Cracking

Synergize FCCUs and hydrocracking processing units to maximize refining margins

MOL Group successfully tested the production of HVO and SAF at Eastern European refinery

MOL Group has produced a diesel fuel containing hydrotreated vegetable oil and sustainable aviation fuel at its refinery in Slovnaft, Bratislava, readying the production of alternative synthetic fuels, which is part of the company’s long-term SHAPE TOMORROW strategy.

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.