PTQ Q4 2025 Issue

Conclusions The results of the benchmarking study performed at hte are not only insightful but also exceed the insights previously provided by the paper catalyst bids. For example, the cat- alyst proposal that forecasted the highest economic yields resulted in yielding the least economic benefit in pilot plant testing. In another example, many of the proposed catalyst packages proved to be unfeasible for a hydrocracker based on the operating temperatures required to achieve the refineries specified pretreat and hydrocracking tar - gets. Pilot plant testing revealed performance deficiencies that might not have been identified through theoretical analysis alone. Lastly, CITGO successfully tested a new operability strat- egy for its hydrocracker at hte’s pilot plant facility, avoiding risks associated with implementing a new operation mode directly in the actual unit. Pilot plant testing allowed CITGO to test several catalyst technologies across a range of operating conditions, including new catalyst arrangement strategies, while processing the most difficult type of feed composition ever planned for their hydrocracker. This third- party practical test ultimately led to a tailored, optimised, and confident catalyst selection that facilitated new pro - duction opportunities at the Lake Charles Refinery. Giada Innocenti was an application and project manager at hte GmbH. She managed high-throughput experimentation projects in the field of hydroprocessing. She was also in charge of developing dedicated digital tools to improve data modelling and visualisation. She holds a PhD in chemistry granted by the University of Bologna, Italy. Ioan-Teodor (‘Teo’) Trotus is the Segment Lead for Refining at hte GmbH in Heidelberg, Germany. He leads the team of project managers in charge of hydroprocessing and FCC research activities. With more than eight years of experience in high-throughput catalyst testing, Teo’s work focuses on both conventional refinery applications and those covering the conversion of renewable feedstocks. He holds a PhD in chemistry from the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. Cansu Mai is an Application and Project Manager in the refinery seg - ment at hte GmbH in Heidelberg, Germany. She specialises in optimis- ing hydroprocessing in high-throughput testing for sustainable chemical transformations. Cansu holds a PhD in chemistry from the Max-Planck- Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, where she focused on polymer and material science, as well as reaction engineering. Xavier Sanz is a Senior Business Development Manager focusing on refining at hte GmbH since 2022. He leads strategic partnerships with major refining companies and catalyst vendors across the Americas and Europe. Dr Sanz holds a PhD in chemistry from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and ICIQ (Tarragona, Spain) and has published in renowned scientific journals. Ben Miller is a Process Engineering supervisor for the CITGO Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex, supporting reforming, isomerisa- tion, hydrotreating, aromatics extraction, and hydrocracking. He has 10 years of experience at the Lake Charles Refinery covering process engineering, process design, and business optimisation. Miller holds a Bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Louisiana Tech University. Carmen Angelini is a chemical engineering graduate from McNeese State University. He worked at CITGO until 2024, holding roles in pro - cess design, operations, and planning. He also runs a fishing charter business and serves as a Pilot and Deputy Sheriff in Calcasieu Parish.

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