The laboratory can offer integrated services in subjects related to:

The Laboratory of Environmental Fuels and Hydrocarbons (LEFH) in collaboration with the Laboratory of Analysis and Characterization of Solids is able to carry out collaborative or contract research on applied catalysis based on the following key competencies derived from the following knowledge base:
  • Analytical methods for physical and chemical analysis of gaseous and liquid organic mixtures (GC, GC/MS, PIONA, S speciation in gasoline).
  • Analysis and characterization of heterogeneous catalysts.
  • Operation and data analysis from bench and pilot scale batch and continuous fixed and fluid bed reactor system.
Based on the above core competencies unique technology has been developed (LEFH is used by BP, HAR, OMV, Akzo/Nobel among others for outsourcing key research and technology services) in the following main areas:
  • Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst evaluation studies
  • FCC additives evaluation studies
  • Hydrogen Desulfurization (HDS) catalyst evaluation studies

FCC catalysts evaluation studies

In a number of bench scale units and a riser based continuous circulation catalyst pilot plant with complete catalyst regeneration the following services can be offered:
1. High temperature steam deactivation of catalysts up to 5 Kg at a time
2. Cyclic deactivation of catalysts with simultaneous metal (Ni, V, Fe, Sb, Bi) deposition up to 250 gr
3. Cyclic Propylene Steam (CPS) deactivation of metal impregnated catalyst up to 5 Kg
4. Activity and selectivity measurement in a Short Contact time microactivity unit (SCT - MAT)
5. Catalyst and process studies in the FCC pilot plant

FCC additives evaluation studies
Apart from the above described technology, the Laboratory has also developed technology for the evaluation of some FCC additives: DeSOx, DeNOx and BCA (Bottom Cracking additives).
Evaluation of DeSOx additives A laboratory procedure has been developed in LEFH for testing the relative SOx-removal activity of various DeSOx additives. The procedure involves full cycles between SOx adsorption and regeneration of the materials, carried out usually at the conditions of a typical FCC unit.
Evaluation of DeNOx additives A laboratory procedure has been developed in LEFH for testing the NOx-removal activity of various DeNOx additives. The procedure is based on a fluid bed reactor. The bed consists of spent FCC catalyst and is fed by a mixture of 2% O2 in N2.
Evaluation of BCA additives BCA are now very important because of the higher amounts of resid added in the FCC feedstock. The technology developed in CPERI for BCA evaluation is based on the units described above for FCC catalysts. The CDU is the key unit for this evaluation (metallation procedure) while the final evaluation is carried out in MAT or FCC pilot unit according to a specific protocol.

HDS catalyst evaluation studies
A large pilot plant, is capable of assessing 4 catalysts simultaneously, which enables economies of scale and pass these cost benefits onto our clients.
The major benefit however is that one may assess 4 sets of results simultaneously thereby saving time.

Major strengths include:
1. Understanding the difficulties associated with the loading of pilot reactors, and the development of suitable protocols to resolve potential problems.
2. The ability to accurately implement various sulphiding procedures.
3. The ability to execute complex predefined experimental matrices.
4. To schedule and execute experimental programs on time and within budget.
5. To control the unit variability to within 2% of set point parameters.
6. To assess the validity of unit and analytical results.
7. To process the resulting data into a useable format.
8. To supply our clients with processed information as each run unfolds.
9. Flexibility and expertise in the handling of difficult feed stocks, for example Naphtha & Heavy Gas oils.