Explain why catalysts are so crucial to refining and petrochemical operations. Rajesh Gattupalli, Honeywell UOP The introduction of catalysis in 1933 changed refining by introducing a new capability to processes that had been governed only by pressure, temperature and time. Catalysts made it possible to break and rearrange molecular bonds to produce specific products. Since that time, catalysts have been made more efficient and selective. Just by coming into contact with a catalyst, hydrocarbons can break apart, combine, and rearrange themselves into different molecules. New catalysts rely on the invention of new materials to provide greater activity, reliability and durability.
Dr Meritxell Vila, MERYT Catalysts & Innovation Catalysts are crucial, not only in refining and petrochemical operations, but also in around 90% of all chemical processes. Thanks to the fact that they decrease the activation energy of the chemical reactions, increasing their velocity, we can carry out the desired reactions under milder operation conditions. Therefore, thanks to them, we can perform our desired reactions at lower temperature and pressure and we can obtain our products in less time. Consequently, we can consider catalysts as the biggest energy savers in the industry. Therefore, catalysts are our best allies to maximise the profitability of our processes, because any improvement in the catalytic system (the catalyst together with the reactor design) has a direct impact on the yields, selectivity and the energy consumption of the reactions.
What are the main applications of your company’s catalysts or catalyst technologies within the downstream sector? Dr Detlef Ruff, BASF The catalyst division of BASF has a broad portfolio of products and services to support the downstream refining and petrochemical sector, which includes FCC catalysts and additives, a core suite of petrochemical catalyst solutions and adsorbent solutions. The portfolio covers selective hydrogenation catalysts for applications from C2 to C5+ hydrocarbons, Aromatics/olefin saturation catalyst and products for de-aromatisation, alcohol production, guard beds (sulfur, Cl, F), gas processing (removal of Hg, mercaptans, C6=, BTX and water), amine catalyst and olefin purification. BASF also facilitates the scale up and production of customer-specific catalyst formulations to meet customer-tailored requirements. The refining industry continues to develop with dynamic technology changes influencing the productivity and needs in the industry. BASF remains an innovative long-term partner in the industry, meeting customers’ needs with excellent service, product innovation and technical refining expertise. Our goal is to be the partner of choice for refineries that energise the world.
Lars Skyum, Haldor Topsoe A/S Topsoe is a leading supplier of catalyst and licensed technologies used for renewable fuels, hydroprocessing, ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen technology. This includes blue and green offerings of all of these technologies. We also have catalyst and technologies available for removal of SOX, NOX and particulate matters from flue gasses, and catalysts for production of sulfuric acid. In the hydroprocessing space we can supply the entire portfolio of catalysts: grading material for pressure drop control and protection against bulk catalyst contamination, all types of hydrotreating catalysts used in the naphtha to resid range (straight-run as well as cracked feedstocks), naphtha and diesel selective hydrocracking catalysts, and diesel dewaxing catalysts. For the processing of renewable feedstocks, Topsoe, as a part of our licensed Hydoflex technology, developed a whole family of tailor-made grading, hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) and dewaxing catalysts. For refiners, we also supply all catalysts used for hydrogen production. Furthermore, we have catalysts for claus tail gas treatment, benzene saturation and other petrochemical catalysts. For methanol and ammonia plants, Topsoe is able to supply licensed technologies and all front-end and synthesis catalysts.
Rajesh Gattupalli, Honeywell UOP UOP catalysts are used in a wide range of applications – to treat or purify feedstocks in preparation for subsequent catalytic processes that crack or rearrange hydrocarbons into new and homogeneous forms. These catalysts produce intermediate feeds for fuels production, performance enhancing additives such as alkylate and MTBE, and aromatics and olefins and other chemicals that are the basis for plastic resins, films and fibres. They are also used in a wide range of emerging sustainable energy processes including renewable fuels, hydrogen production, and carbon capture technologies. May 2021 54 HYDROCARBON ENGINEERING
