Report Scope and Methodology - Future Roles of FCC and Hydroprocessing Units in Modern Refineries

Future Roles of FCC and Hydroprocessing Units in Modern Refineries

Report Scope and Methodology

This report focuses on three primary refinery processes: FCC, hydrotreating, and hydrocracking. To shape future refinery operations, these units must be revamped to tackle four critical challenges: (1) ultra-clean fuels supply, (2) product demand shifts, (3) use of heavy crudes and renewable feedstocks, and (4) CO₂emissions reduction. The revamps should also include ways to increase productivity and improve energy efficiency in order to sustain refinery profitability and reduce carbon footprint.

Processing unit	Ultra-clean fuels supply	Product demand shift	Use of heavy crudes and renewable feedstocks	CO₂ emissions reduction
FCC	√	√	√	√
Hydrotreating	√	—	√	√*
Hydrocracking	√	√	√	√*
*Indirect impact because of hydrogen consumption

The following figure simply portrays the future roles of FCC, hydrotreating, and hydrocracking units and their interrelationship. Feeds such VGO, HVGO, resid, LCO, coker naphtha, and biofeeds will need to be upgraded into valuable middle distillates, gasoline, and propylene. These petroleum products must be obtained through optimal economic routes, demanding that FCC, hydrotreating, and hydrocracking become further integrated. Furthermore, there is potential for converting carbon that currently leaves the refinery as CO₂ into the product slate, especially through modifications to the FCCU.

Primary sources of information for this report include direct input from refiners, technology holders, and catalyst and additive suppliers; extensive literature searches and evaluations; in-depth patent reviews and analyses; and insightful technology and business strategy assessments by experienced practitioners.

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