and FCC pretreat applications. In KF 862, HDS and HDN activity is increased at a competitive fill price vs previous- generation KF 861 thanks to a higher metal efficiency. KG 24 is a new Silica trap for coker naphtha applications. It provides improved Si-trapping capacity over its predeces - sors, with moderate activity enabling longer cycles. Research is continually directed towards more effec - tive trapping and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) catalysts for renewables applications. Currently, an addition to the ReNewFine ™ platform is being developed as a highly selec - tive HDO grade. Fluid catalytic cracking solutions ReNewFCC There is also an increase in the demand to co-process renew - ables and find new paths to improve margins in FCC units. The FCC can meet these demands with proven capability in feeds ranging from waste plastics, vegetable oils, and ther - mochemical oils, including pyrolysis and hydrothermal lique - faction oils. These feeds present an array of challenges for co-pro- cessing in the unit, including varying metals concentrations, oxygen content, and hydrocarbon types. Each of these can have a significant impact on the FCC process and catalyst requirements. These feed challenges, coupled with unit limitations and objectives and a dynamic regulatory environ - ment, can make navigating the current energy transition a daunting task. Ketjen is experienced in addressing catalytic and pro - cess challenges for co-processing applications to support customers in navigating the energy transition. Our catalyst technology has been successfully demonstrated for co- processing alternative feedstocks in the laboratory through pilot and demonstration scales, as well as commercial tri - als. We continue to expand on our ReNewFCC™ catalyst portfolio utilising our latest analytical and testing protocols to provide solutions for the distinct challenges associated with increased metals and hydrocarbon types associated with the various renewable and circular feedstocks (see Figure 3 ). Higher levels of known contaminants can accelerate cata - lyst deactivation rates (Ca, Na, Fe) and the presence of new contaminants (Mg, K, P). Catalyst accessibility can be reduced by silica in feeds when operating at normal FCC conditions. These challenges lead to reduced profitability through loss of activity and bottoms upgrading ability while also increasing the coke and dry gas make in the unit. Hence, catalysts with enhanced metals tolerance are required to process uncon - ventional feedstocks in the FCC. A major challenge in developing such improved metal tolerance catalysts is the lack of deactivation methods that replicate the in-unit effects of these contaminants in the lab. To address this challenge, Ketjen has developed a propri - etary deactivation method to simulate the in-unit deleterious effects of these contaminants on activity and accessibility in the lab scale. Utilising this new deactivation capability, we have inte - grated superior metals tolerance technology within our ReNewFCC portfolio that can deliver significant performance
QUASAR
Decorated Ni/Co-MoS2 slabs dimension
Figure 2 Calculated metal effectiveness in the MoS2 active slabs as a function of their slab dimension
Economic impact Today’s refiners are constrained for capital, wary of increas - ing Opex, but still looking for increased profits. Higher activ - ity catalysts are one of the best investments for refiners in today’s environment. Their economic impact is greater because improved catalysts can provide significant margin improvements for incremental Opex changes. While simul - taneously, they can help avoid capex. Quasar bolsters the economic resilience of the refin - ing industry by maximising the upgrading of distressed feedstocks or extending cycle lengths. It can be used as a standalone solution or with Ketjen’s other hydroprocessing catalyst solutions like Stars, Pulsar, Nebula ® , or Celestia ® . When coupled with our technical services, it can remove some of today’s most challenging constraints in your refinery. Clean fuels solutions – additional catalyst developments Along with the creation of new platforms, Ketjen continues to develop new and improved grades within existing catalyst lines. KetjenFine ® (KF) 862 Stars and KetjenGuard ® (KG) 24 have now reached full commercialisation. KF 862 Stars is a new NiMo catalyst for middle distillates
Figure 3 Overview of FCC solutions in renewables
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