At CLG, improving efficiency
in residuum hydroprocessing is nothing new. Tightening
environmental regulations and the harsh economic realities of processing difficult
feeds led Chevron to invest millions of dollars in the further development
of technology and catalysts that could maximize returns from the bottom-of-the-barrel.
Chevron introduced its fixed bed technology, residuum hydrotreating
(RDS),
more than 30 years ago. More than 20 years ago, Lummus developed its ebullating
bed technology, LC-FINING. Today, CLG
offers both RDS and LC-FINING processes
for residuum hydroprocessing. Using CLG
technologies, refiners achieve greater
conversion to lighter products and have fewer feed related operating problems
while processing heavier feeds.
Both CLG's
RDS and
LC-FINING processes provide deep removal of sulfur, nitrogen
and metals, and hydrocarbon upgrading (cracking and hydrogen input) for maximum
conversion of atmospheric/vacuum residue feedstocks to light clean products.
RDS is preferred where
hydrogen input and deep removal of sulfur, nitrogen
and metals are the primary objectives. RDS
is well suited to pretreat Residuum
Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC)
feedstocks.
LC-FINING is preferred where hydrocracking and deep removal of sulfur, nitrogen
and metals are the primary objectives. LC-FINING is well suited to extra-heavy
residue, bitumen and vacuum residue feedstocks, and has demonstrated long cycle
lengths (~4 years) between turnarounds.
Since 1985, over 90% of the refiners who want to optimize downstream conversion
from difficult feeds have chosen CLG
technology because of its superior economics.
CLG offers its licensees a level
of residuum hydroprocessing experience and
expertise that few, if any, other companies can match. We share this expertise
with our customers through active research and development programs, extensive
pilot plant facilities and a full range of support services.
A clear upgrade path
One of the greatest challenges facing refiners is determining how to improve
product quality from difficult feeds while minimizing risk and expense. There
are no easy solutions. Invariably, the consideration includes an analysis of
investment versus expected return from the desired product slate. To maintain
profitability, it is essential that these improvements be made without compromising
product yield. When processing heavy, sour feeds, refiners require an extended
level of performance and flexibility from their residuum hydroprocessing unit.
That's why CLG has
continued to invest in technologies for residue conversion.
Today, we offer a family of residuum conversion technologies and catalysts
that can be tailored to help refiners optimize product quality, product yield,
run length, capital investment and operating costs.