Crude Oil Refinery Catalyst
Refinery catalysts across petroleum refineries help refiners meet fuel standards, manage operational efficiency, enhance yield and conversion, without affecting the environment.
There are various types of catalysts which are used in the petroleum industry; however, the major ones are hydro processing catalysts (hydro-cracking catalyst: zeolite and hydro-treating catalyst), fluid catalytic cracking catalysts and catalytic reforming catalysts (platinum). These catalysts exist in solid-state. Another type of catalyst used in the refining process is the isomerization refining catalyst.
Refinery Catalyst Used In Hydro processing Operation
Hydro processing occurs when hydrogen is added to petroleum. Hydro processing refers to two separate but similar processes, which are hydrotreating and hydrocracking. Hydrotreating and hydrocracking catalysts are applied to improve fuel quality by saturating the olefin and removing the impurities in petroleum feedstocks. Hydro processing is the reaction of oil fractions with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. Hydro processing is preferred to thermal processing because it provides higher quality end products, and it does so with a comparatively lower amount of environmental pollutants. There are specialized refining catalysts for each part of the hydro processing system. The refining catalyst used for hydrocracking is different from the refining catalysts used for the hydrotreating process.
Cracking As A Major Part Of The Refining Process
Cracking is the process where complex organic molecules–namely long-chain hydrocarbons–are broken down into smaller molecules–namely light hydrocarbons. It is caused by the breaking of carbon-carbon bonds. Cracking gives refiners the ability to decide the products that they would like to produce. In petroleum refining, this process is used in the production of petrol, diesel, and gasoline. There are different methods of cracking crude petroleum. A distinct type is thermal cracking. The other types are catalytic. They are:
- Fluid catalytic cracking
- Catalytic Cracking
- Hydrocracking
The Difference Between Catalyst Cracking and Hydro-cracking
It is very easy to mix up catalytic cracking and Hydrocracking, so here is the difference: The basis of catalytic cracking is carbon rejection, while hydrocracking is a hydrogen addition process. Catalytic cracking uses an acid catalyst, while hydrocracking uses a metal catalyst on acid support. Another difference is that catalyst cracking is an endothermic process while hydrocracking is an exothermic process. While catalytic cracking and hydrocracking involve the use of catalysts, catalytic cracking doesnt involve the use of hydrogen.
Types Of Refining Catalysts
- Hydrocracking Catalysts
- Hydrotreating Catalysts
- Fluid Catalytic Cracking Catalysts
- Catalytic Reforming Catalysts
AIMS offers various Refinery Catalysts from M/ Shell Catalysts& Technologies portfolio. AIMS is the exclusive partner for M/s Shell Catalysts& Technologies in Middle East Region.
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