Question
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What is the latest progress in FCC catalysis to boost bottoms upgrading?
Mar-2022
Answers
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Corbett Senter, BASF Refining Catalysts, james.senter@basf.com
Refiners are constantly challenged to maximise refining margin by converting heavier feed to lighter value-added molecules. FCC catalysts need to enable the FCC to have additional flexibility to further upgrade bottoms and overcome process constraints. This means a coke selective bottoms upgrading catalyst that maximises transportation fuels, especially for the resid market.
BASF is very active in developing new products that maximise bottoms upgrading in FCC units. We have seen multiple FCC trials of newer catalyst products, such as Boroflex, Fourte, and Luminate, which have improved bottoms upgrading compared to incumbent catalysts. BASF’s latest FCC catalyst product for maximum bottoms upgrading, Altrium, is designed to maximise the destruction of bottoms to more valuable FCC products. The product incorporates our Advanced Innovative Matrix (AIM) and the proven Improved Zeolite-Y (IZY) technology. The key features include higher meso-macro porosity for larger molecule diffusivity, deeper conversion, and improved metal passivation while having good attrition resistance to increase retention and reduce stack opacity and slurry fines.
Commercial trials of Altrium have confirmed its ability to deliver better economic performance through coke selectivity and deeper resid bottoms conversion. By improving the gasoline and distillate yields, we help refiners increase profitability. With FCC catalyst, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to improving bottoms upgrading. Refiners need to talk with their catalyst provider to determine which product best fits their objectives and constraints.
Mar-2022
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