Hte And Spanish Institute Commercialise Technology For Testing FCC Catalysts

Germany’s high throughput experimentation company, hte, and Spain’s Instituto de Tecnología Química (ITQ) – a joint research centre of the Universitat Politècnica de València and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – have entered the stage of commercialising micro downflow technology for testing fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts. This new technology is cost-efficient as only small amounts of catalysts and feeds are required. It offers an entrained catalyst flow concept, flexible handling of feedstocks, and operation under typical pressures for FCC.

In 2013, hte and ITQ had signed a joint agreement for developing a new lab-scale technology in the field of FCC catalyst testing.

“The micro downflow unit (MDU) offers an entrained catalyst flow reactor system analogous to commercial fluid catalyst cracking units (FCCUs). It can be operated within a wide range of process conditions, including elevated pressures, which are typical for FCCUs. The unit is fully automated and cost-efficient as only small amounts of catalysts and feeds are required. Processability of a broad range of feedstocks has been demonstrated, ranging from naphtha and vacuum gas oil to residue feeds and crude oils. It includes the latest software solution myhte for integrating, storing, retrieving, analysing, and visualising data,” informed a hte press note.