue gas SOx emissions. Worldwide there are vast differences in limits for SOx emissions.
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Aug-2012
If you have shopped for a new car recently, you have probably looked at consumer buying guides for comparative data to help with your decision.
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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.
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Accurate quality checks in catalyst regeneration
Apr-2012
A method based on density measurement delivers fast and repeatable analysis of chlorination agents used in catalyst regeneration
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A broader view to improve 
energy efficiency
May-2017
A project to improve a FCC unit’s energy efficiency took into account surrounding process units to expand opportunities for saving energy and utilit ...
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Leveraging hydrocracking to upgrade low value streams
Aug-2017
Flexible design of hydrocracking catalyst systems enables maximum conversion of lower value feed streams into more valuable liquid products.
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Dec-2012
How advanced catalysts enhance hydrocracking processes, showing that profits can be advanced by platinum group metals recovery and refining
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Revamping an integrated hydrocracker and lube base oil unit
Dec-2020
Process and catalytic advances enabled large-scale expansion of an integrated unit to increase fuels and base oil production.
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Maximising propylene and isobutylene from the FCC
Aug-2018
A combination of recent catalyst and additive developments raised a refinery’s output of FCC propylene and isobutylene.
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FCC equilibrium catalyst analysis
May-2020
Analysis of equilibrium catalyst provides important indications of FCC catalyst performance, cyclone mechanical integrity, and attrition
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Maximising the diesel yield from hydrocracking (TIA)
Oct-2016
The hydrocracker is one of the most proï¬table units in refineries, partly due to the volume swell, and partly because it converts heavy feedstocks ...
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The unconventional gas revolution
May-2014
Natural gas has proven to be a clean burning, flexible fuel which has gained global acceptance as a preferred choice in the energy fuel mix.
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Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and refining profitability
Aug-2021
Renewable Identification Numbers (rins) are credits used to certify compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard which requires certain minimum volumes ...
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Improved distribution of spent catalyst
Nov-2019
Application of a newly designed spent catalyst distributor improves spent catalyst distribution, coke combustion and bed temperatures in the FCC.
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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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Apr-2005
The detrimental effect of nickel and vanadium in forming contaminant coke and hydrogen can be reduced via appropriate passivation technology
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Catalyst addition in ebullated-bed units
Apr-2005
A simple theoretical approach is available for calculating the catalyst metals content, catalyst physical properties and the effect on catalyst activity. ...
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Troubleshooting ZSM-5 in the FCC
Feb-2006
While using a ZSM-5 additive to increase propylene, one refiner experienced increases in FCC dry gas, coke and slurry oil, even at a reduced temperatu ...
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Amino acid-based refinery gas treatment
Feb-2006
Use of gasoline sulphur reduction catalyst technology in refinery applications is discussed. Marathon Petroleum Company LLC (MPC) operates an FCC (fluidised ...
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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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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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Strategies for increasing production of light cycle oil
Oct-2009
Refineries should consider several strategies, including recycle and enhanced catalyst activity, to increase LCO output from the FCCU while minimising ...
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Maximising FCC distillate production
Feb-2010
A novel catalyst manufacturing process forms matrix material and zeolite in a single step. Trials indicate high matrix stability and low sodium conten ...
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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
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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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FCC catalyst optimisation in response to rare earth prices
Oct-2011
Lower levels of rare-earth catalyst formulations offset higher raw material costs, but refiners must consider the effects on catalyst performance and ...
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Catalyst additives reduce rare earth costs
Jan-2012
Catalyst additive technologies help to control rare earth costs in fresh FCC catalyst additions and in SOx capture
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Enhanced bottoms cracking and process flexibility with Midas FCC catalyst
Jan-2013
This premium bottoms cracking FCC catalyst family is formulated with advanced zeolite stabilisation technology plus matrix metals passivation technology, ...
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New catalyst increases FCC distillate yield
Mar-2013
A FCC trial with a new residue maximum distillate catalyst provided an improved yield structure at a similar fresh catalyst addition rate and rare earth ...
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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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Oil sands-derived feed processing
Jul-2013
Processing crudes derived from oil sands requires a good understanding of the facility, and of the sources and processing requirements of the available ...
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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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Catalyst raises kero-treating performance
Nov-2013
The activity and stability of a replacement catalyst in a kerosene treater enabled a refiner to process difficult-to-treat condensate in greater quant ...
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Jul-2014
Residue and shale oil feeds often contain high levels of contaminants that can create a number of challenges for refiners today.
