Fourth Quarter 2008 Issue of the Worldwide Refinery Processing Review

This issue of the Review covers recent fluid catalytic cracking and crude distillation technology advances, technical challenges, and R&D work. Additionally, the "Latest Refining Technology Developments & Licensing" section provides updates on various refining technologies.

In the fluid catalytic cracking section, new products and topics covered include:

• Recent developments in the areas of commercial processes and catalysts designed to crack gas oil;
• The new MILOS (Middle Distillates and Lower Olefins Selective) process from Shell Global Solutions;
• Albemarle's new gasoline olefins reducing additive IsoZOOM;
• UpgraderMD and CoralMD cracking catalysts by Albemarle to maximize LCO;
• Grace Davison's BX-450 bottoms upgrading, LCO maximizing additive;
• Comments on the usefulness of catalyst additives, including multi-additive injection;
• Guidelines for regenerator design;
• Updated information on startup and emergency shutdown procedures;
• Operating tips to increase LCO yield;
• Commercial and emerging hardware advances (feed injectors, catalyst coolers, etc.) to improve operations;
• Patent disclosures include a dual-riser process to increase gasoline yield by converting LPG; P-containing zeolites for increased light olefin yield; Zn-containing catalysts/additives for FCC gasoline sulfur reduction; the use of high-metals fish oil for upgrading in an FCCU; metals-trapping compositions containing Ba; processes to reduce CO₂ emissions in the FCCU, including the use of gasification; naphtha recycle schemes to increase gasoline octane;
• Updated information regarding FCC installed capacity and recent and completed construction projects.

In the crude distillation section, new products and topics covered include:

• Review of the crude products market including a close up look at diesel vs. gasoline supply, demand, and capacity;
• Updates on commercially available crude distillation technology from Foster Wheeler, KBR, Shell Global Solutions, and Total/Technip-Coflexip;
• Uhde's proprietary vacuum distillation technology;
• Summary of available advanced process control devices and process models, simulators and analyzers;
• Alternative distillation configurations and novel equipment for improved energy efficiency;
• Feed flexibility to process heavy and high TAN crudes, biofeeds, and NG condensate blends;
• Strategies to limit corrosion in CDU equipment;
• Maximizing specific product yield with operation modifications;
• Internals selection recommendations;
• Fire prevention and other safety tips;
• Recent R&D work and patents issued regarding hardware, process configurations, coking/corrosion inhibitors, advanced process controls, and alternative feed processing; and
• Updated information on worldwide installed capacity and recent and completed CDU construction projects.