AM-00-32 New Generation Of Isocracking® Catalysts

Description:

Chevron pioneered the development of the modern hydrocracking process that continues to be the process of choice for many refiners around the world. Since the early 1960s, the ISOCRACKING Process has been commercially demonstrated in several configurations. To maintain a viable and competitive process, Chevron has been very active for over 40 years in developing a wide array of catalysts that meet all of the refiners’ needs. These catalysts are designed to cover all the possible process schemes and tailored to handle all the various feedstocks. Some of these catalysts are designed for preparing high quality feeds for downstream operations such as the production of lube base oils, improvement in FCC yields or even ethylene production. This paper describes the newest generation of ISOCRACKING catalysts that take advantage of the latest innovations in materials science to improve the raw materials (amorphous and zeolitic)used in these catalysts. Also, improvements have been made in catalyst characterization and manufacturing that have enabled quick commercialization of the state-of-the art ISOCRACKING Catalysts. These improvements are being made to respond to the demands of customers in widening the scope of feedstock selection while improving the selectivity to desired products and extending the run length. In the last few years, Chevron has successfully commercialized five new catalysts. These new catalysts are used in Chevron’s own Isocrackers as well as those of its licensees. Moreover, Chevron is planning to commercialize at least four more catalysts within the next two years. These new catalysts are being added to an already impressive and commercially proven list of ISOCRACKING Catalysts that span a wide range of hydrocracking applications. These applications include mild hydrocracking, partial conversion single-stage once-through (SSOT), single-stage recycle (SSREC), and full conversion two-stage units.