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Enhancing bottoms cracking and 
process flexibility
Oct-2014
Catalyst designed with advanced zeolite stabilisation technology provides selective conversion of heavy FCC feed molecules
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GSR the only proven FCC catalysts and additives for gasoline sulphur reduction
May-2015
Grace GSR® technologies: D-PriSM®, SuRCA®, and GSR® 5, are the result of nearly two decades of innovation. GSR has been used in over 100 FCC units ...
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Jan-2016
2015 was highlighted by a crude oversupply of 1.3 million b/d, which played a part in keeping oil prices at a low level, fluctuating between $40 and $60/bbl. ...
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Future fuel - the challenges associated with renewable diesel hydrotreating
May-2016
As a consequence of the general concern about fossil fuel resources and global warming from CO2 emissions, the use of alternative, sustainable sources ...
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Catalyst trial for maximum conversion FCC (TIA)
Oct-2016
Fluidised catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst technology is continuously innovating, with suppliers introducing a couple of new catalyst technologies to ...
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Technical collaboration triples NHT cycle length (TIA)
Apr-2019
A nine-month cycle once seemed like a victory. But with pressure drop still flat after 27 months, the engineers on a naphtha hydrotreater in the Texas ...
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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.
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Simplifying hydrogen production
Jun-2017
Catalyst systems developed for the purification and reforming sections of the hydrogen plant target significant barriers to efficient production.
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Building robust hydroprocessing operations
Jun-2017
Advances in catalyst technology enable refiners to maximise profitability by processing opportunity crudes and running heavier feeds.
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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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A broader view to improve 
energy efficiency
May-2017
A project to improve a FCC unit’s energy efficiency took into account surrounding process units to expand opportunities for saving energy and utilit ...
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Designing and engineering catalysts for hydrotreating
May-2017
Advanced analytical and experimental techniques combine in the development of a new hydrotreating catalyst.
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FCC additive cuts delta coke (TIA)
May-2017
In the majority of cases, the most profitable fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units are the ones that are operated consistently against one or more operational ...
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More efficient catalyst loading (TIA)
May-2017
A change in dense catalyst loading technology enabled a major chemicals company to achieve a 10% increase in production capacity in a fixed bed reacto ...
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Increased steam methane reformer throughput
Apr-2017
Switching to a foil based catalyst technology raised throughput substantially for a hydrogen producer.
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Optimising middle distillate production in a hydrocracker
Apr-2017
How to maximise middle distillate production and assure product quality from a range of hydrocracking catalysts and processing schemes.
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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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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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Combating reactor pressure drop
Apr-2017
A refiner investigates the causes of pressure drop due to fouling in a fixed bed reactor and considers an appropriate mitigation strategy
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Apr-2017
Finite element analysis can be employed to improve the safety and quality of old or new designs and troubleshoot problems in the field
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Jan-2017
In 2016, global growth should fall to 3.1% before rising back up to 3.4% in 2017 according to IMF’s latest estimations. Long-term perspectives in industrialised ...
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Shaping up hydrotreating performance (TIA)
Jan-2017
A fine balance of activity and pressure drop has long created a challenge when considering the maximisation of performance for hydroprocessing and hydrocracking ...
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Dec-2016
Feed containing fines, in-organic matter, sludge, rust etc. can cause excessive pressure drop build-up issues in hydroprocessing reactors.
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Revamp cat feed hydrotreaters for flexible yields
Nov-2016
Revamping a cat feed hydrotreater to a flexible mild hydrocracker can be the most attractive economic option for adjusting the gasoline to diesel rati ...
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FCC catalyst for maximum propylene
Nov-2016
A case study for boosting unit profitability through FCC catalyst selection for propylene maximisation
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Progress in tail gas treatment (TIA)
Oct-2016
The requirement to meet ultra-low SO2 emission standards, even lower than World Bank limits, is becoming more and more prevalent for new natural gas developments ...
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Maximising the diesel yield from hydrocracking (TIA)
Oct-2016
The hydrocracker is one of the most proï¬table units in refineries, partly due to the volume swell, and partly because it converts heavy feedstocks ...
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Catalyst trial for maximum conversion FCC (TIA)
Oct-2016
Fluidised catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst technology is continuously innovating, with suppliers introducing a couple of new catalyst technologies to ...
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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 ...
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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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Developments in hydrotreating catalyst
Sep-2016
How a second generation hydrotreating catalyst was developed for high pressure ultra-low sulphur diesel units and hydrocracker pretreaters.