Cracking
Synthetic graphite demand drives attractive techno-economics for coker upgrades
This article describes the economic opportunity that synthetic graphite demand growth presents for American and European refiners. It describes the conditions that best suit a plant to be considered for such a revamp. The article also discusses the modifications needed in capital equipment, process conditions and feedstock to execute this change, the typical capital expenditure required to materialize it, and the transformational gross profit enhancements that could result from these modifications, given the product slate upgrade.
Motiva plans to begin Texas FCC overhaul by Jan. 21
Motiva Enterprises plans to begin an overhaul of the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracker (FCC) by Jan. 21 at its 626,000-bpd Port Arthur, Texas, refinery.
Hydrogen cyanide in amine systems
Mass transfer rate-based simulation has been used to study hydrogen cyanide ingress and accumulation in amine systems in unprecedented detail. In this article, the chemistry, prevention and possible mitigation using water washing arrangements and reflux purging are discussed quantitatively.
Air Liquide receives EU grant to develop large-scale H2-from-ammonia ENHANCE project
Air Liquide has been awarded a grant of €110 MM from the European Innovation Fund for its ENHANCE project in the port of Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium, that aims to produce and distribute low-carbon and renewable hydrogen (H2) derived from ammonia.
Russia's Lukoil restoring cracker at NORSI refinery, gasoline output rising
Russia's second-largest oil producer Lukoil is restoring operations of its catalytic cracker complex, ramping up gasoline output after the unit's breakdown on Nov. 13.
BASF to build additional production capacity for X3D® catalyst shaping technology in Ludwigshafen
BASF announced that it will invest in additional production capacity for its X3D® technology, a new additive manufacturing technology for catalysts based on 3D printing. The plant will produce catalysts on an industrial scale and is expected to be operational in 2026.
LyondellBasell to close Houston refinery (U.S.) in Q1 2025
Chemical maker LyondellBasell Industries detailed its long-announced plan to permanently shutter its 263,776-bpd Houston oil refinery in the first quarter of 2025, shutting the facility's CDU and coker train in January, followed by the shuttering of the second CDU-coker production train, which supplies the gasoline-producing FCC and ancillary units, ending motor fuel production
Consortium to launch world's first commercialized PET bottle using bio-paraxylene
A partnership consisting of Indorama Ventures, Suntory, ENEOS Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Iwatani and Neste will launch the world’s first bio-PET bottle for commercial scale, made from ISCC+ certified bio-paraxylene.
Neste, Braskem partner on supply of renewable and recycled feedstocks for polymers and chemicals production
Braskem will use more sustainable feedstocks from Neste to produce circular and bio-circular polymer resins and chemicals, which will be sold in South America under Braskem’s Wenew brand.
Axens, IFPEN and JEPLAN launch commercial licensing of the Rewind® PET process
The project partners launched the commercialization (licensing) of the Rewind® PET process, enabling the further acceleration of the energy transition and the circular economy of plastics. Axens teams will now be able to market a complete Rewind® PET license package to their customers all over the world.
- LyondellBasell to likely begin closure of Houston refinery (U.S.) this weekend 1/22
- Enilive (Eni) starts SAF production at 400,000-tpy Gela biorefinery in Sicily 1/22
- Digital Exclusive (sponsored): Improve efficiency via centralized data and advanced collaboration 1/22
- Topsoe to provide technology to Chuangui Lingang New Energy's 300,000-tpy SAF/renewable diesel plant in China 1/22
- Sri Lanka agrees with China's Sinopec to fast-track $3.7-B refinery 1/22
- South Korea's GS Caltex plans Yeosu refinery maintenance in late February 1/22
